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Revision 1.177 by root, Mon Sep 8 17:27:42 2008 UTC

2 2
3libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C 3libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 #include <ev.h> 7 #include <ev.h>
8 8
9=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 9=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10 10
11 // a single header file is required
11 #include <ev.h> 12 #include <ev.h>
12 13
14 // every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
15 // with the name ev_<type>
13 ev_io stdin_watcher; 16 ev_io stdin_watcher;
14 ev_timer timeout_watcher; 17 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
15 18
16 /* called when data readable on stdin */ 19 // all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
20 // this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
17 static void 21 static void
18 stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents) 22 stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents)
19 { 23 {
20 /* puts ("stdin ready"); */ 24 puts ("stdin ready");
21 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); /* just a syntax example */ 25 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
22 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); /* leave all loop calls */ 26 // with its corresponding stop function.
27 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
28
29 // this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating
30 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);
23 } 31 }
24 32
33 // another callback, this time for a time-out
25 static void 34 static void
26 timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 35 timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
27 { 36 {
28 /* puts ("timeout"); */ 37 puts ("timeout");
29 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); /* leave one loop call */ 38 // this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating
39 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);
30 } 40 }
31 41
32 int 42 int
33 main (void) 43 main (void)
34 { 44 {
45 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs
35 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 46 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
36 47
37 /* initialise an io watcher, then start it */ 48 // initialise an io watcher, then start it
49 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable
38 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ); 50 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
39 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 51 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
40 52
53 // initialise a timer watcher, then start it
41 /* simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout */ 54 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
42 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.); 55 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
43 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher); 56 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
44 57
45 /* loop till timeout or data ready */ 58 // now wait for events to arrive
46 ev_loop (loop, 0); 59 ev_loop (loop, 0);
47 60
61 // unloop was called, so exit
48 return 0; 62 return 0;
49 } 63 }
50 64
51=head1 DESCRIPTION 65=head1 DESCRIPTION
52 66
67The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted
68web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
69time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
70
53Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a 71Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
54file descriptor being readable or a timeout occuring), and it will manage 72file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
55these event sources and provide your program with events. 73these event sources and provide your program with events.
56 74
57To do this, it must take more or less complete control over your process 75To do this, it must take more or less complete control over your process
58(or thread) by executing the I<event loop> handler, and will then 76(or thread) by executing the I<event loop> handler, and will then
59communicate events via a callback mechanism. 77communicate events via a callback mechanism.
61You register interest in certain events by registering so-called I<event 79You register interest in certain events by registering so-called I<event
62watchers>, which are relatively small C structures you initialise with the 80watchers>, which are relatively small C structures you initialise with the
63details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the 81details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the
64watcher. 82watcher.
65 83
66=head1 FEATURES 84=head2 FEATURES
67 85
68Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the linux-specific C<epoll>, the 86Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the
69bsd-specific C<kqueue> and the solaris-specific event port mechanisms 87BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms
70for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), 88for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface
89(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers
71absolute timers with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous 90with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals
72signals (C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and 91(C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and event
73event watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, 92watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>,
74C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> watchers) as well as 93C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> watchers) as well as
75file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even limited support for fork events 94file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even limited support for fork events
76(C<ev_fork>). 95(C<ev_fork>).
77 96
78It also is quite fast (see this 97It also is quite fast (see this
79L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent 98L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
80for example). 99for example).
81 100
82=head1 CONVENTIONS 101=head2 CONVENTIONS
83 102
84Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will 103Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
85be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about 104configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
86various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in 105more info about various configuration options please have a look at
87this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event 106B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
88loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of name C<loop> 107for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
89(which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have this argument. 108name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have
109this argument.
90 110
91=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION 111=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
92 112
93Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 113Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
94(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 114(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
95the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is 115the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is
96called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases 116called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases
97to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on 117to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on
98it, you should treat it as such. 118it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name
119component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences
120throughout libev.
121
122=head1 ERROR HANDLING
123
124Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
125and internal errors (bugs).
126
127When libev catches an operating system error it cannot handle (for example
128a system call indicating a condition libev cannot fix), it calls the callback
129set via C<ev_set_syserr_cb>, which is supposed to fix the problem or
130abort. The default is to print a diagnostic message and to call C<abort
131()>.
132
133When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
134it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
135so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
136the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
137
138Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has
139extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
140circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse.
141
99 142
100=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 143=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
101 144
102These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the 145These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
103library in any way. 146library in any way.
108 151
109Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the 152Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
110C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp 153C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
111you actually want to know. 154you actually want to know.
112 155
156=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
157
158Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
159either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
160this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
161
113=item int ev_version_major () 162=item int ev_version_major ()
114 163
115=item int ev_version_minor () 164=item int ev_version_minor ()
116 165
117You can find out the major and minor version numbers of the library 166You can find out the major and minor ABI version numbers of the library
118you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and 167you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and
119C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global 168C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global
120symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the 169symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the
121version of the library your program was compiled against. 170version of the library your program was compiled against.
122 171
172These version numbers refer to the ABI version of the library, not the
173release version.
174
123Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch, 175Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch,
124as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 176as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
125compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 177compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
126not a problem. 178not a problem.
127 179
128Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 180Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
129version. 181version.
130 182
131 assert (("libev version mismatch", 183 assert (("libev version mismatch",
132 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 184 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
133 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 185 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
134 186
135=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends () 187=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
136 188
137Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*> 189Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>
138value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their 190value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
140a description of the set values. 192a description of the set values.
141 193
142Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and 194Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and
143a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11 195a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11
144 196
145 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex", 197 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
146 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL)); 198 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
147 199
148=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends () 200=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
149 201
150Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also 202Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also
151recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one 203recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one
152returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on 204returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on
153most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it 205most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it
154(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that 206(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that
155libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly. 207libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
156 208
157=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends () 209=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
158 210
162C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for 214C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for
163recommended ones. 215recommended ones.
164 216
165See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 217See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
166 218
167=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, size_t size)) 219=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))
168 220
169Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype and semantics are 221Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
170identical to the realloc C function). It is used to allocate and free 222semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
171memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when memory needs to be 223used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
172allocated, the library might abort or take some potentially destructive 224when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
173action. The default is your system realloc function. 225or take some potentially destructive action.
226
227Since some systems (at least OpenBSD and Darwin) fail to implement
228correct C<realloc> semantics, libev will use a wrapper around the system
229C<realloc> and C<free> functions by default.
174 230
175You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say, 231You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
176free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator, 232free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
177or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available. 233or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
178 234
179Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then 235Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
180retries). 236retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
181 237
182 static void * 238 static void *
183 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size) 239 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
184 { 240 {
185 for (;;) 241 for (;;)
196 ... 252 ...
197 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc); 253 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
198 254
199=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); 255=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));
200 256
201Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such 257Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
202as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string 258as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
203indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this 259indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
204callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no 260callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
205matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the 261matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
206requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff 262requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
207(such as abort). 263(such as abort).
208 264
209Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too. 265Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
223=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP 279=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
224 280
225An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two 281An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two
226types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child 282types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child
227events, and dynamically created loops which do not. 283events, and dynamically created loops which do not.
228
229If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop
230in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you
231create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking
232whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different
233threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if
234done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient).
235 284
236=over 4 285=over 4
237 286
238=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags) 287=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
239 288
243flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). 292flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
244 293
245If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 294If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
246function. 295function.
247 296
297Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
298from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
299as loops cannot bes hared easily between threads anyway).
300
301The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
302C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
303for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
304create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
305can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
306C<ev_default_init>.
307
248The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 308The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
249backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). 309backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
250 310
251The following flags are supported: 311The following flags are supported:
252 312
257The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right 317The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
258thing, believe me). 318thing, believe me).
259 319
260=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV> 320=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
261 321
262If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid 322If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
263or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable 323or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
264C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will 324C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
265override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is 325override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
266useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 326useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
267around bugs. 327around bugs.
268 328
329=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
330
331Instead of calling C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork> manually after
332a fork, you can also make libev check for a fork in each iteration by
333enabling this flag.
334
335This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
336and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
337iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
338GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
339without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
340C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
341
342The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
343forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
344flag.
345
346This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
347environment variable.
348
269=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 349=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
270 350
271This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 351This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
272libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds, 352libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
273but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when 353but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
274using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its usually 354using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
275the fastest backend for a low number of fds. 355usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
356
357To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
358parallelism (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
359writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
360connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
361a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
362readiness notifications you get per iteration.
276 363
277=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows) 364=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
278 365
279And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated than 366And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
280select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial limit on the 367than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
281number of fds you can use (except it will slow down considerably with a 368limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
282lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select, i.e. O(total_fds). 369considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
370i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
371performance tips.
283 372
284=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 373=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
285 374
286For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, 375For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
287but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like 376but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
288O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), epoll scales 377like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
289either O(1) or O(active_fds). 378epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number
379of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect
380cases and requiring a system call per fd change, no fork support and bad
381support for dup.
290 382
291While stopping and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration will 383While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
292result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident 384will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such incident
293(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its 385(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its
294best to avoid that. Also, dup()ed file descriptors might not work very 386best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work
295well if you register events for both fds. 387very well if you register events for both fds.
296 388
297Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you 389Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
298need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data 390need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
299(or space) is available. 391(or space) is available.
300 392
393Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
394watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible, i.e.
395keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times.
396
397While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
398all kernel versions tested so far.
399
301=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones) 400=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
302 401
303Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it 402Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
304was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work with 403was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
305anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course its 404with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
306completely useless). For this reason its not being "autodetected" 405it's completely useless). For this reason it's not being "auto-detected"
307unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using 406unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using
308C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>). 407C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
408system like NetBSD.
409
410You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
411only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
412the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
309 413
310It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the 414It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
311kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of 415kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
312course). While starting and stopping an I/O watcher does not cause an 416course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
313extra syscall as with epoll, it still adds up to four event changes per 417cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
314incident, so its best to avoid that. 418two event changes per incident, support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it
419drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.
420
421This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
422
423While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
424everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
425almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
426(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
427(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and using it only for
428sockets.
315 429
316=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8) 430=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
317 431
318This is not implemented yet (and might never be). 432This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
433implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
434and is not embeddable, which would limit the usefulness of this backend
435immensely.
319 436
320=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10) 437=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
321 438
322This uses the Solaris 10 port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris, 439This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
323it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)). 440it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
324 441
325Please note that solaris ports can result in a lot of spurious 442Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
326notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid 443notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
327blocking when no data (or space) is available. 444blocking when no data (or space) is available.
445
446While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
447file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
448descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
449might perform better.
450
451On the positive side, ignoring the spurious readiness notifications, this
452backend actually performed to specification in all tests and is fully
453embeddable, which is a rare feat among the OS-specific backends.
328 454
329=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 455=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
330 456
331Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried 457Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
332with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as 458with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
333C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>. 459C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
334 460
461It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
462
335=back 463=back
336 464
337If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these 465If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these
338backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If none are 466backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are
339specified, most compiled-in backend will be tried, usually in reverse 467specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.
340order of their flag values :)
341 468
342The most typical usage is like this: 469The most typical usage is like this:
343 470
344 if (!ev_default_loop (0)) 471 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
345 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?"); 472 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
346 473
347Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow 474Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
348environment settings to be taken into account: 475environment settings to be taken into account:
349 476
350 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV); 477 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
351 478
352Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if 479Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if
353available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private 480available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private
354event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds): 481event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):
355 482
356 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE); 483 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
357 484
358=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags) 485=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
359 486
360Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is 487Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
361always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot 488always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
362handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by 489handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
363undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled). 490undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
364 491
492Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
493libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
494default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
495
365Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 496Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
366 497
367 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 498 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
368 if (!epoller) 499 if (!epoller)
369 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 500 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
370 501
371=item ev_default_destroy () 502=item ev_default_destroy ()
372 503
373Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 504Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
374etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal 505etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
375sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your 506sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
376responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before> 507responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
377calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually 508calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
378the easiest thing, youc na just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them 509the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
379for example). 510for example).
511
512Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by
513this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers)
514would need to be stopped manually.
515
516In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
517rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
518pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
519C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).
380 520
381=item ev_loop_destroy (loop) 521=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
382 522
383Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an 523Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
384earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>. 524earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
385 525
386=item ev_default_fork () 526=item ev_default_fork ()
387 527
528This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations
388This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have 529to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
389one. Despite the name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense 530name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in
390after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that 531the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little
391again makes little sense). 532sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev
533functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration.
392 534
393You I<must> call this function in the child process after forking if and 535On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
394only if you want to use the event library in both processes. If you just 536process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If
395fork+exec, you don't have to call it. 537you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all.
396 538
397The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call 539The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
398it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in 540it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in
399quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>: 541quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
400 542
401 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 543 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
402 544
403At the moment, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL> are safe to use
404without calling this function, so if you force one of those backends you
405do not need to care.
406
407=item ev_loop_fork (loop) 545=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
408 546
409Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by 547Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
410C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop 548C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
411after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem. 549after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.
550
551=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
552
553Returns true when the given loop actually is the default loop, false otherwise.
554
555=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
556
557Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
558the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
559happily wraps around with enough iterations.
560
561This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
562"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
563C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls.
412 564
413=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop) 565=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
414 566
415Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in 567Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
416use. 568use.
419 571
420Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop 572Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop
421received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not 573received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
422change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base 574change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
423time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the 575time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
424event occuring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it). 576event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
577
578=item ev_now_update (loop)
579
580Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
581returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
582is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>.
583
584This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
585very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
586the current time is a good idea.
587
588See also "The special problem of time updates" in the C<ev_timer> section.
425 589
426=item ev_loop (loop, int flags) 590=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
427 591
428Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 592Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
429after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling 593after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
441A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle 605A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle
442those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in 606those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in
443case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop. 607case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.
444 608
445A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if 609A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
446neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block 610necessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block
447your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after 611your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after
448one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some 612one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some
449external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other 613external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other
450libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 614libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
451usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 615usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
452 616
453Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 617Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
454 618
455 * If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return. 619 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
456 - Queue prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers. 620 * If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
621 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
622 - Queue and call all prepare watchers.
457 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state. 623 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
624 as to not disturb the other process.
458 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 625 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
459 - Update the "event loop time". 626 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
460 - Calculate for how long to block. 627 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
628 (active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
629 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
630 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
461 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 631 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
462 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events. 632 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
463 - Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling. 633 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
464 - Queue all outstanding timers. 634 - Queue all outstanding timers.
465 - Queue all outstanding periodics. 635 - Queue all outstanding periodics.
466 - If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers. 636 - Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
467 - Queue all check watchers. 637 - Queue all check watchers.
468 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first). 638 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
469 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will 639 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
470 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 640 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
471 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 641 - If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
472 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *. 642 were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise
643 continue with step *.
473 644
474Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding 645Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
475anymore. 646anymore.
476 647
477 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 648 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
478 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 649 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
479 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 650 ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
480 ... jobs done. yeah! 651 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
481 652
482=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 653=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
483 654
484Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 655Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
485has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 656has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
486C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or 657C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
487C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return. 658C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
659
660This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.
488 661
489=item ev_ref (loop) 662=item ev_ref (loop)
490 663
491=item ev_unref (loop) 664=item ev_unref (loop)
492 665
497returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For 670returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For
498example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not 671example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not
499visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if 672visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if
500no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent 673no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent
501way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party 674way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party
502libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>. 675libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>
676(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,
677respectively).
503 678
504Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 679Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
505running when nothing else is active. 680running when nothing else is active.
506 681
507 struct ev_signal exitsig; 682 struct ev_signal exitsig;
508 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 683 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
509 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig); 684 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
510 evf_unref (loop); 685 evf_unref (loop);
511 686
512Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 687Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
513 688
514 ev_ref (loop); 689 ev_ref (loop);
515 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig); 690 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
691
692=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
693
694=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
695
696These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
697for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
698will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
699latency.
700
701Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
702allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
703to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
704opportunities).
705
706The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to
707handle one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes
708the program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
709events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
710overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
711
712By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
713time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
714at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
715C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
716introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.
717
718Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
719to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
720latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers
721will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will not introduce
722any overhead in libev.
723
724Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
725interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
726interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
727usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
728as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems.
729
730Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
731saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
732are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
733times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
734reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
735they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
736
737=item ev_loop_verify (loop)
738
739This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
740compiled in. It tries to go through all internal structures and checks
741them for validity. If anything is found to be inconsistent, it will print
742an error message to standard error and call C<abort ()>.
743
744This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
745circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
746data structures consistent.
516 747
517=back 748=back
518 749
519 750
520=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER 751=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
521 752
522A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your 753A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
523interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to 754interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
524become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that: 755become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
525 756
526 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 757 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
527 { 758 {
528 ev_io_stop (w); 759 ev_io_stop (w);
529 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 760 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
530 } 761 }
531 762
532 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 763 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
533 struct ev_io stdin_watcher; 764 struct ev_io stdin_watcher;
534 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb); 765 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
535 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 766 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
536 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 767 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
537 ev_loop (loop, 0); 768 ev_loop (loop, 0);
538 769
539As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your 770As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
540watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack, 771watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack,
541although this can sometimes be quite valid). 772although this can sometimes be quite valid).
542 773
543Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init 774Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init
544(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This 775(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
545callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io 776callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O
546watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given 777watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
547is readable and/or writable). 778is readable and/or writable).
548 779
549Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro 780Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro
550with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro 781with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro
620=item C<EV_FORK> 851=item C<EV_FORK>
621 852
622The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see 853The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
623C<ev_fork>). 854C<ev_fork>).
624 855
856=item C<EV_ASYNC>
857
858The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
859
625=item C<EV_ERROR> 860=item C<EV_ERROR>
626 861
627An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might 862An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
628happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev 863happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
629ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other 864ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
630problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping 865problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping
631with the watcher being stopped. 866with the watcher being stopped.
632 867
633Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, 868Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error,
634for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if 869for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if
635your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope 870your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope
636with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded 871with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
637programs, though, so beware. 872programs, though, so beware.
638 873
639=back 874=back
640 875
641=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS 876=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
671Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments 906Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
672(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro. 907(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
673 908
674=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args]) 909=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
675 910
676This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro 911This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
677calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise 912calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
678a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course. 913a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
679 914
680=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 915=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
681 916
682Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive 917Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
700=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher) 935=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher)
701 936
702Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding 937Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding
703events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher 938events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher
704is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but 939is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but
705C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe) and you must make sure the watcher is available to 940C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe), you must not change its priority, and you must
706libev (e.g. you cnanot C<free ()> it). 941make sure the watcher is available to libev (e.g. you cannot C<free ()>
942it).
707 943
708=item callback = ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher) 944=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
709 945
710Returns the callback currently set on the watcher. 946Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
711 947
712=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 948=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
713 949
714Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time 950Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
715(modulo threads). 951(modulo threads).
952
953=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority)
954
955=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
956
957Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
958integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
959(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
960before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
961from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
962
963This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
964invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
965example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
966watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
967
968If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
969you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
970
971You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
972pending.
973
974The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
975always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
976
977Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
978fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
979or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.
980
981=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
982
983Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
984C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
985can deal with that fact.
986
987=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
988
989If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status
990and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
991watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
716 992
717=back 993=back
718 994
719 995
720=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 996=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
724to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and 1000to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
725don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data 1001don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
726member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own 1002member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
727data: 1003data:
728 1004
729 struct my_io 1005 struct my_io
730 { 1006 {
731 struct ev_io io; 1007 struct ev_io io;
732 int otherfd; 1008 int otherfd;
733 void *somedata; 1009 void *somedata;
734 struct whatever *mostinteresting; 1010 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
735 } 1011 }
736 1012
737And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you 1013And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
738can cast it back to your own type: 1014can cast it back to your own type:
739 1015
740 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents) 1016 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents)
741 { 1017 {
742 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_; 1018 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
743 ... 1019 ...
744 } 1020 }
745 1021
746More interesting and less C-conformant ways of catsing your callback type 1022More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
747have been omitted.... 1023instead have been omitted.
1024
1025Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple
1026watchers:
1027
1028 struct my_biggy
1029 {
1030 int some_data;
1031 ev_timer t1;
1032 ev_timer t2;
1033 }
1034
1035In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,
1036you need to use C<offsetof>:
1037
1038 #include <stddef.h>
1039
1040 static void
1041 t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
1042 {
1043 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
1044 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
1045 }
1046
1047 static void
1048 t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
1049 {
1050 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
1051 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
1052 }
748 1053
749 1054
750=head1 WATCHER TYPES 1055=head1 WATCHER TYPES
751 1056
752This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 1057This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
776In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 1081In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
777fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 1082fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
778descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 1083descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
779required if you know what you are doing). 1084required if you know what you are doing).
780 1085
781You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends
782(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file
783descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing
784to the same underlying file/socket/etc. description (that is, they share
785the same underlying "file open").
786
787If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend 1086If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
788(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and 1087(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
789C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). 1088C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
790 1089
791Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to 1090Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
792receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might 1091receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
793be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block 1092be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
794because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a 1093because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
795lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into 1094lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
796this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus 1095this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
797it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning 1096it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
798C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives. 1097C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
799 1098
800If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not 1099If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not
801play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test 1100play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately re-test
802wether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface 1101whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface
803such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on 1102such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on
804its own, so its quite safe to use). 1103its own, so its quite safe to use).
805 1104
1105=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1106
1107Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
1108descriptor (either by calling C<close> explicitly or by any other means,
1109such as C<dup>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
1110descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
1111this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
1112registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
1113fact, a different file descriptor.
1114
1115To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows
1116the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev
1117will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise
1118it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that
1119you I<have> to call C<ev_io_set> (or C<ev_io_init>) when you change the
1120descriptor even if the file descriptor number itself did not change.
1121
1122This is how one would do it normally anyway, the important point is that
1123the libev application should not optimise around libev but should leave
1124optimisations to libev.
1125
1126=head3 The special problem of dup'ed file descriptors
1127
1128Some backends (e.g. epoll), cannot register events for file descriptors,
1129but only events for the underlying file descriptions. That means when you
1130have C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors or weirder constellations, and register
1131events for them, only one file descriptor might actually receive events.
1132
1133There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1134for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1135C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1136
1137=head3 The special problem of fork
1138
1139Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit
1140useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about
1141it in the child.
1142
1143To support fork in your programs, you either have to call
1144C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,
1145enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1146C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1147
1148=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1149
1150While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about SIGPIPE:
1151when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
1152send a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
1153this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
1154
1155So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1156ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1157somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1158
1159
1160=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1161
806=over 4 1162=over 4
807 1163
808=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 1164=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
809 1165
810=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events) 1166=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
811 1167
812Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to 1168Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
813rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or 1169receive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
814C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events. 1170C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.
815 1171
816=item int fd [read-only] 1172=item int fd [read-only]
817 1173
818The file descriptor being watched. 1174The file descriptor being watched.
820=item int events [read-only] 1176=item int events [read-only]
821 1177
822The events being watched. 1178The events being watched.
823 1179
824=back 1180=back
1181
1182=head3 Examples
825 1183
826Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well 1184Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
827readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could 1185readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
828attempt to read a whole line in the callback. 1186attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
829 1187
830 static void 1188 static void
831 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1189 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
832 { 1190 {
833 ev_io_stop (loop, w); 1191 ev_io_stop (loop, w);
834 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors 1192 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors
835 } 1193 }
836 1194
837 ... 1195 ...
838 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 1196 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
839 struct ev_io stdin_readable; 1197 struct ev_io stdin_readable;
840 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1198 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
841 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 1199 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
842 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1200 ev_loop (loop, 0);
843 1201
844 1202
845=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts 1203=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
846 1204
847Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 1205Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
848given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 1206given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
849 1207
850The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 1208The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
851times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years 1209times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
852time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because 1210year, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because
853detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 1211detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
854monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 1212monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1213
1214The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only after its timeout has passed,
1215but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then
1216order of execution is undefined.
1217
1218=head3 The special problem of time updates
1219
1220Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
1221least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
1222time only before and after C<ev_loop> polls for new events, which causes
1223a growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
1224lots of events.
855 1225
856The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 1226The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
857time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 1227time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
858of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If 1228of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
859you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout 1229you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
860on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this: 1230timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
861 1231
862 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 1232 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
863 1233
864The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed, 1234If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
865but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then 1235update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
866order of execution is undefined. 1236()>.
1237
1238=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
867 1239
868=over 4 1240=over 4
869 1241
870=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1242=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
871 1243
872=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1244=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
873 1245
874Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is 1246Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
875C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the 1247is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
876timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds 1248reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
877later, again, and again, until stopped manually. 1249configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
1250until stopped manually.
878 1251
879The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you 1252The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
880configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at 1253you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
881exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with 1254trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
882the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the 1255keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
883timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 1256do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
884 1257
885=item ev_timer_again (loop) 1258=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
886 1259
887This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 1260This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
888repeating. The exact semantics are: 1261repeating. The exact semantics are:
889 1262
1263If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1264
890If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it. 1265If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
891 1266
892If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the repeat 1267If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
893value), or reset the running timer to the repeat value. 1268C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
894 1269
895This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical 1270This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical
896example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called 1271example: Imagine you have a TCP connection and you want a so-called idle
897idle timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, 1272timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
898say, 60 seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do 1273seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
899this is to configure an C<ev_timer> with C<after>=C<repeat>=C<60> and calling 1274configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
900C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If 1275C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
901you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the 1276you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
902socket, you can stop the timer, and again will automatically restart it if 1277socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
903need be. 1278automatically restart it if need be.
904 1279
905You can also ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start> altogether 1280That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>
906and only ever use the C<repeat> value: 1281altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
907 1282
908 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.); 1283 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);
909 ev_timer_again (loop, timer); 1284 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
910 ... 1285 ...
911 timer->again = 17.; 1286 timer->again = 17.;
912 ev_timer_again (loop, timer); 1287 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
913 ... 1288 ...
914 timer->again = 10.; 1289 timer->again = 10.;
915 ev_timer_again (loop, timer); 1290 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
916 1291
917This is more efficient then stopping/starting the timer eahc time you want 1292This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
918to modify its timeout value. 1293you want to modify its timeout value.
919 1294
920=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write] 1295=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
921 1296
922The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out 1297The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
923or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any), 1298or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),
924which is also when any modifications are taken into account. 1299which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
925 1300
926=back 1301=back
927 1302
1303=head3 Examples
1304
928Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds. 1305Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
929 1306
930 static void 1307 static void
931 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1308 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
932 { 1309 {
933 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here 1310 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
934 } 1311 }
935 1312
936 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1313 struct ev_timer mytimer;
937 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.); 1314 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
938 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer); 1315 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
939 1316
940Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of 1317Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
941inactivity. 1318inactivity.
942 1319
943 static void 1320 static void
944 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1321 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
945 { 1322 {
946 .. ten seconds without any activity 1323 .. ten seconds without any activity
947 } 1324 }
948 1325
949 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1326 struct ev_timer mytimer;
950 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */ 1327 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
951 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */ 1328 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
952 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1329 ev_loop (loop, 0);
953 1330
954 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity": 1331 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
955 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 1332 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
956 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 1333 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
957 1334
958 1335
959=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron? 1336=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
960 1337
961Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 1338Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
962(and unfortunately a bit complex). 1339(and unfortunately a bit complex).
963 1340
964Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time) 1341Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)
965but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher 1342but on wall clock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher
966to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a 1343to trigger after some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a
967periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now () 1344periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now ()
968+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will 1345+ 10.>, that is, an absolute time not a delay) and then reset your system
1346clock to January of the previous year, then it will take more than year
969take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger 1347to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger
970roughly 10 seconds later and of course not if you reset your system time 1348roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
971again).
972 1349
973They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as 1350C<ev_periodic>s can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers,
974triggering an event on eahc midnight, local time. 1351such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other
1352complicated, rules.
975 1353
976As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the 1354As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
977time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready 1355time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
978during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined. 1356during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.
1357
1358=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
979 1359
980=over 4 1360=over 4
981 1361
982=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb) 1362=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
983 1363
986Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of 1366Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of
987operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex: 1367operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:
988 1368
989=over 4 1369=over 4
990 1370
991=item * absolute timer (interval = reschedule_cb = 0) 1371=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)
992 1372
993In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time 1373In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
994C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs, 1374time C<at> has passed and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time
995that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the 1375jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will
996system time reaches or surpasses this time. 1376run when the system time reaches or surpasses this time.
997 1377
998=item * non-repeating interval timer (interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0) 1378=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
999 1379
1000In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next 1380In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1001C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N) and then repeat, regardless 1381C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)
1002of any time jumps. 1382and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
1003 1383
1004This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system 1384This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system
1005time: 1385time, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each hour, on
1386the hour:
1006 1387
1007 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0); 1388 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1008 1389
1009This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers, 1390This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1010but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a 1391but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1011full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible 1392full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1012by 3600. 1393by 3600.
1013 1394
1014Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 1395Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1015C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 1396C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1016time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 1397time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1017 1398
1399For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near
1400C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1401this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
1402
1403Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
1404speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
1405will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
1406millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
1407
1018=item * manual reschedule mode (reschedule_cb = callback) 1408=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1019 1409
1020In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being 1410In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being
1021ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 1411ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1022reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 1412reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1023current time as second argument. 1413current time as second argument.
1024 1414
1025NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, 1415NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
1026ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it, 1416ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>.
1027return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
1028starting a prepare watcher).
1029 1417
1418If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
1419it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
1420only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
1421
1030Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, 1422The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic
1031ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.: 1423*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1032 1424
1033 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1425 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1034 { 1426 {
1035 return now + 60.; 1427 return now + 60.;
1036 } 1428 }
1038It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value 1430It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1039(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It 1431(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
1040will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but 1432will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1041might be called at other times, too. 1433might be called at other times, too.
1042 1434
1043NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the 1435NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1044passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger. 1436equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1045 1437
1046This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 1438This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1047triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the 1439triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
1048next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How 1440next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
1049you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main 1441you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
1050reason I omitted it as an example). 1442reason I omitted it as an example).
1051 1443
1052=back 1444=back
1056Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful 1448Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1057when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return 1449when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1058a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like 1450a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1059program when the crontabs have changed). 1451program when the crontabs have changed).
1060 1452
1453=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
1454
1455When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1456trigger next.
1457
1458=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1459
1460When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1461absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).
1462
1463Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
1464timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1465
1061=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write] 1466=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1062 1467
1063The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only 1468The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1064take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being 1469take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1065called. 1470called.
1070switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when 1475switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1071the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called. 1476the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1072 1477
1073=back 1478=back
1074 1479
1480=head3 Examples
1481
1075Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 1482Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1076system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 1483system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1077potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability. 1484potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1078 1485
1079 static void 1486 static void
1080 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1487 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
1081 { 1488 {
1082 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows) 1489 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1083 } 1490 }
1084 1491
1085 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1492 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1086 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0); 1493 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1087 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1494 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1088 1495
1089Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it: 1496Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1090 1497
1091 #include <math.h> 1498 #include <math.h>
1092 1499
1093 static ev_tstamp 1500 static ev_tstamp
1094 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1501 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1095 { 1502 {
1096 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.; 1503 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;
1097 } 1504 }
1098 1505
1099 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb); 1506 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1100 1507
1101Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now: 1508Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1102 1509
1103 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1510 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1104 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 1511 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1105 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 1512 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1106 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1513 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1107 1514
1108 1515
1109=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled! 1516=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1110 1517
1111Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 1518Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1118with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long 1525with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long
1119as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal 1526as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal
1120watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to 1527watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to
1121SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before). 1528SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1122 1529
1530If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1531C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so system calls should not be unduly
1532interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting interrupted by
1533signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock
1534them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
1535
1536=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1537
1123=over 4 1538=over 4
1124 1539
1125=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum) 1540=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)
1126 1541
1127=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum) 1542=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum)
1133 1548
1134The signal the watcher watches out for. 1549The signal the watcher watches out for.
1135 1550
1136=back 1551=back
1137 1552
1553=head3 Examples
1554
1555Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.
1556
1557 static void
1558 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)
1559 {
1560 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
1561 }
1562
1563 struct ev_signal signal_watcher;
1564 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1565 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);
1566
1138 1567
1139=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes 1568=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1140 1569
1141Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 1570Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1142some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). 1571some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). It
1572is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child has been
1573forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long as the event
1574loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher).
1575
1576Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1577you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
1578
1579=head3 Process Interaction
1580
1581Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1582initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if
1583the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
1584of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1585synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1586children, even ones not watched.
1587
1588=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
1589
1590Libev offers no special support for overriding the built-in child
1591processing, but if your application collides with libev's default child
1592handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
1593C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
1594default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
1595event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
1596that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
1597
1598=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
1599
1600Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
1601child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
1602callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
1603when a child exit is detected.
1604
1605=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1143 1606
1144=over 4 1607=over 4
1145 1608
1146=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid) 1609=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid, int trace)
1147 1610
1148=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid) 1611=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid, int trace)
1149 1612
1150Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or 1613Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or
1151I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look 1614I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look
1152at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see 1615at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see
1153the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems 1616the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems
1154C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the 1617C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the
1155process causing the status change. 1618process causing the status change. C<trace> must be either C<0> (only
1619activate the watcher when the process terminates) or C<1> (additionally
1620activate the watcher when the process is stopped or continued).
1156 1621
1157=item int pid [read-only] 1622=item int pid [read-only]
1158 1623
1159The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id. 1624The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.
1160 1625
1167The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems 1632The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems
1168C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details). 1633C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).
1169 1634
1170=back 1635=back
1171 1636
1172Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM. 1637=head3 Examples
1173 1638
1639Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
1640its completion.
1641
1642 ev_child cw;
1643
1174 static void 1644 static void
1175 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents) 1645 child_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_child *w, int revents)
1176 { 1646 {
1177 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 1647 ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
1648 printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1178 } 1649 }
1179 1650
1180 struct ev_signal signal_watcher; 1651 pid_t pid = fork ();
1181 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 1652
1182 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb); 1653 if (pid < 0)
1654 // error
1655 else if (pid == 0)
1656 {
1657 // the forked child executes here
1658 exit (1);
1659 }
1660 else
1661 {
1662 ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
1663 ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
1664 }
1183 1665
1184 1666
1185=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change? 1667=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1186 1668
1187This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls 1669This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1188C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed 1670C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed
1189compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did. 1671compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.
1190 1672
1191The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does 1673The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1192not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does 1674not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does
1193not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is 1675not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is
1194otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of 1676otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of
1195the stat buffer having unspecified contents. 1677the stat buffer having unspecified contents.
1196 1678
1679The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is
1680relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.
1681
1197Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply 1682Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply
1198calls C<stat (2)> regulalry on the path to see if it changed somehow. You 1683calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You
1199can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify 1684can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify
1200a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable, 1685a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,
1201unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around 1686unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around
1202five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also 1687five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also
1203impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats 1688impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats
1205 1690
1206This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers, 1691This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1207as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be 1692as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1208resource-intensive. 1693resource-intensive.
1209 1694
1210At the time of this writing, no specific OS backends are implemented, but 1695At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is
1211if demand increases, at least a kqueue and inotify backend will be added. 1696implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the
1697reader, note, however, that the author sees no way of implementing ev_stat
1698semantics with kqueue). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should
1699not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev
1700sometimes needs to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify,
1701but changes are usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there
1702will be no polling.
1703
1704=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1705
1706Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
1707compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
1708support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
1709structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
1710use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
1711compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
1712obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
1713most noticeably disabled with ev_stat and large file support.
1714
1715The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
1716file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
1717optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
1718to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
1719default compilation environment.
1720
1721=head3 Inotify
1722
1723When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only
1724available on Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up
1725change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily
1726when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.
1727
1728Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1729except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1730making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1731there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling.
1732
1733(There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1734implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1735descriptor open on the object at all times).
1736
1737=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1738
1739The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably, and
1740even on systems where the resolution is higher, many file systems still
1741only support whole seconds.
1742
1743That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1744easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1745calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1746within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect it as the stat
1747data does not change.
1748
1749The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
1750than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
1751a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
1752ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
1753
1754The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
1755of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
1756might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
1757C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
1758a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
1759update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
1760the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
1761the timer callback).
1762
1763=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1212 1764
1213=over 4 1765=over 4
1214 1766
1215=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval) 1767=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)
1216 1768
1220C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to 1772C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1221be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose 1773be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1222a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same 1774a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1223path for as long as the watcher is active. 1775path for as long as the watcher is active.
1224 1776
1225The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected, 1777The callback will receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected, relative
1226relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the 1778to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the last change
1227last change was detected). 1779was detected).
1228 1780
1229=item ev_stat_stat (ev_stat *) 1781=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1230 1782
1231Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the 1783Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1232watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid 1784watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1233detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be 1785detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1234useful simply to find out the new values. 1786the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
1787new values.
1235 1788
1236=item ev_statdata attr [read-only] 1789=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1237 1790
1238The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of 1791The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
1239C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types 1792C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1240suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there 1793suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
1794members to be present. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there was
1241was some error while C<stat>ing the file. 1795some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1242 1796
1243=item ev_statdata prev [read-only] 1797=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1244 1798
1245The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever 1799The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1246C<prev> != C<attr>. 1800C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
1801differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
1802C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
1247 1803
1248=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only] 1804=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1249 1805
1250The specified interval. 1806The specified interval.
1251 1807
1252=item const char *path [read-only] 1808=item const char *path [read-only]
1253 1809
1254The filesystem path that is being watched. 1810The file system path that is being watched.
1255 1811
1256=back 1812=back
1257 1813
1814=head3 Examples
1815
1258Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes. 1816Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1259 1817
1260 static void 1818 static void
1261 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents) 1819 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1262 { 1820 {
1263 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */ 1821 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1264 if (w->attr.st_nlink) 1822 if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1265 { 1823 {
1266 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size); 1824 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1267 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime); 1825 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1268 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime); 1826 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1269 } 1827 }
1270 else 1828 else
1271 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */ 1829 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1272 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. " 1830 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1273 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n"); 1831 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1274 } 1832 }
1275 1833
1276 ... 1834 ...
1277 ev_stat passwd; 1835 ev_stat passwd;
1278 1836
1279 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd"); 1837 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1280 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd); 1838 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1839
1840Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
1841miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
1842one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
1843C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
1844
1845 static ev_stat passwd;
1846 static ev_timer timer;
1847
1848 static void
1849 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1850 {
1851 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
1852
1853 /* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
1854 }
1855
1856 static void
1857 stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
1858 {
1859 /* reset the one-second timer */
1860 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
1861 }
1862
1863 ...
1864 ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1865 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1866 ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1281 1867
1282 1868
1283=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do... 1869=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1284 1870
1285Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other events are pending 1871Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1286(prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count). That is, as long 1872priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not
1287as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts (or even signals, 1873count).
1288imagine) it will not be triggered. But when your process is idle all idle 1874
1289watchers are being called again and again, once per event loop iteration - 1875That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1876(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1877triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1878are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
1290until stopped, that is, or your process receives more events and becomes 1879iteration - until stopped, that is, or your process receives more events
1291busy. 1880and becomes busy again with higher priority stuff.
1292 1881
1293The most noteworthy effect is that as long as any idle watchers are 1882The most noteworthy effect is that as long as any idle watchers are
1294active, the process will not block when waiting for new events. 1883active, the process will not block when waiting for new events.
1295 1884
1296Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful 1885Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
1297effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do 1886effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do
1298"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the 1887"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
1299event loop has handled all outstanding events. 1888event loop has handled all outstanding events.
1300 1889
1890=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1891
1301=over 4 1892=over 4
1302 1893
1303=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback) 1894=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1304 1895
1305Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any 1896Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1306kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 1897kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1307believe me. 1898believe me.
1308 1899
1309=back 1900=back
1310 1901
1902=head3 Examples
1903
1311Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the 1904Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1312callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual. 1905callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1313 1906
1314 static void 1907 static void
1315 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents) 1908 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)
1316 { 1909 {
1317 free (w); 1910 free (w);
1318 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has 1911 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1319 // no longer asnything immediate to do. 1912 // no longer anything immediate to do.
1320 } 1913 }
1321 1914
1322 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle)); 1915 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));
1323 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb); 1916 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1324 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb); 1917 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1325 1918
1326 1919
1327=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop! 1920=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1328 1921
1329Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 1922Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:
1348 1941
1349This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need 1942This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need
1350to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for 1943to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for
1351them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries 1944them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries
1352provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 1945provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for
1353any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers 1946any events that occurred (by checking the pending status of all watchers
1354and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer 1947and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer
1355callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless, 1948callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,
1356because you never know, you know?). 1949because you never know, you know?).
1357 1950
1358As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate 1951As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1362with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine 1955with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
1363of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event 1956of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
1364loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping 1957loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1365low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks). 1958low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1366 1959
1960It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
1961priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
1962after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers,
1963too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully
1964supports this, they might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers
1965did their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other
1966(non-libev) event loops those other event loops might be in an unusable
1967state until their C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to
1968coexist peacefully with others).
1969
1970=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1971
1367=over 4 1972=over 4
1368 1973
1369=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback) 1974=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
1370 1975
1371=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback) 1976=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1374parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set> 1979parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1375macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless. 1980macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.
1376 1981
1377=back 1982=back
1378 1983
1379Example: To include a library such as adns, you would add IO watchers 1984=head3 Examples
1380and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler, as required by libadns, and 1985
1986There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
1987into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
1988(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
1989use as a working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> embeds a
1990Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
1991Glib event loop).
1992
1993Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1381in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows is 1994and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1382pseudo-code only of course: 1995is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
1996priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
1997the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1383 1998
1384 static ev_io iow [nfd]; 1999 static ev_io iow [nfd];
1385 static ev_timer tw; 2000 static ev_timer tw;
1386 2001
1387 static void 2002 static void
1388 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 2003 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1389 { 2004 {
1390 // set the relevant poll flags
1391 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1392 struct pollfd *fd = (struct pollfd *)w->data;
1393 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1394 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1395 } 2005 }
1396 2006
1397 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking 2007 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1398 static void 2008 static void
1399 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents) 2009 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1400 { 2010 {
1401 int timeout = 3600000;truct pollfd fds [nfd]; 2011 int timeout = 3600000;
2012 struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1402 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc. 2013 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1403 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ())); 2014 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1404 2015
1405 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */ 2016 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1406 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3); 2017 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1407 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw); 2018 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1408 2019
1409 // create on ev_io per pollfd 2020 // create one ev_io per pollfd
1410 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 2021 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1411 { 2022 {
1412 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd, 2023 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1413 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0) 2024 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1414 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0))); 2025 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1415 2026
1416 fds [i].revents = 0; 2027 fds [i].revents = 0;
1417 iow [i].data = fds + i;
1418 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i); 2028 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1419 } 2029 }
1420 } 2030 }
1421 2031
1422 // stop all watchers after blocking 2032 // stop all watchers after blocking
1423 static void 2033 static void
1424 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents) 2034 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1425 { 2035 {
1426 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw); 2036 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1427 2037
1428 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 2038 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
2039 {
2040 // set the relevant poll flags
2041 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
2042 struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
2043 int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
2044 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
2045 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
2046
2047 // now stop the watcher
1429 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i); 2048 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
2049 }
1430 2050
1431 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop)); 2051 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1432 } 2052 }
2053
2054Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
2055in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
2056
2057Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
2058notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
2059callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
2060
2061 static void
2062 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2063 {
2064 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
2065 update_now (EV_A);
2066
2067 adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
2068 }
2069
2070 static void
2071 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
2072 {
2073 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
2074 update_now (EV_A);
2075
2076 if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
2077 if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
2078 }
2079
2080 // do not ever call adns_afterpoll
2081
2082Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
2083want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, you can override
2084their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main
2085loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does
2086this.
2087
2088 static gint
2089 event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
2090 {
2091 int got_events = 0;
2092
2093 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
2094 // create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
2095
2096 if (timeout >= 0)
2097 // create/start timer
2098
2099 // poll
2100 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
2101
2102 // stop timer again
2103 if (timeout >= 0)
2104 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
2105
2106 // stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
2107 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
2108 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
2109
2110 return got_events;
2111 }
1433 2112
1434 2113
1435=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough... 2114=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1436 2115
1437This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop 2116This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
1479portable one. 2158portable one.
1480 2159
1481So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared 2160So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
1482that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around 2161that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
1483this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to 2162this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
1484create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything: 2163create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
1485 2164
1486 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0); 2165=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1487 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
1488 struct ev_embed embed;
1489
1490 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
1491 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
1492 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
1493 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
1494 : 0;
1495
1496 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
1497 if (loop_lo)
1498 {
1499 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
1500 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
1501 }
1502 else
1503 loop_lo = loop_hi;
1504 2166
1505=over 4 2167=over 4
1506 2168
1507=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 2169=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
1508 2170
1510 2172
1511Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be 2173Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1512embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be 2174embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
1513invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback 2175invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1514to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done, 2176to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
1515if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher). 2177if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
1516 2178
1517=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *) 2179=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
1518 2180
1519Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works 2181Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1520similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most 2182similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
1521apropriate way for embedded loops. 2183appropriate way for embedded loops.
1522 2184
1523=item struct ev_loop *loop [read-only] 2185=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
1524 2186
1525The embedded event loop. 2187The embedded event loop.
1526 2188
1527=back 2189=back
2190
2191=head3 Examples
2192
2193Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
2194event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
2195loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
2196C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
2197used).
2198
2199 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2200 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2201 struct ev_embed embed;
2202
2203 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2204 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2205 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2206 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
2207 : 0;
2208
2209 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
2210 if (loop_lo)
2211 {
2212 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
2213 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
2214 }
2215 else
2216 loop_lo = loop_hi;
2217
2218Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
2219a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
2220kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
2221C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2222
2223 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2224 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2225 struct ev_embed embed;
2226
2227 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2228 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2229 {
2230 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2231 ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2232 }
2233
2234 if (!loop_socket)
2235 loop_socket = loop;
2236
2237 // now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
1528 2238
1529 2239
1530=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork 2240=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
1531 2241
1532Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because 2242Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
1535event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called, 2245event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
1536and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling 2246and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
1537C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork 2247C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
1538handlers will be invoked, too, of course. 2248handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
1539 2249
2250=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2251
1540=over 4 2252=over 4
1541 2253
1542=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback) 2254=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1543 2255
1544Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any 2256Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
1545kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 2257kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1546believe me. 2258believe me.
2259
2260=back
2261
2262
2263=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop
2264
2265In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
2266asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
2267loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
2268
2269Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not
2270control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what
2271C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you
2272can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal
2273safe.
2274
2275This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
2276too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
2277(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
2278C<ev_async_sent> calls).
2279
2280Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
2281just the default loop.
2282
2283=head3 Queueing
2284
2285C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2286is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2287multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2288need elaborate support such as pthreads.
2289
2290That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2291queue. But at least I can tell you would implement locking around your
2292queue:
2293
2294=over 4
2295
2296=item queueing from a signal handler context
2297
2298To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
2299handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is an example that does that for
2300some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
2301
2302 static ev_async mysig;
2303
2304 static void
2305 sigusr1_handler (void)
2306 {
2307 sometype data;
2308
2309 // no locking etc.
2310 queue_put (data);
2311 ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
2312 }
2313
2314 static void
2315 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
2316 {
2317 sometype data;
2318 sigset_t block, prev;
2319
2320 sigemptyset (&block);
2321 sigaddset (&block, SIGUSR1);
2322 sigprocmask (SIG_BLOCK, &block, &prev);
2323
2324 while (queue_get (&data))
2325 process (data);
2326
2327 if (sigismember (&prev, SIGUSR1)
2328 sigprocmask (SIG_UNBLOCK, &block, 0);
2329 }
2330
2331(Note: pthreads in theory requires you to use C<pthread_setmask>
2332instead of C<sigprocmask> when you use threads, but libev doesn't do it
2333either...).
2334
2335=item queueing from a thread context
2336
2337The strategy for threads is different, as you cannot (easily) block
2338threads but you can easily preempt them, so to queue safely you need to
2339employ a traditional mutex lock, such as in this pthread example:
2340
2341 static ev_async mysig;
2342 static pthread_mutex_t mymutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
2343
2344 static void
2345 otherthread (void)
2346 {
2347 // only need to lock the actual queueing operation
2348 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
2349 queue_put (data);
2350 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
2351
2352 ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
2353 }
2354
2355 static void
2356 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
2357 {
2358 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
2359
2360 while (queue_get (&data))
2361 process (data);
2362
2363 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
2364 }
2365
2366=back
2367
2368
2369=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2370
2371=over 4
2372
2373=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2374
2375Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2376kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2377believe me.
2378
2379=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2380
2381Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2382an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
2383C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do in other threads, signal or
2384similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
2385section below on what exactly this means).
2386
2387This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per loop iteration,
2388so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to repeated
2389calls to C<ev_async_send>.
2390
2391=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
2392
2393Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
2394watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
2395event loop.
2396
2397C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
2398the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
2399it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
2400quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
2401
2402Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending, only
2403whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending.
1547 2404
1548=back 2405=back
1549 2406
1550 2407
1551=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 2408=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
1562or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 2419or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
1563more watchers yourself. 2420more watchers yourself.
1564 2421
1565If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events 2422If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events
1566is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and 2423is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and
1567C<events> set will be craeted and started. 2424C<events> set will be created and started.
1568 2425
1569If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be 2426If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
1570started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and 2427started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
1571repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of 2428repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of
1572dubious value. 2429dubious value.
1574The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets 2431The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
1575passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of 2432passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
1576C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg> 2433C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
1577value passed to C<ev_once>: 2434value passed to C<ev_once>:
1578 2435
1579 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 2436 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
1580 { 2437 {
1581 if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT) 2438 if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
1582 /* doh, nothing entered */; 2439 /* doh, nothing entered */;
1583 else if (revents & EV_READ) 2440 else if (revents & EV_READ)
1584 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */; 2441 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
1585 } 2442 }
1586 2443
1587 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 2444 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
1588 2445
1589=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents) 2446=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
1590 2447
1591Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event 2448Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1592had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an 2449had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1597Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 2454Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
1598the given events it. 2455the given events it.
1599 2456
1600=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum) 2457=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)
1601 2458
1602Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default 2459Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
1603loop!). 2460loop!).
1604 2461
1605=back 2462=back
1606 2463
1607 2464
1623 2480
1624=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities 2481=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
1625will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there 2482will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
1626is an ev_pri field. 2483is an ev_pri field.
1627 2484
2485=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
2486first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.
2487
1628=item * Other members are not supported. 2488=item * Other members are not supported.
1629 2489
1630=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need 2490=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
1631to use the libev header file and library. 2491to use the libev header file and library.
1632 2492
1633=back 2493=back
1634 2494
1635=head1 C++ SUPPORT 2495=head1 C++ SUPPORT
1636 2496
1637Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow 2497Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
1638you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change 2498you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
1639the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects. 2499the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
1640 2500
1641To use it, 2501To use it,
1642 2502
1643 #include <ev++.h> 2503 #include <ev++.h>
1644 2504
1645(it is not installed by default). This automatically includes F<ev.h> 2505This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
1646and puts all of its definitions (many of them macros) into the global 2506of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
1647namespace. All C++ specific things are put into the C<ev> namespace. 2507put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
2508options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
1648 2509
1649It should support all the same embedding options as F<ev.h>, most notably 2510Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++
1650C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. 2511classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer
2512that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if
2513you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).
2514
2515Currently, functions, and static and non-static member functions can be
2516used as callbacks. Other types should be easy to add as long as they only
2517need one additional pointer for context. If you need support for other
2518types of functors please contact the author (preferably after implementing
2519it).
1651 2520
1652Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace: 2521Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
1653 2522
1654=over 4 2523=over 4
1655 2524
1671 2540
1672All of those classes have these methods: 2541All of those classes have these methods:
1673 2542
1674=over 4 2543=over 4
1675 2544
1676=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *) 2545=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
1677 2546
1678=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *, struct ev_loop *) 2547=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *)
1679 2548
1680=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE 2549=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
1681 2550
1682The constructor takes a pointer to an object and a method pointer to 2551The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
1683the event handler callback to call in this class. The constructor calls 2552with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
1684C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the C<set> method 2553
1685before starting it. If you do not specify a loop then the constructor 2554The constructor calls C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the
1686automatically associates the default loop with this watcher. 2555C<set> method before starting it.
2556
2557It will not set a callback, however: You have to call the templated C<set>
2558method to set a callback before you can start the watcher.
2559
2560(The reason why you have to use a method is a limitation in C++ which does
2561not allow explicit template arguments for constructors).
1687 2562
1688The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active. 2563The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active.
2564
2565=item w->set<class, &class::method> (object *)
2566
2567This method sets the callback method to call. The method has to have a
2568signature of C<void (*)(ev_TYPE &, int)>, it receives the watcher as
2569first argument and the C<revents> as second. The object must be given as
2570parameter and is stored in the C<data> member of the watcher.
2571
2572This method synthesizes efficient thunking code to call your method from
2573the C callback that libev requires. If your compiler can inline your
2574callback (i.e. it is visible to it at the place of the C<set> call and
2575your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
2576thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
2577
2578Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
2579
2580 struct myclass
2581 {
2582 void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2583 }
2584
2585 myclass obj;
2586 ev::io iow;
2587 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2588
2589=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2590
2591Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2592callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
2593C<data> member and is free for you to use.
2594
2595The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
2596
2597See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2598
2599Example:
2600
2601 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2602 iow.set <io_cb> ();
1689 2603
1690=item w->set (struct ev_loop *) 2604=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
1691 2605
1692Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only 2606Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
1693do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 2607do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
1694 2608
1695=item w->set ([args]) 2609=item w->set ([arguments])
1696 2610
1697Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be 2611Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be
1698called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets 2612called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
1699automatically stopped and restarted. 2613automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
2614method.
1700 2615
1701=item w->start () 2616=item w->start ()
1702 2617
1703Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument as the 2618Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
1704constructor already takes the loop. 2619constructor already stores the event loop.
1705 2620
1706=item w->stop () 2621=item w->stop ()
1707 2622
1708Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument. 2623Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
1709 2624
1710=item w->again () C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only 2625=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
1711 2626
1712For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding 2627For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding
1713C<ev_TYPE_again> function. 2628C<ev_TYPE_again> function.
1714 2629
1715=item w->sweep () C<ev::embed> only 2630=item w->sweep () (C<ev::embed> only)
1716 2631
1717Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>. 2632Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>.
1718 2633
1719=item w->update () C<ev::stat> only 2634=item w->update () (C<ev::stat> only)
1720 2635
1721Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>. 2636Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>.
1722 2637
1723=back 2638=back
1724 2639
1725=back 2640=back
1726 2641
1727Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in 2642Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
1728the constructor. 2643the constructor.
1729 2644
1730 class myclass 2645 class myclass
1731 { 2646 {
1732 ev_io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 2647 ev::io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
1733 ev_idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents); 2648 ev:idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
1734 2649
1735 myclass (); 2650 myclass (int fd)
1736 } 2651 {
2652 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
2653 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
1737 2654
1738 myclass::myclass (int fd)
1739 : io (this, &myclass::io_cb),
1740 idle (this, &myclass::idle_cb)
1741 {
1742 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 2655 io.start (fd, ev::READ);
2656 }
1743 } 2657 };
2658
2659
2660=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
2661
2662Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
2663number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
2664any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
2665me a note.
2666
2667=over 4
2668
2669=item Perl
2670
2671The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
2672libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
2673there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
2674to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>), C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the
2675C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV> and C<EV::Glib>).
2676
2677It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
2678L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2679
2680=item Python
2681
2682Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
2683seems to be quite complete and well-documented. Note, however, that the
2684patch they require for libev is outright dangerous as it breaks the ABI
2685for everybody else, and therefore, should never be applied in an installed
2686libev (if python requires an incompatible ABI then it needs to embed
2687libev).
2688
2689=item Ruby
2690
2691Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2692of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2693more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2694L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2695
2696=item D
2697
2698Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2699be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
2700
2701=back
1744 2702
1745 2703
1746=head1 MACRO MAGIC 2704=head1 MACRO MAGIC
1747 2705
1748Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundemantal is 2706Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
1749C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines wether (most) functions and 2707of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
1750callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument. 2708functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
1751 2709
1752To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the 2710To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
1753following macros are defined: 2711following macros are defined:
1754 2712
1755=over 4 2713=over 4
1758 2716
1759This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev 2717This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
1760loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument, 2718loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
1761C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example: 2719C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
1762 2720
1763 ev_unref (EV_A); 2721 ev_unref (EV_A);
1764 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher); 2722 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
1765 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 2723 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1766 2724
1767It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope, 2725It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
1768which is often provided by the following macro. 2726which is often provided by the following macro.
1769 2727
1770=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_> 2728=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
1771 2729
1772This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev 2730This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
1773loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter, 2731loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
1774C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example: 2732C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
1775 2733
1776 // this is how ev_unref is being declared 2734 // this is how ev_unref is being declared
1777 static void ev_unref (EV_P); 2735 static void ev_unref (EV_P);
1778 2736
1779 // this is how you can declare your typical callback 2737 // this is how you can declare your typical callback
1780 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 2738 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1781 2739
1782It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite 2740It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
1783suitable for use with C<EV_A>. 2741suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
1784 2742
1785=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> 2743=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
1786 2744
1787Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default 2745Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
1788loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). 2746loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
1789 2747
2748=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
2749
2750Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
2751default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
2752is undefined when the default loop has not been initialised by a previous
2753execution of C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> or C<ev_default_init (...)>.
2754
2755It is often prudent to use C<EV_DEFAULT> when initialising the first
2756watcher in a function but use C<EV_DEFAULT_UC> afterwards.
2757
1790=back 2758=back
1791 2759
1792Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, working regardless of 2760Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
1793wether multiple loops are supported or not. 2761macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2762or not.
1794 2763
1795 static void 2764 static void
1796 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 2765 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1797 { 2766 {
1798 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w); 2767 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
1799 } 2768 }
1800 2769
1801 ev_check check; 2770 ev_check check;
1802 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb); 2771 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
1803 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check); 2772 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
1804 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0); 2773 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
1805
1806 2774
1807=head1 EMBEDDING 2775=head1 EMBEDDING
1808 2776
1809Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host 2777Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
1810applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra 2778applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
1811Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe) 2779Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe)
1812and rxvt-unicode. 2780and rxvt-unicode.
1813 2781
1814The goal is to enable you to just copy the neecssary files into your 2782The goal is to enable you to just copy the necessary files into your
1815source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so 2783source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so
1816you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of 2784you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of
1817libev somewhere in your source tree). 2785libev somewhere in your source tree).
1818 2786
1819=head2 FILESETS 2787=head2 FILESETS
1820 2788
1821Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files 2789Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
1822in your app. 2790in your application.
1823 2791
1824=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP 2792=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
1825 2793
1826To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual 2794To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
1827configuration (no autoconf): 2795configuration (no autoconf):
1828 2796
1829 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 2797 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
1830 #include "ev.c" 2798 #include "ev.c"
1831 2799
1832This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a 2800This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
1833single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use 2801single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
1834it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best 2802it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
1835done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and 2803done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
1836where you can put other configuration options): 2804where you can put other configuration options):
1837 2805
1838 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 2806 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
1839 #include "ev.h" 2807 #include "ev.h"
1840 2808
1841Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++ 2809Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
1842compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated 2810compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
1843as a bug). 2811as a bug).
1844 2812
1845You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory 2813You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
1846in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev): 2814in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
1847 2815
1848 ev.h 2816 ev.h
1849 ev.c 2817 ev.c
1850 ev_vars.h 2818 ev_vars.h
1851 ev_wrap.h 2819 ev_wrap.h
1852 2820
1853 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only 2821 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
1854 2822
1855 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is by default) 2823 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
1856 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 2824 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1857 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 2825 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1858 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default) 2826 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1859 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default) 2827 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1860 2828
1861F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need 2829F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
1862to compile this single file. 2830to compile this single file.
1863 2831
1864=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API 2832=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
1865 2833
1866To include the libevent compatibility API, also include: 2834To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
1867 2835
1868 #include "event.c" 2836 #include "event.c"
1869 2837
1870in the file including F<ev.c>, and: 2838in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
1871 2839
1872 #include "event.h" 2840 #include "event.h"
1873 2841
1874in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>. 2842in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
1875 2843
1876You need the following additional files for this: 2844You need the following additional files for this:
1877 2845
1878 event.h 2846 event.h
1879 event.c 2847 event.c
1880 2848
1881=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT 2849=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
1882 2850
1883Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in 2851Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
1884whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your 2852whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
1885F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then 2853F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
1886include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly. 2854include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
1887 2855
1888For this of course you need the m4 file: 2856For this of course you need the m4 file:
1889 2857
1890 libev.m4 2858 libev.m4
1891 2859
1892=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS 2860=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
1893 2861
1894Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define 2862Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
1895before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity 2863define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of
1896and only include the select backend. 2864autoconf is noted for every option.
1897 2865
1898=over 4 2866=over 4
1899 2867
1900=item EV_STANDALONE 2868=item EV_STANDALONE
1901 2869
1906F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone. 2874F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
1907 2875
1908=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 2876=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
1909 2877
1910If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 2878If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
1911monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use 2879monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use
1912of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you 2880of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you
1913usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when 2881usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when
1914the functionality isn't available is safe, though, althoguh you have 2882the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
1915to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime> 2883to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
1916function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). 2884function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).
1917 2885
1918=item EV_USE_REALTIME 2886=item EV_USE_REALTIME
1919 2887
1920If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 2888If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
1921realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at 2889real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at
1922runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will 2890runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will
1923be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get 2891be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
1924(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See tzhe note about libraries 2892(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the
1925in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. 2893note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
2894
2895=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
2896
2897If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
2898and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
2899
2900=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
2901
2902If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
2903available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
2904C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
2905If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
29062.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
1926 2907
1927=item EV_USE_SELECT 2908=item EV_USE_SELECT
1928 2909
1929If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the 2910If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
1930C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no 2911C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
1931other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend 2912other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
1932will not be compiled in. 2913will not be compiled in.
1933 2914
1934=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET 2915=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
1935 2916
1936If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set> 2917If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
1937structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing 2918structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
1938C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on 2919C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on
1939exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some 2920exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some
1940low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only 2921low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only
1941allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might 2922allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might
1942influence the size of the C<fd_set> used. 2923influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.
1943 2924
1949be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call 2930be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
1950C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise, 2931C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
1951it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even 2932it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
1952on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms. 2933on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
1953 2934
2935=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE
2936
2937If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
2938file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
2939default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
2940correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
2941in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
2942
1954=item EV_USE_POLL 2943=item EV_USE_POLL
1955 2944
1956If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2) 2945If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
1957backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It 2946backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
1958takes precedence over select. 2947takes precedence over select.
1959 2948
1960=item EV_USE_EPOLL 2949=item EV_USE_EPOLL
1961 2950
1962If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux 2951If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
1963C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime, 2952C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
1964otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the 2953otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
1965preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems. 2954backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
2955headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
1966 2956
1967=item EV_USE_KQUEUE 2957=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
1968 2958
1969If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style 2959If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
1970C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime, 2960C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
1983otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred 2973otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
1984backend for Solaris 10 systems. 2974backend for Solaris 10 systems.
1985 2975
1986=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL 2976=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
1987 2977
1988reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above. 2978Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2979
2980=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2981
2982If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2983interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2984be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
2985indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2986
2987=item EV_ATOMIC_T
2988
2989Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
2990access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
2991type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
2992that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
2993as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
2994
2995In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
2996(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
1989 2997
1990=item EV_H 2998=item EV_H
1991 2999
1992The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 3000The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
1993undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This 3001undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
1994can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts. 3002used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
1995 3003
1996=item EV_CONFIG_H 3004=item EV_CONFIG_H
1997 3005
1998If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override 3006If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
1999F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to 3007F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2000C<EV_H>, above. 3008C<EV_H>, above.
2001 3009
2002=item EV_EVENT_H 3010=item EV_EVENT_H
2003 3011
2004Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea 3012Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
2005of how the F<event.h> header can be found. 3013of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
2006 3014
2007=item EV_PROTOTYPES 3015=item EV_PROTOTYPES
2008 3016
2009If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function 3017If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
2010prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is 3018prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
2017will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create 3025will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
2018additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support 3026additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
2019for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer 3027for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
2020argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop. 3028argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
2021 3029
3030=item EV_MINPRI
3031
3032=item EV_MAXPRI
3033
3034The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to
3035C<EV_MAXPRI>, but otherwise there are no non-obvious limitations. You can
3036provide for more priorities by overriding those symbols (usually defined
3037to be C<-2> and C<2>, respectively).
3038
3039When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
3040all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
3041and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
3042fine.
3043
3044If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these both to
3045C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
3046
2022=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 3047=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
2023 3048
2024If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If 3049If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
2025defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of 3050defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
2026code. 3051code.
2027 3052
3053=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE
3054
3055If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
3056defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
3057code.
3058
2028=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE 3059=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2029 3060
2030If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If 3061If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2031defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 3062defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2032 3063
2038=item EV_FORK_ENABLE 3069=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2039 3070
2040If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If 3071If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2041defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 3072defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2042 3073
3074=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
3075
3076If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
3077defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3078
2043=item EV_MINIMAL 3079=item EV_MINIMAL
2044 3080
2045If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some 3081If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2046speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override 3082speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some
2047some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64. 3083inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size on amd64. It also selects a
3084much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap.
2048 3085
2049=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE 3086=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2050 3087
2051C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 3088C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2052pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more 3089pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
2053than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to 3090than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to
2054increase this value. 3091increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
3092
3093=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
3094
3095C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3096inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
3097usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
3098watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
3099two).
3100
3101=item EV_USE_4HEAP
3102
3103Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3104timer and periodics heap, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
3105to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has
3106noticeably faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
3107
3108The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
3109(disabled).
3110
3111=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
3112
3113Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3114timer and periodics heap, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
3115the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
3116which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
3117but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
3118noticeably with with many (hundreds) of watchers.
3119
3120The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
3121(disabled).
3122
3123=item EV_VERIFY
3124
3125Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will
3126be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
3127in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
3128called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
3129called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
3130verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
3131libev considerably.
3132
3133The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be
3134C<0.>
2055 3135
2056=item EV_COMMON 3136=item EV_COMMON
2057 3137
2058By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining 3138By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2059this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of 3139this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2060members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files, 3140members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2061though, and it must be identical each time. 3141though, and it must be identical each time.
2062 3142
2063For example, the perl EV module uses something like this: 3143For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2064 3144
2065 #define EV_COMMON \ 3145 #define EV_COMMON \
2066 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \ 3146 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2067 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */ 3147 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2068 3148
2069=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type) 3149=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2070 3150
2071=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents) 3151=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2072 3152
2073=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb) 3153=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb)
2074 3154
2075Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher, 3155Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher,
2076and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member 3156and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member
2077definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.v> header file for 3157definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
2078their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to 3158their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
2079avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use 3159avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2080method calls instead of plain function calls in C++. 3160method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
3161
3162=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
3163
3164If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
3165exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
3166all public symbols, one per line:
3167
3168 Symbols.ev for libev proper
3169 Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
3170
3171This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
3172multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
3173itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
3174
3175A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
3176include before including F<ev.h>:
3177
3178 <Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
3179
3180This would create a file F<wrap.h> which essentially looks like this:
3181
3182 #define ev_backend myprefix_ev_backend
3183 #define ev_check_start myprefix_ev_check_start
3184 #define ev_check_stop myprefix_ev_check_stop
3185 ...
2081 3186
2082=head2 EXAMPLES 3187=head2 EXAMPLES
2083 3188
2084For a real-world example of a program the includes libev 3189For a real-world example of a program the includes libev
2085verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module 3190verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module
2088interface) and F<EV.xs> (implementation) files. Only the F<EV.xs> file 3193interface) and F<EV.xs> (implementation) files. Only the F<EV.xs> file
2089will be compiled. It is pretty complex because it provides its own header 3194will be compiled. It is pretty complex because it provides its own header
2090file. 3195file.
2091 3196
2092The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file 3197The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
2093that everybody includes and which overrides some autoconf choices: 3198that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2094 3199
3200 #define EV_MINIMAL 1
2095 #define EV_USE_POLL 0 3201 #define EV_USE_POLL 0
2096 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0 3202 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2097 #define EV_PERIODICS 0 3203 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
3204 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
3205 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
2098 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h> 3206 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
3207 #define EV_MINPRI 0
3208 #define EV_MAXPRI 0
2099 3209
2100 #include "ev++.h" 3210 #include "ev++.h"
2101 3211
2102And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled: 3212And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
2103 3213
2104 #include "ev_cpp.h" 3214 #include "ev_cpp.h"
2105 #include "ev.c" 3215 #include "ev.c"
3216
3217
3218=head1 THREADS AND COROUTINES
3219
3220=head2 THREADS
3221
3222Libev itself is completely thread-safe, but it uses no locking. This
3223means that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as
3224only one thread ever calls into one libev function with the same loop
3225parameter.
3226
3227Or put differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done in
3228parallel from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter must be
3229done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as only one
3230thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using a mutex
3231per loop).
3232
3233If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
3234without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
3235help you. I can give some generic advice however:
3236
3237=over 4
3238
3239=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
3240in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
3241
3242This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
3243themselves and don't care/know about threading.
3244
3245=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
3246
3247Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
3248exists, but it is always a good start.
3249
3250=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
3251loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
3252
3253Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
3254better than you currently do :-)
3255
3256=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
3257event loop - C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other
3258threads safely (or from signal contexts...).
3259
3260=back
3261
3262=head2 COROUTINES
3263
3264Libev is much more accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
3265libev fully supports nesting calls to it's functions from different
3266coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two
3267different coroutines and switch freely between both coroutines running the
3268loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that
3269you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
3270
3271Care has been invested into making sure that libev does not keep local
3272state inside C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow coroutine
3273switches.
2106 3274
2107 3275
2108=head1 COMPLEXITIES 3276=head1 COMPLEXITIES
2109 3277
2110In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside 3278In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
2111libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the 3279libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the
2112documentation for C<ev_default_init>. 3280documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
2113 3281
3282All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
3283extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
3284happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
3285mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average
3286it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
3287
2114=over 4 3288=over 4
2115 3289
2116=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers) 3290=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
2117 3291
3292This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
3293there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will
3294have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
3295
2118=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat, again): O(log skipped_other_timers) 3296=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
2119 3297
3298That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them
3299as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
3300
2120=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1) 3301=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2121 3302
3303These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
3304
2122=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1) 3305=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2123 3306
2124=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % 16)) 3307=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
2125 3308
3309These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the
3310correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
3311have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).
3312
2126=item Finding the next timer per loop iteration: O(1) 3313=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
3314
3315By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
3316fixed position in the storage array.
2127 3317
2128=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd) 3318=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
2129 3319
2130=item Activating one watcher: O(1) 3320A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
3321libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
3322on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
3323
3324=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
3325
3326=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
3327
3328Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
3329priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
3330linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
3331watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. priority handling.
3332
3333=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
3334
3335=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
3336
3337=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
3338
3339Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
3340calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
3341involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
2131 3342
2132=back 3343=back
2133 3344
2134 3345
3346=head1 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
3347
3348Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
3349requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
3350model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
3351the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
3352descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
3353e.g. cygwin.
3354
3355Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
3356re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of
3357things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable
3358way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
3359
3360There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
3361embedding it into other applications.
3362
3363Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
3364accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
3365either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
3366so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
3367megabyte seems safe, but thsi apparently depends on the amount of memory
3368available).
3369
3370Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
3371the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
3372is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
3373more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
3374different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
3375notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
3376(Microsoft monopoly games).
3377
3378A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
3379section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
3380of F<ev.h>:
3381
3382 #define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
3383 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
3384
3385 #include "ev.h"
3386
3387And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
3388you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded soruce files!):
3389
3390 #include "evwrap.h"
3391 #include "ev.c"
3392
3393=over 4
3394
3395=item The winsocket select function
3396
3397The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
3398requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
3399also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
3400requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
3401C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
3402discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
3403C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
3404
3405The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
3406libraries and raw winsocket select is:
3407
3408 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3409 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
3410
3411Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
3412complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
3413
3414=item Limited number of file descriptors
3415
3416Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
3417
3418Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
3419of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
3420can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
3421recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
3422previous thread in each. Great).
3423
3424Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
3425to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
3426call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own
3427select emulation on windows).
3428
3429Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
3430libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish
3431or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this by calling
3432C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another
3433arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft runtime
3434libraries.
3435
3436This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on
3437windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to
3438wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of
3439calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
3440
3441=back
3442
3443
3444=head1 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
3445
3446In addition to a working ISO-C implementation, libev relies on a few
3447additional extensions:
3448
3449=over 4
3450
3451=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
3452calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
3453
3454Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
3455structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
3456assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
3457callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
3458calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
3459
3460=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
3461
3462The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
3463C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic w.r.t. accesses from different
3464threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
3465believed to be sufficiently portable.
3466
3467=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
3468
3469Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
3470allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
3471pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
3472thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
3473be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
3474C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
3475
3476The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
3477except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
3478well.
3479
3480=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
3481
3482To improve portability and simplify using libev, libev uses C<long>
3483internally instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On
3484non-POSIX systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but
3485is still at least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of
3486millions of watchers.
3487
3488=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
3489
3490The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
3491have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good
3492enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by
3493implementations implementing IEEE 754 (basically all existing ones).
3494
3495=back
3496
3497If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
3498
3499
3500=head1 COMPILER WARNINGS
3501
3502Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
3503lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
3504scared by this.
3505
3506However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
3507has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
3508warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
3509targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
3510
3511Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
3512workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
3513maintainable.
3514
3515And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
3516wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
3517seems to warn about).
3518
3519While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
3520"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
3521with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
3522them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
3523warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
3524
3525
3526=head1 VALGRIND
3527
3528Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
3529highly useful, but valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
3530
3531If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
3532in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
3533
3534 ==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3535 ==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3536 ==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
3537
3538Then there is no memory leak. Similarly, under some circumstances,
3539valgrind might report kernel bugs as if it were a bug in libev, or it
3540might be confused (it is a very good tool, but only a tool).
3541
3542If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
3543with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this is
3544a bug in libev. However, don't be annoyed when you get a brisk "this is
3545no bug" answer and take the chance of learning how to interpret valgrind
3546properly.
3547
3548If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
3549I suggest using suppression lists.
3550
3551
2135=head1 AUTHOR 3552=head1 AUTHOR
2136 3553
2137Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 3554Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.
2138 3555

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