ViewVC Help
View File | Revision Log | Show Annotations | Download File
/cvs/libev/ev.pod
(Generate patch)

Comparing libev/ev.pod (file contents):
Revision 1.60 by root, Wed Nov 28 18:29:30 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.176 by root, Mon Sep 8 17:24:39 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>), the Linux C<inotify> interface 88for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface
71(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers 89(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers
78 96
79It also is quite fast (see this 97It also is quite fast (see this
80L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent 98L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
81for example). 99for example).
82 100
83=head1 CONVENTIONS 101=head2 CONVENTIONS
84 102
85Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will 103Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
86be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about 104configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
87various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in 105more info about various configuration options please have a look at
88this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event 106B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
89loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of name C<loop> 107for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
90(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.
91 110
92=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION 111=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
93 112
94Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 113Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
95(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 114(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
96the 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
97called 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
98to 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
99it, 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
100 142
101=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 143=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
102 144
103These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the 145These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
104library in any way. 146library in any way.
109 151
110Returns 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
111C<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
112you actually want to know. 154you actually want to know.
113 155
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
114=item int ev_version_major () 162=item int ev_version_major ()
115 163
116=item int ev_version_minor () 164=item int ev_version_minor ()
117 165
118You 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
119you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and 167you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and
120C<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
121symbols 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
122version of the library your program was compiled against. 170version of the library your program was compiled against.
123 171
172These version numbers refer to the ABI version of the library, not the
173release version.
174
124Usually, 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,
125as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 176as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
126compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 177compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
127not a problem. 178not a problem.
128 179
129Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 180Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
130version. 181version.
131 182
132 assert (("libev version mismatch", 183 assert (("libev version mismatch",
133 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 184 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
134 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 185 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
135 186
136=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends () 187=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
137 188
138Return 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_*>
139value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their 190value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
141a description of the set values. 192a description of the set values.
142 193
143Example: 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
144a 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
145 196
146 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex", 197 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
147 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL)); 198 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
148 199
149=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends () 200=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
150 201
151Return 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
152recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one 203recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one
153returned 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
154most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it 205most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it
155(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
156libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly. 207libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
157 208
158=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends () 209=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
159 210
166See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 217See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
167 218
168=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) 219=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))
169 220
170Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the 221Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
171semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to 222semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
172allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when 223used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
173memory needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some 224when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
174potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc 225or take some potentially destructive action.
175function. 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.
176 230
177You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say, 231You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
178free 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,
179or 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.
180 234
181Example: 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
182retries). 236retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
183 237
184 static void * 238 static void *
185 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size) 239 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
186 { 240 {
187 for (;;) 241 for (;;)
198 ... 252 ...
199 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc); 253 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
200 254
201=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); 255=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));
202 256
203Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such 257Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
204as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string 258as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
205indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this 259indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
206callback 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
207matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the 261matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
208requested 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
209(such as abort). 263(such as abort).
210 264
211Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too. 265Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
225=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP 279=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
226 280
227An 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
228types 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
229events, and dynamically created loops which do not. 283events, and dynamically created loops which do not.
230
231If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop
232in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you
233create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking
234whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different
235threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if
236done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient).
237 284
238=over 4 285=over 4
239 286
240=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags) 287=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
241 288
245flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). 292flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
246 293
247If 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
248function. 295function.
249 296
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
250The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 308The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
251backends 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>).
252 310
253The following flags are supported: 311The following flags are supported:
254 312
259The 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
260thing, believe me). 318thing, believe me).
261 319
262=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV> 320=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
263 321
264If 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
265or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable 323or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
266C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will 324C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
267override 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
268useful 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
269around bugs. 327around bugs.
270 328
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
271=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 349=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
272 350
273This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 351This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
274libev 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,
275but 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
276using 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
277the 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.
278 363
279=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)
280 365
281And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated than 366And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
282select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial limit on the 367than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
283number 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
284lot 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.
285 372
286=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 373=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
287 374
288For 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,
289but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like 376but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
290O(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),
291either 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.
292 382
293While 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
294result 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
295(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
296best 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
297well if you register events for both fds. 387very well if you register events for both fds.
298 388
299Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you 389Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
300need 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
301(or space) is available. 391(or space) is available.
302 392
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
303=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones) 400=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
304 401
305Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it 402Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
306was 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
307anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course its 404with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
308completely useless). For this reason its not being "autodetected" 405it's completely useless). For this reason it's not being "auto-detected"
309unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using 406unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using
310C<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.
311 413
312It 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
313kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of 415kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
314course). While starting and stopping an I/O watcher does not cause an 416course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
315extra 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
316incident, 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.
317 429
318=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8) 430=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
319 431
320This 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.
321 436
322=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10) 437=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
323 438
324This uses the Solaris 10 port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris, 439This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
325it'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)).
326 441
327Please note that solaris ports can result in a lot of spurious 442Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
328notifications, 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
329blocking 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.
330 454
331=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 455=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
332 456
333Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried 457Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
334with 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
335C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>. 459C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
336 460
461It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
462
337=back 463=back
338 464
339If 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
340backends 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
341specified, most compiled-in backend will be tried, usually in reverse 467specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.
342order of their flag values :)
343 468
344The most typical usage is like this: 469The most typical usage is like this:
345 470
346 if (!ev_default_loop (0)) 471 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
347 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?"); 472 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
348 473
349Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow 474Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
350environment settings to be taken into account: 475environment settings to be taken into account:
351 476
352 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV); 477 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
353 478
354Use 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
355available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private 480available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private
356event 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):
357 482
358 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE); 483 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
359 484
360=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags) 485=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
361 486
362Similar 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
363always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot 488always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
364handle 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
365undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled). 490undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
366 491
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
367Example: 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.
368 497
369 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 498 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
370 if (!epoller) 499 if (!epoller)
371 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 500 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
372 501
373=item ev_default_destroy () 502=item ev_default_destroy ()
374 503
375Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 504Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
376etc.). 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
377sense, 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
378responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before> 507responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
379calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually 508calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
380the 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
381for 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>).
382 520
383=item ev_loop_destroy (loop) 521=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
384 522
385Like 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
386earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>. 524earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
387 525
388=item ev_default_fork () 526=item ev_default_fork ()
389 527
528This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations
390This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have 529to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
391one. 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
392after 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
393again 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.
394 534
395You 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
396only 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
397fork+exec, you don't have to call it. 537you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all.
398 538
399The 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
400it 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
401quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>: 541quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
402 542
403 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 543 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
404 544
405At the moment, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL> are safe to use
406without calling this function, so if you force one of those backends you
407do not need to care.
408
409=item ev_loop_fork (loop) 545=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
410 546
411Like 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
412C<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
413after 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.
414 564
415=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop) 565=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
416 566
417Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in 567Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
418use. 568use.
421 571
422Returns 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
423received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not 573received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
424change 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
425time 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
426event 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.
427 589
428=item ev_loop (loop, int flags) 590=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
429 591
430Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 592Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
431after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling 593after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
443A 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
444those 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
445case 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.
446 608
447A 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
448neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block 610necessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block
449your 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
450one 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
451external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other 613external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other
452libev 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
453usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 615usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
454 616
455Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 617Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
456 618
457 * If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return. 619 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
458 - 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.
459 - 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.
460 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 625 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
461 - Update the "event loop time". 626 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
462 - 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.
463 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 631 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
464 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events. 632 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
465 - Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling. 633 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
466 - Queue all outstanding timers. 634 - Queue all outstanding timers.
467 - Queue all outstanding periodics. 635 - Queue all outstanding periodics.
468 - If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers. 636 - Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
469 - Queue all check watchers. 637 - Queue all check watchers.
470 - 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).
471 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
472 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 640 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
473 - 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
474 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *. 642 were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise
643 continue with step *.
475 644
476Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding 645Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
477anymore. 646anymore.
478 647
479 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 648 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
480 ... 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..)
481 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 650 ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
482 ... jobs done. yeah! 651 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
483 652
484=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 653=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
485 654
486Can 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
487has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 656has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
488C<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
489C<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.
490 661
491=item ev_ref (loop) 662=item ev_ref (loop)
492 663
493=item ev_unref (loop) 664=item ev_unref (loop)
494 665
499returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For 670returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For
500example, 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
501visible 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
502no 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
503way 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
504libraries. 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).
505 678
506Example: 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>
507running when nothing else is active. 680running when nothing else is active.
508 681
509 struct ev_signal exitsig; 682 struct ev_signal exitsig;
510 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 683 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
511 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig); 684 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
512 evf_unref (loop); 685 evf_unref (loop);
513 686
514Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 687Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
515 688
516 ev_ref (loop); 689 ev_ref (loop);
517 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.
518 747
519=back 748=back
520 749
521 750
522=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER 751=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
523 752
524A 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
525interest 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
526become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that: 755become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
527 756
528 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)
529 { 758 {
530 ev_io_stop (w); 759 ev_io_stop (w);
531 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 760 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
532 } 761 }
533 762
534 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 763 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
535 struct ev_io stdin_watcher; 764 struct ev_io stdin_watcher;
536 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb); 765 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
537 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 766 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
538 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 767 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
539 ev_loop (loop, 0); 768 ev_loop (loop, 0);
540 769
541As 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
542watcher 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,
543although this can sometimes be quite valid). 772although this can sometimes be quite valid).
544 773
545Each 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
546(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This 775(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
547callback 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
548watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given 777watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
549is readable and/or writable). 778is readable and/or writable).
550 779
551Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro 780Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro
552with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro 781with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro
622=item C<EV_FORK> 851=item C<EV_FORK>
623 852
624The 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
625C<ev_fork>). 854C<ev_fork>).
626 855
856=item C<EV_ASYNC>
857
858The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
859
627=item C<EV_ERROR> 860=item C<EV_ERROR>
628 861
629An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might 862An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
630happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev 863happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
631ran 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
632problem. 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
633with the watcher being stopped. 866with the watcher being stopped.
634 867
635Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, 868Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error,
636for 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
637your 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
638with 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
639programs, though, so beware. 872programs, though, so beware.
640 873
641=back 874=back
642 875
643=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS 876=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
673Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments 906Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
674(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.
675 908
676=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args]) 909=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
677 910
678This 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
679calls 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
680a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course. 913a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
681 914
682=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 915=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
683 916
684Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive 917Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
702=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher) 935=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher)
703 936
704Returns 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
705events 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
706is 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
707C<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
708libev (e.g. you cnanot C<free ()> it). 941make sure the watcher is available to libev (e.g. you cannot C<free ()>
942it).
709 943
710=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher) 944=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
711 945
712Returns the callback currently set on the watcher. 946Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
713 947
714=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 948=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
715 949
716Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time 950Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
717(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>.
718 992
719=back 993=back
720 994
721 995
722=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 996=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
726to 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
727don'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
728member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own 1002member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
729data: 1003data:
730 1004
731 struct my_io 1005 struct my_io
732 { 1006 {
733 struct ev_io io; 1007 struct ev_io io;
734 int otherfd; 1008 int otherfd;
735 void *somedata; 1009 void *somedata;
736 struct whatever *mostinteresting; 1010 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
737 } 1011 }
738 1012
739And 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
740can cast it back to your own type: 1014can cast it back to your own type:
741 1015
742 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)
743 { 1017 {
744 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_; 1018 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
745 ... 1019 ...
746 } 1020 }
747 1021
748More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type 1022More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
749instead have been omitted. 1023instead have been omitted.
750 1024
751Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple 1025Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple
752watchers: 1026watchers:
753 1027
754 struct my_biggy 1028 struct my_biggy
755 { 1029 {
756 int some_data; 1030 int some_data;
757 ev_timer t1; 1031 ev_timer t1;
758 ev_timer t2; 1032 ev_timer t2;
759 } 1033 }
760 1034
761In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated, 1035In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,
762you need to use C<offsetof>: 1036you need to use C<offsetof>:
763 1037
764 #include <stddef.h> 1038 #include <stddef.h>
765 1039
766 static void 1040 static void
767 t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1041 t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
768 { 1042 {
769 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1043 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
770 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1)); 1044 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
771 } 1045 }
772 1046
773 static void 1047 static void
774 t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1048 t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
775 { 1049 {
776 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1050 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
777 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2)); 1051 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
778 } 1052 }
779 1053
780 1054
781=head1 WATCHER TYPES 1055=head1 WATCHER TYPES
782 1056
783This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 1057This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
807In 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
808fd 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
809descriptors 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
810required if you know what you are doing). 1084required if you know what you are doing).
811 1085
812You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends
813(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file
814descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing
815to the same underlying file/socket/etc. description (that is, they share
816the same underlying "file open").
817
818If 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
819(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
820C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). 1088C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
821 1089
822Another 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
823receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might 1091receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
824be 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
825because 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
826lot 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
827this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus 1095this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
828it 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
829C<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.
830 1098
831If 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
832play 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
833wether 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
834such 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
835its own, so its quite safe to use). 1103its own, so its quite safe to use).
836 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
837=over 4 1162=over 4
838 1163
839=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 1164=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
840 1165
841=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events) 1166=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
842 1167
843Configures 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
844rceeive 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
845C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events. 1170C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.
846 1171
847=item int fd [read-only] 1172=item int fd [read-only]
848 1173
849The file descriptor being watched. 1174The file descriptor being watched.
851=item int events [read-only] 1176=item int events [read-only]
852 1177
853The events being watched. 1178The events being watched.
854 1179
855=back 1180=back
1181
1182=head3 Examples
856 1183
857Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well 1184Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
858readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could 1185readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
859attempt to read a whole line in the callback. 1186attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
860 1187
861 static void 1188 static void
862 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)
863 { 1190 {
864 ev_io_stop (loop, w); 1191 ev_io_stop (loop, w);
865 .. 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
866 } 1193 }
867 1194
868 ... 1195 ...
869 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 1196 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
870 struct ev_io stdin_readable; 1197 struct ev_io stdin_readable;
871 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);
872 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 1199 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
873 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1200 ev_loop (loop, 0);
874 1201
875 1202
876=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts 1203=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
877 1204
878Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 1205Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
879given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 1206given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
880 1207
881The 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
882times 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
883time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because 1210year, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because
884detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 1211detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
885monotonic 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.
886 1225
887The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 1226The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
888time. 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
889of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If 1228of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
890you 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
891on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this: 1230timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
892 1231
893 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 1232 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
894 1233
895The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed, 1234If the event loop is suspended for a long time, one can also force an
896but 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
897order of execution is undefined. 1236()>.
1237
1238=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
898 1239
899=over 4 1240=over 4
900 1241
901=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)
902 1243
903=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)
904 1245
905Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is 1246Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
906C<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
907timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds 1248reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
908later, again, and again, until stopped manually. 1249configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
1250until stopped manually.
909 1251
910The 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
911configure 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
912exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with 1254trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
913the 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
914timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 1256do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
915 1257
916=item ev_timer_again (loop) 1258=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
917 1259
918This 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
919repeating. The exact semantics are: 1261repeating. The exact semantics are:
920 1262
1263If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1264
921If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it. 1265If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
922 1266
923If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the repeat 1267If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
924value), or reset the running timer to the repeat value. 1268C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
925 1269
926This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical 1270This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical
927example: 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
928idle 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
929say, 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
930this 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
931C<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
932you 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
933socket, 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
934need be. 1278automatically restart it if need be.
935 1279
936You 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>
937and only ever use the C<repeat> value: 1281altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
938 1282
939 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.); 1283 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);
940 ev_timer_again (loop, timer); 1284 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
941 ... 1285 ...
942 timer->again = 17.; 1286 timer->again = 17.;
943 ev_timer_again (loop, timer); 1287 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
944 ... 1288 ...
945 timer->again = 10.; 1289 timer->again = 10.;
946 ev_timer_again (loop, timer); 1290 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
947 1291
948This is more efficient then stopping/starting the timer eahc time you want 1292This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
949to modify its timeout value. 1293you want to modify its timeout value.
950 1294
951=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write] 1295=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
952 1296
953The 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
954or 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),
955which is also when any modifications are taken into account. 1299which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
956 1300
957=back 1301=back
958 1302
1303=head3 Examples
1304
959Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds. 1305Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
960 1306
961 static void 1307 static void
962 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)
963 { 1309 {
964 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here 1310 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
965 } 1311 }
966 1312
967 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1313 struct ev_timer mytimer;
968 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.); 1314 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
969 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer); 1315 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
970 1316
971Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of 1317Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
972inactivity. 1318inactivity.
973 1319
974 static void 1320 static void
975 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)
976 { 1322 {
977 .. ten seconds without any activity 1323 .. ten seconds without any activity
978 } 1324 }
979 1325
980 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1326 struct ev_timer mytimer;
981 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 */
982 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */ 1328 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
983 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1329 ev_loop (loop, 0);
984 1330
985 // 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":
986 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 1332 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
987 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 1333 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
988 1334
989 1335
990=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron? 1336=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
991 1337
992Periodic 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
993(and unfortunately a bit complex). 1339(and unfortunately a bit complex).
994 1340
995Unlike 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)
996but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher 1342but on wall clock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher
997to 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
998periodic 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 ()
999+ 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
1000take 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
1001roughly 10 seconds later and of course not if you reset your system time 1348roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
1002again).
1003 1349
1004They 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,
1005triggering an event on eahc midnight, local time. 1351such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other
1352complicated, rules.
1006 1353
1007As 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
1008time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready 1355time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
1009during 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
1010 1359
1011=over 4 1360=over 4
1012 1361
1013=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)
1014 1363
1017Lots 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
1018operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex: 1367operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:
1019 1368
1020=over 4 1369=over 4
1021 1370
1022=item * absolute timer (interval = reschedule_cb = 0) 1371=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)
1023 1372
1024In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time 1373In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1025C<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
1026that 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
1027system time reaches or surpasses this time. 1376run when the system time reaches or surpasses this time.
1028 1377
1029=item * non-repeating interval timer (interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0) 1378=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1030 1379
1031In 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
1032C<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)
1033of any time jumps. 1382and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
1034 1383
1035This 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
1036time: 1385time, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each hour, on
1386the hour:
1037 1387
1038 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0); 1388 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1039 1389
1040This 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,
1041but 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
1042full 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
1043by 3600. 1393by 3600.
1044 1394
1045Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 1395Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1046C<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
1047time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 1397time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1048 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
1049=item * manual reschedule mode (reschedule_cb = callback) 1408=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1050 1409
1051In 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
1052ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 1411ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1053reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 1412reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1054current time as second argument. 1413current time as second argument.
1055 1414
1056NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, 1415NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
1057ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it, 1416ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>.
1058return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
1059starting a prepare watcher).
1060 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
1061Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, 1422The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic
1062ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.: 1423*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1063 1424
1064 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)
1065 { 1426 {
1066 return now + 60.; 1427 return now + 60.;
1067 } 1428 }
1069It 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
1070(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
1071will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but 1432will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1072might be called at other times, too. 1433might be called at other times, too.
1073 1434
1074NOTE: 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
1075passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger. 1436equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1076 1437
1077This 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
1078triggers 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
1079next 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
1080you 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
1081reason I omitted it as an example). 1442reason I omitted it as an example).
1082 1443
1083=back 1444=back
1087Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful 1448Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1088when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return 1449when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1089a 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
1090program when the crontabs have changed). 1451program when the crontabs have changed).
1091 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
1092=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write] 1466=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1093 1467
1094The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only 1468The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1095take 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
1096called. 1470called.
1101switched 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
1102the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called. 1476the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1103 1477
1104=back 1478=back
1105 1479
1480=head3 Examples
1481
1106Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 1482Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1107system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 1483system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1108potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability. 1484potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1109 1485
1110 static void 1486 static void
1111 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)
1112 { 1488 {
1113 ... 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)
1114 } 1490 }
1115 1491
1116 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1492 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1117 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0); 1493 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1118 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1494 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1119 1495
1120Example: 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:
1121 1497
1122 #include <math.h> 1498 #include <math.h>
1123 1499
1124 static ev_tstamp 1500 static ev_tstamp
1125 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1501 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1126 { 1502 {
1127 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.; 1503 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;
1128 } 1504 }
1129 1505
1130 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);
1131 1507
1132Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now: 1508Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1133 1509
1134 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1510 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1135 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 1511 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1136 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 1512 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1137 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1513 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1138 1514
1139 1515
1140=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled! 1516=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1141 1517
1142Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 1518Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1149with 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
1150as 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
1151watcher 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
1152SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before). 1528SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1153 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
1154=over 4 1538=over 4
1155 1539
1156=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum) 1540=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)
1157 1541
1158=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum) 1542=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum)
1164 1548
1165The signal the watcher watches out for. 1549The signal the watcher watches out for.
1166 1550
1167=back 1551=back
1168 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
1169 1567
1170=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes 1568=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1171 1569
1172Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 1570Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1173some 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
1174 1606
1175=over 4 1607=over 4
1176 1608
1177=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid) 1609=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid, int trace)
1178 1610
1179=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid) 1611=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid, int trace)
1180 1612
1181Configures 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
1182I<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
1183at 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
1184the 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
1185C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the 1617C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the
1186process 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).
1187 1621
1188=item int pid [read-only] 1622=item int pid [read-only]
1189 1623
1190The 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.
1191 1625
1198The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems 1632The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems
1199C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details). 1633C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).
1200 1634
1201=back 1635=back
1202 1636
1203Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM. 1637=head3 Examples
1204 1638
1639Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
1640its completion.
1641
1642 ev_child cw;
1643
1205 static void 1644 static void
1206 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents) 1645 child_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_child *w, int revents)
1207 { 1646 {
1208 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);
1209 } 1649 }
1210 1650
1211 struct ev_signal signal_watcher; 1651 pid_t pid = fork ();
1212 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 1652
1213 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 }
1214 1665
1215 1666
1216=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change? 1667=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1217 1668
1218This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls 1669This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1219C<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
1220compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did. 1671compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.
1221 1672
1222The 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
1223not 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
1241as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be 1692as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1242resource-intensive. 1693resource-intensive.
1243 1694
1244At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is 1695At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is
1245implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the 1696implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the
1697reader, note, however, that the author sees no way of implementing ev_stat
1246reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the 1698semantics with kqueue). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should
1247semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs 1699not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev
1248to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are 1700sometimes needs to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify,
1249usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no 1701but changes are usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there
1250polling. 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
1251 1764
1252=over 4 1765=over 4
1253 1766
1254=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)
1255 1768
1259C<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
1260be 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
1261a 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
1262path for as long as the watcher is active. 1775path for as long as the watcher is active.
1263 1776
1264The 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
1265relative 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
1266last change was detected). 1779was detected).
1267 1780
1268=item ev_stat_stat (ev_stat *) 1781=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1269 1782
1270Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the 1783Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1271watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid 1784watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1272detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be 1785detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1273useful simply to find out the new values. 1786the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
1787new values.
1274 1788
1275=item ev_statdata attr [read-only] 1789=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1276 1790
1277The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of 1791The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
1278C<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
1279suitable 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
1280was some error while C<stat>ing the file. 1795some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1281 1796
1282=item ev_statdata prev [read-only] 1797=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1283 1798
1284The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever 1799The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1285C<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>.
1286 1803
1287=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only] 1804=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1288 1805
1289The specified interval. 1806The specified interval.
1290 1807
1291=item const char *path [read-only] 1808=item const char *path [read-only]
1292 1809
1293The filesystem path that is being watched. 1810The file system path that is being watched.
1294 1811
1295=back 1812=back
1296 1813
1814=head3 Examples
1815
1297Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes. 1816Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1298 1817
1299 static void 1818 static void
1300 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents) 1819 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1301 { 1820 {
1302 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */ 1821 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1303 if (w->attr.st_nlink) 1822 if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1304 { 1823 {
1305 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size); 1824 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1306 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime); 1825 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1307 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime); 1826 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1308 } 1827 }
1309 else 1828 else
1310 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */ 1829 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1311 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. " 1830 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1312 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n"); 1831 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1313 } 1832 }
1314 1833
1315 ... 1834 ...
1316 ev_stat passwd; 1835 ev_stat passwd;
1317 1836
1318 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd"); 1837 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1319 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);
1320 1867
1321 1868
1322=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...
1323 1870
1324Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other events are pending 1871Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1325(prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count). That is, as long 1872priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not
1326as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts (or even signals, 1873count).
1327imagine) it will not be triggered. But when your process is idle all idle 1874
1328watchers 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
1329until stopped, that is, or your process receives more events and becomes 1879iteration - until stopped, that is, or your process receives more events
1330busy. 1880and becomes busy again with higher priority stuff.
1331 1881
1332The 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
1333active, the process will not block when waiting for new events. 1883active, the process will not block when waiting for new events.
1334 1884
1335Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful 1885Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
1336effect 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
1337"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the 1887"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
1338event loop has handled all outstanding events. 1888event loop has handled all outstanding events.
1339 1889
1890=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1891
1340=over 4 1892=over 4
1341 1893
1342=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback) 1894=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1343 1895
1344Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any 1896Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1345kind. 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,
1346believe me. 1898believe me.
1347 1899
1348=back 1900=back
1349 1901
1902=head3 Examples
1903
1350Example: 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
1351callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual. 1905callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1352 1906
1353 static void 1907 static void
1354 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)
1355 { 1909 {
1356 free (w); 1910 free (w);
1357 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has 1911 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1358 // no longer asnything immediate to do. 1912 // no longer anything immediate to do.
1359 } 1913 }
1360 1914
1361 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle)); 1915 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));
1362 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb); 1916 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1363 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb); 1917 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1364 1918
1365 1919
1366=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!
1367 1921
1368Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 1922Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:
1387 1941
1388This 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
1389to 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
1390them 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
1391provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 1945provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for
1392any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers 1946any events that occurred (by checking the pending status of all watchers
1393and 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
1394callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless, 1948callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,
1395because you never know, you know?). 1949because you never know, you know?).
1396 1950
1397As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate 1951As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1401with 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
1402of 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
1403loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping 1957loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1404low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks). 1958low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1405 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
1406=over 4 1972=over 4
1407 1973
1408=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback) 1974=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
1409 1975
1410=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback) 1976=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1413parameters 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>
1414macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless. 1980macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.
1415 1981
1416=back 1982=back
1417 1983
1418Example: To include a library such as adns, you would add IO watchers 1984=head3 Examples
1419and 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,
1420in 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
1421pseudo-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.
1422 1998
1423 static ev_io iow [nfd]; 1999 static ev_io iow [nfd];
1424 static ev_timer tw; 2000 static ev_timer tw;
1425 2001
1426 static void 2002 static void
1427 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 2003 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1428 { 2004 {
1429 // set the relevant poll flags
1430 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1431 struct pollfd *fd = (struct pollfd *)w->data;
1432 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1433 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1434 } 2005 }
1435 2006
1436 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking 2007 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1437 static void 2008 static void
1438 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents) 2009 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1439 { 2010 {
1440 int timeout = 3600000;truct pollfd fds [nfd]; 2011 int timeout = 3600000;
2012 struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1441 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc. 2013 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1442 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ())); 2014 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1443 2015
1444 /* 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 */
1445 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3); 2017 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1446 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw); 2018 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1447 2019
1448 // create on ev_io per pollfd 2020 // create one ev_io per pollfd
1449 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 2021 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1450 { 2022 {
1451 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd, 2023 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1452 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0) 2024 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1453 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0))); 2025 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1454 2026
1455 fds [i].revents = 0; 2027 fds [i].revents = 0;
1456 iow [i].data = fds + i;
1457 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i); 2028 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1458 } 2029 }
1459 } 2030 }
1460 2031
1461 // stop all watchers after blocking 2032 // stop all watchers after blocking
1462 static void 2033 static void
1463 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents) 2034 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1464 { 2035 {
1465 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw); 2036 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1466 2037
1467 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
1468 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i); 2048 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
2049 }
1469 2050
1470 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop)); 2051 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1471 } 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 }
1472 2112
1473 2113
1474=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough... 2114=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1475 2115
1476This 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
1518portable one. 2158portable one.
1519 2159
1520So 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
1521that 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
1522this 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
1523create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything: 2163create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
1524 2164
1525 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0); 2165=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1526 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
1527 struct ev_embed embed;
1528
1529 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
1530 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
1531 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
1532 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
1533 : 0;
1534
1535 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
1536 if (loop_lo)
1537 {
1538 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
1539 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
1540 }
1541 else
1542 loop_lo = loop_hi;
1543 2166
1544=over 4 2167=over 4
1545 2168
1546=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)
1547 2170
1549 2172
1550Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be 2173Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1551embeddable. 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
1552invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback 2175invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1553to 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,
1554if 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).
1555 2178
1556=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *) 2179=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
1557 2180
1558Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works 2181Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1559similarly 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
1560apropriate way for embedded loops. 2183appropriate way for embedded loops.
1561 2184
1562=item struct ev_loop *loop [read-only] 2185=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
1563 2186
1564The embedded event loop. 2187The embedded event loop.
1565 2188
1566=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
1567 2238
1568 2239
1569=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
1570 2241
1571Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because 2242Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
1574event 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,
1575and 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
1576C<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
1577handlers will be invoked, too, of course. 2248handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
1578 2249
2250=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2251
1579=over 4 2252=over 4
1580 2253
1581=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback) 2254=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1582 2255
1583Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any 2256Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
1584kind. 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,
1585believe 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.
1586 2404
1587=back 2405=back
1588 2406
1589 2407
1590=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 2408=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
1601or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 2419or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
1602more watchers yourself. 2420more watchers yourself.
1603 2421
1604If 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
1605is 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
1606C<events> set will be craeted and started. 2424C<events> set will be created and started.
1607 2425
1608If 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
1609started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and 2427started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
1610repeat = 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
1611dubious value. 2429dubious value.
1613The 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
1614passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of 2432passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
1615C<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>
1616value passed to C<ev_once>: 2434value passed to C<ev_once>:
1617 2435
1618 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 2436 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
1619 { 2437 {
1620 if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT) 2438 if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
1621 /* doh, nothing entered */; 2439 /* doh, nothing entered */;
1622 else if (revents & EV_READ) 2440 else if (revents & EV_READ)
1623 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */; 2441 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
1624 } 2442 }
1625 2443
1626 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 2444 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
1627 2445
1628=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents) 2446=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
1629 2447
1630Feeds 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
1631had 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
1636Feed 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
1637the given events it. 2455the given events it.
1638 2456
1639=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum) 2457=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)
1640 2458
1641Feed 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
1642loop!). 2460loop!).
1643 2461
1644=back 2462=back
1645 2463
1646 2464
1662 2480
1663=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities 2481=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
1664will 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
1665is an ev_pri field. 2483is an ev_pri field.
1666 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
1667=item * Other members are not supported. 2488=item * Other members are not supported.
1668 2489
1669=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
1670to use the libev header file and library. 2491to use the libev header file and library.
1671 2492
1672=back 2493=back
1673 2494
1674=head1 C++ SUPPORT 2495=head1 C++ SUPPORT
1675 2496
1676Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow 2497Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
1677you 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
1678the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects. 2499the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
1679 2500
1680To use it, 2501To use it,
1681 2502
1682 #include <ev++.h> 2503 #include <ev++.h>
1683 2504
1684(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
1685and puts all of its definitions (many of them macros) into the global 2506of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
1686namespace. 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>.
1687 2509
1688It 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++
1689C<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).
1690 2520
1691Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace: 2521Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
1692 2522
1693=over 4 2523=over 4
1694 2524
1710 2540
1711All of those classes have these methods: 2541All of those classes have these methods:
1712 2542
1713=over 4 2543=over 4
1714 2544
1715=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *) 2545=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
1716 2546
1717=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *, struct ev_loop *) 2547=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *)
1718 2548
1719=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE 2549=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
1720 2550
1721The constructor takes a pointer to an object and a method pointer to 2551The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
1722the event handler callback to call in this class. The constructor calls 2552with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
1723C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the C<set> method 2553
1724before 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
1725automatically 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).
1726 2562
1727The 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> ();
1728 2603
1729=item w->set (struct ev_loop *) 2604=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
1730 2605
1731Associates 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
1732do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 2607do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
1733 2608
1734=item w->set ([args]) 2609=item w->set ([arguments])
1735 2610
1736Basically 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
1737called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets 2612called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
1738automatically stopped and restarted. 2613automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
2614method.
1739 2615
1740=item w->start () 2616=item w->start ()
1741 2617
1742Starts 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
1743constructor already takes the loop. 2619constructor already stores the event loop.
1744 2620
1745=item w->stop () 2621=item w->stop ()
1746 2622
1747Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument. 2623Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
1748 2624
1749=item w->again () C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only 2625=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
1750 2626
1751For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding 2627For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding
1752C<ev_TYPE_again> function. 2628C<ev_TYPE_again> function.
1753 2629
1754=item w->sweep () C<ev::embed> only 2630=item w->sweep () (C<ev::embed> only)
1755 2631
1756Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>. 2632Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>.
1757 2633
1758=item w->update () C<ev::stat> only 2634=item w->update () (C<ev::stat> only)
1759 2635
1760Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>. 2636Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>.
1761 2637
1762=back 2638=back
1763 2639
1764=back 2640=back
1765 2641
1766Example: 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
1767the constructor. 2643the constructor.
1768 2644
1769 class myclass 2645 class myclass
1770 { 2646 {
1771 ev_io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 2647 ev::io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
1772 ev_idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents); 2648 ev:idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
1773 2649
1774 myclass (); 2650 myclass (int fd)
1775 } 2651 {
2652 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
2653 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
1776 2654
1777 myclass::myclass (int fd)
1778 : io (this, &myclass::io_cb),
1779 idle (this, &myclass::idle_cb)
1780 {
1781 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 2655 io.start (fd, ev::READ);
2656 }
1782 } 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
1783 2702
1784 2703
1785=head1 MACRO MAGIC 2704=head1 MACRO MAGIC
1786 2705
1787Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundemantal is 2706Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
1788C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines wether (most) functions and 2707of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
1789callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument. 2708functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
1790 2709
1791To 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
1792following macros are defined: 2711following macros are defined:
1793 2712
1794=over 4 2713=over 4
1797 2716
1798This 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
1799loop 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,
1800C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example: 2719C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
1801 2720
1802 ev_unref (EV_A); 2721 ev_unref (EV_A);
1803 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher); 2722 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
1804 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 2723 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1805 2724
1806It 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,
1807which is often provided by the following macro. 2726which is often provided by the following macro.
1808 2727
1809=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_> 2728=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
1810 2729
1811This 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
1812loop 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,
1813C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example: 2732C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
1814 2733
1815 // this is how ev_unref is being declared 2734 // this is how ev_unref is being declared
1816 static void ev_unref (EV_P); 2735 static void ev_unref (EV_P);
1817 2736
1818 // this is how you can declare your typical callback 2737 // this is how you can declare your typical callback
1819 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 2738 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1820 2739
1821It 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
1822suitable for use with C<EV_A>. 2741suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
1823 2742
1824=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> 2743=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
1825 2744
1826Similar 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
1827loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). 2746loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
1828 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
1829=back 2758=back
1830 2759
1831Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, working regardless of 2760Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
1832wether multiple loops are supported or not. 2761macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2762or not.
1833 2763
1834 static void 2764 static void
1835 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 2765 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1836 { 2766 {
1837 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w); 2767 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
1838 } 2768 }
1839 2769
1840 ev_check check; 2770 ev_check check;
1841 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb); 2771 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
1842 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check); 2772 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
1843 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0); 2773 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
1844
1845 2774
1846=head1 EMBEDDING 2775=head1 EMBEDDING
1847 2776
1848Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host 2777Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
1849applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra 2778applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
1850Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe) 2779Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe)
1851and rxvt-unicode. 2780and rxvt-unicode.
1852 2781
1853The 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
1854source 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
1855you 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
1856libev somewhere in your source tree). 2785libev somewhere in your source tree).
1857 2786
1858=head2 FILESETS 2787=head2 FILESETS
1859 2788
1860Depending 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
1861in your app. 2790in your application.
1862 2791
1863=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP 2792=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
1864 2793
1865To 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
1866configuration (no autoconf): 2795configuration (no autoconf):
1867 2796
1868 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 2797 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
1869 #include "ev.c" 2798 #include "ev.c"
1870 2799
1871This 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
1872single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use 2801single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
1873it, 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
1874done 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
1875where you can put other configuration options): 2804where you can put other configuration options):
1876 2805
1877 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 2806 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
1878 #include "ev.h" 2807 #include "ev.h"
1879 2808
1880Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++ 2809Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
1881compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated 2810compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
1882as a bug). 2811as a bug).
1883 2812
1884You 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
1885in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev): 2814in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
1886 2815
1887 ev.h 2816 ev.h
1888 ev.c 2817 ev.c
1889 ev_vars.h 2818 ev_vars.h
1890 ev_wrap.h 2819 ev_wrap.h
1891 2820
1892 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only 2821 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
1893 2822
1894 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)
1895 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)
1896 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)
1897 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)
1898 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)
1899 2828
1900F<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
1901to compile this single file. 2830to compile this single file.
1902 2831
1903=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API 2832=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
1904 2833
1905To include the libevent compatibility API, also include: 2834To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
1906 2835
1907 #include "event.c" 2836 #include "event.c"
1908 2837
1909in the file including F<ev.c>, and: 2838in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
1910 2839
1911 #include "event.h" 2840 #include "event.h"
1912 2841
1913in 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>.
1914 2843
1915You need the following additional files for this: 2844You need the following additional files for this:
1916 2845
1917 event.h 2846 event.h
1918 event.c 2847 event.c
1919 2848
1920=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT 2849=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
1921 2850
1922Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in 2851Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
1923whatever 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
1924F<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
1925include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly. 2854include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
1926 2855
1927For this of course you need the m4 file: 2856For this of course you need the m4 file:
1928 2857
1929 libev.m4 2858 libev.m4
1930 2859
1931=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS 2860=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
1932 2861
1933Libev 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
1934before 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
1935and only include the select backend. 2864autoconf is noted for every option.
1936 2865
1937=over 4 2866=over 4
1938 2867
1939=item EV_STANDALONE 2868=item EV_STANDALONE
1940 2869
1945F<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.
1946 2875
1947=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 2876=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
1948 2877
1949If 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
1950monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use 2879monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use
1951of 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
1952usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when 2881usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when
1953the functionality isn't available is safe, though, althoguh you have 2882the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
1954to 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>
1955function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). 2884function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).
1956 2885
1957=item EV_USE_REALTIME 2886=item EV_USE_REALTIME
1958 2887
1959If 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
1960realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at 2889real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at
1961runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will 2890runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will
1962be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get 2891be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
1963(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See tzhe note about libraries 2892(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the
1964in 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.
1965 2907
1966=item EV_USE_SELECT 2908=item EV_USE_SELECT
1967 2909
1968If 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
1969C<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
1970other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend 2912other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
1971will not be compiled in. 2913will not be compiled in.
1972 2914
1973=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET 2915=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
1974 2916
1975If 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>
1976structure. 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
1977C<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
1978exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some 2920exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some
1979low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only 2921low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only
1980allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might 2922allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might
1981influence the size of the C<fd_set> used. 2923influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.
1982 2924
1988be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call 2930be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
1989C<_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,
1990it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even 2932it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
1991on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms. 2933on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
1992 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
1993=item EV_USE_POLL 2943=item EV_USE_POLL
1994 2944
1995If 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)
1996backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It 2946backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
1997takes precedence over select. 2947takes precedence over select.
1998 2948
1999=item EV_USE_EPOLL 2949=item EV_USE_EPOLL
2000 2950
2001If 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
2002C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime, 2952C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2003otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the 2953otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2004preferred 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.
2005 2956
2006=item EV_USE_KQUEUE 2957=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2007 2958
2008If 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
2009C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime, 2960C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
2022otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred 2973otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2023backend for Solaris 10 systems. 2974backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2024 2975
2025=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL 2976=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2026 2977
2027reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above. 2978Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2028 2979
2029=item EV_USE_INOTIFY 2980=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2030 2981
2031If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify 2982If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2032interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will 2983interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2033be detected at runtime. 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.
2034 2997
2035=item EV_H 2998=item EV_H
2036 2999
2037The 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
2038undefined 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
2039can 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.
2040 3003
2041=item EV_CONFIG_H 3004=item EV_CONFIG_H
2042 3005
2043If 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
2044F<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
2045C<EV_H>, above. 3008C<EV_H>, above.
2046 3009
2047=item EV_EVENT_H 3010=item EV_EVENT_H
2048 3011
2049Similarly 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
2050of 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">.
2051 3014
2052=item EV_PROTOTYPES 3015=item EV_PROTOTYPES
2053 3016
2054If 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
2055prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is 3018prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
2062will 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
2063additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support 3026additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
2064for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer 3027for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
2065argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop. 3028argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
2066 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
2067=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 3047=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
2068 3048
2069If 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
2070defined 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
2071code. 3051code.
2072 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
2073=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE 3059=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2074 3060
2075If 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
2076defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 3062defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2077 3063
2083=item EV_FORK_ENABLE 3069=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2084 3070
2085If 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
2086defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 3072defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2087 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
2088=item EV_MINIMAL 3079=item EV_MINIMAL
2089 3080
2090If 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
2091speed, 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
2092some 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.
2093 3085
2094=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE 3086=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2095 3087
2096C<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
2097pid. 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
2098than 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
2099increase this value (I<must> be a power of two). 3091increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
2100 3092
2101=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE 3093=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
2102 3094
2103C<ev_staz> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 3095C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2104inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), 3096inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
2105usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat> 3097usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
2106watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of 3098watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
2107two). 3099two).
2108 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.>
3135
2109=item EV_COMMON 3136=item EV_COMMON
2110 3137
2111By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining 3138By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2112this 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
2113members. 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,
2114though, and it must be identical each time. 3141though, and it must be identical each time.
2115 3142
2116For example, the perl EV module uses something like this: 3143For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2117 3144
2118 #define EV_COMMON \ 3145 #define EV_COMMON \
2119 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \ 3146 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2120 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */ 3147 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2121 3148
2122=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type) 3149=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2123 3150
2124=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents) 3151=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2125 3152
2126=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb) 3153=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb)
2127 3154
2128Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher, 3155Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher,
2129and 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
2130definition 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
2131their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to 3158their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
2132avoid 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
2133method 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 ...
2134 3186
2135=head2 EXAMPLES 3187=head2 EXAMPLES
2136 3188
2137For a real-world example of a program the includes libev 3189For a real-world example of a program the includes libev
2138verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module 3190verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module
2141interface) 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
2142will 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
2143file. 3195file.
2144 3196
2145The 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
2146that everybody includes and which overrides some autoconf choices: 3198that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2147 3199
3200 #define EV_MINIMAL 1
2148 #define EV_USE_POLL 0 3201 #define EV_USE_POLL 0
2149 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0 3202 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2150 #define EV_PERIODICS 0 3203 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
3204 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
3205 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
2151 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h> 3206 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
3207 #define EV_MINPRI 0
3208 #define EV_MAXPRI 0
2152 3209
2153 #include "ev++.h" 3210 #include "ev++.h"
2154 3211
2155And 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:
2156 3213
2157 #include "ev_cpp.h" 3214 #include "ev_cpp.h"
2158 #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.
2159 3274
2160 3275
2161=head1 COMPLEXITIES 3276=head1 COMPLEXITIES
2162 3277
2163In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside 3278In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
2164libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the 3279libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the
2165documentation for C<ev_default_init>. 3280documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
2166 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
2167=over 4 3288=over 4
2168 3289
2169=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)
2170 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
2171=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)
2172 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
2173=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)
2174 3302
3303These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
3304
2175=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1) 3305=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2176 3306
2177=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE)) 3307=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
2178 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
2179=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.
2180 3317
2181=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)
2182 3319
2183=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.
2184 3342
2185=back 3343=back
2186 3344
2187 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
2188=head1 AUTHOR 3552=head1 AUTHOR
2189 3553
2190Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 3554Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.
2191 3555

Diff Legend

Removed lines
+ Added lines
< Changed lines
> Changed lines