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Revision 1.38 by root, Sat Nov 24 09:48:38 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.47 by root, Mon Nov 26 19:49:36 2007 UTC

468 ev_ref (myloop); 468 ev_ref (myloop);
469 ev_signal_stop (myloop, &exitsig); 469 ev_signal_stop (myloop, &exitsig);
470 470
471=back 471=back
472 472
473
473=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER 474=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
474 475
475A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your 476A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
476interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to 477interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
477become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that: 478become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
576with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded 577with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded
577programs, though, so beware. 578programs, though, so beware.
578 579
579=back 580=back
580 581
581=head2 SUMMARY OF GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS 582=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
582 583
583In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type, 584In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
584e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers. 585e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
585 586
586=over 4 587=over 4
595which rolls both calls into one. 596which rolls both calls into one.
596 597
597You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped 598You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
598(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding. 599(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
599 600
600The callbakc is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, 601The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
601int revents)>. 602int revents)>.
602 603
603=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args]) 604=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])
604 605
605This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to 606This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
691 692
692This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 693This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
693information given in the last section. 694information given in the last section.
694 695
695 696
696=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable 697=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable?
697 698
698I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable 699I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable
699in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called 700in each iteration of the event loop, or, more precisely, when reading
700level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the 701would not block the process and writing would at least be able to write
701condition persists. Remember you can stop the watcher if you don't want to 702some data. This behaviour is called level-triggering because you keep
702act on the event and neither want to receive future events). 703receiving events as long as the condition persists. Remember you can stop
704the watcher if you don't want to act on the event and neither want to
705receive future events.
703 706
704In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 707In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
705fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 708fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
706descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 709descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
707required if you know what you are doing). 710required if you know what you are doing).
708 711
709You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends 712You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends
710(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file 713(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file
711descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing 714descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing
712to the same underlying file/socket etc. description (that is, they share 715to the same underlying file/socket/etc. description (that is, they share
713the same underlying "file open"). 716the same underlying "file open").
714 717
715If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend 718If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
716(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and 719(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
717C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). 720C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
718 721
722Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
723receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might
724be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
725because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
726lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
727this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
728it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
729C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
730
731If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not
732play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test
733wether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface
734such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on
735its own, so its quite safe to use).
736
719=over 4 737=over 4
720 738
721=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 739=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
722 740
723=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events) 741=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
724 742
725Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The fd is the file descriptor to rceeive 743Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
726events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_READ | 744rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
727EV_WRITE> to receive the given events. 745C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.
728
729Please note that most of the more scalable backend mechanisms (for example
730epoll and solaris ports) can result in spurious readyness notifications
731for file descriptors, so you practically need to use non-blocking I/O (and
732treat callback invocation as hint only), or retest separately with a safe
733interface before doing I/O (XLib can do this), or force the use of either
734C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>, which don't suffer from this
735problem. Also note that it is quite easy to have your callback invoked
736when the readyness condition is no longer valid even when employing
737typical ways of handling events, so its a good idea to use non-blocking
738I/O unconditionally.
739 746
740=back 747=back
741 748
742Example: call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well 749Example: call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
743readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could 750readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
756 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 763 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
757 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 764 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
758 ev_loop (loop, 0); 765 ev_loop (loop, 0);
759 766
760 767
761=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally recurring timeouts 768=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
762 769
763Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 770Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
764given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 771given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
765 772
766The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 773The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
848 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity": 855 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
849 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 856 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
850 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 857 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
851 858
852 859
853=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron 860=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
854 861
855Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 862Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
856(and unfortunately a bit complex). 863(and unfortunately a bit complex).
857 864
858Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time) 865Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)
986 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 993 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
987 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 994 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
988 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 995 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
989 996
990 997
991=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled 998=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
992 999
993Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 1000Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
994signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 1001signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
995will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 1002will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
996normal event processing, like any other event. 1003normal event processing, like any other event.
1012of the C<SIGxxx> constants). 1019of the C<SIGxxx> constants).
1013 1020
1014=back 1021=back
1015 1022
1016 1023
1017=head2 C<ev_child> - wait for pid status changes 1024=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1018 1025
1019Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 1026Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1020some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). 1027some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies).
1021 1028
1022=over 4 1029=over 4
1045 struct ev_signal signal_watcher; 1052 struct ev_signal signal_watcher;
1046 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 1053 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1047 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb); 1054 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);
1048 1055
1049 1056
1050=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do 1057=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1051 1058
1052Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other events are pending 1059Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other events are pending
1053(prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count). That is, as long 1060(prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count). That is, as long
1054as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts (or even signals, 1061as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts (or even signals,
1055imagine) it will not be triggered. But when your process is idle all idle 1062imagine) it will not be triggered. But when your process is idle all idle
1089 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle)); 1096 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));
1090 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb); 1097 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1091 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb); 1098 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1092 1099
1093 1100
1094=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop 1101=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1095 1102
1096Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 1103Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:
1097prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 1104prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1098afterwards. 1105afterwards.
1099 1106
1107You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter
1108the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
1109watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The
1110rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in
1111those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1112C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1113called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1114
1100Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and 1115Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1101their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track 1116their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track
1102variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a 1117variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1103coroutine library and lots more. 1118coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1119you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1120in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1121watcher).
1104 1122
1105This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need 1123This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need
1106to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for 1124to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for
1107them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries 1125them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries
1108provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 1126provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for
1130parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set> 1148parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1131macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless. 1149macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.
1132 1150
1133=back 1151=back
1134 1152
1135Example: *TODO*. 1153Example: To include a library such as adns, you would add IO watchers
1154and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler, as required by libadns, and
1155in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows is
1156pseudo-code only of course:
1136 1157
1158 static ev_io iow [nfd];
1159 static ev_timer tw;
1137 1160
1161 static void
1162 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1163 {
1164 // set the relevant poll flags
1165 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1166 struct pollfd *fd = (struct pollfd *)w->data;
1167 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1168 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1169 }
1170
1171 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1172 static void
1173 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1174 {
1175 int timeout = 3600000;truct pollfd fds [nfd];
1176 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1177 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1178
1179 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1180 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1181 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1182
1183 // create on ev_io per pollfd
1184 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1185 {
1186 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1187 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1188 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1189
1190 fds [i].revents = 0;
1191 iow [i].data = fds + i;
1192 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1193 }
1194 }
1195
1196 // stop all watchers after blocking
1197 static void
1198 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1199 {
1200 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1201
1202 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1203 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1204
1205 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1206 }
1207
1208
1138=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough 1209=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1139 1210
1140This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop 1211This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
1141into another (currently only C<ev_io> events are supported in the embedded 1212into another (currently only C<ev_io> events are supported in the embedded
1142loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or incorrect 1213loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or incorrect
1143fashion and must not be used). 1214fashion and must not be used).
1414 idle (this, &myclass::idle_cb) 1485 idle (this, &myclass::idle_cb)
1415 { 1486 {
1416 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 1487 io.start (fd, ev::READ);
1417 } 1488 }
1418 1489
1490=head1 EMBEDDING
1491
1492Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
1493applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
1494Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe)
1495and rxvt-unicode.
1496
1497The goal is to enable you to just copy the neecssary files into your
1498source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so
1499you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of
1500libev somewhere in your source tree).
1501
1502=head2 FILESETS
1503
1504Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
1505in your app.
1506
1507=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
1508
1509To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
1510configuration (no autoconf):
1511
1512 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
1513 #include "ev.c"
1514
1515This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
1516single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
1517it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
1518done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
1519where you can put other configuration options):
1520
1521 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
1522 #include "ev.h"
1523
1524Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
1525compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
1526as a bug).
1527
1528You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
1529in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
1530
1531 ev.h
1532 ev.c
1533 ev_vars.h
1534 ev_wrap.h
1535
1536 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
1537
1538 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is by default)
1539 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1540 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1541 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1542 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1543
1544F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
1545to compile this single file.
1546
1547=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
1548
1549To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
1550
1551 #include "event.c"
1552
1553in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
1554
1555 #include "event.h"
1556
1557in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
1558
1559You need the following additional files for this:
1560
1561 event.h
1562 event.c
1563
1564=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
1565
1566Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in
1567whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
1568F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
1569include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
1570
1571For this of course you need the m4 file:
1572
1573 libev.m4
1574
1575=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
1576
1577Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define
1578before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity
1579and only include the select backend.
1580
1581=over 4
1582
1583=item EV_STANDALONE
1584
1585Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which
1586keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
1587implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
1588supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
1589F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
1590
1591=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
1592
1593If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
1594monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use
1595of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you
1596usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when
1597the functionality isn't available is safe, though, althoguh you have
1598to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
1599function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).
1600
1601=item EV_USE_REALTIME
1602
1603If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
1604realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at
1605runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will
1606be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
1607(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See tzhe note about libraries
1608in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
1609
1610=item EV_USE_SELECT
1611
1612If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
1613C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no
1614other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
1615will not be compiled in.
1616
1617=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
1618
1619If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
1620structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
1621C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on
1622exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some
1623low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only
1624allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might
1625influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.
1626
1627=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
1628
1629When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
1630select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
1631wants osf handles on win32 (this is the case when the select to
1632be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
1633C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
1634it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
1635on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
1636
1637=item EV_USE_POLL
1638
1639If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
1640backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
1641takes precedence over select.
1642
1643=item EV_USE_EPOLL
1644
1645If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
1646C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
1647otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the
1648preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems.
1649
1650=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
1651
1652If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
1653C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
1654otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
1655backend for BSD and BSD-like systems, although on most BSDs kqueue only
1656supports some types of fds correctly (the only platform we found that
1657supports ptys for example was NetBSD), so kqueue might be compiled in, but
1658not be used unless explicitly requested. The best way to use it is to find
1659out whether kqueue supports your type of fd properly and use an embedded
1660kqueue loop.
1661
1662=item EV_USE_PORT
1663
1664If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Solaris
166510 port style backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
1666otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
1667backend for Solaris 10 systems.
1668
1669=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
1670
1671reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
1672
1673=item EV_H
1674
1675The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
1676undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This
1677can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
1678
1679=item EV_CONFIG_H
1680
1681If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
1682F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
1683C<EV_H>, above.
1684
1685=item EV_EVENT_H
1686
1687Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
1688of how the F<event.h> header can be found.
1689
1690=item EV_PROTOTYPES
1691
1692If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
1693prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
1694occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions
1695around libev functions.
1696
1697=item EV_MULTIPLICITY
1698
1699If undefined or defined to C<1>, then all event-loop-specific functions
1700will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
1701additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
1702for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
1703argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
1704
1705=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
1706
1707If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
1708defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
1709code.
1710
1711=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
1712
1713If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
1714defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
1715
1716=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
1717
1718If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
1719defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
1720
1721=item EV_MINIMAL
1722
1723If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
1724speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override
1725some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64.
1726
1727=item EV_COMMON
1728
1729By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
1730this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
1731members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
1732though, and it must be identical each time.
1733
1734For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
1735
1736 #define EV_COMMON \
1737 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
1738 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
1739
1740=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
1741
1742=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
1743
1744=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb)
1745
1746Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher,
1747and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member
1748definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.v> header file for
1749their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
1750avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
1751method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
1752
1753=head2 EXAMPLES
1754
1755For a real-world example of a program the includes libev
1756verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module
1757(L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV.html>). It has the libev files in
1758the F<libev/> subdirectory and includes them in the F<EV/EVAPI.h> (public
1759interface) and F<EV.xs> (implementation) files. Only the F<EV.xs> file
1760will be compiled. It is pretty complex because it provides its own header
1761file.
1762
1763The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
1764that everybody includes and which overrides some autoconf choices:
1765
1766 #define EV_USE_POLL 0
1767 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
1768 #define EV_PERIODICS 0
1769 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
1770
1771 #include "ev++.h"
1772
1773And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
1774
1775 #include "ev_cpp.h"
1776 #include "ev.c"
1777
1778
1779=head1 COMPLEXITIES
1780
1781In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
1782libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the
1783documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
1784
1785=over 4
1786
1787=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
1788
1789=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat, again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
1790
1791=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1)
1792
1793=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1)
1794
1795=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % 16))
1796
1797=item Finding the next timer per loop iteration: O(1)
1798
1799=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
1800
1801=item Activating one watcher: O(1)
1802
1803=back
1804
1805
1419=head1 AUTHOR 1806=head1 AUTHOR
1420 1807
1421Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 1808Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.
1422 1809

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