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1=encoding utf-8
2
1=head1 NAME 3=head1 NAME
2 4
3libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C 5libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C
4 6
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 7=head1 SYNOPSIS
26 puts ("stdin ready"); 28 puts ("stdin ready");
27 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher 29 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
28 // with its corresponding stop function. 30 // with its corresponding stop function.
29 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); 31 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
30 32
31 // this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating 33 // this causes all nested ev_run's to stop iterating
32 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); 34 ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ALL);
33 } 35 }
34 36
35 // another callback, this time for a time-out 37 // another callback, this time for a time-out
36 static void 38 static void
37 timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 39 timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
38 { 40 {
39 puts ("timeout"); 41 puts ("timeout");
40 // this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating 42 // this causes the innermost ev_run to stop iterating
41 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); 43 ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ONE);
42 } 44 }
43 45
44 int 46 int
45 main (void) 47 main (void)
46 { 48 {
47 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs 49 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs
48 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 50 struct ev_loop *loop = EV_DEFAULT;
49 51
50 // initialise an io watcher, then start it 52 // initialise an io watcher, then start it
51 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable 53 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable
52 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ); 54 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
53 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 55 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
56 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout 58 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
57 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.); 59 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
58 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher); 60 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
59 61
60 // now wait for events to arrive 62 // now wait for events to arrive
61 ev_loop (loop, 0); 63 ev_run (loop, 0);
62 64
63 // unloop was called, so exit 65 // break was called, so exit
64 return 0; 66 return 0;
65 } 67 }
66 68
67=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT 69=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
68 70
78with libev. 80with libev.
79 81
80Familiarity with event based programming techniques in general is assumed 82Familiarity with event based programming techniques in general is assumed
81throughout this document. 83throughout this document.
82 84
85=head1 WHAT TO READ WHEN IN A HURRY
86
87This manual tries to be very detailed, but unfortunately, this also makes
88it very long. If you just want to know the basics of libev, I suggest
89reading L</ANATOMY OF A WATCHER>, then the L</EXAMPLE PROGRAM> above and
90look up the missing functions in L</GLOBAL FUNCTIONS> and the C<ev_io> and
91C<ev_timer> sections in L</WATCHER TYPES>.
92
83=head1 ABOUT LIBEV 93=head1 ABOUT LIBEV
84 94
85Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a 95Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
86file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage 96file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
87these event sources and provide your program with events. 97these event sources and provide your program with events.
95details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the 105details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the
96watcher. 106watcher.
97 107
98=head2 FEATURES 108=head2 FEATURES
99 109
100Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the 110Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific aio and C<epoll>
101BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms 111interfaces, the BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port
102for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface 112mechanisms for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify>
103(for C<ev_stat>), Linux eventfd/signalfd (for faster and cleaner 113interface (for C<ev_stat>), Linux eventfd/signalfd (for faster and cleaner
104inter-thread wakeup (C<ev_async>)/signal handling (C<ev_signal>)) relative 114inter-thread wakeup (C<ev_async>)/signal handling (C<ev_signal>)) relative
105timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers with customised rescheduling 115timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers with customised rescheduling
106(C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals (C<ev_signal>), process status 116(C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals (C<ev_signal>), process status
107change events (C<ev_child>), and event watchers dealing with the event 117change events (C<ev_child>), and event watchers dealing with the event
108loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and 118loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and
124this argument. 134this argument.
125 135
126=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION 136=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
127 137
128Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing 138Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing
129the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (in practise 139the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (in practice
130somewhere near the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't 140somewhere near the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't
131ask). This type is called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use 141ask). This type is called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use
132too. It usually aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do 142too. It usually aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do
133any calculations on it, you should treat it as some floating point value. 143any calculations on it, you should treat it as some floating point value.
134 144
149When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then 159When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
150it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism, 160it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
151so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in 161so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
152the libev caller and need to be fixed there. 162the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
153 163
164Via the C<EV_FREQUENT> macro you can compile in and/or enable extensive
165consistency checking code inside libev that can be used to check for
166internal inconsistencies, suually caused by application bugs.
167
154Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has 168Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions. These do not
155extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
156circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse. 169trigger under normal circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev
170or worse.
157 171
158 172
159=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 173=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
160 174
161These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the 175These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
165 179
166=item ev_tstamp ev_time () 180=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()
167 181
168Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the 182Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
169C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp 183C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
170you actually want to know. 184you actually want to know. Also interesting is the combination of
185C<ev_now_update> and C<ev_now>.
171 186
172=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval) 187=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
173 188
174Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until 189Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked
175either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically 190until either it is interrupted or the given time interval has
191passed (approximately - it might return a bit earlier even if not
192interrupted). Returns immediately if C<< interval <= 0 >>.
193
176this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>. 194Basically this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
195
196The range of the C<interval> is limited - libev only guarantees to work
197with sleep times of up to one day (C<< interval <= 86400 >>).
177 198
178=item int ev_version_major () 199=item int ev_version_major ()
179 200
180=item int ev_version_minor () 201=item int ev_version_minor ()
181 202
192as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 213as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
193compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 214compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
194not a problem. 215not a problem.
195 216
196Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 217Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
197version (note, however, that this will not detect ABI mismatches :). 218version (note, however, that this will not detect other ABI mismatches,
219such as LFS or reentrancy).
198 220
199 assert (("libev version mismatch", 221 assert (("libev version mismatch",
200 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 222 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
201 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 223 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
202 224
213 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex", 235 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
214 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL)); 236 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
215 237
216=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends () 238=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
217 239
218Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also 240Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and
219recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one 241also recommended for this platform, meaning it will work for most file
242descriptor types. This set is often smaller than the one returned by
220returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on 243C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on most BSDs
221most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it 244and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it (assuming
222(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that 245you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that libev will
223libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly. 246probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
224 247
225=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends () 248=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
226 249
227Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This 250Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This
228is the theoretical, all-platform, value. To find which backends 251value is platform-specific but can include backends not available on the
229might be supported on the current system, you would need to look at 252current system. To find which embeddable backends might be supported on
230C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for 253the current system, you would need to look at C<ev_embeddable_backends ()
231recommended ones. 254& ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for recommended ones.
232 255
233See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 256See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
234 257
235=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT] 258=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size) throw ())
236 259
237Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the 260Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
238semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is 261semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
239used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero 262used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
240when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort 263when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
246 269
247You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say, 270You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
248free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator, 271free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
249or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available. 272or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
250 273
274Example: The following is the C<realloc> function that libev itself uses
275which should work with C<realloc> and C<free> functions of all kinds and
276is probably a good basis for your own implementation.
277
278 static void *
279 ev_realloc_emul (void *ptr, long size) EV_NOEXCEPT
280 {
281 if (size)
282 return realloc (ptr, size);
283
284 free (ptr);
285 return 0;
286 }
287
251Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then 288Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
252retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>). 289retries.
253 290
254 static void * 291 static void *
255 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size) 292 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
256 { 293 {
294 if (!size)
295 {
296 free (ptr);
297 return 0;
298 }
299
257 for (;;) 300 for (;;)
258 { 301 {
259 void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size); 302 void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size);
260 303
261 if (newptr) 304 if (newptr)
266 } 309 }
267 310
268 ... 311 ...
269 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc); 312 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
270 313
271=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT] 314=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg) throw ())
272 315
273Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such 316Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
274as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string 317as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
275indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this 318indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
276callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no 319callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
288 } 331 }
289 332
290 ... 333 ...
291 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error); 334 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
292 335
336=item ev_feed_signal (int signum)
337
338This function can be used to "simulate" a signal receive. It is completely
339safe to call this function at any time, from any context, including signal
340handlers or random threads.
341
342Its main use is to customise signal handling in your process, especially
343in the presence of threads. For example, you could block signals
344by default in all threads (and specifying C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK> when
345creating any loops), and in one thread, use C<sigwait> or any other
346mechanism to wait for signals, then "deliver" them to libev by calling
347C<ev_feed_signal>.
348
293=back 349=back
294 350
295=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP 351=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING EVENT LOOPS
296 352
297An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct> 353An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct> is
298is I<not> optional in this case, as there is also an C<ev_loop> 354I<not> optional in this case unless libev 3 compatibility is disabled, as
299I<function>). 355libev 3 had an C<ev_loop> function colliding with the struct name).
300 356
301The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which 357The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
302supports signals and child events, and dynamically created loops which do 358supports child process events, and dynamically created event loops which
303not. 359do not.
304 360
305=over 4 361=over 4
306 362
307=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags) 363=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
308 364
309This will initialise the default event loop if it hasn't been initialised 365This returns the "default" event loop object, which is what you should
310yet and return it. If the default loop could not be initialised, returns 366normally use when you just need "the event loop". Event loop objects and
311false. If it already was initialised it simply returns it (and ignores the 367the C<flags> parameter are described in more detail in the entry for
312flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). 368C<ev_loop_new>.
369
370If the default loop is already initialised then this function simply
371returns it (and ignores the flags. If that is troubling you, check
372C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). Otherwise it will create it with the given
373flags, which should almost always be C<0>, unless the caller is also the
374one calling C<ev_run> or otherwise qualifies as "the main program".
313 375
314If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 376If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
315function. 377function (or via the C<EV_DEFAULT> macro).
316 378
317Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it 379Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
318from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely, 380from multiple threads, you have to employ some kind of mutex (note also
319as loops cannot be shared easily between threads anyway). 381that this case is unlikely, as loops cannot be shared easily between
382threads anyway).
320 383
321The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and 384The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_child> watchers,
322C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler 385and to do this, it always registers a handler for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is
323for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either 386a problem for your application you can either create a dynamic loop with
324create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you 387C<ev_loop_new> which doesn't do that, or you can simply overwrite the
325can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling 388C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling C<ev_default_init>.
326C<ev_default_init>. 389
390Example: This is the most typical usage.
391
392 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
393 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
394
395Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
396environment settings to be taken into account:
397
398 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
399
400=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
401
402This will create and initialise a new event loop object. If the loop
403could not be initialised, returns false.
404
405This function is thread-safe, and one common way to use libev with
406threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the default
407loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
327 408
328The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 409The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
329backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). 410backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
330 411
331The following flags are supported: 412The following flags are supported:
341 422
342If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid 423If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
343or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable 424or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
344C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will 425C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
345override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is 426override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
346useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 427useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, to work
347around bugs. 428around bugs, or to make libev threadsafe (accessing environment variables
429cannot be done in a threadsafe way, but usually it works if no other
430thread modifies them).
348 431
349=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK> 432=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
350 433
351Instead of calling C<ev_loop_fork> manually after a fork, you can also 434Instead of calling C<ev_loop_fork> manually after a fork, you can also
352make libev check for a fork in each iteration by enabling this flag. 435make libev check for a fork in each iteration by enabling this flag.
353 436
354This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop, 437This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
355and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop 438and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
356iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my 439iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
357GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence 440GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn
358without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has 441sequence without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux
359C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster). 442system also has C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster). (Update: glibc
443versions 2.25 apparently removed the C<getpid> optimisation again).
360 444
361The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and 445The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
362forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this 446forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking, although you still
363flag. 447have to ignore C<SIGPIPE>) when you use this flag.
364 448
365This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> 449This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
366environment variable. 450environment variable.
367 451
368=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY> 452=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY>
369 453
370When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the 454When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the
371I<inotify> API for it's C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and 455I<inotify> API for its C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and
372testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as 456testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as
373otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle. 457otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle.
374 458
375=item C<EVFLAG_SIGNALFD> 459=item C<EVFLAG_SIGNALFD>
376 460
377When this flag is specified, then libev will attempt to use the 461When this flag is specified, then libev will attempt to use the
378I<signalfd> API for it's C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This API 462I<signalfd> API for its C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This API
379delivers signals synchronously, which makes it both faster and might make 463delivers signals synchronously, which makes it both faster and might make
380it possible to get the queued signal data. It can also simplify signal 464it possible to get the queued signal data. It can also simplify signal
381handling with threads, as long as you properly block signals in your 465handling with threads, as long as you properly block signals in your
382threads that are not interested in handling them. 466threads that are not interested in handling them.
383 467
384Signalfd will not be used by default as this changes your signal mask, and 468Signalfd will not be used by default as this changes your signal mask, and
385there are a lot of shoddy libraries and programs (glib's threadpool for 469there are a lot of shoddy libraries and programs (glib's threadpool for
386example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks. 470example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks.
471
472=item C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>
473
474When this flag is specified, then libev will avoid to modify the signal
475mask. Specifically, this means you have to make sure signals are unblocked
476when you want to receive them.
477
478This behaviour is useful when you want to do your own signal handling, or
479want to handle signals only in specific threads and want to avoid libev
480unblocking the signals.
481
482It's also required by POSIX in a threaded program, as libev calls
483C<sigprocmask>, whose behaviour is officially unspecified.
484
485=item C<EVFLAG_NOTIMERFD>
486
487When this flag is specified, the libev will avoid using a C<timerfd> to
488detect time jumps. It will still be able to detect time jumps, but takes
489longer and has a lower accuracy in doing so, but saves a file descriptor
490per loop.
491
492The current implementation only tries to use a C<timerfd> when the first
493C<ev_periodic> watcher is started and falls back on other methods if it
494cannot be created, but this behaviour might change in the future.
387 495
388=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 496=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
389 497
390This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 498This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
391libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds, 499libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
416This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and 524This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
417C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>. 525C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
418 526
419=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 527=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
420 528
421Use the linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9 529Use the Linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9
422kernels). 530kernels).
423 531
424For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, 532For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, but
425but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale 533it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like
426like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), 534O(total_fds) where total_fds is the total number of fds (or the highest
427epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). 535fd), epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
428 536
429The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned 537The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
430of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently 538of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
431dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file 539dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
432descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup and 540descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup,
541returning before the timeout value, resulting in additional iterations
542(and only giving 5ms accuracy while select on the same platform gives
433so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program forks then 5430.1ms) and so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program
434I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll set, which can 544forks then I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll
435take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course 545set, which can take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor)
436hard to detect. 546and is of course hard to detect.
437 547
438Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but 548Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work,
439of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally 549but of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for
440I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot 550totally I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so
441even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially 551one cannot even remove them from the set) than registered in the set
442on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by 552(especially on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious
443employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the 553notifications by employing an additional generation counter and comparing
444events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required. Last 554that against the events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set
555when required. Epoll also erroneously rounds down timeouts, but gives you
556no way to know when and by how much, so sometimes you have to busy-wait
557because epoll returns immediately despite a nonzero timeout. And last
445not least, it also refuses to work with some file descriptors which work 558not least, it also refuses to work with some file descriptors which work
446perfectly fine with C<select> (files, many character devices...). 559perfectly fine with C<select> (files, many character devices...).
560
561Epoll is truly the train wreck among event poll mechanisms, a frankenpoll,
562cobbled together in a hurry, no thought to design or interaction with
563others. Oh, the pain, will it ever stop...
447 564
448While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration 565While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
449will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such 566will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
450incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different 567incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
451I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed 568I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
463All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or 580All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
464faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on 581faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
465the usage. So sad. 582the usage. So sad.
466 583
467While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in 584While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
468all kernel versions tested so far. 585a lot of kernel revisions, but probably(!) works in current versions.
469 586
470This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as 587This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
471C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 588C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
472 589
590=item C<EVBACKEND_LINUXAIO> (value 64, Linux)
591
592Use the Linux-specific Linux AIO (I<not> C<< aio(7) >> but C<<
593io_submit(2) >>) event interface available in post-4.18 kernels (but libev
594only tries to use it in 4.19+).
595
596This is another Linux train wreck of an event interface.
597
598If this backend works for you (as of this writing, it was very
599experimental), it is the best event interface available on Linux and might
600be well worth enabling it - if it isn't available in your kernel this will
601be detected and this backend will be skipped.
602
603This backend can batch oneshot requests and supports a user-space ring
604buffer to receive events. It also doesn't suffer from most of the design
605problems of epoll (such as not being able to remove event sources from
606the epoll set), and generally sounds too good to be true. Because, this
607being the Linux kernel, of course it suffers from a whole new set of
608limitations, forcing you to fall back to epoll, inheriting all its design
609issues.
610
611For one, it is not easily embeddable (but probably could be done using
612an event fd at some extra overhead). It also is subject to a system wide
613limit that can be configured in F</proc/sys/fs/aio-max-nr>. If no AIO
614requests are left, this backend will be skipped during initialisation, and
615will switch to epoll when the loop is active.
616
617Most problematic in practice, however, is that not all file descriptors
618work with it. For example, in Linux 5.1, TCP sockets, pipes, event fds,
619files, F</dev/null> and many others are supported, but ttys do not work
620properly (a known bug that the kernel developers don't care about, see
621L<https://lore.kernel.org/patchwork/patch/1047453/>), so this is not
622(yet?) a generic event polling interface.
623
624Overall, it seems the Linux developers just don't want it to have a
625generic event handling mechanism other than C<select> or C<poll>.
626
627To work around all these problem, the current version of libev uses its
628epoll backend as a fallback for file descriptor types that do not work. Or
629falls back completely to epoll if the kernel acts up.
630
631This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
632C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
633
473=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones) 634=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
474 635
475Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it 636Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time this backend was
476was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably 637implemented, it was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't
477with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course 638work reliably with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin,
478it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose brokenness 639where of course it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose
479is by design, these kqueue bugs can (and eventually will) be fixed 640brokenness is by design, these kqueue bugs can be (and mostly have been)
480without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not being 641fixed without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not
481"auto-detected" unless you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using 642being "auto-detected" on all platforms unless you explicitly specify it
482C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough) 643in the flags (i.e. using C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a
483system like NetBSD. 644known-to-be-good (-enough) system like NetBSD.
484 645
485You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it 646You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
486only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on 647only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
487the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 648the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
488 649
489It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the 650It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
490kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of 651kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
491course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never 652course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
492cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to 653cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
493two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but 654two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (you
494sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect 655might have to leak fds on fork, but it's more sane than epoll) and it
495cases 656drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.
496 657
497This backend usually performs well under most conditions. 658This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
498 659
499While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work 660While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
500everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken 661everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
514and is not embeddable, which would limit the usefulness of this backend 675and is not embeddable, which would limit the usefulness of this backend
515immensely. 676immensely.
516 677
517=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10) 678=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
518 679
519This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris, 680This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on
520it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)). 681Solaris, it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
521
522Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
523notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
524blocking when no data (or space) is available.
525 682
526While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active 683While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
527file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file 684file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
528descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend 685descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
529might perform better. 686might perform better.
530 687
531On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness 688On the positive side, this backend actually performed fully to
532notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
533in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the 689specification in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat
534OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks). 690among the OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed
691hacks).
692
693On the negative side, the interface is I<bizarre> - so bizarre that
694even sun itself gets it wrong in their code examples: The event polling
695function sometimes returns events to the caller even though an error
696occurred, but with no indication whether it has done so or not (yes, it's
697even documented that way) - deadly for edge-triggered interfaces where you
698absolutely have to know whether an event occurred or not because you have
699to re-arm the watcher.
700
701Fortunately libev seems to be able to work around these idiocies.
535 702
536This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as 703This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
537C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 704C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
538 705
539=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 706=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
540 707
541Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried 708Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
542with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as 709with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
543C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>. 710C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
544 711
545It is definitely not recommended to use this flag. 712It is definitely not recommended to use this flag, use whatever
713C<ev_recommended_backends ()> returns, or simply do not specify a backend
714at all.
715
716=item C<EVBACKEND_MASK>
717
718Not a backend at all, but a mask to select all backend bits from a
719C<flags> value, in case you want to mask out any backends from a flags
720value (e.g. when modifying the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> environment variable).
546 721
547=back 722=back
548 723
549If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value, 724If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value,
550then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed 725then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed
551here). If none are specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends 726here). If none are specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends
552()> will be tried. 727()> will be tried.
553 728
554Example: This is the most typical usage.
555
556 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
557 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
558
559Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
560environment settings to be taken into account:
561
562 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
563
564Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
565used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
566private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
567fds):
568
569 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
570
571=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
572
573Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
574always distinct from the default loop.
575
576Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and one common way to use
577libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
578default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
579
580Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 729Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
581 730
582 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 731 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
583 if (!epoller) 732 if (!epoller)
584 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 733 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
585 734
735Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
736used if available.
737
738 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_loop_new (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
739
740Example: Similarly, on linux, you mgiht want to take advantage of the
741linux aio backend if possible, but fall back to something else if that
742isn't available.
743
744 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_loop_new (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_LINUXAIO);
745
586=item ev_default_destroy () 746=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
587 747
588Destroys the default loop (frees all memory and kernel state etc.). None 748Destroys an event loop object (frees all memory and kernel state
589of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal sense, so 749etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
590e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your responsibility to 750sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
591either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before> calling this function, 751responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
592or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually the easiest thing, you 752calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
593can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them for example). 753the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
754for example).
594 755
595Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal 756Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
596handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such 757handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
597as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually. 758as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
598 759
599In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the 760This function is normally used on loop objects allocated by
600rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling 761C<ev_loop_new>, but it can also be used on the default loop returned by
762C<ev_default_loop>, in which case it is not thread-safe.
763
764Note that it is not advisable to call this function on the default loop
765except in the rare occasion where you really need to free its resources.
601pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use 766If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use C<ev_loop_new>
602C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>. 767and C<ev_loop_destroy>.
603 768
604=item ev_loop_destroy (loop) 769=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
605 770
606Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
607earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
608
609=item ev_default_fork ()
610
611This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations 771This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_run> iterations
612to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the 772to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite
613name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in 773the name, you can call it anytime you are allowed to start or stop
614the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little 774watchers (except inside an C<ev_prepare> callback), but it makes most
615sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev 775sense after forking, in the child process. You I<must> call it (or use
616functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration. 776C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>) in the child before resuming or calling C<ev_run>.
617 777
778In addition, if you want to reuse a loop (via this function or
779C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>), you I<also> have to ignore C<SIGPIPE>.
780
618Again, you I<have> to call it on I<any> loop that you want to re-use after 781Again, you I<have> to call it on I<any> loop that you want to re-use after
619a fork, I<even if you do not plan to use the loop in the parent>. This is 782a fork, I<even if you do not plan to use the loop in the parent>. This is
620because some kernel interfaces *cough* I<kqueue> *cough* do funny things 783because some kernel interfaces *cough* I<kqueue> *cough* do funny things
621during fork. 784during fork.
622 785
623On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child 786On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
624process if and only if you want to use the event loop in the child. If you 787process if and only if you want to use the event loop in the child. If
625just fork+exec or create a new loop in the child, you don't have to call 788you just fork+exec or create a new loop in the child, you don't have to
626it at all. 789call it at all (in fact, C<epoll> is so badly broken that it makes a
790difference, but libev will usually detect this case on its own and do a
791costly reset of the backend).
627 792
628The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call 793The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
629it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in 794it just in case after a fork.
630quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
631 795
796Example: Automate calling C<ev_loop_fork> on the default loop when
797using pthreads.
798
799 static void
800 post_fork_child (void)
801 {
802 ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
803 }
804
805 ...
632 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 806 pthread_atfork (0, 0, post_fork_child);
633
634=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
635
636Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
637C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
638after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you keep track of
639them is entirely your own problem.
640 807
641=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop) 808=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
642 809
643Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false 810Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
644otherwise. 811otherwise.
645 812
646=item unsigned int ev_iteration (loop) 813=item unsigned int ev_iteration (loop)
647 814
648Returns the current iteration count for the loop, which is identical to 815Returns the current iteration count for the event loop, which is identical
649the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and 816to the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0>
650happily wraps around with enough iterations. 817and happily wraps around with enough iterations.
651 818
652This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it 819This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
653"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with 820"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
654C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls - and is incremented between the 821C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls - and is incremented between the
655prepare and check phases. 822prepare and check phases.
656 823
657=item unsigned int ev_depth (loop) 824=item unsigned int ev_depth (loop)
658 825
659Returns the number of times C<ev_loop> was entered minus the number of 826Returns the number of times C<ev_run> was entered minus the number of
660times C<ev_loop> was exited, in other words, the recursion depth. 827times C<ev_run> was exited normally, in other words, the recursion depth.
661 828
662Outside C<ev_loop>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is 829Outside C<ev_run>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is
663C<1>, unless C<ev_loop> was invoked recursively (or from another thread), 830C<1>, unless C<ev_run> was invoked recursively (or from another thread),
664in which case it is higher. 831in which case it is higher.
665 832
666Leaving C<ev_loop> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread 833Leaving C<ev_run> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread,
667etc.), doesn't count as "exit" - consider this as a hint to avoid such 834throwing an exception etc.), doesn't count as "exit" - consider this
668ungentleman behaviour unless it's really convenient. 835as a hint to avoid such ungentleman-like behaviour unless it's really
836convenient, in which case it is fully supported.
669 837
670=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop) 838=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
671 839
672Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in 840Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
673use. 841use.
682 850
683=item ev_now_update (loop) 851=item ev_now_update (loop)
684 852
685Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time 853Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
686returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and 854returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
687is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>. 855is usually done automatically within C<ev_run ()>.
688 856
689This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a 857This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
690very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of 858very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
691the current time is a good idea. 859the current time is a good idea.
692 860
693See also L<The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section. 861See also L</The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.
694 862
695=item ev_suspend (loop) 863=item ev_suspend (loop)
696 864
697=item ev_resume (loop) 865=item ev_resume (loop)
698 866
699These two functions suspend and resume a loop, for use when the loop is 867These two functions suspend and resume an event loop, for use when the
700not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed. 868loop is not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
701 869
702A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When 870A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
703the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it 871the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
704would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while 872would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
705the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend> 873the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend>
716without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>. 884without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
717 885
718Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the 886Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
719event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>). 887event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
720 888
721=item ev_loop (loop, int flags) 889=item bool ev_run (loop, int flags)
722 890
723Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 891Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
724after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start 892after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start
725handling events. 893handling events. It will ask the operating system for any new events, call
894the watcher callbacks, and then repeat the whole process indefinitely: This
895is why event loops are called I<loops>.
726 896
727If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until 897If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will keep handling events
728either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called. 898until either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_break> was
899called.
729 900
901The return value is false if there are no more active watchers (which
902usually means "all jobs done" or "deadlock"), and true in all other cases
903(which usually means " you should call C<ev_run> again").
904
730Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than 905Please note that an explicit C<ev_break> is usually better than
731relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has 906relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
732finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program 907finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
733that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue 908that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
734of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of 909of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
735beauty. 910beauty.
736 911
912This function is I<mostly> exception-safe - you can break out of a
913C<ev_run> call by calling C<longjmp> in a callback, throwing a C++
914exception and so on. This does not decrement the C<ev_depth> value, nor
915will it clear any outstanding C<EVBREAK_ONE> breaks.
916
737A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle 917A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle
738those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your 918those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and
739process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of 919block your process in case there are no events and will return after one
740the loop. 920iteration of the loop. This is sometimes useful to poll and handle new
921events while doing lengthy calculations, to keep the program responsive.
741 922
742A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if 923A flags value of C<EVRUN_ONCE> will look for new events (waiting if
743necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It 924necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
744will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could 925will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
745be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a 926be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
746user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one 927user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
747iteration of the loop. 928iteration of the loop.
748 929
749This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction 930This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
750with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your 931with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
751own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 932own C<ev_run>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
752usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 933usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
753 934
754Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 935Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does (this is for your
936understanding, not a guarantee that things will work exactly like this in
937future versions):
755 938
939 - Increment loop depth.
940 - Reset the ev_break status.
756 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers. 941 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
942 LOOP:
757 * If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork. 943 - If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
758 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers. 944 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
759 - Queue and call all prepare watchers. 945 - Queue and call all prepare watchers.
946 - If ev_break was called, goto FINISH.
760 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state 947 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
761 as to not disturb the other process. 948 as to not disturb the other process.
762 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 949 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
763 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()). 950 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
764 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all 951 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
765 (active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having 952 (active idle watchers, EVRUN_NOWAIT or not having
766 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping). 953 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
767 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so. 954 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
955 - Increment loop iteration counter.
768 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 956 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
769 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events. 957 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
770 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments. 958 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
771 - Queue all expired timers. 959 - Queue all expired timers.
772 - Queue all expired periodics. 960 - Queue all expired periodics.
773 - Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers. 961 - Queue all idle watchers with priority higher than that of pending events.
774 - Queue all check watchers. 962 - Queue all check watchers.
775 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first). 963 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
776 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will 964 Signals, async and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and
777 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 965 will be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
778 - If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 966 - If ev_break has been called, or EVRUN_ONCE or EVRUN_NOWAIT
779 were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise 967 were used, or there are no active watchers, goto FINISH, otherwise
780 continue with step *. 968 continue with step LOOP.
969 FINISH:
970 - Reset the ev_break status iff it was EVBREAK_ONE.
971 - Decrement the loop depth.
972 - Return.
781 973
782Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding 974Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
783anymore. 975anymore.
784 976
785 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 977 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
786 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 978 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
787 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 979 ev_run (my_loop, 0);
788 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah! 980 ... jobs done or somebody called break. yeah!
789 981
790=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 982=item ev_break (loop, how)
791 983
792Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 984Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it
793has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 985has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
794C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or 986C<EVBREAK_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_run> call return, or
795C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return. 987C<EVBREAK_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_run> calls return.
796 988
797This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again. 989This "break state" will be cleared on the next call to C<ev_run>.
798 990
799It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from outside any C<ev_loop> calls. 991It is safe to call C<ev_break> from outside any C<ev_run> calls, too, in
992which case it will have no effect.
800 993
801=item ev_ref (loop) 994=item ev_ref (loop)
802 995
803=item ev_unref (loop) 996=item ev_unref (loop)
804 997
805Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event 998Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
806loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference 999loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
807count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. 1000count is nonzero, C<ev_run> will not return on its own.
808 1001
809This is useful when you have a watcher that you never intend to 1002This is useful when you have a watcher that you never intend to
810unregister, but that nevertheless should not keep C<ev_loop> from 1003unregister, but that nevertheless should not keep C<ev_run> from
811returning. In such a case, call C<ev_unref> after starting, and C<ev_ref> 1004returning. In such a case, call C<ev_unref> after starting, and C<ev_ref>
812before stopping it. 1005before stopping it.
813 1006
814As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It 1007As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
815is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from 1008is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_run> from
816exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an 1009exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
817excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within 1010excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
818third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref 1011third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref
819before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active 1012before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active
820before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself 1013before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself
821(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref> 1014(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref>
822in the callback). 1015in the callback).
823 1016
824Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 1017Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_run>
825running when nothing else is active. 1018running when nothing else is active.
826 1019
827 ev_signal exitsig; 1020 ev_signal exitsig;
828 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 1021 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
829 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig); 1022 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
830 evf_unref (loop); 1023 ev_unref (loop);
831 1024
832Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 1025Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
833 1026
834 ev_ref (loop); 1027 ev_ref (loop);
835 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig); 1028 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
855overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once. 1048overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
856 1049
857By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more 1050By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
858time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration, 1051time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
859at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and 1052at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
860C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will 1053C<ev_timer>) will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
861introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The 1054introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
862sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then 1055sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
863once per this interval, on average. 1056once per this interval, on average (as long as the host time resolution is
1057good enough).
864 1058
865Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev 1059Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
866to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased 1060to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
867latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called 1061latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
868later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null 1062later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
892 ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01); 1086 ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01);
893 1087
894=item ev_invoke_pending (loop) 1088=item ev_invoke_pending (loop)
895 1089
896This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their 1090This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their
897pending state. Normally, C<ev_loop> does this automatically when required, 1091pending state. Normally, C<ev_run> does this automatically when required,
898but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy. 1092but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy. This
1093function can be invoked from a watcher - this can be useful for example
1094when you want to do some lengthy calculation and want to pass further
1095event handling to another thread (you still have to make sure only one
1096thread executes within C<ev_invoke_pending> or C<ev_run> of course).
899 1097
900=item int ev_pending_count (loop) 1098=item int ev_pending_count (loop)
901 1099
902Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers 1100Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers
903are pending. 1101are pending.
904 1102
905=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P)) 1103=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P))
906 1104
907This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of 1105This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of
908invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_loop> will call 1106invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_run> will call
909this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to 1107this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to
910invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.). 1108invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
911 1109
912If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new 1110If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
913callback. 1111callback.
914 1112
915=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P), void (*acquire)(EV_P)) 1113=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P) throw (), void (*acquire)(EV_P) throw ())
916 1114
917Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This 1115Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
918can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around 1116can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
919each call to a libev function. 1117each call to a libev function.
920 1118
921However, C<ev_loop> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible to 1119However, C<ev_run> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible
922wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the loop via 1120to wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the event
923C<ev_unloop> and C<av_async_send>, another way is to set these I<release> 1121loop via C<ev_break> and C<ev_async_send>, another way is to set these
924and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop. 1122I<release> and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
925 1123
926When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is 1124When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
927suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just 1125suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
928afterwards. 1126afterwards.
929 1127
932 1130
933While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of 1131While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of
934C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no 1132C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no
935modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will 1133modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will
936have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time 1134have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time
937waited. Use an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_loop> when you want it 1135waited. Use an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_run> when you want it
938to take note of any changes you made. 1136to take note of any changes you made.
939 1137
940In theory, threads executing C<ev_loop> will be async-cancel safe between 1138In theory, threads executing C<ev_run> will be async-cancel safe between
941invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>. 1139invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>.
942 1140
943See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this 1141See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this
944document. 1142document.
945 1143
946=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data) 1144=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data)
947 1145
948=item ev_userdata (loop) 1146=item void *ev_userdata (loop)
949 1147
950Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When 1148Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When
951C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns 1149C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns
952C<0.> 1150C<0>.
953 1151
954These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop, 1152These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop,
955and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and 1153and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and
956C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for 1154C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for
957any other purpose as well. 1155any other purpose as well.
975 1173
976In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the 1174In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
977watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer 1175watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
978watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers. 1176watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
979 1177
980A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your 1178A watcher is an opaque structure that you allocate and register to record
981interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to 1179your interest in some event. To make a concrete example, imagine you want
982become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that: 1180to wait for STDIN to become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher
1181for that:
983 1182
984 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 1183 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
985 { 1184 {
986 ev_io_stop (w); 1185 ev_io_stop (w);
987 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 1186 ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
988 } 1187 }
989 1188
990 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 1189 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
991 1190
992 ev_io stdin_watcher; 1191 ev_io stdin_watcher;
993 1192
994 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb); 1193 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
995 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1194 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
996 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 1195 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
997 1196
998 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1197 ev_run (loop, 0);
999 1198
1000As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your 1199As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
1001watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the 1200watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
1002stack). 1201stack).
1003 1202
1004Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE> 1203Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
1005or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs). 1204or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
1006 1205
1007Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init 1206Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init (watcher
1008(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This 1207*, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This callback is
1009callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O 1208invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O watchers, each
1010watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given 1209time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given is readable
1011is readable and/or writable). 1210and/or writable).
1012 1211
1013Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >> 1212Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
1014macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There 1213macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
1015is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< 1214is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
1016ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>. 1215ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
1019with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher 1218with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
1020*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the 1219*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
1021corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>. 1220corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
1022 1221
1023As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you 1222As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
1024must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never 1223must not touch the values stored in it except when explicitly documented
1025reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro. 1224otherwise. Most specifically you must never reinitialise it or call its
1225C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
1026 1226
1027Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the 1227Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
1028registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as 1228registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
1029third argument. 1229third argument.
1030 1230
1067 1267
1068=item C<EV_PREPARE> 1268=item C<EV_PREPARE>
1069 1269
1070=item C<EV_CHECK> 1270=item C<EV_CHECK>
1071 1271
1072All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_loop> starts 1272All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_run> starts to
1073to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after 1273gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are queued (not invoked)
1074C<ev_loop> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any 1274just after C<ev_run> has gathered them, but before it queues any callbacks
1275for any received events. That means C<ev_prepare> watchers are the last
1276watchers invoked before the event loop sleeps or polls for new events, and
1277C<ev_check> watchers will be invoked before any other watchers of the same
1278or lower priority within an event loop iteration.
1279
1075received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as 1280Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as many watchers as
1076many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account 1281they want, and all of them will be taken into account (for example, a
1077(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep 1282C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep C<ev_run> from
1078C<ev_loop> from blocking). 1283blocking).
1079 1284
1080=item C<EV_EMBED> 1285=item C<EV_EMBED>
1081 1286
1082The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention. 1287The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.
1083 1288
1084=item C<EV_FORK> 1289=item C<EV_FORK>
1085 1290
1086The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see 1291The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
1087C<ev_fork>). 1292C<ev_fork>).
1293
1294=item C<EV_CLEANUP>
1295
1296The event loop is about to be destroyed (see C<ev_cleanup>).
1088 1297
1089=item C<EV_ASYNC> 1298=item C<EV_ASYNC>
1090 1299
1091The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>). 1300The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
1092 1301
1187 1396
1188=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1397=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
1189 1398
1190Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started 1399Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
1191and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify 1400and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
1192it. 1401it unless documented otherwise.
1402
1403Obviously, it is safe to call this on an active watcher, or actually any
1404watcher that is initialised.
1193 1405
1194=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1406=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher)
1195 1407
1196Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding 1408Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding
1197events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher 1409events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher
1198is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but 1410is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but
1199C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe), you must not change its priority, and you must 1411C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe), you must not change its priority, and you must
1200make sure the watcher is available to libev (e.g. you cannot C<free ()> 1412make sure the watcher is available to libev (e.g. you cannot C<free ()>
1201it). 1413it).
1202 1414
1415It is safe to call this on any watcher in any state as long as it is
1416initialised.
1417
1203=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1418=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
1204 1419
1205Returns the callback currently set on the watcher. 1420Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
1206 1421
1207=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 1422=item ev_set_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
1208 1423
1209Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time 1424Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
1210(modulo threads). 1425(modulo threads).
1211 1426
1212=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority) 1427=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority)
1220from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers). 1435from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
1221 1436
1222If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending 1437If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
1223you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality. 1438you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
1224 1439
1225You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or 1440You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active
1226pending. 1441or pending. Reading the priority with C<ev_priority> is fine in any state.
1227 1442
1228Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is 1443Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
1229fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might 1444fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
1230or might not have been clamped to the valid range. 1445or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
1231 1446
1232The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is 1447The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
1233always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :). 1448always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
1234 1449
1235See L<WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of 1450See L</WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of
1236priorities. 1451priorities.
1237 1452
1238=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents) 1453=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1239 1454
1240Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither 1455Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
1253 1468
1254=item ev_feed_event (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents) 1469=item ev_feed_event (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1255 1470
1256Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event 1471Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1257had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an 1472had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1258initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). Obviously you must 1473initialised but not necessarily started event watcher, though it can be
1259not free the watcher as long as it has pending events. 1474active). Obviously you must not free the watcher as long as it has pending
1475events.
1260 1476
1261Stopping the watcher, letting libev invoke it, or calling 1477Stopping the watcher, letting libev invoke it, or calling
1262C<ev_clear_pending> will clear the pending event, even if the watcher was 1478C<ev_clear_pending> will clear the pending event, even if the watcher was
1263not started in the first place. 1479not started in the first place.
1264 1480
1265See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related 1481See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related
1266functions that do not need a watcher. 1482functions that do not need a watcher.
1267 1483
1268=back 1484=back
1269 1485
1486See also the L</ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER> and L</BUILDING YOUR
1487OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS> idioms.
1270 1488
1271=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 1489=head2 WATCHER STATES
1272 1490
1273Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change 1491There are various watcher states mentioned throughout this manual -
1274and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used 1492active, pending and so on. In this section these states and the rules to
1275to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and 1493transition between them will be described in more detail - and while these
1276don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data 1494rules might look complicated, they usually do "the right thing".
1277member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
1278data:
1279 1495
1280 struct my_io 1496=over 4
1281 {
1282 ev_io io;
1283 int otherfd;
1284 void *somedata;
1285 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
1286 };
1287 1497
1288 ... 1498=item initialised
1289 struct my_io w;
1290 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
1291 1499
1292And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you 1500Before a watcher can be registered with the event loop it has to be
1293can cast it back to your own type: 1501initialised. This can be done with a call to C<ev_TYPE_init>, or calls to
1502C<ev_init> followed by the watcher-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> function.
1294 1503
1295 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents) 1504In this state it is simply some block of memory that is suitable for
1296 { 1505use in an event loop. It can be moved around, freed, reused etc. at
1297 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_; 1506will - as long as you either keep the memory contents intact, or call
1298 ... 1507C<ev_TYPE_init> again.
1299 }
1300 1508
1301More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type 1509=item started/running/active
1302instead have been omitted.
1303 1510
1304Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple 1511Once a watcher has been started with a call to C<ev_TYPE_start> it becomes
1305embedded watchers: 1512property of the event loop, and is actively waiting for events. While in
1513this state it cannot be accessed (except in a few documented ways, such as
1514stoping it), moved, freed or anything else - the only legal thing is to
1515keep a pointer to it, and call libev functions on it that are documented
1516to work on active watchers.
1306 1517
1307 struct my_biggy 1518As a rule of thumb, before accessing a member or calling any function on
1308 { 1519a watcher, it should be stopped (or freshly initialised). If that is not
1309 int some_data; 1520convenient, you can check the documentation for that function or member to
1310 ev_timer t1; 1521see if it is safe to use on an active watcher.
1311 ev_timer t2;
1312 }
1313 1522
1314In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more 1523=item pending
1315complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
1316in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
1317some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
1318programmers):
1319 1524
1320 #include <stddef.h> 1525If a watcher is active and libev determines that an event it is interested
1526in has occurred (such as a timer expiring), it will become pending. It
1527will stay in this pending state until either it is explicitly stopped or
1528its callback is about to be invoked, so it is not normally pending inside
1529the watcher callback.
1321 1530
1322 static void 1531Generally, the watcher might or might not be active while it is pending
1323 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 1532(for example, an expired non-repeating timer can be pending but no longer
1324 { 1533active). If it is pending but not active, it can be freely accessed (e.g.
1325 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *) 1534by calling C<ev_TYPE_set>), but it is still property of the event loop at
1326 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1)); 1535this time, so cannot be moved, freed or reused. And if it is active the
1327 } 1536rules described in the previous item still apply.
1328 1537
1329 static void 1538Explicitly stopping a watcher will also clear the pending state
1330 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 1539unconditionally, so it is safe to stop a watcher and then free it.
1331 { 1540
1332 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *) 1541It is also possible to feed an event on a watcher that is not active (e.g.
1333 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2)); 1542via C<ev_feed_event>), in which case it becomes pending without being
1334 } 1543active.
1544
1545=item stopped
1546
1547A watcher can be stopped implicitly by libev (in which case it might still
1548be pending), or explicitly by calling its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function. The
1549latter will clear any pending state the watcher might be in, regardless
1550of whether it was active or not, so stopping a watcher explicitly before
1551freeing it is often a good idea.
1552
1553While stopped (and not pending) the watcher is essentially in the
1554initialised state, that is, it can be reused, moved, modified in any way
1555you wish (but when you trash the memory block, you need to C<ev_TYPE_init>
1556it again).
1557
1558=back
1335 1559
1336=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS 1560=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
1337 1561
1338Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small 1562Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small
1339integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation 1563integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation
1340between watchers in some way, all else being equal. 1564between watchers in some way, all else being equal.
1341 1565
1342In libev, Watcher priorities can be set using C<ev_set_priority>. See its 1566In libev, watcher priorities can be set using C<ev_set_priority>. See its
1343description for the more technical details such as the actual priority 1567description for the more technical details such as the actual priority
1344range. 1568range.
1345 1569
1346There are two common ways how these these priorities are being interpreted 1570There are two common ways how these these priorities are being interpreted
1347by event loops: 1571by event loops:
1441 1665
1442This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 1666This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
1443information given in the last section. Any initialisation/set macros, 1667information given in the last section. Any initialisation/set macros,
1444functions and members specific to the watcher type are explained. 1668functions and members specific to the watcher type are explained.
1445 1669
1446Members are additionally marked with either I<[read-only]>, meaning that, 1670Most members are additionally marked with either I<[read-only]>, meaning
1447while the watcher is active, you can look at the member and expect some 1671that, while the watcher is active, you can look at the member and expect
1448sensible content, but you must not modify it (you can modify it while the 1672some sensible content, but you must not modify it (you can modify it while
1449watcher is stopped to your hearts content), or I<[read-write]>, which 1673the watcher is stopped to your hearts content), or I<[read-write]>, which
1450means you can expect it to have some sensible content while the watcher 1674means you can expect it to have some sensible content while the watcher is
1451is active, but you can also modify it. Modifying it may not do something 1675active, but you can also modify it (within the same thread as the event
1676loop, i.e. without creating data races). Modifying it may not do something
1452sensible or take immediate effect (or do anything at all), but libev will 1677sensible or take immediate effect (or do anything at all), but libev will
1453not crash or malfunction in any way. 1678not crash or malfunction in any way.
1454 1679
1680In any case, the documentation for each member will explain what the
1681effects are, and if there are any additional access restrictions.
1455 1682
1456=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable? 1683=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable?
1457 1684
1458I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable 1685I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable
1459in each iteration of the event loop, or, more precisely, when reading 1686in each iteration of the event loop, or, more precisely, when reading
1466In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 1693In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
1467fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 1694fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
1468descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 1695descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1469required if you know what you are doing). 1696required if you know what you are doing).
1470 1697
1471If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
1472known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
1473C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). The same applies to file
1474descriptors for which non-blocking operation makes no sense (such as
1475files) - libev doesn't guarantee any specific behaviour in that case.
1476
1477Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to 1698Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1478receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might 1699receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is, your callback might
1479be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block 1700be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1480because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a 1701because there is no data. It is very easy to get into this situation even
1481lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into 1702with a relatively standard program structure. Thus it is best to always
1482this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus 1703use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning C<EAGAIN> is far
1483it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1484C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives. 1704preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1485 1705
1486If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should 1706If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
1487not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately 1707not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
1488re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good 1708re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
1489interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already 1709interface such as poll (fortunately in the case of Xlib, it already does
1490does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally 1710this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
1491use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block 1711use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
1492indefinitely. 1712indefinitely.
1493 1713
1494But really, best use non-blocking mode. 1714But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1495 1715
1496=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors 1716=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1497 1717
1498Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file 1718Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll, linuxaio) need to be told about closing
1499descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means, 1719a file descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other
1500such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file 1720means, such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some
1501descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop 1721file descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently
1502this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is 1722drop this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then
1503registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in 1723is registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is,
1504fact, a different file descriptor. 1724in fact, a different file descriptor.
1505 1725
1506To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows 1726To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows
1507the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev 1727the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev
1508will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise 1728will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise
1509it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that 1729it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that
1523 1743
1524There is no workaround possible except not registering events 1744There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1525for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to 1745for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1526C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 1746C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1527 1747
1748=head3 The special problem of files
1749
1750Many people try to use C<select> (or libev) on file descriptors
1751representing files, and expect it to become ready when their program
1752doesn't block on disk accesses (which can take a long time on their own).
1753
1754However, this cannot ever work in the "expected" way - you get a readiness
1755notification as soon as the kernel knows whether and how much data is
1756there, and in the case of open files, that's always the case, so you
1757always get a readiness notification instantly, and your read (or possibly
1758write) will still block on the disk I/O.
1759
1760Another way to view it is that in the case of sockets, pipes, character
1761devices and so on, there is another party (the sender) that delivers data
1762on its own, but in the case of files, there is no such thing: the disk
1763will not send data on its own, simply because it doesn't know what you
1764wish to read - you would first have to request some data.
1765
1766Since files are typically not-so-well supported by advanced notification
1767mechanism, libev tries hard to emulate POSIX behaviour with respect
1768to files, even though you should not use it. The reason for this is
1769convenience: sometimes you want to watch STDIN or STDOUT, which is
1770usually a tty, often a pipe, but also sometimes files or special devices
1771(for example, C<epoll> on Linux works with F</dev/random> but not with
1772F</dev/urandom>), and even though the file might better be served with
1773asynchronous I/O instead of with non-blocking I/O, it is still useful when
1774it "just works" instead of freezing.
1775
1776So avoid file descriptors pointing to files when you know it (e.g. use
1777libeio), but use them when it is convenient, e.g. for STDIN/STDOUT, or
1778when you rarely read from a file instead of from a socket, and want to
1779reuse the same code path.
1780
1528=head3 The special problem of fork 1781=head3 The special problem of fork
1529 1782
1530Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit 1783Some backends (epoll, kqueue, linuxaio, iouring) do not support C<fork ()>
1531useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about 1784at all or exhibit useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs
1532it in the child. 1785to be told about it in the child if you want to continue to use it in the
1786child.
1533 1787
1534To support fork in your programs, you either have to call 1788To support fork in your child processes, you have to call C<ev_loop_fork
1535C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child, 1789()> after a fork in the child, enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to
1536enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or 1790C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1537C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1538 1791
1539=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE 1792=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1540 1793
1541While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>: 1794While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
1542when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets 1795when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
1593=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 1846=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
1594 1847
1595=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events) 1848=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
1596 1849
1597Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to 1850Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
1598receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or 1851receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE>, both
1599C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events. 1852C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> or C<0>, to express the desire to receive the given
1853events.
1600 1854
1601=item int fd [read-only] 1855Note that setting the C<events> to C<0> and starting the watcher is
1856supported, but not specially optimized - if your program sometimes happens
1857to generate this combination this is fine, but if it is easy to avoid
1858starting an io watcher watching for no events you should do so.
1602 1859
1603The file descriptor being watched. 1860=item ev_io_modify (ev_io *, int events)
1604 1861
1862Similar to C<ev_io_set>, but only changes the requested events. Using this
1863might be faster with some backends, as libev can assume that the C<fd>
1864still refers to the same underlying file description, something it cannot
1865do when using C<ev_io_set>.
1866
1867=item int fd [no-modify]
1868
1869The file descriptor being watched. While it can be read at any time, you
1870must not modify this member even when the watcher is stopped - always use
1871C<ev_io_set> for that.
1872
1605=item int events [read-only] 1873=item int events [no-modify]
1606 1874
1607The events being watched. 1875The set of events the fd is being watched for, among other flags. Remember
1876that this is a bit set - to test for C<EV_READ>, use C<< w->events &
1877EV_READ >>, and similarly for C<EV_WRITE>.
1878
1879As with C<fd>, you must not modify this member even when the watcher is
1880stopped, always use C<ev_io_set> or C<ev_io_modify> for that.
1608 1881
1609=back 1882=back
1610 1883
1611=head3 Examples 1884=head3 Examples
1612 1885
1624 ... 1897 ...
1625 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 1898 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1626 ev_io stdin_readable; 1899 ev_io stdin_readable;
1627 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1900 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1628 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 1901 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1629 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1902 ev_run (loop, 0);
1630 1903
1631 1904
1632=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts 1905=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1633 1906
1634Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 1907Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1640detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 1913detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1641monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 1914monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1642 1915
1643The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has 1916The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1644passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this 1917passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
1645might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the 1918might introduce a small delay, see "the special problem of being too
1919early", below). If multiple timers become ready during the same loop
1646same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked 1920iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked before
1647before ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is 1921ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is no
1648no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively). 1922longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1649 1923
1650=head3 Be smart about timeouts 1924=head3 Be smart about timeouts
1651 1925
1652Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error 1926Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
1653recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs, 1927recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
1728 2002
1729In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone, 2003In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
1730but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only 2004but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
1731within the callback: 2005within the callback:
1732 2006
2007 ev_tstamp timeout = 60.;
1733 ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity 2008 ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
2009 ev_timer timer;
1734 2010
1735 static void 2011 static void
1736 callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 2012 callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1737 { 2013 {
1738 ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A); 2014 // calculate when the timeout would happen
1739 ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.; 2015 ev_tstamp after = last_activity - ev_now (EV_A) + timeout;
1740 2016
1741 // if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out 2017 // if negative, it means we the timeout already occurred
1742 if (timeout < now) 2018 if (after < 0.)
1743 { 2019 {
1744 // timeout occurred, take action 2020 // timeout occurred, take action
1745 } 2021 }
1746 else 2022 else
1747 { 2023 {
1748 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm 2024 // callback was invoked, but there was some recent
1749 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is 2025 // activity. simply restart the timer to time out
1750 // guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive: 2026 // after "after" seconds, which is the earliest time
1751 w->repeat = timeout - now; 2027 // the timeout can occur.
2028 ev_timer_set (w, after, 0.);
1752 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w); 2029 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ w);
1753 } 2030 }
1754 } 2031 }
1755 2032
1756To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined 2033To summarise the callback: first calculate in how many seconds the
1757as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has 2034timeout will occur (by calculating the absolute time when it would occur,
1758been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise 2035C<last_activity + timeout>, and subtracting the current time, C<ev_now
1759the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so 2036(EV_A)> from that).
1760re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
1761a timeout then.
1762 2037
1763Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the 2038If this value is negative, then we are already past the timeout, i.e. we
1764C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running. 2039timed out, and need to do whatever is needed in this case.
2040
2041Otherwise, we now the earliest time at which the timeout would trigger,
2042and simply start the timer with this timeout value.
2043
2044In other words, each time the callback is invoked it will check whether
2045the timeout occurred. If not, it will simply reschedule itself to check
2046again at the earliest time it could time out. Rinse. Repeat.
1765 2047
1766This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds 2048This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
1767minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to 2049minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
1768libev to change the timeout. 2050libev to change the timeout.
1769 2051
1770To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity> 2052To start the machinery, simply initialise the watcher and set
1771to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the 2053C<last_activity> to the current time (meaning there was some activity just
1772callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer: 2054now), then call the callback, which will "do the right thing" and start
2055the timer:
1773 2056
2057 last_activity = ev_now (EV_A);
1774 ev_init (timer, callback); 2058 ev_init (&timer, callback);
1775 last_activity = ev_now (loop); 2059 callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0);
1776 callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMER);
1777 2060
1778And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in 2061When there is some activity, simply store the current time in
1779C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all: 2062C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
1780 2063
2064 if (activity detected)
1781 last_activity = ev_now (loop); 2065 last_activity = ev_now (EV_A);
2066
2067When your timeout value changes, then the timeout can be changed by simply
2068providing a new value, stopping the timer and calling the callback, which
2069will again do the right thing (for example, time out immediately :).
2070
2071 timeout = new_value;
2072 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &timer);
2073 callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0);
1782 2074
1783This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the 2075This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
1784time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient. 2076time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
1785
1786Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
1787callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
1788fix things for you.
1789 2077
1790=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts. 2078=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
1791 2079
1792If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all 2080If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
1793employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can 2081employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
1820Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is 2108Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
1821rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays 2109rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
1822off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually 2110off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
1823overkill :) 2111overkill :)
1824 2112
2113=head3 The special problem of being too early
2114
2115If you ask a timer to call your callback after three seconds, then
2116you expect it to be invoked after three seconds - but of course, this
2117cannot be guaranteed to infinite precision. Less obviously, it cannot be
2118guaranteed to any precision by libev - imagine somebody suspending the
2119process with a STOP signal for a few hours for example.
2120
2121So, libev tries to invoke your callback as soon as possible I<after> the
2122delay has occurred, but cannot guarantee this.
2123
2124A less obvious failure mode is calling your callback too early: many event
2125loops compare timestamps with a "elapsed delay >= requested delay", but
2126this can cause your callback to be invoked much earlier than you would
2127expect.
2128
2129To see why, imagine a system with a clock that only offers full second
2130resolution (think windows if you can't come up with a broken enough OS
2131yourself). If you schedule a one-second timer at the time 500.9, then the
2132event loop will schedule your timeout to elapse at a system time of 500
2133(500.9 truncated to the resolution) + 1, or 501.
2134
2135If an event library looks at the timeout 0.1s later, it will see "501 >=
2136501" and invoke the callback 0.1s after it was started, even though a
2137one-second delay was requested - this is being "too early", despite best
2138intentions.
2139
2140This is the reason why libev will never invoke the callback if the elapsed
2141delay equals the requested delay, but only when the elapsed delay is
2142larger than the requested delay. In the example above, libev would only invoke
2143the callback at system time 502, or 1.1s after the timer was started.
2144
2145So, while libev cannot guarantee that your callback will be invoked
2146exactly when requested, it I<can> and I<does> guarantee that the requested
2147delay has actually elapsed, or in other words, it always errs on the "too
2148late" side of things.
2149
1825=head3 The special problem of time updates 2150=head3 The special problem of time updates
1826 2151
1827Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at 2152Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes
1828least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current 2153at least one system call): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
1829time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a 2154time only before and after C<ev_run> collects new events, which causes a
1830growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling 2155growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
1831lots of events in one iteration. 2156lots of events in one iteration.
1832 2157
1833The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 2158The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1834time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 2159time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1835of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If 2160of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
1836you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the 2161you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
1837timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this: 2162timeout on the current time, use something like the following to adjust
2163for it:
1838 2164
1839 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 2165 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + (ev_time () - ev_now ()), 0.);
1840 2166
1841If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an 2167If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1842update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update 2168update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1843()>. 2169()>, although that will push the event time of all outstanding events
2170further into the future.
2171
2172=head3 The special problem of unsynchronised clocks
2173
2174Modern systems have a variety of clocks - libev itself uses the normal
2175"wall clock" clock and, if available, the monotonic clock (to avoid time
2176jumps).
2177
2178Neither of these clocks is synchronised with each other or any other clock
2179on the system, so C<ev_time ()> might return a considerably different time
2180than C<gettimeofday ()> or C<time ()>. On a GNU/Linux system, for example,
2181a call to C<gettimeofday> might return a second count that is one higher
2182than a directly following call to C<time>.
2183
2184The moral of this is to only compare libev-related timestamps with
2185C<ev_time ()> and C<ev_now ()>, at least if you want better precision than
2186a second or so.
2187
2188One more problem arises due to this lack of synchronisation: if libev uses
2189the system monotonic clock and you compare timestamps from C<ev_time>
2190or C<ev_now> from when you started your timer and when your callback is
2191invoked, you will find that sometimes the callback is a bit "early".
2192
2193This is because C<ev_timer>s work in real time, not wall clock time, so
2194libev makes sure your callback is not invoked before the delay happened,
2195I<measured according to the real time>, not the system clock.
2196
2197If your timeouts are based on a physical timescale (e.g. "time out this
2198connection after 100 seconds") then this shouldn't bother you as it is
2199exactly the right behaviour.
2200
2201If you want to compare wall clock/system timestamps to your timers, then
2202you need to use C<ev_periodic>s, as these are based on the wall clock
2203time, where your comparisons will always generate correct results.
1844 2204
1845=head3 The special problems of suspended animation 2205=head3 The special problems of suspended animation
1846 2206
1847When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that 2207When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that
1848can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend? 2208can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?
1878 2238
1879=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 2239=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1880 2240
1881=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 2241=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1882 2242
1883Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> 2243Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds (fractional and
1884is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is 2244negative values are supported). If C<repeat> is C<0.>, then it will
1885reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be 2245automatically be stopped once the timeout is reached. If it is positive,
1886configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again, 2246then the timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat>
1887until stopped manually. 2247seconds later, again, and again, until stopped manually.
1888 2248
1889The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if 2249The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
1890you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally 2250you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
1891trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot 2251trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
1892keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to 2252keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1893do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 2253do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1894 2254
1895=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *) 2255=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1896 2256
1897This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 2257This will act as if the timer timed out, and restarts it again if it is
1898repeating. The exact semantics are: 2258repeating. It basically works like calling C<ev_timer_stop>, updating the
2259timeout to the C<repeat> value and calling C<ev_timer_start>.
1899 2260
2261The exact semantics are as in the following rules, all of which will be
2262applied to the watcher:
2263
2264=over 4
2265
1900If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared. 2266=item If the timer is pending, the pending status is always cleared.
1901 2267
1902If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out). 2268=item If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed
2269out, without invoking it).
1903 2270
1904If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the 2271=item If the timer is repeating, make the C<repeat> value the new timeout
1905C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value. 2272and start the timer, if necessary.
1906 2273
2274=back
2275
1907This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a 2276This sounds a bit complicated, see L</Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
1908usage example. 2277usage example.
1909 2278
1910=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *) 2279=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
1911 2280
1912Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active, 2281Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
1951 } 2320 }
1952 2321
1953 ev_timer mytimer; 2322 ev_timer mytimer;
1954 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */ 2323 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1955 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */ 2324 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1956 ev_loop (loop, 0); 2325 ev_run (loop, 0);
1957 2326
1958 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity": 2327 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1959 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 2328 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1960 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 2329 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1961 2330
1965Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 2334Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1966(and unfortunately a bit complex). 2335(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1967 2336
1968Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or 2337Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
1969relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time 2338relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
1970(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calender or clock). The 2339(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calendar or clock). The
1971difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real 2340difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
1972time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your 2341time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
1973wrist-watch). 2342wrist-watch).
1974 2343
1975You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point 2344You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
1980C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting 2349C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting
1981it, as it uses a relative timeout). 2350it, as it uses a relative timeout).
1982 2351
1983C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex 2352C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex
1984timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or 2353timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or
1985other complicated rules. This cannot be done with C<ev_timer> watchers, as 2354other complicated rules. This cannot easily be done with C<ev_timer>
1986those cannot react to time jumps. 2355watchers, as those cannot react to time jumps.
1987 2356
1988As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the 2357As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1989point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple 2358point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
1990timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with 2359timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
1991earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values 2360earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
1992(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively). 2361(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1993 2362
1994=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2363=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1995 2364
1996=over 4 2365=over 4
1997 2366
2032 2401
2033Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 2402Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
2034C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 2403C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
2035time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 2404time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
2036 2405
2037For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<offset> value is near 2406The C<interval> I<MUST> be positive, and for numerical stability, the
2038C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for 2407interval value should be higher than C<1/8192> (which is around 100
2039this value, and in fact is often specified as zero. 2408microseconds) and C<offset> should be higher than C<0> and should have
2409at most a similar magnitude as the current time (say, within a factor of
2410ten). Typical values for offset are, in fact, C<0> or something between
2411C<0> and C<interval>, which is also the recommended range.
2040 2412
2041Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU 2413Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
2042speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability 2414speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
2043will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one 2415will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
2044millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough). 2416millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
2074 2446
2075NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or 2447NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
2076equal to the passed C<now> value >>. 2448equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
2077 2449
2078This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 2450This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
2079triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the 2451triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate
2080next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How 2452the next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for
2081you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main 2453this. Here is a (completely untested, no error checking) example on how to
2082reason I omitted it as an example). 2454do this:
2455
2456 #include <time.h>
2457
2458 static ev_tstamp
2459 my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
2460 {
2461 time_t tnow = (time_t)now;
2462 struct tm tm;
2463 localtime_r (&tnow, &tm);
2464
2465 tm.tm_sec = tm.tm_min = tm.tm_hour = 0; // midnight current day
2466 ++tm.tm_mday; // midnight next day
2467
2468 return mktime (&tm);
2469 }
2470
2471Note: this code might run into trouble on days that have more then two
2472midnights (beginning and end).
2083 2473
2084=back 2474=back
2085 2475
2086=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *) 2476=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *)
2087 2477
2152 2542
2153 ev_periodic hourly_tick; 2543 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
2154 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 2544 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
2155 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 2545 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
2156 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 2546 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
2157 2547
2158 2548
2159=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled! 2549=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
2160 2550
2161Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 2551Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
2162signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 2552signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
2163will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 2553will try its best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
2164normal event processing, like any other event. 2554normal event processing, like any other event.
2165 2555
2166If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use 2556If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use
2167C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing 2557C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing
2168the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to 2558the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to
2172only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your 2562only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your
2173default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for 2563default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for
2174C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At 2564C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At
2175the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop. 2565the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop.
2176 2566
2177When the first watcher gets started will libev actually register something 2567Only after the first watcher for a signal is started will libev actually
2178with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as 2568register something with the kernel. It thus coexists with your own signal
2179you don't register any with libev for the same signal). 2569handlers as long as you don't register any with libev for the same signal.
2180 2570
2181If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with 2571If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
2182C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should 2572C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
2183not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting 2573not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
2184interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher 2574interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
2187=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create 2577=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create
2188 2578
2189Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition 2579Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition
2190(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after 2580(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
2191stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal, 2581stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
2192and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler. 2582and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler (but
2583see C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>).
2193 2584
2194While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never 2585While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never
2195sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on 2586sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on
2196C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect 2587C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect
2197certain signals to be blocked. 2588certain signals to be blocked.
2211 2602
2212So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when 2603So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when
2213you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This 2604you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This
2214is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries. 2605is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries.
2215 2606
2607=head3 The special problem of threads signal handling
2608
2609POSIX threads has problematic signal handling semantics, specifically,
2610a lot of functionality (sigfd, sigwait etc.) only really works if all
2611threads in a process block signals, which is hard to achieve.
2612
2613When you want to use sigwait (or mix libev signal handling with your own
2614for the same signals), you can tackle this problem by globally blocking
2615all signals before creating any threads (or creating them with a fully set
2616sigprocmask) and also specifying the C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK> when creating
2617loops. Then designate one thread as "signal receiver thread" which handles
2618these signals. You can pass on any signals that libev might be interested
2619in by calling C<ev_feed_signal>.
2620
2216=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2621=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2217 2622
2218=over 4 2623=over 4
2219 2624
2220=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum) 2625=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)
2235Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT. 2640Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
2236 2641
2237 static void 2642 static void
2238 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents) 2643 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
2239 { 2644 {
2240 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 2645 ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
2241 } 2646 }
2242 2647
2243 ev_signal signal_watcher; 2648 ev_signal signal_watcher;
2244 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 2649 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
2245 ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher); 2650 ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
2354 2759
2355=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change? 2760=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
2356 2761
2357This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls 2762This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
2358C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed) 2763C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
2359and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if 2764and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback
2360it did. 2765if it did. Starting the watcher C<stat>'s the file, so only changes that
2766happen after the watcher has been started will be reported.
2361 2767
2362The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does 2768The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
2363not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not 2769not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
2364exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the 2770exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
2365C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at 2771C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
2595Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful 3001Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
2596effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do 3002effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do
2597"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the 3003"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
2598event loop has handled all outstanding events. 3004event loop has handled all outstanding events.
2599 3005
3006=head3 Abusing an C<ev_idle> watcher for its side-effect
3007
3008As long as there is at least one active idle watcher, libev will never
3009sleep unnecessarily. Or in other words, it will loop as fast as possible.
3010For this to work, the idle watcher doesn't need to be invoked at all - the
3011lowest priority will do.
3012
3013This mode of operation can be useful together with an C<ev_check> watcher,
3014to do something on each event loop iteration - for example to balance load
3015between different connections.
3016
3017See L</Abusing an ev_check watcher for its side-effect> for a longer
3018example.
3019
2600=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 3020=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2601 3021
2602=over 4 3022=over 4
2603 3023
2604=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback) 3024=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
2615callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual. 3035callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
2616 3036
2617 static void 3037 static void
2618 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents) 3038 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
2619 { 3039 {
3040 // stop the watcher
3041 ev_idle_stop (loop, w);
3042
3043 // now we can free it
2620 free (w); 3044 free (w);
3045
2621 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has 3046 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has
2622 // no longer anything immediate to do. 3047 // no longer anything immediate to do.
2623 } 3048 }
2624 3049
2625 ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle)); 3050 ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
2627 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher); 3052 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
2628 3053
2629 3054
2630=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop! 3055=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
2631 3056
2632Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs: 3057Prepare and check watchers are often (but not always) used in pairs:
2633prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 3058prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
2634afterwards. 3059afterwards.
2635 3060
2636You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter 3061You I<must not> call C<ev_run> (or similar functions that enter the
2637the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check> 3062current event loop) or C<ev_loop_fork> from either C<ev_prepare> or
2638watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The 3063C<ev_check> watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine,
2639rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in 3064however. The rationale behind this is that you do not need to check
2640those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking, 3065for recursion in those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be
2641C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be 3066C<ev_prepare>, blocking, C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each
2642called in pairs bracketing the blocking call. 3067kind they will always be called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
2643 3068
2644Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and 3069Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
2645their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track 3070their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
2646variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a 3071variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
2647coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if 3072coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
2665with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine 3090with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
2666of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event 3091of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
2667loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping 3092loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
2668low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks). 3093low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
2669 3094
2670It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>) 3095When used for this purpose, it is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers
2671priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers 3096highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>) priority, to ensure that they are being run before
2672after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers). 3097any other watchers after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare>
3098watchers).
2673 3099
2674Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not 3100Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
2675activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they 3101activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
2676might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As 3102might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
2677C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event 3103C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
2678loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their 3104loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
2679C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with 3105C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
2680others). 3106others).
3107
3108=head3 Abusing an C<ev_check> watcher for its side-effect
3109
3110C<ev_check> (and less often also C<ev_prepare>) watchers can also be
3111useful because they are called once per event loop iteration. For
3112example, if you want to handle a large number of connections fairly, you
3113normally only do a bit of work for each active connection, and if there
3114is more work to do, you wait for the next event loop iteration, so other
3115connections have a chance of making progress.
3116
3117Using an C<ev_check> watcher is almost enough: it will be called on the
3118next event loop iteration. However, that isn't as soon as possible -
3119without external events, your C<ev_check> watcher will not be invoked.
3120
3121This is where C<ev_idle> watchers come in handy - all you need is a
3122single global idle watcher that is active as long as you have one active
3123C<ev_check> watcher. The C<ev_idle> watcher makes sure the event loop
3124will not sleep, and the C<ev_check> watcher makes sure a callback gets
3125invoked. Neither watcher alone can do that.
2681 3126
2682=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 3127=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2683 3128
2684=over 4 3129=over 4
2685 3130
2809 3254
2810 if (timeout >= 0) 3255 if (timeout >= 0)
2811 // create/start timer 3256 // create/start timer
2812 3257
2813 // poll 3258 // poll
2814 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 3259 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
2815 3260
2816 // stop timer again 3261 // stop timer again
2817 if (timeout >= 0) 3262 if (timeout >= 0)
2818 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to); 3263 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
2819 3264
2886 3331
2887=over 4 3332=over 4
2888 3333
2889=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 3334=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
2890 3335
2891=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 3336=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
2892 3337
2893Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be 3338Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
2894embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be 3339embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
2895invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback 3340invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
2896to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done, 3341to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
2897if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher). 3342if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
2898 3343
2899=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *) 3344=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
2900 3345
2901Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works 3346Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
2902similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most 3347similarly to C<ev_run (embedded_loop, EVRUN_NOWAIT)>, but in the most
2903appropriate way for embedded loops. 3348appropriate way for embedded loops.
2904 3349
2905=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only] 3350=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
2906 3351
2907The embedded event loop. 3352The embedded event loop.
2917used). 3362used).
2918 3363
2919 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0); 3364 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2920 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0; 3365 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2921 ev_embed embed; 3366 ev_embed embed;
2922 3367
2923 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works 3368 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2924 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection) 3369 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2925 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends () 3370 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2926 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()) 3371 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
2927 : 0; 3372 : 0;
2941C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too). 3386C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2942 3387
2943 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 3388 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2944 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0; 3389 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2945 ev_embed embed; 3390 ev_embed embed;
2946 3391
2947 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE) 3392 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2948 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)) 3393 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2949 { 3394 {
2950 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket); 3395 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2951 ev_embed_start (loop, &embed); 3396 ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2959 3404
2960=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork 3405=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
2961 3406
2962Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because 3407Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
2963whoever is a good citizen cared to tell libev about it by calling 3408whoever is a good citizen cared to tell libev about it by calling
2964C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork>). The invocation is done before the 3409C<ev_loop_fork>). The invocation is done before the event loop blocks next
2965event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called, 3410and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called, and only in the child
2966and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling 3411after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling C<ev_default_fork> cheats
2967C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork 3412and calls it in the wrong process, the fork handlers will be invoked, too,
2968handlers will be invoked, too, of course. 3413of course.
2969 3414
2970=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible? 3415=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
2971 3416
2972Most uses of C<fork()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to set 3417Most uses of C<fork ()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to set
2973up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This 3418up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
2974sequence should be handled by libev without any problems. 3419sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
2975 3420
2976This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling 3421This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
2977in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the 3422in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
2993disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support 3438disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support
2994signal watchers). 3439signal watchers).
2995 3440
2996When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for 3441When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for
2997other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call 3442other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call
2998C<ev_default_destroy ()> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>. Destroying 3443C<ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT)> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>.
2999the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered watchers, so you 3444Destroying the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered
3000have to be careful not to execute code that modifies those watchers. Note 3445watchers, so you have to be careful not to execute code that modifies
3001also that in that case, you have to re-register any signal watchers. 3446those watchers. Note also that in that case, you have to re-register any
3447signal watchers.
3002 3448
3003=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 3449=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
3004 3450
3005=over 4 3451=over 4
3006 3452
3007=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback) 3453=item ev_fork_init (ev_fork *, callback)
3008 3454
3009Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any 3455Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
3010kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 3456kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
3011believe me. 3457really.
3012 3458
3013=back 3459=back
3460
3461
3462=head2 C<ev_cleanup> - even the best things end
3463
3464Cleanup watchers are called just before the event loop is being destroyed
3465by a call to C<ev_loop_destroy>.
3466
3467While there is no guarantee that the event loop gets destroyed, cleanup
3468watchers provide a convenient method to install cleanup hooks for your
3469program, worker threads and so on - you just to make sure to destroy the
3470loop when you want them to be invoked.
3471
3472Cleanup watchers are invoked in the same way as any other watcher. Unlike
3473all other watchers, they do not keep a reference to the event loop (which
3474makes a lot of sense if you think about it). Like all other watchers, you
3475can call libev functions in the callback, except C<ev_cleanup_start>.
3476
3477=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
3478
3479=over 4
3480
3481=item ev_cleanup_init (ev_cleanup *, callback)
3482
3483Initialises and configures the cleanup watcher - it has no parameters of
3484any kind. There is a C<ev_cleanup_set> macro, but using it is utterly
3485pointless, I assure you.
3486
3487=back
3488
3489Example: Register an atexit handler to destroy the default loop, so any
3490cleanup functions are called.
3491
3492 static void
3493 program_exits (void)
3494 {
3495 ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT_UC);
3496 }
3497
3498 ...
3499 atexit (program_exits);
3014 3500
3015 3501
3016=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop 3502=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop
3017 3503
3018In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other 3504In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
3025it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe. 3511it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe.
3026 3512
3027This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals, 3513This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
3028too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed 3514too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
3029(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of 3515(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
3030C<ev_async_sent> calls). 3516C<ev_async_send> calls). In fact, you could use signal watchers as a kind
3031 3517of "global async watchers" by using a watcher on an otherwise unused
3032Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not 3518signal, and C<ev_feed_signal> to signal this watcher from another thread,
3033just the default loop. 3519even without knowing which loop owns the signal.
3034 3520
3035=head3 Queueing 3521=head3 Queueing
3036 3522
3037C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason 3523C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
3038is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a 3524is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
3130trust me. 3616trust me.
3131 3617
3132=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *) 3618=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
3133 3619
3134Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds 3620Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
3135an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike 3621an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop, and instantly
3622returns.
3623
3136C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or 3624Unlike C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads,
3137similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding 3625signal or similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the
3138section below on what exactly this means). 3626embedding section below on what exactly this means).
3139 3627
3140Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get 3628Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
3141compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this 3629compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at
3142is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>, 3630this is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered: they are set on
3143reset when the event loop detects that). 3631C<ev_async_send>, reset when the event loop detects that).
3144 3632
3145This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per event loop 3633This call incurs the overhead of at most one extra system call per event
3146iteration, so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to 3634loop iteration, if the event loop is blocked, and no syscall at all if
3147repeated calls to C<ev_async_send> for the same event loop. 3635the event loop (or your program) is processing events. That means that
3636repeated calls are basically free (there is no need to avoid calls for
3637performance reasons) and that the overhead becomes smaller (typically
3638zero) under load.
3148 3639
3149=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *) 3640=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
3150 3641
3151Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the 3642Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
3152watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the 3643watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
3169 3660
3170There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now. 3661There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
3171 3662
3172=over 4 3663=over 4
3173 3664
3174=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback) 3665=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback, arg)
3175 3666
3176This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your 3667This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
3177callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both 3668callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
3178watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd 3669watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
3179or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 3670or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
3207 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 3698 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
3208 3699
3209=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents) 3700=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
3210 3701
3211Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 3702Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
3212the given events it. 3703the given events.
3213 3704
3214=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum) 3705=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
3215 3706
3216Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default 3707Feed an event as if the given signal occurred. See also C<ev_feed_signal>,
3217loop!). 3708which is async-safe.
3218 3709
3219=back 3710=back
3711
3712
3713=head1 COMMON OR USEFUL IDIOMS (OR BOTH)
3714
3715This section explains some common idioms that are not immediately
3716obvious. Note that examples are sprinkled over the whole manual, and this
3717section only contains stuff that wouldn't fit anywhere else.
3718
3719=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
3720
3721Each watcher has, by default, a C<void *data> member that you can read
3722or modify at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
3723to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
3724don't want to allocate memory separately and store a pointer to it in that
3725data member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
3726data:
3727
3728 struct my_io
3729 {
3730 ev_io io;
3731 int otherfd;
3732 void *somedata;
3733 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
3734 };
3735
3736 ...
3737 struct my_io w;
3738 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
3739
3740And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
3741can cast it back to your own type:
3742
3743 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
3744 {
3745 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
3746 ...
3747 }
3748
3749More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback
3750function type instead have been omitted.
3751
3752=head2 BUILDING YOUR OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS
3753
3754Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
3755embedded watchers, in effect creating your own watcher that combines
3756multiple libev event sources into one "super-watcher":
3757
3758 struct my_biggy
3759 {
3760 int some_data;
3761 ev_timer t1;
3762 ev_timer t2;
3763 }
3764
3765In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
3766complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct in
3767the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies or C++ coders), or you need
3768to use some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for
3769real programmers):
3770
3771 #include <stddef.h>
3772
3773 static void
3774 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
3775 {
3776 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
3777 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
3778 }
3779
3780 static void
3781 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
3782 {
3783 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
3784 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
3785 }
3786
3787=head2 AVOIDING FINISHING BEFORE RETURNING
3788
3789Often you have structures like this in event-based programs:
3790
3791 callback ()
3792 {
3793 free (request);
3794 }
3795
3796 request = start_new_request (..., callback);
3797
3798The intent is to start some "lengthy" operation. The C<request> could be
3799used to cancel the operation, or do other things with it.
3800
3801It's not uncommon to have code paths in C<start_new_request> that
3802immediately invoke the callback, for example, to report errors. Or you add
3803some caching layer that finds that it can skip the lengthy aspects of the
3804operation and simply invoke the callback with the result.
3805
3806The problem here is that this will happen I<before> C<start_new_request>
3807has returned, so C<request> is not set.
3808
3809Even if you pass the request by some safer means to the callback, you
3810might want to do something to the request after starting it, such as
3811canceling it, which probably isn't working so well when the callback has
3812already been invoked.
3813
3814A common way around all these issues is to make sure that
3815C<start_new_request> I<always> returns before the callback is invoked. If
3816C<start_new_request> immediately knows the result, it can artificially
3817delay invoking the callback by using a C<prepare> or C<idle> watcher for
3818example, or more sneakily, by reusing an existing (stopped) watcher and
3819pushing it into the pending queue:
3820
3821 ev_set_cb (watcher, callback);
3822 ev_feed_event (EV_A_ watcher, 0);
3823
3824This way, C<start_new_request> can safely return before the callback is
3825invoked, while not delaying callback invocation too much.
3826
3827=head2 MODEL/NESTED EVENT LOOP INVOCATIONS AND EXIT CONDITIONS
3828
3829Often (especially in GUI toolkits) there are places where you have
3830I<modal> interaction, which is most easily implemented by recursively
3831invoking C<ev_run>.
3832
3833This brings the problem of exiting - a callback might want to finish the
3834main C<ev_run> call, but not the nested one (e.g. user clicked "Quit", but
3835a modal "Are you sure?" dialog is still waiting), or just the nested one
3836and not the main one (e.g. user clocked "Ok" in a modal dialog), or some
3837other combination: In these cases, a simple C<ev_break> will not work.
3838
3839The solution is to maintain "break this loop" variable for each C<ev_run>
3840invocation, and use a loop around C<ev_run> until the condition is
3841triggered, using C<EVRUN_ONCE>:
3842
3843 // main loop
3844 int exit_main_loop = 0;
3845
3846 while (!exit_main_loop)
3847 ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3848
3849 // in a modal watcher
3850 int exit_nested_loop = 0;
3851
3852 while (!exit_nested_loop)
3853 ev_run (EV_A_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3854
3855To exit from any of these loops, just set the corresponding exit variable:
3856
3857 // exit modal loop
3858 exit_nested_loop = 1;
3859
3860 // exit main program, after modal loop is finished
3861 exit_main_loop = 1;
3862
3863 // exit both
3864 exit_main_loop = exit_nested_loop = 1;
3865
3866=head2 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE
3867
3868Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
3869thread from where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
3870created/added/removed.
3871
3872For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
3873which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
3874languages).
3875
3876The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
3877variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
3878event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
3879
3880First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
3881
3882 typedef struct {
3883 pthread_mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
3884 pthread_t tid;
3885 pthread_cond_t invoke_cv;
3886 ev_async async_w;
3887 } userdata;
3888
3889 void prepare_loop (EV_P)
3890 {
3891 // for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
3892 static userdata u;
3893
3894 ev_async_init (&u.async_w, async_cb);
3895 ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u.async_w);
3896
3897 pthread_mutex_init (&u.lock, 0);
3898 pthread_cond_init (&u.invoke_cv, 0);
3899
3900 // now associate this with the loop
3901 ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ &u);
3902 ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
3903 ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
3904
3905 // then create the thread running ev_run
3906 pthread_create (&u.tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
3907 }
3908
3909The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
3910solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
3911that might have been added:
3912
3913 static void
3914 async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
3915 {
3916 // just used for the side effects
3917 }
3918
3919The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
3920protecting the loop data, respectively.
3921
3922 static void
3923 l_release (EV_P)
3924 {
3925 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3926 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3927 }
3928
3929 static void
3930 l_acquire (EV_P)
3931 {
3932 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3933 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3934 }
3935
3936The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
3937into C<ev_run>:
3938
3939 void *
3940 l_run (void *thr_arg)
3941 {
3942 struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
3943
3944 l_acquire (EV_A);
3945 pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
3946 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
3947 l_release (EV_A);
3948
3949 return 0;
3950 }
3951
3952Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
3953signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
3954writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
3955have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
3956and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
3957watchers is very beneficial):
3958
3959 static void
3960 l_invoke (EV_P)
3961 {
3962 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3963
3964 while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
3965 {
3966 wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
3967 pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
3968 }
3969 }
3970
3971Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
3972will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
3973thread to continue:
3974
3975 static void
3976 real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
3977 {
3978 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3979
3980 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3981 ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
3982 pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
3983 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3984 }
3985
3986Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
3987event loop, you will now have to lock:
3988
3989 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
3990 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3991
3992 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
3993
3994 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3995 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
3996 ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
3997 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3998
3999Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
4000an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
4001about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
4002watchers in the next event loop iteration.
4003
4004=head2 THREADS, COROUTINES, CONTINUATIONS, QUEUES... INSTEAD OF CALLBACKS
4005
4006While the overhead of a callback that e.g. schedules a thread is small, it
4007is still an overhead. If you embed libev, and your main usage is with some
4008kind of threads or coroutines, you might want to customise libev so that
4009doesn't need callbacks anymore.
4010
4011Imagine you have coroutines that you can switch to using a function
4012C<switch_to (coro)>, that libev runs in a coroutine called C<libev_coro>
4013and that due to some magic, the currently active coroutine is stored in a
4014global called C<current_coro>. Then you can build your own "wait for libev
4015event" primitive by changing C<EV_CB_DECLARE> and C<EV_CB_INVOKE> (note
4016the differing C<;> conventions):
4017
4018 #define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
4019 #define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb)
4020
4021That means instead of having a C callback function, you store the
4022coroutine to switch to in each watcher, and instead of having libev call
4023your callback, you instead have it switch to that coroutine.
4024
4025A coroutine might now wait for an event with a function called
4026C<wait_for_event>. (the watcher needs to be started, as always, but it doesn't
4027matter when, or whether the watcher is active or not when this function is
4028called):
4029
4030 void
4031 wait_for_event (ev_watcher *w)
4032 {
4033 ev_set_cb (w, current_coro);
4034 switch_to (libev_coro);
4035 }
4036
4037That basically suspends the coroutine inside C<wait_for_event> and
4038continues the libev coroutine, which, when appropriate, switches back to
4039this or any other coroutine.
4040
4041You can do similar tricks if you have, say, threads with an event queue -
4042instead of storing a coroutine, you store the queue object and instead of
4043switching to a coroutine, you push the watcher onto the queue and notify
4044any waiters.
4045
4046To embed libev, see L</EMBEDDING>, but in short, it's easiest to create two
4047files, F<my_ev.h> and F<my_ev.c> that include the respective libev files:
4048
4049 // my_ev.h
4050 #define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
4051 #define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb)
4052 #include "../libev/ev.h"
4053
4054 // my_ev.c
4055 #define EV_H "my_ev.h"
4056 #include "../libev/ev.c"
4057
4058And then use F<my_ev.h> when you would normally use F<ev.h>, and compile
4059F<my_ev.c> into your project. When properly specifying include paths, you
4060can even use F<ev.h> as header file name directly.
3220 4061
3221 4062
3222=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION 4063=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION
3223 4064
3224Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot 4065Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot
3225emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints: 4066emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints:
3226 4067
3227=over 4 4068=over 4
4069
4070=item * Only the libevent-1.4.1-beta API is being emulated.
4071
4072This was the newest libevent version available when libev was implemented,
4073and is still mostly unchanged in 2010.
3228 4074
3229=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual. 4075=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual.
3230 4076
3231=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback, 4077=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback,
3232ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events. 4078ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events.
3238=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities 4084=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
3239will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there 4085will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
3240is an ev_pri field. 4086is an ev_pri field.
3241 4087
3242=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the 4088=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
3243first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals. 4089base that registered the signal gets the signals.
3244 4090
3245=item * Other members are not supported. 4091=item * Other members are not supported.
3246 4092
3247=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need 4093=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
3248to use the libev header file and library. 4094to use the libev header file and library.
3249 4095
3250=back 4096=back
3251 4097
3252=head1 C++ SUPPORT 4098=head1 C++ SUPPORT
4099
4100=head2 C API
4101
4102The normal C API should work fine when used from C++: both ev.h and the
4103libev sources can be compiled as C++. Therefore, code that uses the C API
4104will work fine.
4105
4106Proper exception specifications might have to be added to callbacks passed
4107to libev: exceptions may be thrown only from watcher callbacks, all other
4108callbacks (allocator, syserr, loop acquire/release and periodic reschedule
4109callbacks) must not throw exceptions, and might need a C<noexcept>
4110specification. If you have code that needs to be compiled as both C and
4111C++ you can use the C<EV_NOEXCEPT> macro for this:
4112
4113 static void
4114 fatal_error (const char *msg) EV_NOEXCEPT
4115 {
4116 perror (msg);
4117 abort ();
4118 }
4119
4120 ...
4121 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
4122
4123The only API functions that can currently throw exceptions are C<ev_run>,
4124C<ev_invoke>, C<ev_invoke_pending> and C<ev_loop_destroy> (the latter
4125because it runs cleanup watchers).
4126
4127Throwing exceptions in watcher callbacks is only supported if libev itself
4128is compiled with a C++ compiler or your C and C++ environments allow
4129throwing exceptions through C libraries (most do).
4130
4131=head2 C++ API
3253 4132
3254Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow 4133Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
3255you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change 4134you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
3256the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects. 4135the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
3257 4136
3258To use it, 4137To use it,
3259 4138
3260 #include <ev++.h> 4139 #include <ev++.h>
3261 4140
3262This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many 4141This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
3263of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are 4142of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
3264put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding 4143put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
3267Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++ 4146Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++
3268classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer 4147classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer
3269that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if 4148that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if
3270you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev). 4149you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).
3271 4150
3272Currently, functions, and static and non-static member functions can be 4151Currently, functions, static and non-static member functions and classes
3273used as callbacks. Other types should be easy to add as long as they only 4152with C<operator ()> can be used as callbacks. Other types should be easy
3274need one additional pointer for context. If you need support for other 4153to add as long as they only need one additional pointer for context. If
3275types of functors please contact the author (preferably after implementing 4154you need support for other types of functors please contact the author
3276it). 4155(preferably after implementing it).
4156
4157For all this to work, your C++ compiler either has to use the same calling
4158conventions as your C compiler (for static member functions), or you have
4159to embed libev and compile libev itself as C++.
3277 4160
3278Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace: 4161Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
3279 4162
3280=over 4 4163=over 4
3281 4164
3291=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc. 4174=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc.
3292 4175
3293For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of 4176For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of
3294the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal> 4177the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal>
3295which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro 4178which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro
3296defines by many implementations. 4179defined by many implementations.
3297 4180
3298All of those classes have these methods: 4181All of those classes have these methods:
3299 4182
3300=over 4 4183=over 4
3301 4184
3363 void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents) 4246 void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
3364 { 4247 {
3365 ... 4248 ...
3366 } 4249 }
3367 } 4250 }
3368 4251
3369 myfunctor f; 4252 myfunctor f;
3370 4253
3371 ev::io w; 4254 ev::io w;
3372 w.set (&f); 4255 w.set (&f);
3373 4256
3391Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only 4274Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
3392do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 4275do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
3393 4276
3394=item w->set ([arguments]) 4277=item w->set ([arguments])
3395 4278
3396Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Either this 4279Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set> (except for C<ev::embed> watchers>),
3397method or a suitable start method must be called at least once. Unlike the 4280with the same arguments. Either this method or a suitable start method
3398C counterpart, an active watcher gets automatically stopped and restarted 4281must be called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher
3399when reconfiguring it with this method. 4282gets automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
4283method.
4284
4285For C<ev::embed> watchers this method is called C<set_embed>, to avoid
4286clashing with the C<set (loop)> method.
4287
4288For C<ev::io> watchers there is an additional C<set> method that acepts a
4289new event mask only, and internally calls C<ev_io_modify>.
3400 4290
3401=item w->start () 4291=item w->start ()
3402 4292
3403Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the 4293Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
3404constructor already stores the event loop. 4294constructor already stores the event loop.
3434watchers in the constructor. 4324watchers in the constructor.
3435 4325
3436 class myclass 4326 class myclass
3437 { 4327 {
3438 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 4328 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
3439 ev::io2 io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 4329 ev::io io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
3440 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents); 4330 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
3441 4331
3442 myclass (int fd) 4332 myclass (int fd)
3443 { 4333 {
3444 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this); 4334 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
3495L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>. 4385L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
3496 4386
3497=item D 4387=item D
3498 4388
3499Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to 4389Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
3500be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>. 4390be found at L<http://www.llucax.com.ar/proj/ev.d/index.html>.
3501 4391
3502=item Ocaml 4392=item Ocaml
3503 4393
3504Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at 4394Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
3505L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>. 4395L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
3508 4398
3509Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the 4399Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the
3510time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at 4400time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at
3511L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>. 4401L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>.
3512 4402
4403=item Javascript
4404
4405Node.js (L<http://nodejs.org>) uses libev as the underlying event library.
4406
4407=item Others
4408
4409There are others, and I stopped counting.
4410
3513=back 4411=back
3514 4412
3515 4413
3516=head1 MACRO MAGIC 4414=head1 MACRO MAGIC
3517 4415
3530loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument, 4428loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
3531C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example: 4429C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
3532 4430
3533 ev_unref (EV_A); 4431 ev_unref (EV_A);
3534 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher); 4432 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
3535 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 4433 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
3536 4434
3537It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope, 4435It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
3538which is often provided by the following macro. 4436which is often provided by the following macro.
3539 4437
3540=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_> 4438=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
3553suitable for use with C<EV_A>. 4451suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
3554 4452
3555=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> 4453=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
3556 4454
3557Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default 4455Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
3558loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). 4456loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). The default loop
4457will be initialised if it isn't already initialised.
4458
4459For non-multiplicity builds, these macros do nothing, so you always have
4460to initialise the loop somewhere.
3559 4461
3560=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_> 4462=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
3561 4463
3562Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the 4464Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
3563default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour 4465default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
3580 } 4482 }
3581 4483
3582 ev_check check; 4484 ev_check check;
3583 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb); 4485 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
3584 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check); 4486 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
3585 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0); 4487 ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
3586 4488
3587=head1 EMBEDDING 4489=head1 EMBEDDING
3588 4490
3589Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host 4491Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
3590applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra 4492applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
3630 ev_vars.h 4532 ev_vars.h
3631 ev_wrap.h 4533 ev_wrap.h
3632 4534
3633 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only 4535 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
3634 4536
3635 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default) 4537 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled
3636 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 4538 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled
3637 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 4539 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled
4540 ev_linuxaio.c only when the linux aio backend is enabled
4541 ev_iouring.c only when the linux io_uring backend is enabled
3638 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default) 4542 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled
3639 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default) 4543 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled
3640 4544
3641F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need 4545F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
3642to compile this single file. 4546to compile this single file.
3643 4547
3644=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API 4548=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
3682users of libev and the libev code itself must be compiled with compatible 4586users of libev and the libev code itself must be compiled with compatible
3683settings. 4587settings.
3684 4588
3685=over 4 4589=over 4
3686 4590
4591=item EV_COMPAT3 (h)
4592
4593Backwards compatibility is a major concern for libev. This is why this
4594release of libev comes with wrappers for the functions and symbols that
4595have been renamed between libev version 3 and 4.
4596
4597You can disable these wrappers (to test compatibility with future
4598versions) by defining C<EV_COMPAT3> to C<0> when compiling your
4599sources. This has the additional advantage that you can drop the C<struct>
4600from C<struct ev_loop> declarations, as libev will provide an C<ev_loop>
4601typedef in that case.
4602
4603In some future version, the default for C<EV_COMPAT3> will become C<0>,
4604and in some even more future version the compatibility code will be
4605removed completely.
4606
3687=item EV_STANDALONE (h) 4607=item EV_STANDALONE (h)
3688 4608
3689Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which 4609Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which
3690keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy 4610keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
3691implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not 4611implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
3692supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in 4612supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
3693F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone. 4613F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
3694 4614
3695In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the 4615In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
3696configuration, but has to be more conservative. 4616configuration, but has to be more conservative.
4617
4618=item EV_USE_FLOOR
4619
4620If defined to be C<1>, libev will use the C<floor ()> function for its
4621periodic reschedule calculations, otherwise libev will fall back on a
4622portable (slower) implementation. If you enable this, you usually have to
4623link against libm or something equivalent. Enabling this when the C<floor>
4624function is not available will fail, so the safe default is to not enable
4625this.
3697 4626
3698=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 4627=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
3699 4628
3700If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 4629If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
3701monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no 4630monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
3738available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve 4667available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
3739C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption. 4668C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
3740If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 4669If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
37412.7 or newer, otherwise disabled. 46702.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
3742 4671
4672=item EV_USE_SIGNALFD
4673
4674If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<signalfd ()> is
4675available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This enables
4676the use of EVFLAG_SIGNALFD for faster and simpler signal handling. If
4677undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
46782.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
4679
4680=item EV_USE_TIMERFD
4681
4682If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<timerfd ()> is
4683available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This allows
4684libev to detect time jumps accurately. If undefined, it will be enabled
4685if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.8 or newer and define
4686C<TFD_TIMER_CANCEL_ON_SET>, otherwise disabled.
4687
4688=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
4689
4690If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
4691available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
4692C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
4693If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
46942.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
4695
3743=item EV_USE_SELECT 4696=item EV_USE_SELECT
3744 4697
3745If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the 4698If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
3746C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no 4699C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
3747other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend 4700other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
3787If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this 4740If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this
3788macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister 4741macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister
3789file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close 4742file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close
3790the underlying OS handle. 4743the underlying OS handle.
3791 4744
4745=item EV_USE_WSASOCKET
4746
4747If defined to be C<1>, libev will use C<WSASocket> to create its internal
4748communication socket, which works better in some environments. Otherwise,
4749the normal C<socket> function will be used, which works better in other
4750environments.
4751
3792=item EV_USE_POLL 4752=item EV_USE_POLL
3793 4753
3794If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2) 4754If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
3795backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It 4755backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
3796takes precedence over select. 4756takes precedence over select.
3800If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux 4760If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
3801C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime, 4761C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
3802otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred 4762otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
3803backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the 4763backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
3804headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled. 4764headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
4765
4766=item EV_USE_LINUXAIO
4767
4768If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux aio
4769backend (C<EV_USE_EPOLL> must also be enabled). If undefined, it will be
4770enabled on linux, otherwise disabled.
4771
4772=item EV_USE_IOURING
4773
4774If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
4775io_uring backend (C<EV_USE_EPOLL> must also be enabled). Due to it's
4776current limitations it has to be requested explicitly. If undefined, it
4777will be enabled on linux, otherwise disabled.
3805 4778
3806=item EV_USE_KQUEUE 4779=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
3807 4780
3808If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style 4781If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
3809C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime, 4782C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
3831If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify 4804If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
3832interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will 4805interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
3833be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers 4806be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
3834indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled. 4807indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
3835 4808
4809=item EV_NO_SMP
4810
4811If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that memory is always coherent
4812between threads, that is, threads can be used, but threads never run on
4813different cpus (or different cpu cores). This reduces dependencies
4814and makes libev faster.
4815
4816=item EV_NO_THREADS
4817
4818If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that it will never be called from
4819different threads (that includes signal handlers), which is a stronger
4820assumption than C<EV_NO_SMP>, above. This reduces dependencies and makes
4821libev faster.
4822
3836=item EV_ATOMIC_T 4823=item EV_ATOMIC_T
3837 4824
3838Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose 4825Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
3839access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such 4826access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No
3840type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type 4827such type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own
3841that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking" 4828type that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal
3842as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers. 4829handler "locking" as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async>
4830watchers.
3843 4831
3844In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile> 4832In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
3845(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms. 4833(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
3846 4834
3847=item EV_H (h) 4835=item EV_H (h)
3874will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create 4862will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
3875additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support 4863additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
3876for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer 4864for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
3877argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop. 4865argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
3878 4866
4867Note that C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_> will no longer provide a
4868default loop when multiplicity is switched off - you always have to
4869initialise the loop manually in this case.
4870
3879=item EV_MINPRI 4871=item EV_MINPRI
3880 4872
3881=item EV_MAXPRI 4873=item EV_MAXPRI
3882 4874
3883The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to 4875The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to
3919 #define EV_USE_POLL 1 4911 #define EV_USE_POLL 1
3920 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1 4912 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
3921 #define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1 4913 #define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
3922 4914
3923The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following 4915The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
3924values: 4916values (by default, all of these are enabled):
3925 4917
3926=over 4 4918=over 4
3927 4919
3928=item C<1> - faster/larger code 4920=item C<1> - faster/larger code
3929 4921
3933code size by roughly 30% on amd64). 4925code size by roughly 30% on amd64).
3934 4926
3935When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with 4927When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with
3936gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of 4928gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
3937assertions. 4929assertions.
4930
4931The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
4932(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
3938 4933
3939=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures 4934=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
3940 4935
3941Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger 4936Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger
3942hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size 4937hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size
3943and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at 4938and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
3944runtime. 4939runtime.
3945 4940
4941The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
4942(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
4943
3946=item C<4> - full API configuration 4944=item C<4> - full API configuration
3947 4945
3948This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and 4946This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
3949enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1). 4947enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).
3950 4948
3980 4978
3981With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough 4979With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough
3982when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by 4980when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by
3983your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an 4981your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an
3984I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb. 4982I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb.
4983
4984=item EV_API_STATIC
4985
4986If this symbol is defined (by default it is not), then all identifiers
4987will have static linkage. This means that libev will not export any
4988identifiers, and you cannot link against libev anymore. This can be useful
4989when you embed libev, only want to use libev functions in a single file,
4990and do not want its identifiers to be visible.
4991
4992To use this, define C<EV_API_STATIC> and include F<ev.c> in the file that
4993wants to use libev.
4994
4995This option only works when libev is compiled with a C compiler, as C++
4996doesn't support the required declaration syntax.
3985 4997
3986=item EV_AVOID_STDIO 4998=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
3987 4999
3988If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio 5000If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio
3989functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size 5001functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size
4047in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not 5059in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
4048called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be 5060called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
4049called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the 5061called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
4050verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down 5062verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
4051libev considerably. 5063libev considerably.
5064
5065Verification errors are reported via C's C<assert> mechanism, so if you
5066disable that (e.g. by defining C<NDEBUG>) then no errors will be reported.
4052 5067
4053The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it 5068The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
4054will be C<0>. 5069will be C<0>.
4055 5070
4056=item EV_COMMON 5071=item EV_COMMON
4133And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled: 5148And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
4134 5149
4135 #include "ev_cpp.h" 5150 #include "ev_cpp.h"
4136 #include "ev.c" 5151 #include "ev.c"
4137 5152
4138=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES 5153=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS, LIBRARIES OR THE ENVIRONMENT
4139 5154
4140=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES 5155=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
4141 5156
4142=head3 THREADS 5157=head3 THREADS
4143 5158
4194default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop 5209default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
4195watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal. 5210watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
4196 5211
4197=back 5212=back
4198 5213
4199=head4 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE 5214See also L</THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE>.
4200
4201Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
4202thread than where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
4203created/added/removed.
4204
4205For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
4206which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
4207languages).
4208
4209The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
4210variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
4211event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
4212
4213First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
4214
4215 typedef struct {
4216 mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
4217 ev_async async_w;
4218 thread_t tid;
4219 cond_t invoke_cv;
4220 } userdata;
4221
4222 void prepare_loop (EV_P)
4223 {
4224 // for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
4225 static userdata u;
4226
4227 ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
4228 ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
4229
4230 pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
4231 pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
4232
4233 // now associate this with the loop
4234 ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
4235 ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
4236 ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
4237
4238 // then create the thread running ev_loop
4239 pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
4240 }
4241
4242The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
4243solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
4244that might have been added:
4245
4246 static void
4247 async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
4248 {
4249 // just used for the side effects
4250 }
4251
4252The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
4253protecting the loop data, respectively.
4254
4255 static void
4256 l_release (EV_P)
4257 {
4258 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4259 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4260 }
4261
4262 static void
4263 l_acquire (EV_P)
4264 {
4265 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4266 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4267 }
4268
4269The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
4270into C<ev_loop>:
4271
4272 void *
4273 l_run (void *thr_arg)
4274 {
4275 struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
4276
4277 l_acquire (EV_A);
4278 pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
4279 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
4280 l_release (EV_A);
4281
4282 return 0;
4283 }
4284
4285Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
4286signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
4287writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
4288have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
4289and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
4290watchers is very beneficial):
4291
4292 static void
4293 l_invoke (EV_P)
4294 {
4295 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4296
4297 while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
4298 {
4299 wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
4300 pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
4301 }
4302 }
4303
4304Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
4305will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
4306thread to continue:
4307
4308 static void
4309 real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
4310 {
4311 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4312
4313 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4314 ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
4315 pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
4316 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4317 }
4318
4319Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
4320event loop, you will now have to lock:
4321
4322 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
4323 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4324
4325 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
4326
4327 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4328 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
4329 ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
4330 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4331
4332Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
4333an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
4334about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
4335watchers in the next event loop iteration.
4336 5215
4337=head3 COROUTINES 5216=head3 COROUTINES
4338 5217
4339Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"): 5218Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
4340libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different 5219libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
4341coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two 5220coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_run> on the same loop from two
4342different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running 5221different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running
4343the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is 5222the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is
4344that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks. 5223that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
4345 5224
4346Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside 5225Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
4347C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as 5226C<ev_run>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
4348they do not call any callbacks. 5227they do not call any callbacks.
4349 5228
4350=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS 5229=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
4351 5230
4352Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a 5231Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
4436=head3 C<kqueue> is buggy 5315=head3 C<kqueue> is buggy
4437 5316
4438The kqueue syscall is broken in all known versions - most versions support 5317The kqueue syscall is broken in all known versions - most versions support
4439only sockets, many support pipes. 5318only sockets, many support pipes.
4440 5319
4441Libev tries to work around this by not using C<kqueue> by default on 5320Libev tries to work around this by not using C<kqueue> by default on this
4442this rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating 5321rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating a
4443a loop. 5322loop - embedding a socket-only kqueue loop into a select-based one is
5323probably going to work well.
4444 5324
4445=head3 C<poll> is buggy 5325=head3 C<poll> is buggy
4446 5326
4447Instead of fixing C<kqueue>, Apple replaced their (working) C<poll> 5327Instead of fixing C<kqueue>, Apple replaced their (working) C<poll>
4448implementation by something calling C<kqueue> internally around the 10.5.6 5328implementation by something calling C<kqueue> internally around the 10.5.6
4467 5347
4468=head3 C<errno> reentrancy 5348=head3 C<errno> reentrancy
4469 5349
4470The default compile environment on Solaris is unfortunately so 5350The default compile environment on Solaris is unfortunately so
4471thread-unsafe that you can't even use components/libraries compiled 5351thread-unsafe that you can't even use components/libraries compiled
4472without C<-D_REENTRANT> (as long as they use C<errno>), which, of course, 5352without C<-D_REENTRANT> in a threaded program, which, of course, isn't
4473isn't defined by default. 5353defined by default. A valid, if stupid, implementation choice.
4474 5354
4475If you want to use libev in threaded environments you have to make sure 5355If you want to use libev in threaded environments you have to make sure
4476it's compiled with C<_REENTRANT> defined. 5356it's compiled with C<_REENTRANT> defined.
4477 5357
4478=head3 Event port backend 5358=head3 Event port backend
4479 5359
4480The scalable event interface for Solaris is called "event ports". Unfortunately, 5360The scalable event interface for Solaris is called "event
4481this mechanism is very buggy. If you run into high CPU usage, your program 5361ports". Unfortunately, this mechanism is very buggy in all major
5362releases. If you run into high CPU usage, your program freezes or you get
4482freezes or you get a large number of spurious wakeups, make sure you have 5363a large number of spurious wakeups, make sure you have all the relevant
4483all the relevant and latest kernel patches applied. No, I don't know which 5364and latest kernel patches applied. No, I don't know which ones, but there
4484ones, but there are multiple ones. 5365are multiple ones to apply, and afterwards, event ports actually work
5366great.
4485 5367
4486If you can't get it to work, you can try running the program by setting 5368If you can't get it to work, you can try running the program by setting
4487the environment variable C<LIBEV_FLAGS=3> to only allow C<poll> and 5369the environment variable C<LIBEV_FLAGS=3> to only allow C<poll> and
4488C<select> backends. 5370C<select> backends.
4489 5371
4490=head2 AIX POLL BUG 5372=head2 AIX POLL BUG
4491 5373
4492AIX unfortunately has a broken C<poll.h> header. Libev works around 5374AIX unfortunately has a broken C<poll.h> header. Libev works around
4493this by trying to avoid the poll backend altogether (i.e. it's not even 5375this by trying to avoid the poll backend altogether (i.e. it's not even
4494compiled in), which normally isn't a big problem as C<select> works fine 5376compiled in), which normally isn't a big problem as C<select> works fine
4495with large bitsets, and AIX is dead anyway. 5377with large bitsets on AIX, and AIX is dead anyway.
4496 5378
4497=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS 5379=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
4498 5380
4499=head3 General issues 5381=head3 General issues
4500 5382
4502requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX 5384requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
4503model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in 5385model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
4504the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket 5386the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
4505descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using 5387descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
4506e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers, 5388e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers,
4507as every compielr comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible 5389as every compiler comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible
4508environment. 5390environment.
4509 5391
4510Lifting these limitations would basically require the full 5392Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
4511re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing, 5393re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing,
4512then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note 5394then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note
4606structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also 5488structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
4607assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher 5489assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
4608callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev 5490callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
4609calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally. 5491calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
4610 5492
5493=item null pointers and integer zero are represented by 0 bytes
5494
5495Libev uses C<memset> to initialise structs and arrays to C<0> bytes, and
5496relies on this setting pointers and integers to null.
5497
5498=item pointer accesses must be thread-atomic
5499
5500Accessing a pointer value must be atomic, it must both be readable and
5501writable in one piece - this is the case on all current architectures.
5502
4611=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well 5503=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
4612 5504
4613The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as 5505The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
4614C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different 5506C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
4615threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is 5507threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
4623thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would 5515thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
4624be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and 5516be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
4625C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however. 5517C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
4626 5518
4627The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads 5519The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
4628except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as 5520except the initial one, and run the signal handling loop in the initial
4629well. 5521thread as well.
4630 5522
4631=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes 5523=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
4632 5524
4633To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally 5525To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
4634instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX 5526instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
4640 5532
4641The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to 5533The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
4642have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is 5534have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is
4643good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy 5535good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy
4644(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by 5536(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by
4645implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones. With 5537implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones.
5538
4646IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least 2200. 5539With IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least the
5540year 2255 (and millisecond accuracy till the year 287396 - by then, libev
5541is either obsolete or somebody patched it to use C<long double> or
5542something like that, just kidding).
4647 5543
4648=back 5544=back
4649 5545
4650If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note. 5546If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
4651 5547
4713=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers) 5609=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
4714 5610
4715=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number) 5611=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
4716 5612
4717Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send> 5613Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
4718calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events 5614calls in the current loop iteration and the loop is currently
5615blocked. Checking for async and signal events involves iterating over all
4719involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers. 5616running async watchers or all signal numbers.
4720 5617
4721=back 5618=back
4722 5619
4723 5620
4724=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X 5621=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X
4725 5622
4726The major version 4 introduced some minor incompatible changes to the API. 5623The major version 4 introduced some incompatible changes to the API.
4727 5624
4728At the moment, the C<ev.h> header file tries to implement superficial 5625At the moment, the C<ev.h> header file provides compatibility definitions
4729compatibility, so most programs should still compile. Those might be 5626for all changes, so most programs should still compile. The compatibility
4730removed in later versions of libev, so better update early than late. 5627layer might be removed in later versions of libev, so better update to the
5628new API early than late.
4731 5629
4732=over 4 5630=over 4
4733 5631
4734=item C<ev_loop_count> renamed to C<ev_iteration> 5632=item C<EV_COMPAT3> backwards compatibility mechanism
4735 5633
4736=item C<ev_loop_depth> renamed to C<ev_depth> 5634The backward compatibility mechanism can be controlled by
5635C<EV_COMPAT3>. See L</"PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS"> in the L</EMBEDDING>
5636section.
4737 5637
4738=item C<ev_loop_verify> renamed to C<ev_verify> 5638=item C<ev_default_destroy> and C<ev_default_fork> have been removed
5639
5640These calls can be replaced easily by their C<ev_loop_xxx> counterparts:
5641
5642 ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT_UC);
5643 ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
5644
5645=item function/symbol renames
5646
5647A number of functions and symbols have been renamed:
5648
5649 ev_loop => ev_run
5650 EVLOOP_NONBLOCK => EVRUN_NOWAIT
5651 EVLOOP_ONESHOT => EVRUN_ONCE
5652
5653 ev_unloop => ev_break
5654 EVUNLOOP_CANCEL => EVBREAK_CANCEL
5655 EVUNLOOP_ONE => EVBREAK_ONE
5656 EVUNLOOP_ALL => EVBREAK_ALL
5657
5658 EV_TIMEOUT => EV_TIMER
5659
5660 ev_loop_count => ev_iteration
5661 ev_loop_depth => ev_depth
5662 ev_loop_verify => ev_verify
4739 5663
4740Most functions working on C<struct ev_loop> objects don't have an 5664Most functions working on C<struct ev_loop> objects don't have an
4741C<ev_loop_> prefix, so it was removed. Note that C<ev_loop_fork> is 5665C<ev_loop_> prefix, so it was removed; C<ev_loop>, C<ev_unloop> and
5666associated constants have been renamed to not collide with the C<struct
5667ev_loop> anymore and C<EV_TIMER> now follows the same naming scheme
5668as all other watcher types. Note that C<ev_loop_fork> is still called
4742still called C<ev_loop_fork> because it would otherwise clash with the 5669C<ev_loop_fork> because it would otherwise clash with the C<ev_fork>
4743C<ev_fork> typedef. 5670typedef.
4744
4745=item C<EV_TIMEOUT> renamed to C<EV_TIMER> in C<revents>
4746
4747This is a simple rename - all other watcher types use their name
4748as revents flag, and now C<ev_timer> does, too.
4749
4750Both C<EV_TIMER> and C<EV_TIMEOUT> symbols were present in 3.x versions
4751and continue to be present for the foreseeable future, so this is mostly a
4752documentation change.
4753 5671
4754=item C<EV_MINIMAL> mechanism replaced by C<EV_FEATURES> 5672=item C<EV_MINIMAL> mechanism replaced by C<EV_FEATURES>
4755 5673
4756The preprocessor symbol C<EV_MINIMAL> has been replaced by a different 5674The preprocessor symbol C<EV_MINIMAL> has been replaced by a different
4757mechanism, C<EV_FEATURES>. Programs using C<EV_MINIMAL> usually compile 5675mechanism, C<EV_FEATURES>. Programs using C<EV_MINIMAL> usually compile
4764 5682
4765=over 4 5683=over 4
4766 5684
4767=item active 5685=item active
4768 5686
4769A watcher is active as long as it has been started (has been attached to 5687A watcher is active as long as it has been started and not yet stopped.
4770an event loop) but not yet stopped (disassociated from the event loop). 5688See L</WATCHER STATES> for details.
4771 5689
4772=item application 5690=item application
4773 5691
4774In this document, an application is whatever is using libev. 5692In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
5693
5694=item backend
5695
5696The part of the code dealing with the operating system interfaces.
4775 5697
4776=item callback 5698=item callback
4777 5699
4778The address of a function that is called when some event has been 5700The address of a function that is called when some event has been
4779detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that 5701detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that
4780received the event, and the actual event bitset. 5702received the event, and the actual event bitset.
4781 5703
4782=item callback invocation 5704=item callback/watcher invocation
4783 5705
4784The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher. 5706The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
4785 5707
4786=item event 5708=item event
4787 5709
4806The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes 5728The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes
4807watchers and events. 5729watchers and events.
4808 5730
4809=item pending 5731=item pending
4810 5732
4811A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been detected, 5733A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been
4812and stops being pending as soon as the watcher will be invoked or its 5734detected. See L</WATCHER STATES> for details.
4813pending status is explicitly cleared by the application.
4814
4815A watcher can be pending, but not active. Stopping a watcher also clears
4816its pending status.
4817 5735
4818=item real time 5736=item real time
4819 5737
4820The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :) 5738The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
4821 5739
4822=item wall-clock time 5740=item wall-clock time
4823 5741
4824The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually 5742The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
4825be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when the you adjust your 5743be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when you adjust your
4826clock. 5744clock.
4827 5745
4828=item watcher 5746=item watcher
4829 5747
4830A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need 5748A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
4831to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events. 5749to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events.
4832 5750
4833=item watcher invocation
4834
4835The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
4836
4837=back 5751=back
4838 5752
4839=head1 AUTHOR 5753=head1 AUTHOR
4840 5754
4841Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael Magnusson. 5755Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael
5756Magnusson and Emanuele Giaquinta, and minor corrections by many others.
4842 5757

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