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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 #include <ev.h> 11 #include <ev.h>
12 12
13 ev_io stdin_watcher; 13 ev_io stdin_watcher;
14 ev_timer timeout_watcher; 14 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
53The newest version of this document is also available as a html-formatted 53The newest version of this document is also available as a html-formatted
54web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first 54web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
55time: L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>. 55time: L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>.
56 56
57Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a 57Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
58file descriptor being readable or a timeout occuring), and it will manage 58file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
59these event sources and provide your program with events. 59these event sources and provide your program with events.
60 60
61To do this, it must take more or less complete control over your process 61To do this, it must take more or less complete control over your process
62(or thread) by executing the I<event loop> handler, and will then 62(or thread) by executing the I<event loop> handler, and will then
63communicate events via a callback mechanism. 63communicate events via a callback mechanism.
65You register interest in certain events by registering so-called I<event 65You register interest in certain events by registering so-called I<event
66watchers>, which are relatively small C structures you initialise with the 66watchers>, which are relatively small C structures you initialise with the
67details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the 67details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the
68watcher. 68watcher.
69 69
70=head1 FEATURES 70=head2 FEATURES
71 71
72Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the 72Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the
73BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms 73BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms
74for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface 74for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface
75(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers 75(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers
82 82
83It also is quite fast (see this 83It also is quite fast (see this
84L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent 84L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
85for example). 85for example).
86 86
87=head1 CONVENTIONS 87=head2 CONVENTIONS
88 88
89Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will 89Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will
90be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about 90be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about
91various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in 91various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in
92this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event 92this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event
93loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of name C<loop> 93loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of name C<loop>
94(which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have this argument. 94(which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have this argument.
95 95
96=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION 96=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
97 97
98Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 98Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
99(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 99(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
100the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is 100the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is
101called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases 101called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases
102to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on 102to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on
103it, you should treat it as such. 103it, you should treat it as some floatingpoint value. Unlike the name
104component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences
105throughout libev.
104 106
105=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 107=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
106 108
107These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the 109These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
108library in any way. 110library in any way.
113 115
114Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the 116Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
115C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp 117C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
116you actually want to know. 118you actually want to know.
117 119
120=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
121
122Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
123either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
124this is a subsecond-resolution C<sleep ()>.
125
118=item int ev_version_major () 126=item int ev_version_major ()
119 127
120=item int ev_version_minor () 128=item int ev_version_minor ()
121 129
122You can find out the major and minor version numbers of the library 130You can find out the major and minor ABI version numbers of the library
123you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and 131you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and
124C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global 132C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global
125symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the 133symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the
126version of the library your program was compiled against. 134version of the library your program was compiled against.
127 135
136These version numbers refer to the ABI version of the library, not the
137release version.
138
128Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch, 139Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch,
129as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 140as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
130compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 141compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
131not a problem. 142not a problem.
132 143
133Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 144Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
134version. 145version.
295=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 306=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
296 307
297This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 308This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
298libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds, 309libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
299but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when 310but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
300using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its usually 311using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
301the fastest backend for a low number of fds. 312usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
313
314To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
315parallelity (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
316writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
317connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
318a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
319readyness notifications you get per iteration.
302 320
303=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows) 321=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
304 322
305And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated than 323And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
306select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial limit on the 324than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
307number of fds you can use (except it will slow down considerably with a 325limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
308lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select, i.e. O(total_fds). 326considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
327i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
328performance tips.
309 329
310=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 330=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
311 331
312For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, 332For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
313but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like 333but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
314O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), epoll scales 334like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
315either O(1) or O(active_fds). 335epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number
336of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect
337cases and rewiring a syscall per fd change, no fork support and bad
338support for dup.
316 339
317While stopping and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration will 340While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
318result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident 341will result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident
319(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its 342(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its
320best to avoid that. Also, dup()ed file descriptors might not work very 343best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work
321well if you register events for both fds. 344very well if you register events for both fds.
322 345
323Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you 346Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
324need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data 347need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
325(or space) is available. 348(or space) is available.
326 349
350Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
351watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible, i.e.
352keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times.
353
354While nominally embeddeble in other event loops, this feature is broken in
355all kernel versions tested so far.
356
327=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones) 357=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
328 358
329Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it 359Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
330was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work with 360was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
331anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course its 361with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
332completely useless). For this reason its not being "autodetected" 362it's completely useless). For this reason it's not being "autodetected"
333unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using 363unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using
334C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>). 364C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
365system like NetBSD.
366
367You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
368only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
369the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
335 370
336It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the 371It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
337kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of 372kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
338course). While starting and stopping an I/O watcher does not cause an 373course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
339extra syscall as with epoll, it still adds up to four event changes per 374cause an extra syscall as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
340incident, so its best to avoid that. 375two event changes per incident, support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it
376drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.
377
378This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
379
380While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
381everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
382almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
383(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
384(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and using it only for
385sockets.
341 386
342=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8) 387=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
343 388
344This is not implemented yet (and might never be). 389This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
390implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
391and is not embeddable, which would limit the usefulness of this backend
392immensely.
345 393
346=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10) 394=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
347 395
348This uses the Solaris 10 port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris, 396This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
349it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)). 397it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
350 398
351Please note that solaris ports can result in a lot of spurious 399Please note that solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
352notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid 400notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
353blocking when no data (or space) is available. 401blocking when no data (or space) is available.
402
403While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
404file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
405descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
406might perform better.
354 407
355=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 408=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
356 409
357Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried 410Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
358with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as 411with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
359C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>. 412C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
413
414It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
360 415
361=back 416=back
362 417
363If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these 418If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these
364backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If none are 419backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If none are
399Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 454Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
400etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal 455etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
401sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your 456sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
402responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before> 457responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before>
403calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually 458calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
404the easiest thing, youc na just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them 459the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
405for example). 460for example).
461
462Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by
463this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers)
464would need to be stopped manually.
465
466In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
467rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
468pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
469C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).
406 470
407=item ev_loop_destroy (loop) 471=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
408 472
409Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an 473Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
410earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>. 474earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
455 519
456Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop 520Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop
457received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not 521received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
458change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base 522change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
459time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the 523time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
460event occuring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it). 524event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
461 525
462=item ev_loop (loop, int flags) 526=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
463 527
464Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 528Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
465after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling 529after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
486libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 550libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
487usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 551usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
488 552
489Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 553Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
490 554
491 * If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return. 555 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
492 - Queue prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers. 556 * If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
557 - If a fork was detected, queue and call all fork watchers.
558 - Queue and call all prepare watchers.
493 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state. 559 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.
494 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 560 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
495 - Update the "event loop time". 561 - Update the "event loop time".
496 - Calculate for how long to block. 562 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
563 (active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
564 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
565 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
497 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 566 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
498 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events. 567 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
499 - Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling. 568 - Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling.
500 - Queue all outstanding timers. 569 - Queue all outstanding timers.
501 - Queue all outstanding periodics. 570 - Queue all outstanding periodics.
502 - If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers. 571 - If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
503 - Queue all check watchers. 572 - Queue all check watchers.
504 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first). 573 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
505 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will 574 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
506 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 575 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
507 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 576 - If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
508 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *. 577 were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise
578 continue with step *.
509 579
510Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding 580Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
511anymore. 581anymore.
512 582
513 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 583 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
514 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 584 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
515 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 585 ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
519 589
520Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 590Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
521has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 591has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
522C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or 592C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
523C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return. 593C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
594
595This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.
524 596
525=item ev_ref (loop) 597=item ev_ref (loop)
526 598
527=item ev_unref (loop) 599=item ev_unref (loop)
528 600
548Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 620Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
549 621
550 ev_ref (loop); 622 ev_ref (loop);
551 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig); 623 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
552 624
625=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
626
627=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
628
629These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
630for events. Both are by default C<0>, meaning that libev will try to
631invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum latency.
632
633Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
634allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks to
635increase efficiency of loop iterations.
636
637The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to
638handle one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes
639the program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
640events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
641overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
642
643By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
644time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
645at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
646C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
647introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.
648
649Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
650to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
651latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers
652will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will not introduce
653any overhead in libev.
654
655Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the io collect
656interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
657interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
658usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
659as this approsaches the timing granularity of most systems.
660
553=back 661=back
554 662
555 663
556=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER 664=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
557 665
882In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 990In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
883fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 991fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
884descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 992descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
885required if you know what you are doing). 993required if you know what you are doing).
886 994
887You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends
888(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file
889descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing
890to the same underlying file/socket/etc. description (that is, they share
891the same underlying "file open").
892
893If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend 995If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
894(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and 996(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
895C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). 997C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
896 998
897Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to 999Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
907play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test 1009play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test
908whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface 1010whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface
909such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on 1011such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on
910its own, so its quite safe to use). 1012its own, so its quite safe to use).
911 1013
1014=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1015
1016Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
1017descriptor (either by calling C<close> explicitly or by any other means,
1018such as C<dup>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
1019descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
1020this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
1021registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
1022fact, a different file descriptor.
1023
1024To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows
1025the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev
1026will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise
1027it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that
1028you I<have> to call C<ev_io_set> (or C<ev_io_init>) when you change the
1029descriptor even if the file descriptor number itself did not change.
1030
1031This is how one would do it normally anyway, the important point is that
1032the libev application should not optimise around libev but should leave
1033optimisations to libev.
1034
1035=head3 The special problem of dup'ed file descriptors
1036
1037Some backends (e.g. epoll), cannot register events for file descriptors,
1038but only events for the underlying file descriptions. That means when you
1039have C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors or weirder constellations, and register
1040events for them, only one file descriptor might actually receive events.
1041
1042There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1043for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1044C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1045
1046=head3 The special problem of fork
1047
1048Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit
1049useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about
1050it in the child.
1051
1052To support fork in your programs, you either have to call
1053C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,
1054enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1055C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1056
1057
1058=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1059
912=over 4 1060=over 4
913 1061
914=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 1062=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
915 1063
916=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events) 1064=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
926=item int events [read-only] 1074=item int events [read-only]
927 1075
928The events being watched. 1076The events being watched.
929 1077
930=back 1078=back
1079
1080=head3 Examples
931 1081
932Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well 1082Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
933readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could 1083readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
934attempt to read a whole line in the callback. 1084attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
935 1085
968 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 1118 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
969 1119
970The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed, 1120The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed,
971but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then 1121but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then
972order of execution is undefined. 1122order of execution is undefined.
1123
1124=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
973 1125
974=over 4 1126=over 4
975 1127
976=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1128=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
977 1129
1031or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any), 1183or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),
1032which is also when any modifications are taken into account. 1184which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
1033 1185
1034=back 1186=back
1035 1187
1188=head3 Examples
1189
1036Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds. 1190Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1037 1191
1038 static void 1192 static void
1039 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1193 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
1040 { 1194 {
1073but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher 1227but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher
1074to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a 1228to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a
1075periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now () 1229periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now ()
1076+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will 1230+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will
1077take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger 1231take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger
1078roughly 10 seconds later and of course not if you reset your system time 1232roughly 10 seconds later).
1079again).
1080 1233
1081They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as 1234They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as
1082triggering an event on eahc midnight, local time. 1235triggering an event on each midnight, local time or other, complicated,
1236rules.
1083 1237
1084As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the 1238As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the
1085time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready 1239time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
1086during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined. 1240during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.
1087 1241
1242=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1243
1088=over 4 1244=over 4
1089 1245
1090=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb) 1246=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1091 1247
1092=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb) 1248=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)
1094Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of 1250Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1095operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex: 1251operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:
1096 1252
1097=over 4 1253=over 4
1098 1254
1099=item * absolute timer (interval = reschedule_cb = 0) 1255=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)
1100 1256
1101In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time 1257In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time
1102C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs, 1258C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs,
1103that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the 1259that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the
1104system time reaches or surpasses this time. 1260system time reaches or surpasses this time.
1105 1261
1106=item * non-repeating interval timer (interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0) 1262=item * non-repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1107 1263
1108In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next 1264In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1109C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N) and then repeat, regardless 1265C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)
1110of any time jumps. 1266and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
1111 1267
1112This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system 1268This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system
1113time: 1269time:
1114 1270
1115 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0); 1271 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1121 1277
1122Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 1278Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1123C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 1279C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1124time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 1280time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1125 1281
1282For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near
1283C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1284this value.
1285
1126=item * manual reschedule mode (reschedule_cb = callback) 1286=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1127 1287
1128In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being 1288In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being
1129ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 1289ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1130reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 1290reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1131current time as second argument. 1291current time as second argument.
1132 1292
1133NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, 1293NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
1134ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it, 1294ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it,
1135return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by 1295return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
1136starting a prepare watcher). 1296starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is legal).
1137 1297
1138Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, 1298Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,
1139ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.: 1299ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1140 1300
1141 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1301 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1164Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful 1324Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1165when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return 1325when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1166a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like 1326a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1167program when the crontabs have changed). 1327program when the crontabs have changed).
1168 1328
1329=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1330
1331When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1332absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).
1333
1334Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
1335timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1336
1169=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write] 1337=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1170 1338
1171The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only 1339The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1172take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being 1340take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1173called. 1341called.
1176 1344
1177The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is 1345The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1178switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when 1346switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1179the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called. 1347the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1180 1348
1349=item ev_tstamp at [read-only]
1350
1351When active, contains the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1352trigger next.
1353
1181=back 1354=back
1355
1356=head3 Examples
1182 1357
1183Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 1358Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1184system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 1359system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1185potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability. 1360potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.
1186 1361
1226with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long 1401with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long
1227as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal 1402as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal
1228watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to 1403watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to
1229SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before). 1404SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1230 1405
1406=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1407
1231=over 4 1408=over 4
1232 1409
1233=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum) 1410=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)
1234 1411
1235=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum) 1412=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum)
1246 1423
1247=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes 1424=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1248 1425
1249Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 1426Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1250some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). 1427some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies).
1428
1429=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1251 1430
1252=over 4 1431=over 4
1253 1432
1254=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid) 1433=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid)
1255 1434
1274 1453
1275The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems 1454The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems
1276C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details). 1455C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).
1277 1456
1278=back 1457=back
1458
1459=head3 Examples
1279 1460
1280Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM. 1461Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.
1281 1462
1282 static void 1463 static void
1283 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents) 1464 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)
1324semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs 1505semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs
1325to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are 1506to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are
1326usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no 1507usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no
1327polling. 1508polling.
1328 1509
1510=head3 Inotify
1511
1512When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only
1513available on Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up
1514change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily
1515when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.
1516
1517Inotify presense does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1518except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1519making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presense of inotify support
1520there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling.
1521
1522(There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1523implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1524descriptor open on the object at all times).
1525
1526=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1527
1528The C<stat ()> syscall only supports full-second resolution portably, and
1529even on systems where the resolution is higher, many filesystems still
1530only support whole seconds.
1531
1532That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you might
1533miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and calls
1534your callback, which does something. When there is another update within
1535the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect it.
1536
1537The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for a second (or till
1538the next second boundary), using a roughly one-second delay C<ev_timer>
1539(C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.01); ev_timer_again (loop, w)>). The C<.01>
1540is added to work around small timing inconsistencies of some operating
1541systems.
1542
1543=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1544
1329=over 4 1545=over 4
1330 1546
1331=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval) 1547=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)
1332 1548
1333=item ev_stat_set (ev_stat *, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval) 1549=item ev_stat_set (ev_stat *, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)
1368=item const char *path [read-only] 1584=item const char *path [read-only]
1369 1585
1370The filesystem path that is being watched. 1586The filesystem path that is being watched.
1371 1587
1372=back 1588=back
1589
1590=head3 Examples
1373 1591
1374Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes. 1592Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1375 1593
1376 static void 1594 static void
1377 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents) 1595 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1390 } 1608 }
1391 1609
1392 ... 1610 ...
1393 ev_stat passwd; 1611 ev_stat passwd;
1394 1612
1395 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd"); 1613 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1396 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd); 1614 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1615
1616Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
1617miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
1618one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
1619C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
1620
1621 static ev_stat passwd;
1622 static ev_timer timer;
1623
1624 static void
1625 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1626 {
1627 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
1628
1629 /* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
1630 }
1631
1632 static void
1633 stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
1634 {
1635 /* reset the one-second timer */
1636 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
1637 }
1638
1639 ...
1640 ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1641 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1642 ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.01);
1397 1643
1398 1644
1399=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do... 1645=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1400 1646
1401Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher 1647Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1415Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful 1661Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
1416effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do 1662effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do
1417"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the 1663"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
1418event loop has handled all outstanding events. 1664event loop has handled all outstanding events.
1419 1665
1666=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1667
1420=over 4 1668=over 4
1421 1669
1422=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback) 1670=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1423 1671
1424Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any 1672Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1425kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 1673kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1426believe me. 1674believe me.
1427 1675
1428=back 1676=back
1677
1678=head3 Examples
1429 1679
1430Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the 1680Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1431callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual. 1681callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1432 1682
1433 static void 1683 static void
1481with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine 1731with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
1482of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event 1732of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
1483loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping 1733loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1484low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks). 1734low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1485 1735
1736It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
1737priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
1738after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers,
1739too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully
1740supports this, they will be called before other C<ev_check> watchers
1741did their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other
1742(non-libev) event loops those other event loops might be in an unusable
1743state until their C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to
1744coexist peacefully with others).
1745
1746=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1747
1486=over 4 1748=over 4
1487 1749
1488=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback) 1750=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
1489 1751
1490=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback) 1752=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1493parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set> 1755parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1494macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless. 1756macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.
1495 1757
1496=back 1758=back
1497 1759
1498Example: To include a library such as adns, you would add IO watchers 1760=head3 Examples
1499and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler, as required by libadns, and 1761
1762There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
1763into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
1764(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
1765use for an actually working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib>
1766embeds a Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV
1767into the Glib event loop).
1768
1769Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1500in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows is 1770and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1501pseudo-code only of course: 1771is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
1772priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
1773the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1502 1774
1503 static ev_io iow [nfd]; 1775 static ev_io iow [nfd];
1504 static ev_timer tw; 1776 static ev_timer tw;
1505 1777
1506 static void 1778 static void
1507 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 1779 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1508 { 1780 {
1509 // set the relevant poll flags
1510 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1511 struct pollfd *fd = (struct pollfd *)w->data;
1512 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1513 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1514 } 1781 }
1515 1782
1516 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking 1783 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1517 static void 1784 static void
1518 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents) 1785 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1524 1791
1525 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */ 1792 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1526 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3); 1793 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1527 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw); 1794 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1528 1795
1529 // create on ev_io per pollfd 1796 // create one ev_io per pollfd
1530 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 1797 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1531 { 1798 {
1532 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd, 1799 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1533 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0) 1800 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1534 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0))); 1801 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1535 1802
1536 fds [i].revents = 0; 1803 fds [i].revents = 0;
1537 iow [i].data = fds + i;
1538 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i); 1804 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1539 } 1805 }
1540 } 1806 }
1541 1807
1542 // stop all watchers after blocking 1808 // stop all watchers after blocking
1544 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents) 1810 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1545 { 1811 {
1546 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw); 1812 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1547 1813
1548 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 1814 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1815 {
1816 // set the relevant poll flags
1817 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1818 struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
1819 int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
1820 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1821 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1822
1823 // now stop the watcher
1549 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i); 1824 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1825 }
1550 1826
1551 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop)); 1827 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1828 }
1829
1830Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
1831in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
1832
1833Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
1834notification (adns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
1835callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
1836
1837 static void
1838 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1839 {
1840 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1841 update_now (EV_A);
1842
1843 adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
1844 }
1845
1846 static void
1847 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1848 {
1849 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1850 update_now (EV_A);
1851
1852 if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1853 if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1854 }
1855
1856 // do not ever call adns_afterpoll
1857
1858Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
1859want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, youc na override
1860their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main
1861loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does
1862this.
1863
1864 static gint
1865 event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
1866 {
1867 int got_events = 0;
1868
1869 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1870 // create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
1871
1872 if (timeout >= 0)
1873 // create/start timer
1874
1875 // poll
1876 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1877
1878 // stop timer again
1879 if (timeout >= 0)
1880 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
1881
1882 // stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
1883 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1884 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
1885
1886 return got_events;
1552 } 1887 }
1553 1888
1554 1889
1555=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough... 1890=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1556 1891
1599portable one. 1934portable one.
1600 1935
1601So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared 1936So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
1602that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around 1937that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
1603this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to 1938this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
1604create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything: 1939create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
1940
1941=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1942
1943=over 4
1944
1945=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
1946
1947=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
1948
1949Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1950embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
1951invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1952to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
1953if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
1954
1955=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
1956
1957Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1958similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
1959apropriate way for embedded loops.
1960
1961=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
1962
1963The embedded event loop.
1964
1965=back
1966
1967=head3 Examples
1968
1969Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
1970event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
1971loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the mebeddable loop is stored in
1972C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the acse no embeddable loop can be
1973used).
1605 1974
1606 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0); 1975 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
1607 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0; 1976 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
1608 struct ev_embed embed; 1977 struct ev_embed embed;
1609 1978
1620 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed); 1989 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
1621 } 1990 }
1622 else 1991 else
1623 loop_lo = loop_hi; 1992 loop_lo = loop_hi;
1624 1993
1625=over 4 1994Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
1995a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
1996kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
1997C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
1626 1998
1627=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 1999 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2000 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2001 struct ev_embed embed;
2002
2003 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2004 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2005 {
2006 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2007 ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2008 }
1628 2009
1629=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 2010 if (!loop_socket)
2011 loop_socket = loop;
1630 2012
1631Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be 2013 // now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
1632embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
1633invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1634to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
1635if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
1636
1637=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
1638
1639Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1640similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
1641apropriate way for embedded loops.
1642
1643=item struct ev_loop *loop [read-only]
1644
1645The embedded event loop.
1646
1647=back
1648 2014
1649 2015
1650=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork 2016=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
1651 2017
1652Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because 2018Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
1655event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called, 2021event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
1656and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling 2022and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
1657C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork 2023C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
1658handlers will be invoked, too, of course. 2024handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
1659 2025
2026=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2027
1660=over 4 2028=over 4
1661 2029
1662=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback) 2030=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1663 2031
1664Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any 2032Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
1844 2212
1845 myclass obj; 2213 myclass obj;
1846 ev::io iow; 2214 ev::io iow;
1847 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj); 2215 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
1848 2216
1849=item w->set (void (*function)(watcher &w, int), void *data = 0) 2217=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
1850 2218
1851Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as 2219Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
1852callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's 2220callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
1853C<data> member and is free for you to use. 2221C<data> member and is free for you to use.
1854 2222
2223The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
2224
1855See the method-C<set> above for more details. 2225See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2226
2227Example:
2228
2229 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2230 iow.set <io_cb> ();
1856 2231
1857=item w->set (struct ev_loop *) 2232=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
1858 2233
1859Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only 2234Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
1860do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 2235do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
1873 2248
1874=item w->stop () 2249=item w->stop ()
1875 2250
1876Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument. 2251Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
1877 2252
1878=item w->again () C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only 2253=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
1879 2254
1880For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding 2255For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding
1881C<ev_TYPE_again> function. 2256C<ev_TYPE_again> function.
1882 2257
1883=item w->sweep () C<ev::embed> only 2258=item w->sweep () (C<ev::embed> only)
1884 2259
1885Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>. 2260Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>.
1886 2261
1887=item w->update () C<ev::stat> only 2262=item w->update () (C<ev::stat> only)
1888 2263
1889Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>. 2264Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>.
1890 2265
1891=back 2266=back
1892 2267
1912 } 2287 }
1913 2288
1914 2289
1915=head1 MACRO MAGIC 2290=head1 MACRO MAGIC
1916 2291
1917Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundemantal is 2292Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal
1918C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most) functions and 2293of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
1919callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument. 2294functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
1920 2295
1921To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the 2296To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
1922following macros are defined: 2297following macros are defined:
1923 2298
1924=over 4 2299=over 4
1978Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host 2353Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
1979applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra 2354applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
1980Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe) 2355Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe)
1981and rxvt-unicode. 2356and rxvt-unicode.
1982 2357
1983The goal is to enable you to just copy the neecssary files into your 2358The goal is to enable you to just copy the necessary files into your
1984source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so 2359source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so
1985you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of 2360you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of
1986libev somewhere in your source tree). 2361libev somewhere in your source tree).
1987 2362
1988=head2 FILESETS 2363=head2 FILESETS
2078 2453
2079If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 2454If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2080monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use 2455monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use
2081of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you 2456of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you
2082usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when 2457usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when
2083the functionality isn't available is safe, though, althoguh you have 2458the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2084to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime> 2459to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2085function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). 2460function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).
2086 2461
2087=item EV_USE_REALTIME 2462=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2088 2463
2089If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 2464If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2090realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at 2465realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at
2091runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will 2466runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will
2092be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get 2467be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
2093(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See tzhe note about libraries 2468(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the
2094in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. 2469note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
2470
2471=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
2472
2473If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
2474and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
2095 2475
2096=item EV_USE_SELECT 2476=item EV_USE_SELECT
2097 2477
2098If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the 2478If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
2099C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no 2479C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no
2117wants osf handles on win32 (this is the case when the select to 2497wants osf handles on win32 (this is the case when the select to
2118be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call 2498be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
2119C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise, 2499C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
2120it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even 2500it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
2121on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms. 2501on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
2502
2503=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE
2504
2505If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
2506file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
2507default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
2508correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
2509in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
2122 2510
2123=item EV_USE_POLL 2511=item EV_USE_POLL
2124 2512
2125If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2) 2513If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
2126backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It 2514backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
2163be detected at runtime. 2551be detected at runtime.
2164 2552
2165=item EV_H 2553=item EV_H
2166 2554
2167The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 2555The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2168undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This 2556undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h> and F<ev.c>. This can be used to
2169can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts. 2557virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2170 2558
2171=item EV_CONFIG_H 2559=item EV_CONFIG_H
2172 2560
2173If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override 2561If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
2174F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to 2562F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2175C<EV_H>, above. 2563C<EV_H>, above.
2176 2564
2177=item EV_EVENT_H 2565=item EV_EVENT_H
2178 2566
2179Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea 2567Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
2180of how the F<event.h> header can be found. 2568of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the dfeault is C<"event.h">.
2181 2569
2182=item EV_PROTOTYPES 2570=item EV_PROTOTYPES
2183 2571
2184If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function 2572If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
2185prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is 2573prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
2251than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to 2639than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to
2252increase this value (I<must> be a power of two). 2640increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
2253 2641
2254=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE 2642=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
2255 2643
2256C<ev_staz> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 2644C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2257inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), 2645inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
2258usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat> 2646usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
2259watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of 2647watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
2260two). 2648two).
2261 2649
2278 2666
2279=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb) 2667=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb)
2280 2668
2281Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher, 2669Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher,
2282and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member 2670and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member
2283definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.v> header file for 2671definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
2284their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to 2672their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
2285avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use 2673avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2286method calls instead of plain function calls in C++. 2674method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
2675
2676=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
2677
2678If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a dll) and you need a list of
2679exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
2680all public symbols, one per line:
2681
2682 Symbols.ev for libev proper
2683 Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
2684
2685This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
2686multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
2687itself, but sometimes it is inconvinient to avoid this).
2688
2689A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
2690include before including F<ev.h>:
2691
2692 <Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
2693
2694This would create a file F<wrap.h> which essentially looks like this:
2695
2696 #define ev_backend myprefix_ev_backend
2697 #define ev_check_start myprefix_ev_check_start
2698 #define ev_check_stop myprefix_ev_check_stop
2699 ...
2287 2700
2288=head2 EXAMPLES 2701=head2 EXAMPLES
2289 2702
2290For a real-world example of a program the includes libev 2703For a real-world example of a program the includes libev
2291verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module 2704verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module
2332 2745
2333=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers) 2746=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
2334 2747
2335This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and 2748This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
2336there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will 2749there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will
2337have to skip those 100 watchers. 2750have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
2338 2751
2339=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat, again): O(log skipped_other_timers) 2752=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
2340 2753
2341That means that for changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them 2754That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them
2342as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for. 2755as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
2343 2756
2344=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1) 2757=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1)
2345 2758
2346These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list. 2759These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
2760
2347=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1) 2761=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1)
2348 2762
2349=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE)) 2763=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
2350 2764
2351These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the 2765These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the
2352correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually 2766correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
2353have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal). 2767have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).
2354 2768
2355=item Finding the next timer per loop iteration: O(1) 2769=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
2770
2771By virtue of using a binary heap, the next timer is always found at the
2772beginning of the storage array.
2356 2773
2357=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd) 2774=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
2358 2775
2359A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires 2776A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
2360libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel). 2777libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
2778on backend and wether C<ev_io_set> was used).
2361 2779
2362=item Activating one watcher: O(1) 2780=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
2363 2781
2364=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities) 2782=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
2365 2783
2366Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each 2784Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
2367priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to 2785priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
2368linearly search all the priorities. 2786linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
2787watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. prioritiy handling.
2369 2788
2370=back 2789=back
2371 2790
2372 2791
2792=head1 Win32 platform limitations and workarounds
2793
2794Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
2795requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
2796model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
2797the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
2798descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
2799e.g. cygwin.
2800
2801There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
2802embedding it into other applications.
2803
2804Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and the
2805abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets is not
2806recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use more than
2807a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally different
2808implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX model, which cannot
2809be implemented efficiently on windows (microsoft monopoly games).
2810
2811=over 4
2812
2813=item The winsocket select function
2814
2815The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it requires
2816socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors>. This makes select
2817very inefficient, and also requires a mapping from file descriptors
2818to socket handles. See the discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>,
2819C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor
2820symbols for more info.
2821
2822The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the microsoft runtime
2823libraries and raw winsocket select is:
2824
2825 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1
2826 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
2827
2828Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
2829complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
2830
2831=item Limited number of file descriptors
2832
2833Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things. Early versions
2834of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a max. of C<64> handles
2835(probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels can only wait for
2836C<64> things at the same time internally; microsoft recommends spawning a
2837chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the previous thread in each).
2838
2839Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
2840to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
2841call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own
2842select emulation on windows).
2843
2844Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the microsoft runtime
2845libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish
2846or something like this inside microsoft). You can increase this by calling
2847C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another
2848arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the microsoft runtime
2849libraries.
2850
2851This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on
2852windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to
2853wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of
2854calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
2855
2856=back
2857
2858
2373=head1 AUTHOR 2859=head1 AUTHOR
2374 2860
2375Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 2861Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.
2376 2862

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