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Revision 1.46 by root, Mon Nov 26 10:20:43 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.259 by root, Sun Jul 19 01:36:34 2009 UTC

2 2
3libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C 3libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 #include <ev.h> 7 #include <ev.h>
8 8
9=head1 DESCRIPTION 9=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10
11 // a single header file is required
12 #include <ev.h>
13
14 #include <stdio.h> // for puts
15
16 // every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
17 // with the name ev_TYPE
18 ev_io stdin_watcher;
19 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
20
21 // all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
22 // this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
23 static void
24 stdin_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
25 {
26 puts ("stdin ready");
27 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
28 // with its corresponding stop function.
29 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
30
31 // this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating
32 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);
33 }
34
35 // another callback, this time for a time-out
36 static void
37 timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
38 {
39 puts ("timeout");
40 // this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating
41 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);
42 }
43
44 int
45 main (void)
46 {
47 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs
48 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
49
50 // initialise an io watcher, then start it
51 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable
52 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
53 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
54
55 // initialise a timer watcher, then start it
56 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
57 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
58 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
59
60 // now wait for events to arrive
61 ev_loop (loop, 0);
62
63 // unloop was called, so exit
64 return 0;
65 }
66
67=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
68
69This document documents the libev software package.
70
71The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted
72web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
73time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
74
75While this document tries to be as complete as possible in documenting
76libev, its usage and the rationale behind its design, it is not a tutorial
77on event-based programming, nor will it introduce event-based programming
78with libev.
79
80Familarity with event based programming techniques in general is assumed
81throughout this document.
82
83=head1 ABOUT LIBEV
10 84
11Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a 85Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
12file descriptor being readable or a timeout occuring), and it will manage 86file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
13these event sources and provide your program with events. 87these event sources and provide your program with events.
14 88
15To do this, it must take more or less complete control over your process 89To do this, it must take more or less complete control over your process
16(or thread) by executing the I<event loop> handler, and will then 90(or thread) by executing the I<event loop> handler, and will then
17communicate events via a callback mechanism. 91communicate events via a callback mechanism.
19You register interest in certain events by registering so-called I<event 93You register interest in certain events by registering so-called I<event
20watchers>, which are relatively small C structures you initialise with the 94watchers>, which are relatively small C structures you initialise with the
21details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the 95details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the
22watcher. 96watcher.
23 97
24=head1 FEATURES 98=head2 FEATURES
25 99
26Libev supports select, poll, the linux-specific epoll and the bsd-specific 100Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the
27kqueue mechanisms for file descriptor events, relative timers, absolute 101BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms
28timers with customised rescheduling, signal events, process status change 102for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface
29events (related to SIGCHLD), and event watchers dealing with the event 103(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers
30loop mechanism itself (idle, prepare and check watchers). It also is quite 104with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals
105(C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and event
106watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>,
107C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> watchers) as well as
108file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even limited support for fork events
109(C<ev_fork>).
110
111It also is quite fast (see this
31fast (see this L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing 112L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
32it to libevent for example). 113for example).
33 114
34=head1 CONVENTIONS 115=head2 CONVENTIONS
35 116
36Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration 117Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
37will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info 118configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
38about various configuration options please have a look at the file 119more info about various configuration options please have a look at
39F<README.embed> in the libev distribution. If libev was configured without 120B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
40support for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial 121for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
41argument of name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) 122name C<loop> (which is always of type C<ev_loop *>) will not have
42will not have this argument. 123this argument.
43 124
44=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION 125=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
45 126
46Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 127Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing
47(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 128the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere
48the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is 129near the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This
49called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases 130type is called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually
50to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on 131aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do any calculations
51it, you should treat it as such. 132on it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name
133component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences
134throughout libev.
135
136=head1 ERROR HANDLING
137
138Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
139and internal errors (bugs).
140
141When libev catches an operating system error it cannot handle (for example
142a system call indicating a condition libev cannot fix), it calls the callback
143set via C<ev_set_syserr_cb>, which is supposed to fix the problem or
144abort. The default is to print a diagnostic message and to call C<abort
145()>.
146
147When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
148it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
149so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
150the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
151
152Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has
153extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
154circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse.
52 155
53 156
54=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 157=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
55 158
56These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the 159These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
62 165
63Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the 166Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
64C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp 167C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
65you actually want to know. 168you actually want to know.
66 169
170=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
171
172Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
173either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
174this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
175
67=item int ev_version_major () 176=item int ev_version_major ()
68 177
69=item int ev_version_minor () 178=item int ev_version_minor ()
70 179
71You can find out the major and minor version numbers of the library 180You can find out the major and minor ABI version numbers of the library
72you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and 181you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and
73C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global 182C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global
74symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the 183symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the
75version of the library your program was compiled against. 184version of the library your program was compiled against.
76 185
186These version numbers refer to the ABI version of the library, not the
187release version.
188
77Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch, 189Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch,
78as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 190as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
79compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 191compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
80not a problem. 192not a problem.
81 193
82Example: make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 194Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
83version: 195version.
84 196
85 assert (("libev version mismatch", 197 assert (("libev version mismatch",
86 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 198 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
87 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 199 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
88 200
89=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends () 201=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
90 202
91Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*> 203Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>
92value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their 204value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
94a description of the set values. 206a description of the set values.
95 207
96Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and 208Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and
97a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11 209a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11
98 210
99 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex", 211 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
100 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL)); 212 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
101 213
102=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends () 214=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
103 215
104Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also 216Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also
105recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one 217recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one
106returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on 218returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on
107most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it 219most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it
108(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that 220(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that
109libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly. 221libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
110 222
111=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends () 223=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
112 224
116C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for 228C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for
117recommended ones. 229recommended ones.
118 230
119See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 231See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
120 232
121=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) 233=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT]
122 234
123Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar to the 235Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
124realloc C function, the semantics are identical). It is used to allocate 236semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
125and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when memory 237used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
126needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some potentially 238when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
127destructive action. The default is your system realloc function. 239or take some potentially destructive action.
240
241Since some systems (at least OpenBSD and Darwin) fail to implement
242correct C<realloc> semantics, libev will use a wrapper around the system
243C<realloc> and C<free> functions by default.
128 244
129You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say, 245You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
130free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator, 246free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
131or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available. 247or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
132 248
133Example: replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then 249Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
134retries: better than mine). 250retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
135 251
136 static void * 252 static void *
137 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, long size) 253 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
138 { 254 {
139 for (;;) 255 for (;;)
140 { 256 {
141 void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size); 257 void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size);
142 258
148 } 264 }
149 265
150 ... 266 ...
151 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc); 267 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
152 268
153=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); 269=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT]
154 270
155Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such 271Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
156as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string 272as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
157indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this 273indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
158callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no 274callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
159matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the 275matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
160requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff 276requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
161(such as abort). 277(such as abort).
162 278
163Example: do the same thing as libev does internally: 279Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
164 280
165 static void 281 static void
166 fatal_error (const char *msg) 282 fatal_error (const char *msg)
167 { 283 {
168 perror (msg); 284 perror (msg);
174 290
175=back 291=back
176 292
177=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP 293=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
178 294
179An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two 295An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct>
180types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child 296is I<not> optional in this case, as there is also an C<ev_loop>
181events, and dynamically created loops which do not. 297I<function>).
182 298
183If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop 299The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
184in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you 300supports signals and child events, and dynamically created loops which do
185create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking 301not.
186whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different
187threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if
188done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient).
189 302
190=over 4 303=over 4
191 304
192=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags) 305=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
193 306
197flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). 310flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
198 311
199If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 312If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
200function. 313function.
201 314
315Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
316from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
317as loops cannot be shared easily between threads anyway).
318
319The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
320C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
321for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
322create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
323can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
324C<ev_default_init>.
325
202The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 326The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
203backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). 327backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
204 328
205The following flags are supported: 329The following flags are supported:
206 330
211The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right 335The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
212thing, believe me). 336thing, believe me).
213 337
214=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV> 338=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
215 339
216If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid 340If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
217or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable 341or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
218C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will 342C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
219override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is 343override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
220useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 344useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
221around bugs. 345around bugs.
222 346
347=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
348
349Instead of calling C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork> manually after
350a fork, you can also make libev check for a fork in each iteration by
351enabling this flag.
352
353This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
354and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
355iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
356GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
357without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
358C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
359
360The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
361forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
362flag.
363
364This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
365environment variable.
366
223=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 367=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
224 368
225This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 369This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
226libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds, 370libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
227but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when 371but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
228using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its usually 372using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
229the fastest backend for a low number of fds. 373usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
374
375To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
376parallelism (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
377writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
378connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
379a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
380readiness notifications you get per iteration.
381
382This backend maps C<EV_READ> to the C<readfds> set and C<EV_WRITE> to the
383C<writefds> set (and to work around Microsoft Windows bugs, also onto the
384C<exceptfds> set on that platform).
230 385
231=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows) 386=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
232 387
233And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated than 388And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
234select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial limit on the 389than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
235number of fds you can use (except it will slow down considerably with a 390limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
236lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select, i.e. O(total_fds). 391considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
392i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
393performance tips.
394
395This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
396C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
237 397
238=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 398=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
239 399
240For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, 400For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
241but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like 401but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
242O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), epoll scales 402like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
243either O(1) or O(active_fds). 403epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
244 404
405The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
406of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
407dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
408descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup and
409so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program forks then
410I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll set, which can
411take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course
412hard to detect.
413
414Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but
415of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
416I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
417even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
418on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
419employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
420events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required.
421
245While stopping and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration will 422While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
246result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident 423will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
247(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its 424incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
248best to avoid that. Also, dup()ed file descriptors might not work very 425I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
249well if you register events for both fds. 426file descriptors might not work very well if you register events for both
427file descriptors.
250 428
251Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you 429Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
252need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data 430watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
253(or space) is available. 431i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
432starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
433extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
434as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
435take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
436
437All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
438faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
439the usage. So sad.
440
441While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
442all kernel versions tested so far.
443
444This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
445C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
254 446
255=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones) 447=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
256 448
257Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it 449Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
258was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work with 450was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
259anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course its 451with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
260completely useless). For this reason its not being "autodetected" 452it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose brokenness
453is by design, these kqueue bugs can (and eventually will) be fixed
454without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not being
261unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using 455"auto-detected" unless you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using
262C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>). 456C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
457system like NetBSD.
458
459You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
460only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
461the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
263 462
264It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the 463It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
265kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of 464kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
266course). While starting and stopping an I/O watcher does not cause an 465course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
267extra syscall as with epoll, it still adds up to four event changes per 466cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
268incident, so its best to avoid that. 467two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but
468sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect
469cases
470
471This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
472
473While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
474everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
475almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
476(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
477(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (but C<poll> is of course
478also broken on OS X)) and, did I mention it, using it only for sockets.
479
480This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
481C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
482C<NOTE_EOF>.
269 483
270=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8) 484=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
271 485
272This is not implemented yet (and might never be). 486This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
487implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
488and is not embeddable, which would limit the usefulness of this backend
489immensely.
273 490
274=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10) 491=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
275 492
276This uses the Solaris 10 port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris, 493This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
277it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)). 494it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
278 495
279Please note that solaris ports can result in a lot of spurious 496Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
280notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid 497notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
281blocking when no data (or space) is available. 498blocking when no data (or space) is available.
499
500While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
501file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
502descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
503might perform better.
504
505On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
506notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
507in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
508OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks).
509
510This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
511C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
282 512
283=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 513=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
284 514
285Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried 515Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
286with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as 516with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
287C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>. 517C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
288 518
519It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
520
289=back 521=back
290 522
291If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these 523If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these
292backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If none are 524backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are
293specified, most compiled-in backend will be tried, usually in reverse 525specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.
294order of their flag values :)
295 526
296The most typical usage is like this: 527Example: This is the most typical usage.
297 528
298 if (!ev_default_loop (0)) 529 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
299 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?"); 530 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
300 531
301Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow 532Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
302environment settings to be taken into account: 533environment settings to be taken into account:
303 534
304 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV); 535 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
305 536
306Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if 537Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
307available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private 538used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
308event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds): 539private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
540fds):
309 541
310 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE); 542 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
311 543
312=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags) 544=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
313 545
314Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is 546Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
315always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot 547always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
316handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by 548handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
317undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled). 549undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
318 550
551Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
552libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
553default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
554
319Example: try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 555Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
320 556
321 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 557 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
322 if (!epoller) 558 if (!epoller)
323 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 559 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
324 560
325=item ev_default_destroy () 561=item ev_default_destroy ()
326 562
327Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 563Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
328etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal 564etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
329sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your 565sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
330responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before> 566responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
331calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually 567calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
332the easiest thing, youc na just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them 568the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
333for example). 569for example).
570
571Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
572handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
573as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
574
575In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
576rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
577pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
578C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).
334 579
335=item ev_loop_destroy (loop) 580=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
336 581
337Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an 582Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
338earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>. 583earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
339 584
340=item ev_default_fork () 585=item ev_default_fork ()
341 586
587This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations
342This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have 588to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
343one. Despite the name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense 589name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in
344after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that 590the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little
345again makes little sense). 591sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev
592functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration.
346 593
347You I<must> call this function in the child process after forking if and 594On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
348only if you want to use the event library in both processes. If you just 595process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If
349fork+exec, you don't have to call it. 596you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all.
350 597
351The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call 598The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
352it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in 599it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in
353quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>: 600quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
354 601
355 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 602 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
356 603
357At the moment, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL> are safe to use
358without calling this function, so if you force one of those backends you
359do not need to care.
360
361=item ev_loop_fork (loop) 604=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
362 605
363Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by 606Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
364C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop 607C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
365after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem. 608after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is
609entirely your own problem.
610
611=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
612
613Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
614otherwise.
615
616=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
617
618Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
619the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
620happily wraps around with enough iterations.
621
622This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
623"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
624C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls.
625
626=item unsigned int ev_loop_depth (loop)
627
628Returns the number of times C<ev_loop> was entered minus the number of
629times C<ev_loop> was exited, in other words, the recursion depth.
630
631Outside C<ev_loop>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is
632C<1>, unless C<ev_loop> was invoked recursively (or from another thread),
633in which case it is higher.
634
635Leaving C<ev_loop> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread
636etc.), doesn't count as exit.
366 637
367=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop) 638=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
368 639
369Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in 640Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
370use. 641use.
373 644
374Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop 645Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop
375received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not 646received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
376change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base 647change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
377time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the 648time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
378event occuring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it). 649event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
650
651=item ev_now_update (loop)
652
653Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
654returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
655is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>.
656
657This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
658very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
659the current time is a good idea.
660
661See also L<The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.
662
663=item ev_suspend (loop)
664
665=item ev_resume (loop)
666
667These two functions suspend and resume a loop, for use when the loop is
668not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
669
670A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
671the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
672would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
673the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend>
674in your C<SIGTSTP> handler, sending yourself a C<SIGSTOP> and calling
675C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing.
676
677Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend
678between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers
679will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
680occured while suspended).
681
682After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the
683given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume>
684without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
685
686Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
687event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
379 688
380=item ev_loop (loop, int flags) 689=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
381 690
382Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 691Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
383after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling 692after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
386If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until 695If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until
387either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called. 696either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.
388 697
389Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than 698Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than
390relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has 699relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
391finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that 700finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
392automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of 701that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
393relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty. 702of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
703beauty.
394 704
395A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle 705A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle
396those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in 706those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your
397case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop. 707process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of
708the loop.
398 709
399A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if 710A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
400neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block 711necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
401your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after 712will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
402one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some 713be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
403external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other 714user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
715iteration of the loop.
716
717This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
718with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
404libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 719own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
405usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 720usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
406 721
407Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 722Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
408 723
409 * If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return. 724 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
410 - Queue prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers. 725 * If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
726 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
727 - Queue and call all prepare watchers.
411 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state. 728 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
729 as to not disturb the other process.
412 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 730 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
413 - Update the "event loop time". 731 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
414 - Calculate for how long to block. 732 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
733 (active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
734 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
735 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
415 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 736 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
416 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events. 737 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
417 - Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling. 738 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
418 - Queue all outstanding timers. 739 - Queue all expired timers.
419 - Queue all outstanding periodics. 740 - Queue all expired periodics.
420 - If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers. 741 - Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
421 - Queue all check watchers. 742 - Queue all check watchers.
422 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first). 743 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
423 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will 744 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
424 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 745 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
425 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 746 - If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
426 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *. 747 were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise
748 continue with step *.
427 749
428Example: queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding 750Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
429anymore. 751anymore.
430 752
431 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 753 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
432 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 754 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
433 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 755 ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
434 ... jobs done. yeah! 756 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
435 757
436=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 758=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
437 759
438Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 760Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
439has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 761has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
440C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or 762C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
441C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return. 763C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
442 764
765This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.
766
767It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls.
768
443=item ev_ref (loop) 769=item ev_ref (loop)
444 770
445=item ev_unref (loop) 771=item ev_unref (loop)
446 772
447Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event 773Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
448loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference 774loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
449count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. If you have 775count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own.
776
450a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> from 777If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop>
451returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For 778from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before
779stopping it.
780
452example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not 781As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
453visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if 782is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from
454no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent 783exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
455way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party 784excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
456libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>. 785third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref
786before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active
787before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself
788(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref>
789in the callback).
457 790
458Example: create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 791Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
459running when nothing else is active. 792running when nothing else is active.
460 793
461 struct dv_signal exitsig; 794 ev_signal exitsig;
462 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 795 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
463 ev_signal_start (myloop, &exitsig); 796 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
464 evf_unref (myloop); 797 evf_unref (loop);
465 798
466Example: for some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 799Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
467 800
468 ev_ref (myloop); 801 ev_ref (loop);
469 ev_signal_stop (myloop, &exitsig); 802 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
803
804=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
805
806=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
807
808These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
809for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
810will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
811latency.
812
813Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
814allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
815to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
816opportunities).
817
818The idea is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to handle
819one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes the
820program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
821events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
822overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
823
824By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
825time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
826at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
827C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
828introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
829sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
830once per this interval, on average.
831
832Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
833to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
834latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
835later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
836value will not introduce any overhead in libev.
837
838Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
839interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
840interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
841usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
842as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. Note that if
843you do transactions with the outside world and you can't increase the
844parallelity, then this setting will limit your transaction rate (if you
845need to poll once per transaction and the I/O collect interval is 0.01,
846then you can't do more than 100 transations per second).
847
848Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
849saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
850are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
851times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
852reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
853they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
854
855Example: we only need 0.1s timeout granularity, and we wish not to poll
856more often than 100 times per second:
857
858 ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.1);
859 ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01);
860
861=item ev_invoke_pending (loop)
862
863This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their
864pending state. Normally, C<ev_loop> does this automatically when required,
865but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy.
866
867=item int ev_pending_count (loop)
868
869Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers
870are pending.
871
872=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P))
873
874This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of
875invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_loop> will call
876this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to
877invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
878
879If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
880callback.
881
882=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P), void (*acquire)(EV_P))
883
884Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
885can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
886each call to a libev function.
887
888However, C<ev_loop> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible to
889wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the loop via
890C<ev_unloop> and C<av_async_send>, another way is to set these I<release>
891and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
892
893When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
894suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
895afterwards.
896
897Ideally, C<release> will just call your mutex_unlock function, and
898C<acquire> will just call the mutex_lock function again.
899
900While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of
901C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no
902modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will
903have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time
904waited. USe an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_loop> when you want it
905to take note of any changes you made.
906
907In theory, threads executing C<ev_loop> will be async-cancel safe between
908invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>.
909
910See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this
911document.
912
913=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data)
914
915=item ev_userdata (loop)
916
917Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When
918C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns
919C<0.>
920
921These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop,
922and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and
923C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for
924any other purpose as well.
925
926=item ev_loop_verify (loop)
927
928This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
929compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
930through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
931is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
932error and call C<abort ()>.
933
934This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
935circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
936data structures consistent.
470 937
471=back 938=back
472 939
473 940
474=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER 941=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
942
943In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
944watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
945watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
475 946
476A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your 947A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
477interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to 948interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
478become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that: 949become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
479 950
480 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 951 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
481 { 952 {
482 ev_io_stop (w); 953 ev_io_stop (w);
483 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 954 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
484 } 955 }
485 956
486 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 957 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
958
487 struct ev_io stdin_watcher; 959 ev_io stdin_watcher;
960
488 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb); 961 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
489 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 962 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
490 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 963 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
964
491 ev_loop (loop, 0); 965 ev_loop (loop, 0);
492 966
493As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your 967As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
494watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack, 968watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
495although this can sometimes be quite valid). 969stack).
970
971Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
972or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
496 973
497Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init 974Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init
498(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This 975(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
499callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io 976callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O
500watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given 977watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
501is readable and/or writable). 978is readable and/or writable).
502 979
503Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro 980Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
504with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro 981macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
505to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< ev_<type>_init 982is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
506(watcher *, callback, ...) >>. 983ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
507 984
508To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it 985To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it
509with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_<type>_start (loop, watcher 986with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
510*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the 987*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
511corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>. 988corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
512 989
513As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you 990As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
514must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never 991must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
515reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro. 992reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
516 993
517Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the 994Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
518registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as 995registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
519third argument. 996third argument.
520 997
544The signal specified in the C<ev_signal> watcher has been received by a thread. 1021The signal specified in the C<ev_signal> watcher has been received by a thread.
545 1022
546=item C<EV_CHILD> 1023=item C<EV_CHILD>
547 1024
548The pid specified in the C<ev_child> watcher has received a status change. 1025The pid specified in the C<ev_child> watcher has received a status change.
1026
1027=item C<EV_STAT>
1028
1029The path specified in the C<ev_stat> watcher changed its attributes somehow.
549 1030
550=item C<EV_IDLE> 1031=item C<EV_IDLE>
551 1032
552The C<ev_idle> watcher has determined that you have nothing better to do. 1033The C<ev_idle> watcher has determined that you have nothing better to do.
553 1034
561received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as 1042received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as
562many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account 1043many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account
563(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep 1044(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep
564C<ev_loop> from blocking). 1045C<ev_loop> from blocking).
565 1046
1047=item C<EV_EMBED>
1048
1049The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.
1050
1051=item C<EV_FORK>
1052
1053The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
1054C<ev_fork>).
1055
1056=item C<EV_ASYNC>
1057
1058The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
1059
1060=item C<EV_CUSTOM>
1061
1062Not ever sent (or otherwise used) by libev itself, but can be freely used
1063by libev users to signal watchers (e.g. via C<ev_feed_event>).
1064
566=item C<EV_ERROR> 1065=item C<EV_ERROR>
567 1066
568An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might 1067An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
569happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev 1068happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
570ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other 1069ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
1070problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
1071
571problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping 1072You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
572with the watcher being stopped. 1073watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
1074an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
1075bug in your program.
573 1076
574Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, 1077Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
575for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if 1078example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
576your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope 1079callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
577with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded 1080the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
578programs, though, so beware. 1081programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
1082thing, so beware.
579 1083
580=back 1084=back
581 1085
582=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS 1086=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
583
584In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
585e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
586 1087
587=over 4 1088=over 4
588 1089
589=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 1090=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
590 1091
596which rolls both calls into one. 1097which rolls both calls into one.
597 1098
598You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped 1099You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
599(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding. 1100(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
600 1101
601The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, 1102The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
602int revents)>. 1103int revents)>.
1104
1105Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
1106
1107 ev_io w;
1108 ev_init (&w, my_cb);
1109 ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
603 1110
604=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args]) 1111=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])
605 1112
606This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to 1113This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
607call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can 1114call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
610difference to the C<ev_init> macro). 1117difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
611 1118
612Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments 1119Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
613(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro. 1120(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
614 1121
1122See C<ev_init>, above, for an example.
1123
615=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args]) 1124=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
616 1125
617This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro 1126This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
618calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise 1127calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
619a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course. 1128a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
1129
1130Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
1131
1132 ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
620 1133
621=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1134=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
622 1135
623Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive 1136Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
624events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen. 1137events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
625 1138
1139Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
1140whole section.
1141
1142 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
1143
626=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1144=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
627 1145
628Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending 1146Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
1147the watcher was active or not).
1148
629status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example, 1149It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
630non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but 1150non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending - but
631C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If 1151calling C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor
632you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a 1152pending. If you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is
633good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function. 1153therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
634 1154
635=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1155=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
636 1156
637Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started 1157Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
638and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify 1158and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
641=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1161=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher)
642 1162
643Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding 1163Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding
644events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher 1164events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher
645is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but 1165is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but
646C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe) and you must make sure the watcher is available to 1166C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe), you must not change its priority, and you must
647libev (e.g. you cnanot C<free ()> it). 1167make sure the watcher is available to libev (e.g. you cannot C<free ()>
1168it).
648 1169
649=item callback = ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1170=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
650 1171
651Returns the callback currently set on the watcher. 1172Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
652 1173
653=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 1174=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
654 1175
655Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time 1176Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
656(modulo threads). 1177(modulo threads).
657 1178
1179=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority)
1180
1181=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
1182
1183Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
1184integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
1185(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
1186before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
1187from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
1188
1189If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
1190you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
1191
1192You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
1193pending.
1194
1195Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
1196fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
1197or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
1198
1199The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
1200always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
1201
1202See L<WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of
1203priorities.
1204
1205=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1206
1207Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
1208C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
1209can deal with that fact, as both are simply passed through to the
1210callback.
1211
1212=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
1213
1214If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
1215returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
1216watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
1217
1218Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
1219callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
1220
658=back 1221=back
659 1222
660 1223
661=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 1224=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
662 1225
663Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change 1226Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
664and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used 1227and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
665to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and 1228to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
666don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data 1229don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
667member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own 1230member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
668data: 1231data:
669 1232
670 struct my_io 1233 struct my_io
671 { 1234 {
672 struct ev_io io; 1235 ev_io io;
673 int otherfd; 1236 int otherfd;
674 void *somedata; 1237 void *somedata;
675 struct whatever *mostinteresting; 1238 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
676 } 1239 };
1240
1241 ...
1242 struct my_io w;
1243 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
677 1244
678And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you 1245And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
679can cast it back to your own type: 1246can cast it back to your own type:
680 1247
681 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents) 1248 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
682 { 1249 {
683 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_; 1250 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
684 ... 1251 ...
685 } 1252 }
686 1253
687More interesting and less C-conformant ways of catsing your callback type 1254More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
688have been omitted.... 1255instead have been omitted.
1256
1257Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
1258embedded watchers:
1259
1260 struct my_biggy
1261 {
1262 int some_data;
1263 ev_timer t1;
1264 ev_timer t2;
1265 }
1266
1267In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
1268complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
1269in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
1270some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
1271programmers):
1272
1273 #include <stddef.h>
1274
1275 static void
1276 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1277 {
1278 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1279 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
1280 }
1281
1282 static void
1283 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1284 {
1285 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1286 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
1287 }
1288
1289=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
1290
1291Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small
1292integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation
1293between watchers in some way, all else being equal.
1294
1295In libev, Watcher priorities can be set using C<ev_set_priority>. See its
1296description for the more technical details such as the actual priority
1297range.
1298
1299There are two common ways how these these priorities are being interpreted
1300by event loops:
1301
1302In the more common lock-out model, higher priorities "lock out" invocation
1303of lower priority watchers, which means as long as higher priority
1304watchers receive events, lower priority watchers are not being invoked.
1305
1306The less common only-for-ordering model uses priorities solely to order
1307callback invocation within a single event loop iteration: Higher priority
1308watchers are invoked before lower priority ones, but they all get invoked
1309before polling for new events.
1310
1311Libev uses the second (only-for-ordering) model for all its watchers
1312except for idle watchers (which use the lock-out model).
1313
1314The rationale behind this is that implementing the lock-out model for
1315watchers is not well supported by most kernel interfaces, and most event
1316libraries will just poll for the same events again and again as long as
1317their callbacks have not been executed, which is very inefficient in the
1318common case of one high-priority watcher locking out a mass of lower
1319priority ones.
1320
1321Static (ordering) priorities are most useful when you have two or more
1322watchers handling the same resource: a typical usage example is having an
1323C<ev_io> watcher to receive data, and an associated C<ev_timer> to handle
1324timeouts. Under load, data might be received while the program handles
1325other jobs, but since timers normally get invoked first, the timeout
1326handler will be executed before checking for data. In that case, giving
1327the timer a lower priority than the I/O watcher ensures that I/O will be
1328handled first even under adverse conditions (which is usually, but not
1329always, what you want).
1330
1331Since idle watchers use the "lock-out" model, meaning that idle watchers
1332will only be executed when no same or higher priority watchers have
1333received events, they can be used to implement the "lock-out" model when
1334required.
1335
1336For example, to emulate how many other event libraries handle priorities,
1337you can associate an C<ev_idle> watcher to each such watcher, and in
1338the normal watcher callback, you just start the idle watcher. The real
1339processing is done in the idle watcher callback. This causes libev to
1340continously poll and process kernel event data for the watcher, but when
1341the lock-out case is known to be rare (which in turn is rare :), this is
1342workable.
1343
1344Usually, however, the lock-out model implemented that way will perform
1345miserably under the type of load it was designed to handle. In that case,
1346it might be preferable to stop the real watcher before starting the
1347idle watcher, so the kernel will not have to process the event in case
1348the actual processing will be delayed for considerable time.
1349
1350Here is an example of an I/O watcher that should run at a strictly lower
1351priority than the default, and which should only process data when no
1352other events are pending:
1353
1354 ev_idle idle; // actual processing watcher
1355 ev_io io; // actual event watcher
1356
1357 static void
1358 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1359 {
1360 // stop the I/O watcher, we received the event, but
1361 // are not yet ready to handle it.
1362 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
1363
1364 // start the idle watcher to ahndle the actual event.
1365 // it will not be executed as long as other watchers
1366 // with the default priority are receiving events.
1367 ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle);
1368 }
1369
1370 static void
1371 idle_cb (EV_P_ ev_idle *w, int revents)
1372 {
1373 // actual processing
1374 read (STDIN_FILENO, ...);
1375
1376 // have to start the I/O watcher again, as
1377 // we have handled the event
1378 ev_io_start (EV_P_ &io);
1379 }
1380
1381 // initialisation
1382 ev_idle_init (&idle, idle_cb);
1383 ev_io_init (&io, io_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1384 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &io);
1385
1386In the "real" world, it might also be beneficial to start a timer, so that
1387low-priority connections can not be locked out forever under load. This
1388enables your program to keep a lower latency for important connections
1389during short periods of high load, while not completely locking out less
1390important ones.
689 1391
690 1392
691=head1 WATCHER TYPES 1393=head1 WATCHER TYPES
692 1394
693This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 1395This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
694information given in the last section. 1396information given in the last section. Any initialisation/set macros,
1397functions and members specific to the watcher type are explained.
1398
1399Members are additionally marked with either I<[read-only]>, meaning that,
1400while the watcher is active, you can look at the member and expect some
1401sensible content, but you must not modify it (you can modify it while the
1402watcher is stopped to your hearts content), or I<[read-write]>, which
1403means you can expect it to have some sensible content while the watcher
1404is active, but you can also modify it. Modifying it may not do something
1405sensible or take immediate effect (or do anything at all), but libev will
1406not crash or malfunction in any way.
695 1407
696 1408
697=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable? 1409=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable?
698 1410
699I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable 1411I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable
707In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 1419In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
708fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 1420fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
709descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 1421descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
710required if you know what you are doing). 1422required if you know what you are doing).
711 1423
712You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends 1424If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
713(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file 1425known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
714descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing 1426C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). The same applies to file
715to the same underlying file/socket/etc. description (that is, they share 1427descriptors for which non-blocking operation makes no sense (such as
716the same underlying "file open"). 1428files) - libev doesn't guarentee any specific behaviour in that case.
717
718If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
719(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
720C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
721 1429
722Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to 1430Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
723receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might 1431receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
724be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block 1432be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
725because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a 1433because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
726lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into 1434lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
727this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus 1435this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
728it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning 1436it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
729C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives. 1437C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
730 1438
731If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not 1439If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
732play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test 1440not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
733wether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface 1441re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
734such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on 1442interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already
735its own, so its quite safe to use). 1443does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
1444use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
1445indefinitely.
1446
1447But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1448
1449=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1450
1451Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
1452descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means,
1453such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
1454descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
1455this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
1456registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
1457fact, a different file descriptor.
1458
1459To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows
1460the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev
1461will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise
1462it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that
1463you I<have> to call C<ev_io_set> (or C<ev_io_init>) when you change the
1464descriptor even if the file descriptor number itself did not change.
1465
1466This is how one would do it normally anyway, the important point is that
1467the libev application should not optimise around libev but should leave
1468optimisations to libev.
1469
1470=head3 The special problem of dup'ed file descriptors
1471
1472Some backends (e.g. epoll), cannot register events for file descriptors,
1473but only events for the underlying file descriptions. That means when you
1474have C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors or weirder constellations, and register
1475events for them, only one file descriptor might actually receive events.
1476
1477There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1478for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1479C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1480
1481=head3 The special problem of fork
1482
1483Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit
1484useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about
1485it in the child.
1486
1487To support fork in your programs, you either have to call
1488C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,
1489enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1490C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1491
1492=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1493
1494While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
1495when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
1496sent a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
1497this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
1498
1499So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1500ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1501somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1502
1503
1504=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
736 1505
737=over 4 1506=over 4
738 1507
739=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 1508=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
740 1509
741=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events) 1510=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
742 1511
743Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to 1512Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
744rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or 1513receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
745C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events. 1514C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.
1515
1516=item int fd [read-only]
1517
1518The file descriptor being watched.
1519
1520=item int events [read-only]
1521
1522The events being watched.
746 1523
747=back 1524=back
748 1525
1526=head3 Examples
1527
749Example: call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well 1528Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
750readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could 1529readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
751attempt to read a whole line in the callback: 1530attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
752 1531
753 static void 1532 static void
754 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1533 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
755 { 1534 {
756 ev_io_stop (loop, w); 1535 ev_io_stop (loop, w);
757 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors 1536 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
758 } 1537 }
759 1538
760 ... 1539 ...
761 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 1540 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
762 struct ev_io stdin_readable; 1541 ev_io stdin_readable;
763 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1542 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
764 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 1543 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
765 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1544 ev_loop (loop, 0);
766 1545
767 1546
768=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts 1547=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
769 1548
770Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 1549Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
771given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 1550given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
772 1551
773The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 1552The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
774times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years 1553times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
775time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because 1554year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
776detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 1555detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
777monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 1556monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1557
1558The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1559passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
1560might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the
1561same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked
1562before ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is
1563no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively).
1564
1565=head3 Be smart about timeouts
1566
1567Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
1568recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
1569you want to raise some error after a while.
1570
1571What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
1572inefficient to smart and efficient.
1573
1574In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
1575gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
1576data or other life sign was received).
1577
1578=over 4
1579
1580=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
1581
1582This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
1583start the watcher:
1584
1585 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
1586 ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
1587
1588Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
1589and start it again:
1590
1591 ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
1592 ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
1593 ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
1594
1595This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
1596some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
1597data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
1598still not a constant-time operation.
1599
1600=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
1601
1602This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
1603C<ev_timer_start>.
1604
1605To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
1606of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
1607successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
1608you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
1609the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
1610
1611That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
1612C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
1613member and C<ev_timer_again>.
1614
1615At start:
1616
1617 ev_init (timer, callback);
1618 timer->repeat = 60.;
1619 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1620
1621Each time there is some activity:
1622
1623 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1624
1625It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
1626whether the watcher is active or not:
1627
1628 timer->repeat = 30.;
1629 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1630
1631This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
1632you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
1633remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
1634
1635It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
1636
1637=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
1638
1639This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
1640relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
1641our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
1642associated activity resets.
1643
1644In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
1645but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
1646within the callback:
1647
1648 ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
1649
1650 static void
1651 callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1652 {
1653 ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);
1654 ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
1655
1656 // if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
1657 if (timeout < now)
1658 {
1659 // timeout occured, take action
1660 }
1661 else
1662 {
1663 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
1664 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
1665 // guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
1666 w->repeat = timeout - now;
1667 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
1668 }
1669 }
1670
1671To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
1672as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has
1673been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise
1674the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so
1675re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
1676a timeout then.
1677
1678Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the
1679C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.
1680
1681This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
1682minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
1683libev to change the timeout.
1684
1685To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
1686to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
1687callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
1688
1689 ev_init (timer, callback);
1690 last_activity = ev_now (loop);
1691 callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMEOUT);
1692
1693And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
1694C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
1695
1696 last_actiivty = ev_now (loop);
1697
1698This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
1699time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
1700
1701Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
1702callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
1703fix things for you.
1704
1705=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
1706
1707If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
1708employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
1709do even better:
1710
1711When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
1712at the I<end> of the list.
1713
1714Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
1715the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
1716
1717When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
1718the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
1719update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
1720
1721This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
1722starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
1723complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
1724ensures that the list stays sorted.
1725
1726=back
1727
1728So which method the best?
1729
1730Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
1731situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
1732better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
1733one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
1734
1735Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
1736rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
1737off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
1738overkill :)
1739
1740=head3 The special problem of time updates
1741
1742Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
1743least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
1744time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a
1745growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
1746lots of events in one iteration.
778 1747
779The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 1748The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
780time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 1749time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
781of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If 1750of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
782you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout 1751you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
783on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this: 1752timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
784 1753
785 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 1754 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
786 1755
787The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed, 1756If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
788but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then 1757update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
789order of execution is undefined. 1758()>.
1759
1760=head3 The special problems of suspended animation
1761
1762When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that
1763can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?
1764
1765Some quick tests made with a Linux 2.6.28 indicate that a suspend freezes
1766all processes, while the clocks (C<times>, C<CLOCK_MONOTONIC>) continue
1767to run until the system is suspended, but they will not advance while the
1768system is suspended. That means, on resume, it will be as if the program
1769was frozen for a few seconds, but the suspend time will not be counted
1770towards C<ev_timer> when a monotonic clock source is used. The real time
1771clock advanced as expected, but if it is used as sole clocksource, then a
1772long suspend would be detected as a time jump by libev, and timers would
1773be adjusted accordingly.
1774
1775I would not be surprised to see different behaviour in different between
1776operating systems, OS versions or even different hardware.
1777
1778The other form of suspend (job control, or sending a SIGSTOP) will see a
1779time jump in the monotonic clocks and the realtime clock. If the program
1780is suspended for a very long time, and monotonic clock sources are in use,
1781then you can expect C<ev_timer>s to expire as the full suspension time
1782will be counted towards the timers. When no monotonic clock source is in
1783use, then libev will again assume a timejump and adjust accordingly.
1784
1785It might be beneficial for this latter case to call C<ev_suspend>
1786and C<ev_resume> in code that handles C<SIGTSTP>, to at least get
1787deterministic behaviour in this case (you can do nothing against
1788C<SIGSTOP>).
1789
1790=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
790 1791
791=over 4 1792=over 4
792 1793
793=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1794=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
794 1795
795=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1796=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
796 1797
797Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is 1798Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
798C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the 1799is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
799timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds 1800reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
800later, again, and again, until stopped manually. 1801configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
1802until stopped manually.
801 1803
802The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you 1804The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
803configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at 1805you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
804exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with 1806trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
805the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the 1807keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
806timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 1808do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
807 1809
808=item ev_timer_again (loop) 1810=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
809 1811
810This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 1812This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
811repeating. The exact semantics are: 1813repeating. The exact semantics are:
812 1814
1815If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1816
813If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it. 1817If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
814 1818
815If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the repeat 1819If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
816value), or reset the running timer to the repeat value. 1820C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
817 1821
818This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical 1822This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
819example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle 1823usage example.
820timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60 1824
821seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to 1825=item ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
822configure an C<ev_timer> with after=repeat=60 and calling ev_timer_again each 1826
823time you successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle 1827Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
824state where you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can stop 1828then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's
825the timer, and again will automatically restart it if need be. 1829the timeout value currently configured.
1830
1831That is, after an C<ev_timer_set (w, 5, 7)>, C<ev_timer_remaining> returns
1832C<5>. When the timer is started and one second passes, C<ev_timer_remain>
1833will return C<4>. When the timer expires and is restarted, it will return
1834roughly C<7> (likely slightly less as callback invocation takes some time,
1835too), and so on.
1836
1837=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1838
1839The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1840or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1841which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
826 1842
827=back 1843=back
828 1844
1845=head3 Examples
1846
829Example: create a timer that fires after 60 seconds. 1847Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
830 1848
831 static void 1849 static void
832 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1850 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
833 { 1851 {
834 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here 1852 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
835 } 1853 }
836 1854
837 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1855 ev_timer mytimer;
838 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.); 1856 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
839 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer); 1857 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
840 1858
841Example: create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of 1859Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
842inactivity. 1860inactivity.
843 1861
844 static void 1862 static void
845 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1863 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
846 { 1864 {
847 .. ten seconds without any activity 1865 .. ten seconds without any activity
848 } 1866 }
849 1867
850 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1868 ev_timer mytimer;
851 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */ 1869 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
852 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */ 1870 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
853 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1871 ev_loop (loop, 0);
854 1872
855 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity": 1873 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
856 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 1874 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
857 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 1875 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
858 1876
859 1877
860=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron? 1878=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
861 1879
862Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 1880Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
863(and unfortunately a bit complex). 1881(and unfortunately a bit complex).
864 1882
865Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time) 1883Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
866but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher 1884relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
867to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a 1885(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calender or clock). The
868periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now () 1886difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
869+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will 1887time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
870take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger 1888wrist-watch).
871roughly 10 seconds later and of course not if you reset your system time
872again).
873 1889
874They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as 1890You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
1891in time: for example, if you tell a periodic watcher to trigger "in 10
1892seconds" (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now () + 10.>, that is, an absolute time
1893not a delay) and then reset your system clock to January of the previous
1894year, then it will take a year or more to trigger the event (unlike an
1895C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting
1896it, as it uses a relative timeout).
1897
1898C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex
875triggering an event on eahc midnight, local time. 1899timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or
1900other complicated rules. This cannot be done with C<ev_timer> watchers, as
1901those cannot react to time jumps.
876 1902
877As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the 1903As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
878time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready 1904point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
879during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined. 1905timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
1906earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
1907(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively).
1908
1909=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
880 1910
881=over 4 1911=over 4
882 1912
883=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb) 1913=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
884 1914
885=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb) 1915=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
886 1916
887Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of 1917Lots of arguments, let's sort it out... There are basically three modes of
888operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex: 1918operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
889 1919
890=over 4 1920=over 4
891 1921
892=item * absolute timer (interval = reschedule_cb = 0) 1922=item * absolute timer (offset = absolute time, interval = 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
893 1923
894In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time 1924In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
895C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs, 1925time C<offset> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a
896that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the 1926time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it
897system time reaches or surpasses this time. 1927will be stopped and invoked when the system clock reaches or surpasses
1928this point in time.
898 1929
899=item * non-repeating interval timer (interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0) 1930=item * repeating interval timer (offset = offset within interval, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
900 1931
901In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next 1932In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
902C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N) and then repeat, regardless 1933C<offset + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be
903of any time jumps. 1934negative) and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. The C<offset>
1935argument is merely an offset into the C<interval> periods.
904 1936
905This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system 1937This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
906time: 1938system clock, for example, here is an C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
1939hour, on the hour (with respect to UTC):
907 1940
908 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0); 1941 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
909 1942
910This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers, 1943This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
911but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a 1944but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
912full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible 1945full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
913by 3600. 1946by 3600.
914 1947
915Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 1948Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
916C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 1949C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
917time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 1950time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
918 1951
1952For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<offset> value is near
1953C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1954this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
1955
1956Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
1957speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
1958will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
1959millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
1960
919=item * manual reschedule mode (reschedule_cb = callback) 1961=item * manual reschedule mode (offset ignored, interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
920 1962
921In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being 1963In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<offset> are both being
922ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 1964ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
923reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 1965reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
924current time as second argument. 1966current time as second argument.
925 1967
926NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, 1968NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, ever,
927ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it, 1969or make ANY other event loop modifications whatsoever, unless explicitly
928return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by 1970allowed by documentation here>.
929starting a prepare watcher).
930 1971
1972If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
1973it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
1974only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
1975
931Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, 1976The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
932ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.: 1977*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
933 1978
1979 static ev_tstamp
934 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1980 my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
935 { 1981 {
936 return now + 60.; 1982 return now + 60.;
937 } 1983 }
938 1984
939It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value 1985It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
940(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It 1986(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
941will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but 1987will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
942might be called at other times, too. 1988might be called at other times, too.
943 1989
944NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the 1990NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
945passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger. 1991equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
946 1992
947This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 1993This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
948triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the 1994triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
949next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How 1995next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
950you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main 1996you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
951reason I omitted it as an example). 1997reason I omitted it as an example).
952 1998
953=back 1999=back
957Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful 2003Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
958when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return 2004when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
959a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like 2005a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
960program when the crontabs have changed). 2006program when the crontabs have changed).
961 2007
2008=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
2009
2010When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed
2011to trigger next. This is not the same as the C<offset> argument to
2012C<ev_periodic_set>, but indeed works even in interval and manual
2013rescheduling modes.
2014
2015=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
2016
2017When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
2018absolute point in time (the C<offset> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>,
2019although libev might modify this value for better numerical stability).
2020
2021Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
2022timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
2023
2024=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
2025
2026The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
2027take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
2028called.
2029
2030=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
2031
2032The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
2033switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
2034the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
2035
962=back 2036=back
963 2037
2038=head3 Examples
2039
964Example: call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 2040Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
965system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 2041system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
966potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability. 2042potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
967 2043
968 static void 2044 static void
969 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 2045 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
970 { 2046 {
971 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows) 2047 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
972 } 2048 }
973 2049
974 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 2050 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
975 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0); 2051 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
976 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 2052 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
977 2053
978Example: the same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it: 2054Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
979 2055
980 #include <math.h> 2056 #include <math.h>
981 2057
982 static ev_tstamp 2058 static ev_tstamp
983 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 2059 my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
984 { 2060 {
985 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.; 2061 return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
986 } 2062 }
987 2063
988 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb); 2064 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
989 2065
990Example: call a callback every hour, starting now: 2066Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
991 2067
992 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 2068 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
993 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 2069 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
994 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 2070 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
995 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 2071 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
996 2072
997 2073
998=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled! 2074=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
999 2075
1000Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 2076Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1001signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 2077signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1002will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 2078will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1003normal event processing, like any other event. 2079normal event processing, like any other event.
1004 2080
2081Note that only the default loop supports registering signal watchers
2082currently.
2083
2084If you want signals asynchronously, just use C<sigaction> as you would
2085do without libev and forget about sharing the signal. You can even use
2086C<ev_async> from a signal handler to synchronously wake up an event loop.
2087
1005You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the 2088You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the
1006first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher 2089first watcher gets started will libev actually register something with
1007with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long 2090the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as you
1008as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal 2091don't register any with libev for the same signal).
1009watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to 2092
1010SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before). 2093Both the signal mask state (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal handler state
2094(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
2095sotpping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
2096and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler.
2097
2098If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
2099C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
2100not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
2101interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
2102and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
2103
2104=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1011 2105
1012=over 4 2106=over 4
1013 2107
1014=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum) 2108=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)
1015 2109
1016=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum) 2110=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum)
1017 2111
1018Configures the watcher to trigger on the given signal number (usually one 2112Configures the watcher to trigger on the given signal number (usually one
1019of the C<SIGxxx> constants). 2113of the C<SIGxxx> constants).
1020 2114
2115=item int signum [read-only]
2116
2117The signal the watcher watches out for.
2118
1021=back 2119=back
1022 2120
2121=head3 Examples
2122
2123Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
2124
2125 static void
2126 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
2127 {
2128 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
2129 }
2130
2131 ev_signal signal_watcher;
2132 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
2133 ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
2134
1023 2135
1024=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes 2136=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1025 2137
1026Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 2138Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1027some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). 2139some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
2140exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
2141has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
2142as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
2143forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
2144but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later or
2145in the next callback invocation is not.
2146
2147Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
2148you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
2149
2150Due to some design glitches inside libev, child watchers will always be
2151handled at maximum priority (their priority is set to C<EV_MAXPRI> by
2152libev)
2153
2154=head3 Process Interaction
2155
2156Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
2157initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if the
2158first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
2159of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
2160synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
2161children, even ones not watched.
2162
2163=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
2164
2165Libev offers no special support for overriding the built-in child
2166processing, but if your application collides with libev's default child
2167handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
2168C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
2169default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
2170event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
2171that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
2172
2173=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
2174
2175Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
2176child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
2177callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
2178when a child exit is detected (calling C<ev_child_stop> twice is not a
2179problem).
2180
2181=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1028 2182
1029=over 4 2183=over 4
1030 2184
1031=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid) 2185=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid, int trace)
1032 2186
1033=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid) 2187=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid, int trace)
1034 2188
1035Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or 2189Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or
1036I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look 2190I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look
1037at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see 2191at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see
1038the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems 2192the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems
1039C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the 2193C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the
1040process causing the status change. 2194process causing the status change. C<trace> must be either C<0> (only
2195activate the watcher when the process terminates) or C<1> (additionally
2196activate the watcher when the process is stopped or continued).
2197
2198=item int pid [read-only]
2199
2200The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.
2201
2202=item int rpid [read-write]
2203
2204The process id that detected a status change.
2205
2206=item int rstatus [read-write]
2207
2208The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems
2209C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).
1041 2210
1042=back 2211=back
1043 2212
1044Example: try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM. 2213=head3 Examples
1045 2214
2215Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
2216its completion.
2217
2218 ev_child cw;
2219
1046 static void 2220 static void
1047 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents) 2221 child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1048 { 2222 {
1049 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 2223 ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
2224 printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1050 } 2225 }
1051 2226
1052 struct ev_signal signal_watcher; 2227 pid_t pid = fork ();
1053 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 2228
1054 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb); 2229 if (pid < 0)
2230 // error
2231 else if (pid == 0)
2232 {
2233 // the forked child executes here
2234 exit (1);
2235 }
2236 else
2237 {
2238 ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
2239 ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
2240 }
2241
2242
2243=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
2244
2245This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
2246C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
2247and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if
2248it did.
2249
2250The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
2251not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
2252exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
2253C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
2254least one) and all the other fields of the stat buffer having unspecified
2255contents.
2256
2257The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
2258C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
2259your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
2260
2261Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
2262portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
2263to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
2264interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
2265recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
2266(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
2267change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
2268currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
2269
2270This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
2271as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
2272resource-intensive.
2273
2274At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
2275is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as an
2276exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way of
2277implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue, except as a hint).
2278
2279=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
2280
2281Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
2282compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
2283support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
2284structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
2285use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
2286compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
2287obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
2288most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
2289
2290The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
2291file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
2292optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
2293to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
2294default compilation environment.
2295
2296=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
2297
2298When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev and present at
2299runtime, it will be used to speed up change detection where possible. The
2300inotify descriptor will be created lazily when the first C<ev_stat>
2301watcher is being started.
2302
2303Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
2304except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
2305making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
2306there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
2307but as long as kernel 2.6.25 or newer is used (2.6.24 and older have too
2308many bugs), the path exists (i.e. stat succeeds), and the path resides on
2309a local filesystem (libev currently assumes only ext2/3, jfs, reiserfs and
2310xfs are fully working) libev usually gets away without polling.
2311
2312There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
2313implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
2314descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
2315etc. is difficult.
2316
2317=head3 C<stat ()> is a synchronous operation
2318
2319Libev doesn't normally do any kind of I/O itself, and so is not blocking
2320the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat
2321()>, which is a synchronous operation.
2322
2323For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very
2324busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast,
2325as the path data is usually in memory already (except when starting the
2326watcher).
2327
2328For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
2329time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call
2330often takes multiple milliseconds.
2331
2332Therefore, it is best to avoid using C<ev_stat> watchers on networked
2333paths, although this is fully supported by libev.
2334
2335=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
2336
2337The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
2338and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
2339still only support whole seconds.
2340
2341That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
2342easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
2343calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
2344within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
2345stat data does change in other ways (e.g. file size).
2346
2347The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
2348than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
2349a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
2350ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
2351
2352The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
2353of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
2354might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
2355C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
2356a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
2357update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
2358the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
2359the timer callback).
2360
2361=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2362
2363=over 4
2364
2365=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)
2366
2367=item ev_stat_set (ev_stat *, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)
2368
2369Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of the given
2370C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
2371be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
2372a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
2373path for as long as the watcher is active.
2374
2375The callback will receive an C<EV_STAT> event when a change was detected,
2376relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
2377last change was detected).
2378
2379=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
2380
2381Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
2382watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
2383detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
2384the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
2385new values.
2386
2387=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
2388
2389The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
2390C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
2391suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
2392members to be present. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there was
2393some error while C<stat>ing the file.
2394
2395=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
2396
2397The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
2398C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
2399differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
2400C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
2401
2402=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
2403
2404The specified interval.
2405
2406=item const char *path [read-only]
2407
2408The file system path that is being watched.
2409
2410=back
2411
2412=head3 Examples
2413
2414Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
2415
2416 static void
2417 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
2418 {
2419 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
2420 if (w->attr.st_nlink)
2421 {
2422 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
2423 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
2424 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
2425 }
2426 else
2427 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
2428 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
2429 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
2430 }
2431
2432 ...
2433 ev_stat passwd;
2434
2435 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
2436 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
2437
2438Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
2439miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
2440one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
2441C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
2442
2443 static ev_stat passwd;
2444 static ev_timer timer;
2445
2446 static void
2447 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2448 {
2449 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
2450
2451 /* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
2452 }
2453
2454 static void
2455 stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
2456 {
2457 /* reset the one-second timer */
2458 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
2459 }
2460
2461 ...
2462 ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
2463 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
2464 ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1055 2465
1056 2466
1057=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do... 2467=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1058 2468
1059Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other events are pending 2469Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1060(prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count). That is, as long 2470priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count
1061as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts (or even signals, 2471as receiving "events").
1062imagine) it will not be triggered. But when your process is idle all idle 2472
1063watchers are being called again and again, once per event loop iteration - 2473That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
2474(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
2475triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
2476are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
1064until stopped, that is, or your process receives more events and becomes 2477iteration - until stopped, that is, or your process receives more events
1065busy. 2478and becomes busy again with higher priority stuff.
1066 2479
1067The most noteworthy effect is that as long as any idle watchers are 2480The most noteworthy effect is that as long as any idle watchers are
1068active, the process will not block when waiting for new events. 2481active, the process will not block when waiting for new events.
1069 2482
1070Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful 2483Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
1071effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do 2484effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do
1072"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the 2485"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
1073event loop has handled all outstanding events. 2486event loop has handled all outstanding events.
1074 2487
2488=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2489
1075=over 4 2490=over 4
1076 2491
1077=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback) 2492=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
1078 2493
1079Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any 2494Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1080kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 2495kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1081believe me. 2496believe me.
1082 2497
1083=back 2498=back
1084 2499
2500=head3 Examples
2501
1085Example: dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle>, start it, and in the 2502Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1086callback, free it. Alos, use no error checking, as usual. 2503callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1087 2504
1088 static void 2505 static void
1089 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents) 2506 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1090 { 2507 {
1091 free (w); 2508 free (w);
1092 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has 2509 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1093 // no longer asnything immediate to do. 2510 // no longer anything immediate to do.
1094 } 2511 }
1095 2512
1096 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle)); 2513 ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1097 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb); 2514 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1098 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb); 2515 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
1099 2516
1100 2517
1101=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop! 2518=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1102 2519
1103Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 2520Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
1104prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 2521prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1105afterwards. 2522afterwards.
1106 2523
1107You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter 2524You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter
1108the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check> 2525the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
1111those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking, 2528those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1112C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be 2529C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1113called in pairs bracketing the blocking call. 2530called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1114 2531
1115Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and 2532Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1116their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track 2533their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
1117variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a 2534variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1118coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if 2535coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1119you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example, 2536you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1120in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare> 2537in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1121watcher). 2538watcher).
1122 2539
1123This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need 2540This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors
1124to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for 2541need to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers
1125them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries 2542for them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many
1126provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 2543libraries provide exactly this functionality). Then, in the check watcher,
1127any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers 2544you check for any events that occurred (by checking the pending status
1128and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer 2545of all watchers and stopping them) and call back into the library. The
1129callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless, 2546I/O and timer callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid
1130because you never know, you know?). 2547nevertheless, because you never know, you know?).
1131 2548
1132As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate 2549As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1133coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines 2550coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
1134during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines 2551during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
1135are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines 2552are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
1136with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine 2553with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
1137of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event 2554of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
1138loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping 2555loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1139low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks). 2556low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1140 2557
2558It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
2559priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
2560after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).
2561
2562Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
2563activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
2564might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
2565C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
2566loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
2567C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
2568others).
2569
2570=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2571
1141=over 4 2572=over 4
1142 2573
1143=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback) 2574=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
1144 2575
1145=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback) 2576=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1146 2577
1147Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no 2578Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
1148parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set> 2579parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1149macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless. 2580macros, but using them is utterly, utterly, utterly and completely
2581pointless.
1150 2582
1151=back 2583=back
1152 2584
1153Example: To include a library such as adns, you would add IO watchers 2585=head3 Examples
1154and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler, as required by libadns, and 2586
2587There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
2588into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
2589(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
2590use as a working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> embeds a
2591Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
2592Glib event loop).
2593
2594Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1155in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows is 2595and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1156pseudo-code only of course: 2596is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
2597priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
2598the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1157 2599
1158 static ev_io iow [nfd]; 2600 static ev_io iow [nfd];
1159 static ev_timer tw; 2601 static ev_timer tw;
1160 2602
1161 static void 2603 static void
1162 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 2604 io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1163 { 2605 {
1164 // set the relevant poll flags
1165 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1166 struct pollfd *fd = (struct pollfd *)w->data;
1167 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1168 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1169 } 2606 }
1170 2607
1171 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking 2608 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1172 static void 2609 static void
1173 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents) 2610 adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1174 { 2611 {
1175 int timeout = 3600000;truct pollfd fds [nfd]; 2612 int timeout = 3600000;
2613 struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1176 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc. 2614 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1177 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ())); 2615 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1178 2616
1179 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */ 2617 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1180 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3); 2618 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3, 0.);
1181 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw); 2619 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1182 2620
1183 // create on ev_io per pollfd 2621 // create one ev_io per pollfd
1184 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 2622 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1185 { 2623 {
1186 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd, 2624 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1187 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0) 2625 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1188 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0))); 2626 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1189 2627
1190 fds [i].revents = 0; 2628 fds [i].revents = 0;
1191 iow [i].data = fds + i;
1192 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i); 2629 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1193 } 2630 }
1194 } 2631 }
1195 2632
1196 // stop all watchers after blocking 2633 // stop all watchers after blocking
1197 static void 2634 static void
1198 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents) 2635 adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1199 { 2636 {
1200 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw); 2637 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1201 2638
1202 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 2639 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
2640 {
2641 // set the relevant poll flags
2642 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
2643 struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
2644 int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
2645 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
2646 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
2647
2648 // now stop the watcher
1203 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i); 2649 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
2650 }
1204 2651
1205 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop)); 2652 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1206 } 2653 }
2654
2655Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
2656in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
2657
2658Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
2659notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
2660callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
2661
2662 static void
2663 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2664 {
2665 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
2666 update_now (EV_A);
2667
2668 adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
2669 }
2670
2671 static void
2672 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
2673 {
2674 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
2675 update_now (EV_A);
2676
2677 if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
2678 if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
2679 }
2680
2681 // do not ever call adns_afterpoll
2682
2683Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
2684want to embed is not flexible enough to support it. Instead, you can
2685override their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the
2686main loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module uses
2687this approach, effectively embedding EV as a client into the horrible
2688libglib event loop.
2689
2690 static gint
2691 event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
2692 {
2693 int got_events = 0;
2694
2695 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
2696 // create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
2697
2698 if (timeout >= 0)
2699 // create/start timer
2700
2701 // poll
2702 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
2703
2704 // stop timer again
2705 if (timeout >= 0)
2706 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
2707
2708 // stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
2709 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
2710 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
2711
2712 return got_events;
2713 }
1207 2714
1208 2715
1209=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough... 2716=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1210 2717
1211This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop 2718This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
1217prioritise I/O. 2724prioritise I/O.
1218 2725
1219As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support 2726As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
1220sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you 2727sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
1221still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales 2728still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
1222so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it 2729so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed
1223into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will 2730it into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation
1224be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but 2731will be a bit slower because first libev has to call C<poll> and then
1225at least you can use both at what they are best. 2732C<kevent>, but at least you can use both mechanisms for what they are
2733best: C<kqueue> for scalable sockets and C<poll> if you want it to work :)
1226 2734
1227As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have 2735As for prioritising I/O: under rare circumstances you have the case where
1228to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even 2736some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
1229priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case 2737and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
1230you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in 2738this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
1231a second one, and embed the second one in the first. 2739the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
1232 2740
1233As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time 2741As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every
1234there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then 2742time there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback
1235call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke 2743must then call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single
1236their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded 2744sweep and invoke their callbacks (the callback doesn't need to invoke the
1237loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback 2745C<ev_embed_sweep> function directly, it could also start an idle watcher
1238to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the 2746to give the embedded loop strictly lower priority for example).
1239embedded loop sweep.
1240 2747
1241As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The 2748You can also set the callback to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher
1242callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can 2749will automatically execute the embedded loop sweep whenever necessary.
1243set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
1244interested in that.
1245 2750
1246Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking: 2751Fork detection will be handled transparently while the C<ev_embed> watcher
1247when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops, 2752is active, i.e., the embedded loop will automatically be forked when the
1248but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers 2753embedding loop forks. In other cases, the user is responsible for calling
1249yourself. 2754C<ev_loop_fork> on the embedded loop.
1250 2755
1251Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by 2756Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
1252C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any 2757C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
1253portable one. 2758portable one.
1254 2759
1255So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared 2760So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
1256that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around 2761that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
1257this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to 2762this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
1258create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything: 2763create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
1259 2764
1260 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0); 2765=head3 C<ev_embed> and fork
1261 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
1262 struct ev_embed embed;
1263
1264 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
1265 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
1266 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
1267 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
1268 : 0;
1269 2766
1270 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi 2767While the C<ev_embed> watcher is running, forks in the embedding loop will
1271 if (loop_lo) 2768automatically be applied to the embedded loop as well, so no special
1272 { 2769fork handling is required in that case. When the watcher is not running,
1273 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo); 2770however, it is still the task of the libev user to call C<ev_loop_fork ()>
1274 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed); 2771as applicable.
1275 } 2772
1276 else 2773=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1277 loop_lo = loop_hi;
1278 2774
1279=over 4 2775=over 4
1280 2776
1281=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 2777=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
1282 2778
1284 2780
1285Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be 2781Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1286embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be 2782embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
1287invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback 2783invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1288to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done, 2784to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
1289if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher). 2785if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
1290 2786
1291=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *) 2787=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
1292 2788
1293Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works 2789Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1294similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most 2790similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
1295apropriate way for embedded loops. 2791appropriate way for embedded loops.
2792
2793=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
2794
2795The embedded event loop.
1296 2796
1297=back 2797=back
1298 2798
2799=head3 Examples
2800
2801Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
2802event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
2803loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
2804C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
2805used).
2806
2807 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2808 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2809 ev_embed embed;
2810
2811 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2812 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2813 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2814 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
2815 : 0;
2816
2817 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
2818 if (loop_lo)
2819 {
2820 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
2821 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
2822 }
2823 else
2824 loop_lo = loop_hi;
2825
2826Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
2827a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
2828kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
2829C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2830
2831 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2832 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2833 ev_embed embed;
2834
2835 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2836 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2837 {
2838 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2839 ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2840 }
2841
2842 if (!loop_socket)
2843 loop_socket = loop;
2844
2845 // now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
2846
2847
2848=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
2849
2850Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
2851whoever is a good citizen cared to tell libev about it by calling
2852C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork>). The invocation is done before the
2853event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
2854and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
2855C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
2856handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
2857
2858=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
2859
2860Most uses of C<fork()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to ste
2861up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
2862sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
2863
2864This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
2865in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
2866fork.
2867
2868The default mode of operation (for libev, with application help to detect
2869forks) is to duplicate all the state in the child, as would be expected
2870when I<either> the parent I<or> the child process continues.
2871
2872When both processes want to continue using libev, then this is usually the
2873wrong result. In that case, usually one process (typically the parent) is
2874supposed to continue with all watchers in place as before, while the other
2875process typically wants to start fresh, i.e. without any active watchers.
2876
2877The cleanest and most efficient way to achieve that with libev is to
2878simply create a new event loop, which of course will be "empty", and
2879use that for new watchers. This has the advantage of not touching more
2880memory than necessary, and thus avoiding the copy-on-write, and the
2881disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support
2882signal watchers).
2883
2884When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for
2885other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call
2886C<ev_default_destroy ()> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>. Destroying
2887the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered watchers, so you
2888have to be careful not to execute code that modifies those watchers. Note
2889also that in that case, you have to re-register any signal watchers.
2890
2891=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2892
2893=over 4
2894
2895=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
2896
2897Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
2898kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2899believe me.
2900
2901=back
2902
2903
2904=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop
2905
2906In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
2907asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
2908loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
2909
2910Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not
2911control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what
2912C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you
2913can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal
2914safe.
2915
2916This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
2917too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
2918(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
2919C<ev_async_sent> calls).
2920
2921Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
2922just the default loop.
2923
2924=head3 Queueing
2925
2926C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2927is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2928multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2929need elaborate support such as pthreads.
2930
2931That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2932queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2933queue:
2934
2935=over 4
2936
2937=item queueing from a signal handler context
2938
2939To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
2940handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is
2941an example that does that for some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
2942
2943 static ev_async mysig;
2944
2945 static void
2946 sigusr1_handler (void)
2947 {
2948 sometype data;
2949
2950 // no locking etc.
2951 queue_put (data);
2952 ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
2953 }
2954
2955 static void
2956 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
2957 {
2958 sometype data;
2959 sigset_t block, prev;
2960
2961 sigemptyset (&block);
2962 sigaddset (&block, SIGUSR1);
2963 sigprocmask (SIG_BLOCK, &block, &prev);
2964
2965 while (queue_get (&data))
2966 process (data);
2967
2968 if (sigismember (&prev, SIGUSR1)
2969 sigprocmask (SIG_UNBLOCK, &block, 0);
2970 }
2971
2972(Note: pthreads in theory requires you to use C<pthread_setmask>
2973instead of C<sigprocmask> when you use threads, but libev doesn't do it
2974either...).
2975
2976=item queueing from a thread context
2977
2978The strategy for threads is different, as you cannot (easily) block
2979threads but you can easily preempt them, so to queue safely you need to
2980employ a traditional mutex lock, such as in this pthread example:
2981
2982 static ev_async mysig;
2983 static pthread_mutex_t mymutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
2984
2985 static void
2986 otherthread (void)
2987 {
2988 // only need to lock the actual queueing operation
2989 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
2990 queue_put (data);
2991 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
2992
2993 ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
2994 }
2995
2996 static void
2997 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
2998 {
2999 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
3000
3001 while (queue_get (&data))
3002 process (data);
3003
3004 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
3005 }
3006
3007=back
3008
3009
3010=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
3011
3012=over 4
3013
3014=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
3015
3016Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
3017kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
3018trust me.
3019
3020=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
3021
3022Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
3023an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
3024C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or
3025similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
3026section below on what exactly this means).
3027
3028Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
3029compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this
3030is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>,
3031reset when the event loop detects that).
3032
3033This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per event loop
3034iteration, so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to
3035repeated calls to C<ev_async_send> for the same event loop.
3036
3037=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
3038
3039Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
3040watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
3041event loop.
3042
3043C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
3044the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
3045it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
3046quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
3047
3048Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending,
3049only whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending: there
3050is a time window between the event loop checking and resetting the async
3051notification, and the callback being invoked.
3052
3053=back
3054
1299 3055
1300=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 3056=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
1301 3057
1302There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now. 3058There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
1303 3059
1304=over 4 3060=over 4
1305 3061
1306=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback) 3062=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
1307 3063
1308This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your 3064This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
1309callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both 3065callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
1310watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd 3066watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
1311or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 3067or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
1312more watchers yourself. 3068more watchers yourself.
1313 3069
1314If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events 3070If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and the
1315is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and 3071C<events> argument is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for
1316C<events> set will be craeted and started. 3072the given C<fd> and C<events> set will be created and started.
1317 3073
1318If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be 3074If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
1319started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and 3075started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
1320repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of 3076repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
1321dubious value.
1322 3077
1323The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets 3078The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
1324passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of 3079passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
1325C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg> 3080C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
1326value passed to C<ev_once>: 3081value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
3082a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
3083events precedence.
1327 3084
3085Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
3086
1328 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 3087 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
1329 { 3088 {
1330 if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
1331 /* doh, nothing entered */;
1332 else if (revents & EV_READ) 3089 if (revents & EV_READ)
1333 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */; 3090 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
3091 else if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
3092 /* doh, nothing entered */;
1334 } 3093 }
1335 3094
1336 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 3095 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
1337 3096
1338=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents) 3097=item ev_feed_event (struct ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
1339 3098
1340Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event 3099Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1341had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an 3100had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1342initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). 3101initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
1343 3102
1344=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents) 3103=item ev_feed_fd_event (struct ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)
1345 3104
1346Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 3105Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
1347the given events it. 3106the given events it.
1348 3107
1349=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum) 3108=item ev_feed_signal_event (struct ev_loop *loop, int signum)
1350 3109
1351Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default 3110Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
1352loop!). 3111loop!).
1353 3112
1354=back 3113=back
1355 3114
1356 3115
1372 3131
1373=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities 3132=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
1374will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there 3133will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
1375is an ev_pri field. 3134is an ev_pri field.
1376 3135
3136=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
3137first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.
3138
1377=item * Other members are not supported. 3139=item * Other members are not supported.
1378 3140
1379=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need 3141=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
1380to use the libev header file and library. 3142to use the libev header file and library.
1381 3143
1382=back 3144=back
1383 3145
1384=head1 C++ SUPPORT 3146=head1 C++ SUPPORT
1385 3147
1386Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow 3148Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
1387you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change 3149you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
1388the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects. 3150the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
1389 3151
1390To use it, 3152To use it,
1391 3153
1392 #include <ev++.h> 3154 #include <ev++.h>
1393 3155
1394(it is not installed by default). This automatically includes F<ev.h> 3156This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
1395and puts all of its definitions (many of them macros) into the global 3157of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
1396namespace. All C++ specific things are put into the C<ev> namespace. 3158put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
3159options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
1397 3160
1398It should support all the same embedding options as F<ev.h>, most notably 3161Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++
1399C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. 3162classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer
3163that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if
3164you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).
3165
3166Currently, functions, and static and non-static member functions can be
3167used as callbacks. Other types should be easy to add as long as they only
3168need one additional pointer for context. If you need support for other
3169types of functors please contact the author (preferably after implementing
3170it).
1400 3171
1401Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace: 3172Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
1402 3173
1403=over 4 3174=over 4
1404 3175
1420 3191
1421All of those classes have these methods: 3192All of those classes have these methods:
1422 3193
1423=over 4 3194=over 4
1424 3195
1425=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *) 3196=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
1426 3197
1427=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *, struct ev_loop *) 3198=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *)
1428 3199
1429=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE 3200=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
1430 3201
1431The constructor takes a pointer to an object and a method pointer to 3202The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
1432the event handler callback to call in this class. The constructor calls 3203with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
1433C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the C<set> method 3204
1434before starting it. If you do not specify a loop then the constructor 3205The constructor calls C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the
1435automatically associates the default loop with this watcher. 3206C<set> method before starting it.
3207
3208It will not set a callback, however: You have to call the templated C<set>
3209method to set a callback before you can start the watcher.
3210
3211(The reason why you have to use a method is a limitation in C++ which does
3212not allow explicit template arguments for constructors).
1436 3213
1437The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active. 3214The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active.
3215
3216=item w->set<class, &class::method> (object *)
3217
3218This method sets the callback method to call. The method has to have a
3219signature of C<void (*)(ev_TYPE &, int)>, it receives the watcher as
3220first argument and the C<revents> as second. The object must be given as
3221parameter and is stored in the C<data> member of the watcher.
3222
3223This method synthesizes efficient thunking code to call your method from
3224the C callback that libev requires. If your compiler can inline your
3225callback (i.e. it is visible to it at the place of the C<set> call and
3226your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
3227thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
3228
3229Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
3230
3231 struct myclass
3232 {
3233 void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
3234 }
3235
3236 myclass obj;
3237 ev::io iow;
3238 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
3239
3240=item w->set (object *)
3241
3242This is an B<experimental> feature that might go away in a future version.
3243
3244This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
3245will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
3246functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
3247the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
3248list.
3249
3250The C<operator ()> method prototype must be C<void operator ()(watcher &w,
3251int revents)>.
3252
3253See the method-C<set> above for more details.
3254
3255Example: use a functor object as callback.
3256
3257 struct myfunctor
3258 {
3259 void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
3260 {
3261 ...
3262 }
3263 }
3264
3265 myfunctor f;
3266
3267 ev::io w;
3268 w.set (&f);
3269
3270=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
3271
3272Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
3273callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
3274C<data> member and is free for you to use.
3275
3276The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
3277
3278See the method-C<set> above for more details.
3279
3280Example: Use a plain function as callback.
3281
3282 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
3283 iow.set <io_cb> ();
1438 3284
1439=item w->set (struct ev_loop *) 3285=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
1440 3286
1441Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only 3287Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
1442do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 3288do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
1443 3289
1444=item w->set ([args]) 3290=item w->set ([arguments])
1445 3291
1446Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be 3292Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be
1447called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets 3293called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
1448automatically stopped and restarted. 3294automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
3295method.
1449 3296
1450=item w->start () 3297=item w->start ()
1451 3298
1452Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument as the 3299Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
1453constructor already takes the loop. 3300constructor already stores the event loop.
1454 3301
1455=item w->stop () 3302=item w->stop ()
1456 3303
1457Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument. 3304Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
1458 3305
1459=item w->again () C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only 3306=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
1460 3307
1461For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding 3308For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding
1462C<ev_TYPE_again> function. 3309C<ev_TYPE_again> function.
1463 3310
1464=item w->sweep () C<ev::embed> only 3311=item w->sweep () (C<ev::embed> only)
1465 3312
1466Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>. 3313Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>.
3314
3315=item w->update () (C<ev::stat> only)
3316
3317Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>.
1467 3318
1468=back 3319=back
1469 3320
1470=back 3321=back
1471 3322
1472Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in 3323Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
1473the constructor. 3324the constructor.
1474 3325
1475 class myclass 3326 class myclass
1476 { 3327 {
1477 ev_io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 3328 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
1478 ev_idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents); 3329 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
1479 3330
1480 myclass (); 3331 myclass (int fd)
1481 } 3332 {
3333 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
3334 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
1482 3335
1483 myclass::myclass (int fd)
1484 : io (this, &myclass::io_cb),
1485 idle (this, &myclass::idle_cb)
1486 {
1487 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 3336 io.start (fd, ev::READ);
3337 }
3338 };
3339
3340
3341=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
3342
3343Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
3344number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
3345any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
3346me a note.
3347
3348=over 4
3349
3350=item Perl
3351
3352The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
3353libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
3354there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
3355to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>, but C<AnyEvent::DNS> is preferred nowadays),
3356C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV>
3357and C<EV::Glib>).
3358
3359It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
3360L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
3361
3362=item Python
3363
3364Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
3365seems to be quite complete and well-documented.
3366
3367=item Ruby
3368
3369Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
3370of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
3371more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
3372L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
3373
3374Roger Pack reports that using the link order C<-lws2_32 -lmsvcrt-ruby-190>
3375makes rev work even on mingw.
3376
3377=item Haskell
3378
3379A haskell binding to libev is available at
3380L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
3381
3382=item D
3383
3384Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
3385be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
3386
3387=item Ocaml
3388
3389Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
3390L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
3391
3392=back
3393
3394
3395=head1 MACRO MAGIC
3396
3397Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
3398of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
3399functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
3400
3401To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
3402following macros are defined:
3403
3404=over 4
3405
3406=item C<EV_A>, C<EV_A_>
3407
3408This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
3409loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
3410C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
3411
3412 ev_unref (EV_A);
3413 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
3414 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
3415
3416It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
3417which is often provided by the following macro.
3418
3419=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
3420
3421This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
3422loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
3423C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
3424
3425 // this is how ev_unref is being declared
3426 static void ev_unref (EV_P);
3427
3428 // this is how you can declare your typical callback
3429 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
3430
3431It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
3432suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
3433
3434=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
3435
3436Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
3437loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
3438
3439=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
3440
3441Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
3442default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
3443is undefined when the default loop has not been initialised by a previous
3444execution of C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> or C<ev_default_init (...)>.
3445
3446It is often prudent to use C<EV_DEFAULT> when initialising the first
3447watcher in a function but use C<EV_DEFAULT_UC> afterwards.
3448
3449=back
3450
3451Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
3452macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
3453or not.
3454
3455 static void
3456 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
3457 {
3458 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
1488 } 3459 }
3460
3461 ev_check check;
3462 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
3463 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
3464 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
1489 3465
1490=head1 EMBEDDING 3466=head1 EMBEDDING
1491 3467
1492Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host 3468Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
1493applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra 3469applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
1494Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe) 3470Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe)
1495and rxvt-unicode. 3471and rxvt-unicode.
1496 3472
1497The goal is to enable you to just copy the neecssary files into your 3473The goal is to enable you to just copy the necessary files into your
1498source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so 3474source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so
1499you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of 3475you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of
1500libev somewhere in your source tree). 3476libev somewhere in your source tree).
1501 3477
1502=head2 FILESETS 3478=head2 FILESETS
1503 3479
1504Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files 3480Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
1505in your app. 3481in your application.
1506 3482
1507=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP 3483=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
1508 3484
1509To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual 3485To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
1510configuration (no autoconf): 3486configuration (no autoconf):
1511 3487
1512 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 3488 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
1513 #include "ev.c" 3489 #include "ev.c"
1514 3490
1515This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a 3491This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
1516single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use 3492single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
1517it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best 3493it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
1518done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and 3494done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
1519where you can put other configuration options): 3495where you can put other configuration options):
1520 3496
1521 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 3497 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
1522 #include "ev.h" 3498 #include "ev.h"
1523 3499
1524Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++ 3500Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
1525compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated 3501compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
1526as a bug). 3502as a bug).
1527 3503
1528You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory 3504You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
1529in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev): 3505in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
1530 3506
1531 ev.h 3507 ev.h
1532 ev.c 3508 ev.c
1533 ev_vars.h 3509 ev_vars.h
1534 ev_wrap.h 3510 ev_wrap.h
1535 3511
1536 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only 3512 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
1537 3513
1538 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is by default) 3514 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
1539 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3515 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1540 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3516 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1541 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3517 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1542 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3518 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1543 3519
1544F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need 3520F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
1545to compile this single file. 3521to compile this single file.
1546 3522
1547=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API 3523=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
1548 3524
1549To include the libevent compatibility API, also include: 3525To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
1550 3526
1551 #include "event.c" 3527 #include "event.c"
1552 3528
1553in the file including F<ev.c>, and: 3529in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
1554 3530
1555 #include "event.h" 3531 #include "event.h"
1556 3532
1557in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>. 3533in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
1558 3534
1559You need the following additional files for this: 3535You need the following additional files for this:
1560 3536
1561 event.h 3537 event.h
1562 event.c 3538 event.c
1563 3539
1564=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT 3540=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
1565 3541
1566Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in 3542Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
1567whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your 3543whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
1568F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then 3544F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
1569include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly. 3545include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
1570 3546
1571For this of course you need the m4 file: 3547For this of course you need the m4 file:
1572 3548
1573 libev.m4 3549 libev.m4
1574 3550
1575=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS 3551=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
1576 3552
1577Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define 3553Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
1578before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity 3554define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of
1579and only include the select backend. 3555autoconf is documented for every option.
1580 3556
1581=over 4 3557=over 4
1582 3558
1583=item EV_STANDALONE 3559=item EV_STANDALONE
1584 3560
1586keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy 3562keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
1587implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not 3563implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
1588supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in 3564supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
1589F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone. 3565F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
1590 3566
3567In stanbdalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
3568configuration, but has to be more conservative.
3569
1591=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 3570=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
1592 3571
1593If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 3572If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
1594monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use 3573monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
1595of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you 3574use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this,
1596usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when 3575you usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it
1597the functionality isn't available is safe, though, althoguh you have 3576when the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
1598to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime> 3577to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
1599function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). 3578function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). See also C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
1600 3579
1601=item EV_USE_REALTIME 3580=item EV_USE_REALTIME
1602 3581
1603If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 3582If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
1604realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at 3583real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability
1605runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will 3584at runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock
1606be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get 3585option will be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday>
1607(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See tzhe note about libraries 3586by C<clock_get (CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect
1608in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. 3587correctness. See the note about libraries in the description of
3588C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. Defaults to the opposite value of
3589C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
3590
3591=item EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL
3592
3593If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to use a direct syscall instead
3594of calling the system-provided C<clock_gettime> function. This option
3595exists because on GNU/Linux, C<clock_gettime> is in C<librt>, but C<librt>
3596unconditionally pulls in C<libpthread>, slowing down single-threaded
3597programs needlessly. Using a direct syscall is slightly slower (in
3598theory), because no optimised vdso implementation can be used, but avoids
3599the pthread dependency. Defaults to C<1> on GNU/Linux with glibc 2.x or
3600higher, as it simplifies linking (no need for C<-lrt>).
3601
3602=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
3603
3604If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
3605and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
3606
3607=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
3608
3609If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
3610available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
3611C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
3612If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
36132.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
1609 3614
1610=item EV_USE_SELECT 3615=item EV_USE_SELECT
1611 3616
1612If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the 3617If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
1613C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no 3618C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
1614other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend 3619other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
1615will not be compiled in. 3620will not be compiled in.
1616 3621
1617=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET 3622=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
1618 3623
1619If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set> 3624If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
1620structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing 3625structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
1621C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on 3626C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout
1622exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some 3627on exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to
1623low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only 3628some low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket
1624allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might 3629only allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation,
1625influence the size of the C<fd_set> used. 3630configures the maximum size of the C<fd_set>.
1626 3631
1627=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 3632=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
1628 3633
1629When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that 3634When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
1630select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but 3635select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
1632be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call 3637be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
1633C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise, 3638C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
1634it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even 3639it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
1635on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms. 3640on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
1636 3641
3642=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE
3643
3644If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
3645file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
3646default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
3647correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
3648in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
3649
1637=item EV_USE_POLL 3650=item EV_USE_POLL
1638 3651
1639If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2) 3652If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
1640backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It 3653backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
1641takes precedence over select. 3654takes precedence over select.
1642 3655
1643=item EV_USE_EPOLL 3656=item EV_USE_EPOLL
1644 3657
1645If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux 3658If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
1646C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime, 3659C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
1647otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the 3660otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
1648preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems. 3661backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
3662headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
1649 3663
1650=item EV_USE_KQUEUE 3664=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
1651 3665
1652If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style 3666If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
1653C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime, 3667C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
1666otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred 3680otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
1667backend for Solaris 10 systems. 3681backend for Solaris 10 systems.
1668 3682
1669=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL 3683=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
1670 3684
1671reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above. 3685Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
3686
3687=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
3688
3689If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
3690interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
3691be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
3692indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
3693
3694=item EV_ATOMIC_T
3695
3696Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
3697access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
3698type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
3699that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
3700as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
3701
3702In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
3703(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
1672 3704
1673=item EV_H 3705=item EV_H
1674 3706
1675The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 3707The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
1676undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This 3708undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
1677can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts. 3709used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
1678 3710
1679=item EV_CONFIG_H 3711=item EV_CONFIG_H
1680 3712
1681If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override 3713If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
1682F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to 3714F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
1683C<EV_H>, above. 3715C<EV_H>, above.
1684 3716
1685=item EV_EVENT_H 3717=item EV_EVENT_H
1686 3718
1687Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea 3719Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
1688of how the F<event.h> header can be found. 3720of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
1689 3721
1690=item EV_PROTOTYPES 3722=item EV_PROTOTYPES
1691 3723
1692If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function 3724If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
1693prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is 3725prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
1700will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create 3732will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
1701additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support 3733additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
1702for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer 3734for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
1703argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop. 3735argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
1704 3736
3737=item EV_MINPRI
3738
3739=item EV_MAXPRI
3740
3741The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to
3742C<EV_MAXPRI>, but otherwise there are no non-obvious limitations. You can
3743provide for more priorities by overriding those symbols (usually defined
3744to be C<-2> and C<2>, respectively).
3745
3746When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
3747all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
3748and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
3749fine.
3750
3751If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
3752both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
3753
1705=item EV_PERIODICS 3754=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
1706 3755
1707If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported, 3756If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
1708otherwise not. This saves a few kb of code. 3757defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
3758code.
3759
3760=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE
3761
3762If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
3763defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
3764code.
3765
3766=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
3767
3768If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
3769defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Embed watchers rely on most other
3770watcher types, which therefore must not be disabled.
3771
3772=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
3773
3774If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
3775defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3776
3777=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
3778
3779If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
3780defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3781
3782=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
3783
3784If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
3785defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3786
3787=item EV_MINIMAL
3788
3789If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
3790speed (but with the full API), define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this
3791is used to override some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size
3792on amd64. It also selects a much smaller 2-heap for timer management over
3793the default 4-heap.
3794
3795You can save even more by disabling watcher types you do not need
3796and setting C<EV_MAXPRI> == C<EV_MINPRI>. Also, disabling C<assert>
3797(C<-DNDEBUG>) will usually reduce code size a lot.
3798
3799Defining C<EV_MINIMAL> to C<2> will additionally reduce the core API to
3800provide a bare-bones event library. See C<ev.h> for details on what parts
3801of the API are still available, and do not complain if this subset changes
3802over time.
3803
3804=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
3805
3806C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3807pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
3808than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to
3809increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
3810
3811=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
3812
3813C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3814inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
3815usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
3816watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
3817two).
3818
3819=item EV_USE_4HEAP
3820
3821Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3822timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
3823to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
3824faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
3825
3826The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
3827(disabled).
3828
3829=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
3830
3831Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3832timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
3833the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
3834which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
3835but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
3836noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
3837
3838The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
3839(disabled).
3840
3841=item EV_VERIFY
3842
3843Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will
3844be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
3845in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
3846called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
3847called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
3848verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
3849libev considerably.
3850
3851The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be
3852C<0>.
1709 3853
1710=item EV_COMMON 3854=item EV_COMMON
1711 3855
1712By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining 3856By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
1713this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of 3857this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
1714members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files, 3858members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
1715though, and it must be identical each time. 3859though, and it must be identical each time.
1716 3860
1717For example, the perl EV module uses something like this: 3861For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
1718 3862
1719 #define EV_COMMON \ 3863 #define EV_COMMON \
1720 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \ 3864 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
1721 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */ 3865 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
1722 3866
1723=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type) 3867=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
1724 3868
1725=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents) 3869=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
1726 3870
1727=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb) 3871=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb)
1728 3872
1729Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher, 3873Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher,
1730and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member 3874and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member
1731definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.v> header file for 3875definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
1732their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to 3876their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
1733avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use 3877avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
1734method calls instead of plain function calls in C++. 3878method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
3879
3880=back
3881
3882=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
3883
3884If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
3885exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
3886all public symbols, one per line:
3887
3888 Symbols.ev for libev proper
3889 Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
3890
3891This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
3892multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
3893itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
3894
3895A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
3896include before including F<ev.h>:
3897
3898 <Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
3899
3900This would create a file F<wrap.h> which essentially looks like this:
3901
3902 #define ev_backend myprefix_ev_backend
3903 #define ev_check_start myprefix_ev_check_start
3904 #define ev_check_stop myprefix_ev_check_stop
3905 ...
1735 3906
1736=head2 EXAMPLES 3907=head2 EXAMPLES
1737 3908
1738For a real-world example of a program the includes libev 3909For a real-world example of a program the includes libev
1739verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module 3910verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module
1742interface) and F<EV.xs> (implementation) files. Only the F<EV.xs> file 3913interface) and F<EV.xs> (implementation) files. Only the F<EV.xs> file
1743will be compiled. It is pretty complex because it provides its own header 3914will be compiled. It is pretty complex because it provides its own header
1744file. 3915file.
1745 3916
1746The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file 3917The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
1747that everybody includes and which overrides some autoconf choices: 3918that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
1748 3919
3920 #define EV_MINIMAL 1
1749 #define EV_USE_POLL 0 3921 #define EV_USE_POLL 0
1750 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0 3922 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
1751 #define EV_PERIODICS 0 3923 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
3924 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
3925 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
1752 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h> 3926 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
3927 #define EV_MINPRI 0
3928 #define EV_MAXPRI 0
1753 3929
1754 #include "ev++.h" 3930 #include "ev++.h"
1755 3931
1756And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled: 3932And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
1757 3933
1758 #include "ev_cpp.h" 3934 #include "ev_cpp.h"
1759 #include "ev.c" 3935 #include "ev.c"
1760 3936
3937=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES
1761 3938
3939=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
3940
3941=head3 THREADS
3942
3943All libev functions are reentrant and thread-safe unless explicitly
3944documented otherwise, but libev implements no locking itself. This means
3945that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as there
3946are no concurrent calls into any libev function with the same loop
3947parameter (C<ev_default_*> calls have an implicit default loop parameter,
3948of course): libev guarantees that different event loops share no data
3949structures that need any locking.
3950
3951Or to put it differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done
3952concurrently from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter
3953must be done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as
3954only one thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using
3955a mutex per loop).
3956
3957Specifically to support threads (and signal handlers), libev implements
3958so-called C<ev_async> watchers, which allow some limited form of
3959concurrency on the same event loop, namely waking it up "from the
3960outside".
3961
3962If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
3963without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
3964help you, but here is some generic advice:
3965
3966=over 4
3967
3968=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
3969in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
3970
3971This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
3972themselves and don't care/know about threading.
3973
3974=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
3975
3976Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
3977exists, but it is always a good start.
3978
3979=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
3980loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
3981
3982Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
3983better than you currently do :-)
3984
3985=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
3986event loop.
3987
3988C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other threads safely
3989(or from signal contexts...).
3990
3991An example use would be to communicate signals or other events that only
3992work in the default loop by registering the signal watcher with the
3993default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
3994watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
3995
3996=back
3997
3998=head4 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE
3999
4000Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
4001thread than where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
4002created/added/removed.
4003
4004For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
4005which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
4006languages).
4007
4008The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
4009variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
4010event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
4011
4012First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
4013
4014 typedef struct {
4015 mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
4016 ev_async async_w;
4017 thread_t tid;
4018 cond_t invoke_cv;
4019 } userdata;
4020
4021 void prepare_loop (EV_P)
4022 {
4023 // for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
4024 static userdata u;
4025
4026 ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
4027 ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
4028
4029 pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
4030 pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
4031
4032 // now associate this with the loop
4033 ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
4034 ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
4035 ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
4036
4037 // then create the thread running ev_loop
4038 pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
4039 }
4040
4041The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
4042solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
4043that might have been added:
4044
4045 static void
4046 async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
4047 {
4048 // just used for the side effects
4049 }
4050
4051The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
4052protecting the loop data, respectively.
4053
4054 static void
4055 l_release (EV_P)
4056 {
4057 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4058 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4059 }
4060
4061 static void
4062 l_acquire (EV_P)
4063 {
4064 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4065 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4066 }
4067
4068The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
4069into C<ev_loop>:
4070
4071 void *
4072 l_run (void *thr_arg)
4073 {
4074 struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
4075
4076 l_acquire (EV_A);
4077 pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
4078 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
4079 l_release (EV_A);
4080
4081 return 0;
4082 }
4083
4084Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
4085signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
4086writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
4087have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
4088and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
4089watchers is very beneficial):
4090
4091 static void
4092 l_invoke (EV_P)
4093 {
4094 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4095
4096 while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
4097 {
4098 wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
4099 pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
4100 }
4101 }
4102
4103Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
4104will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
4105thread to continue:
4106
4107 static void
4108 real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
4109 {
4110 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4111
4112 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4113 ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
4114 pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
4115 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4116 }
4117
4118Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
4119event loop, you will now have to lock:
4120
4121 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
4122 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4123
4124 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
4125
4126 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4127 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
4128 ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
4129 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4130
4131Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
4132an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
4133about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
4134watchers in the next event loop iteration.
4135
4136=head3 COROUTINES
4137
4138Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
4139libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
4140coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two
4141different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running
4142the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is
4143that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
4144
4145Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
4146C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
4147they do not call any callbacks.
4148
4149=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
4150
4151Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
4152lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
4153scared by this.
4154
4155However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
4156has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
4157warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
4158targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
4159
4160Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
4161workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
4162maintainable.
4163
4164And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
4165wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
4166seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
4167warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have
4168been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
4169such buggy versions.
4170
4171While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
4172"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
4173with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
4174them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
4175warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
4176
4177
4178=head2 VALGRIND
4179
4180Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
4181highly useful. Unfortunately, valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
4182
4183If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
4184in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
4185
4186 ==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
4187 ==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
4188 ==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
4189
4190Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
4191is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
4192
4193Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
4194as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
4195although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
4196confused.
4197
4198Keep in mind that valgrind is a very good tool, but only a tool. Don't
4199make it into some kind of religion.
4200
4201If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
4202with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this
4203is a bug in libev (best check the archives, too :). However, don't be
4204annoyed when you get a brisk "this is no bug" answer and take the chance
4205of learning how to interpret valgrind properly.
4206
4207If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
4208I suggest using suppression lists.
4209
4210
4211=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
4212
4213=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
4214
4215Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
4216requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
4217model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
4218the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
4219descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
4220e.g. cygwin.
4221
4222Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
4223re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of
4224things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable
4225way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
4226
4227There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
4228embedding it into other applications.
4229
4230Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev
4231tries its best, but under most conditions, signals will simply not work.
4232
4233Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
4234accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
4235either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
4236so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
4237megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
4238available).
4239
4240Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
4241the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
4242is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
4243more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
4244different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
4245notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
4246(due to Microsoft monopoly games).
4247
4248A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
4249section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
4250of F<ev.h>:
4251
4252 #define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
4253 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
4254
4255 #include "ev.h"
4256
4257And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
4258you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
4259
4260 #include "evwrap.h"
4261 #include "ev.c"
4262
4263=over 4
4264
4265=item The winsocket select function
4266
4267The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
4268requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
4269also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
4270requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
4271C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
4272discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
4273C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
4274
4275The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
4276libraries and raw winsocket select is:
4277
4278 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1
4279 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
4280
4281Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
4282complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
4283
4284=item Limited number of file descriptors
4285
4286Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
4287
4288Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
4289of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
4290can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
4291recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
4292previous thread in each. Sounds great!).
4293
4294Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
4295to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
4296call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl and many
4297other interpreters do their own select emulation on windows).
4298
4299Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
4300libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64>
4301fetish or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this
4302by calling C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048>
4303(another arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft
4304runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets
4305(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more,
4306you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but
4307the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
4308
4309=back
4310
4311=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
4312
4313In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
4314backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
4315
4316=over 4
4317
4318=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
4319calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
4320
4321Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
4322structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
4323assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
4324callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
4325calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
4326
4327=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
4328
4329The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
4330C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
4331threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
4332believed to be sufficiently portable.
4333
4334=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
4335
4336Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
4337allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
4338pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
4339thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
4340be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
4341C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
4342
4343The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
4344except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
4345well.
4346
4347=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
4348
4349To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
4350instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
4351systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but is still at
4352least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of millions of
4353watchers.
4354
4355=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
4356
4357The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
4358have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good
4359enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by
4360implementations implementing IEEE 754, which is basically all existing
4361ones. With IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least
43622200.
4363
4364=back
4365
4366If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
4367
4368
1762=head1 COMPLEXITIES 4369=head1 ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITIES
1763 4370
1764In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside 4371In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
1765libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the 4372libev will be documented. For complexity discussions about backends see
1766documentation for C<ev_default_init>. 4373the documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
4374
4375All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
4376extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
4377happens asymptotically rarer with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
4378mean that libev does a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on
4379average it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
1767 4380
1768=over 4 4381=over 4
1769 4382
1770=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers) 4383=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
1771 4384
4385This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
4386there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that, then inserting will
4387have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
4388
1772=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat, again): O(log skipped_other_timers) 4389=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
1773 4390
4391That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them,
4392as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
4393
1774=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1) 4394=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
1775 4395
4396These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
4397
1776=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1) 4398=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
1777 4399
1778=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % 16)) 4400=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
1779 4401
4402These watchers are stored in lists, so they need to be walked to find the
4403correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
4404have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal: one is typical, two
4405is rare).
4406
1780=item Finding the next timer per loop iteration: O(1) 4407=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
4408
4409By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
4410fixed position in the storage array.
1781 4411
1782=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd) 4412=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
1783 4413
1784=item Activating one watcher: O(1) 4414A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
4415libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
4416on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
4417
4418=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
4419
4420=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
4421
4422Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
4423priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
4424linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
4425watchers becomes O(1) with respect to priority handling.
4426
4427=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
4428
4429=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
4430
4431=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
4432
4433Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
4434calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
4435involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
1785 4436
1786=back 4437=back
1787 4438
1788 4439
4440=head1 GLOSSARY
4441
4442=over 4
4443
4444=item active
4445
4446A watcher is active as long as it has been started (has been attached to
4447an event loop) but not yet stopped (disassociated from the event loop).
4448
4449=item application
4450
4451In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
4452
4453=item callback
4454
4455The address of a function that is called when some event has been
4456detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that
4457received the event, and the actual event bitset.
4458
4459=item callback invocation
4460
4461The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
4462
4463=item event
4464
4465A change of state of some external event, such as data now being available
4466for reading on a file descriptor, time having passed or simply not having
4467any other events happening anymore.
4468
4469In libev, events are represented as single bits (such as C<EV_READ> or
4470C<EV_TIMEOUT>).
4471
4472=item event library
4473
4474A software package implementing an event model and loop.
4475
4476=item event loop
4477
4478An entity that handles and processes external events and converts them
4479into callback invocations.
4480
4481=item event model
4482
4483The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes
4484watchers and events.
4485
4486=item pending
4487
4488A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been detected,
4489and stops being pending as soon as the watcher will be invoked or its
4490pending status is explicitly cleared by the application.
4491
4492A watcher can be pending, but not active. Stopping a watcher also clears
4493its pending status.
4494
4495=item real time
4496
4497The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
4498
4499=item wall-clock time
4500
4501The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
4502be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when the you adjust your
4503clock.
4504
4505=item watcher
4506
4507A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
4508to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events.
4509
4510=item watcher invocation
4511
4512The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
4513
4514=back
4515
1789=head1 AUTHOR 4516=head1 AUTHOR
1790 4517
1791Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 4518Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael Magnusson.
1792 4519

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