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Revision 1.50 by root, Tue Nov 27 10:59:11 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.54 by root, Tue Nov 27 20:26:51 2007 UTC

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
9=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10
11 #include <ev.h>
12
13 ev_io stdin_watcher;
14 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
15
16 /* called when data readable on stdin */
17 static void
18 stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents)
19 {
20 /* puts ("stdin ready"); */
21 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); /* just a syntax example */
22 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); /* leave all loop calls */
23 }
24
25 static void
26 timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
27 {
28 /* puts ("timeout"); */
29 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); /* leave one loop call */
30 }
31
32 int
33 main (void)
34 {
35 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
36
37 /* initialise an io watcher, then start it */
38 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
39 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
40
41 /* simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout */
42 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
43 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
44
45 /* loop till timeout or data ready */
46 ev_loop (loop, 0);
47
48 return 0;
49 }
8 50
9=head1 DESCRIPTION 51=head1 DESCRIPTION
10 52
11Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a 53Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
12file descriptor being readable or a timeout occuring), and it will manage 54file descriptor being readable or a timeout occuring), and it will manage
21details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the 63details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the
22watcher. 64watcher.
23 65
24=head1 FEATURES 66=head1 FEATURES
25 67
26Libev supports select, poll, the linux-specific epoll and the bsd-specific 68Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the linux-specific C<epoll>, the
27kqueue mechanisms for file descriptor events, relative timers, absolute 69bsd-specific C<kqueue> and the solaris-specific event port mechanisms
28timers with customised rescheduling, signal events, process status change 70for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>),
29events (related to SIGCHLD), and event watchers dealing with the event 71absolute timers with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous
30loop mechanism itself (idle, prepare and check watchers). It also is quite 72signals (C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and
73event watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>,
74C<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
76(C<ev_fork>).
77
78It also is quite fast (see this
31fast (see this L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing 79L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
32it to libevent for example). 80for example).
33 81
34=head1 CONVENTIONS 82=head1 CONVENTIONS
35 83
36Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration 84Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will
37will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info 85be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about
38about various configuration options please have a look at the file 86various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in
39F<README.embed> in the libev distribution. If libev was configured without 87this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event
40support for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial 88loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of name C<loop>
41argument of name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) 89(which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have this argument.
42will not have this argument.
43 90
44=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION 91=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION
45 92
46Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 93Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
47(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 94(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
76Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch, 123Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch,
77as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 124as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
78compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 125compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
79not a problem. 126not a problem.
80 127
81Example: make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 128Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
82version: 129version.
83 130
84 assert (("libev version mismatch", 131 assert (("libev version mismatch",
85 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 132 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
86 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 133 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
87 134
115C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for 162C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for
116recommended ones. 163recommended ones.
117 164
118See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 165See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
119 166
120=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) 167=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, size_t size))
121 168
122Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar to the 169Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype and semantics are
123realloc C function, the semantics are identical). It is used to allocate 170identical to the realloc C function). It is used to allocate and free
124and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when memory 171memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when memory needs to be
125needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some potentially 172allocated, the library might abort or take some potentially destructive
126destructive action. The default is your system realloc function. 173action. The default is your system realloc function.
127 174
128You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say, 175You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
129free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator, 176free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
130or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available. 177or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
131 178
132Example: replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then 179Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
133retries: better than mine). 180retries).
134 181
135 static void * 182 static void *
136 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, long size) 183 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
137 { 184 {
138 for (;;) 185 for (;;)
139 { 186 {
140 void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size); 187 void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size);
141 188
157callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no 204callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no
158matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the 205matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
159requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff 206requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
160(such as abort). 207(such as abort).
161 208
162Example: do the same thing as libev does internally: 209Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
163 210
164 static void 211 static void
165 fatal_error (const char *msg) 212 fatal_error (const char *msg)
166 { 213 {
167 perror (msg); 214 perror (msg);
313Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is 360Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
314always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot 361always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
315handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by 362handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
316undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled). 363undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
317 364
318Example: try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 365Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
319 366
320 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 367 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
321 if (!epoller) 368 if (!epoller)
322 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 369 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
323 370
422 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will 469 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
423 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 470 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
424 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 471 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
425 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *. 472 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *.
426 473
427Example: queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding 474Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding
428anymore. 475anymore.
429 476
430 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 477 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
431 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 478 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
432 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 479 ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
452visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if 499visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if
453no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent 500no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent
454way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party 501way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party
455libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>. 502libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>.
456 503
457Example: create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 504Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
458running when nothing else is active. 505running when nothing else is active.
459 506
460 struct dv_signal exitsig; 507 struct ev_signal exitsig;
461 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 508 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
462 ev_signal_start (myloop, &exitsig); 509 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
463 evf_unref (myloop); 510 evf_unref (loop);
464 511
465Example: for some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 512Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
466 513
467 ev_ref (myloop); 514 ev_ref (loop);
468 ev_signal_stop (myloop, &exitsig); 515 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
469 516
470=back 517=back
471 518
472 519
473=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER 520=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
774 821
775The events being watched. 822The events being watched.
776 823
777=back 824=back
778 825
779Example: call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well 826Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
780readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could 827readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
781attempt to read a whole line in the callback: 828attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
782 829
783 static void 830 static void
784 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 831 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
785 { 832 {
786 ev_io_stop (loop, w); 833 ev_io_stop (loop, w);
876or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any), 923or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),
877which is also when any modifications are taken into account. 924which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
878 925
879=back 926=back
880 927
881Example: create a timer that fires after 60 seconds. 928Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
882 929
883 static void 930 static void
884 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 931 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
885 { 932 {
886 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here 933 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
888 935
889 struct ev_timer mytimer; 936 struct ev_timer mytimer;
890 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.); 937 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
891 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer); 938 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
892 939
893Example: create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of 940Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
894inactivity. 941inactivity.
895 942
896 static void 943 static void
897 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 944 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
898 { 945 {
1023switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when 1070switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1024the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called. 1071the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1025 1072
1026=back 1073=back
1027 1074
1028Example: call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 1075Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1029system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 1076system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1030potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability. 1077potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.
1031 1078
1032 static void 1079 static void
1033 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1080 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
1037 1084
1038 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1085 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1039 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0); 1086 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1040 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1087 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1041 1088
1042Example: the same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it: 1089Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1043 1090
1044 #include <math.h> 1091 #include <math.h>
1045 1092
1046 static ev_tstamp 1093 static ev_tstamp
1047 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1094 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1049 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.; 1096 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;
1050 } 1097 }
1051 1098
1052 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb); 1099 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1053 1100
1054Example: call a callback every hour, starting now: 1101Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1055 1102
1056 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1103 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1057 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 1104 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1058 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 1105 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1059 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1106 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1120The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems 1167The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems
1121C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details). 1168C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).
1122 1169
1123=back 1170=back
1124 1171
1125Example: try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM. 1172Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.
1126 1173
1127 static void 1174 static void
1128 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents) 1175 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)
1129 { 1176 {
1130 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 1177 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
1259kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 1306kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1260believe me. 1307believe me.
1261 1308
1262=back 1309=back
1263 1310
1264Example: dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle>, start it, and in the 1311Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1265callback, free it. Alos, use no error checking, as usual. 1312callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1266 1313
1267 static void 1314 static void
1268 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents) 1315 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)
1269 { 1316 {
1270 free (w); 1317 free (w);
1997 2044
1998If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some 2045If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
1999speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override 2046speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override
2000some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64. 2047some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64.
2001 2048
2049=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2050
2051C<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
2053than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to
2054increase this value.
2055
2002=item EV_COMMON 2056=item EV_COMMON
2003 2057
2004By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining 2058By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2005this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of 2059this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2006members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files, 2060members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,

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