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Revision 1.74 by root, Sat Dec 8 14:12:08 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.205 by root, Mon Oct 27 12:20:32 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_ 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_ 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 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
53The newest version of this document is also available as a html-formatted 67The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted
54web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first 68web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
55time: L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>. 69time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
56 70
57Libev 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
58file descriptor being readable or a timeout occuring), and it will manage 72file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
59these event sources and provide your program with events. 73these event sources and provide your program with events.
60 74
61To 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
62(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
63communicate events via a callback mechanism. 77communicate events via a callback mechanism.
65You register interest in certain events by registering so-called I<event 79You register interest in certain events by registering so-called I<event
66watchers>, which are relatively small C structures you initialise with the 80watchers>, 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 81details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the
68watcher. 82watcher.
69 83
70=head1 FEATURES 84=head2 FEATURES
71 85
72Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the 86Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the
73BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms 87BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms
74for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface 88for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface
75(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers 89(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers
82 96
83It also is quite fast (see this 97It also is quite fast (see this
84L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent 98L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
85for example). 99for example).
86 100
87=head1 CONVENTIONS 101=head2 CONVENTIONS
88 102
89Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will 103Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
90be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about 104configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
91various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in 105more info about various configuration options please have a look at
92this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event 106B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
93loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of name C<loop> 107for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
94(which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have this argument. 108name C<loop> (which is always of type C<ev_loop *>) will not have
109this argument.
95 110
96=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION 111=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
97 112
98Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 113Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
99(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 114(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
100the 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
101called 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
102to 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
103it, 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
104 142
105=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 143=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
106 144
107These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the 145These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
108library in any way. 146library in any way.
113 151
114Returns 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
115C<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
116you actually want to know. 154you actually want to know.
117 155
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
118=item int ev_version_major () 162=item int ev_version_major ()
119 163
120=item int ev_version_minor () 164=item int ev_version_minor ()
121 165
122You 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
123you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and 167you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and
124C<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
125symbols 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
126version of the library your program was compiled against. 170version of the library your program was compiled against.
127 171
172These version numbers refer to the ABI version of the library, not the
173release version.
174
128Usually, 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,
129as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 176as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
130compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 177compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
131not a problem. 178not a problem.
132 179
133Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 180Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
134version. 181version.
135 182
136 assert (("libev version mismatch", 183 assert (("libev version mismatch",
137 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 184 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
138 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 185 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
139 186
140=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends () 187=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
141 188
142Return 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_*>
143value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their 190value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
145a description of the set values. 192a description of the set values.
146 193
147Example: 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
148a 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
149 196
150 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex", 197 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
151 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL)); 198 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
152 199
153=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends () 200=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
154 201
155Return 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
156recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one 203recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one
157returned 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
158most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it 205most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it
159(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
160libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly. 207libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
161 208
162=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends () 209=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
163 210
167C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for 214C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for
168recommended ones. 215recommended ones.
169 216
170See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 217See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
171 218
172=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) 219=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT]
173 220
174Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the 221Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
175semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to 222semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
176allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when 223used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
177memory needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some 224when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
178potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc 225or take some potentially destructive action.
179function. 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.
180 230
181You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say, 231You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
182free 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,
183or 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.
184 234
185Example: 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
186retries). 236retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
187 237
188 static void * 238 static void *
189 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size) 239 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
190 { 240 {
191 for (;;) 241 for (;;)
200 } 250 }
201 251
202 ... 252 ...
203 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc); 253 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
204 254
205=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); 255=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT]
206 256
207Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such 257Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
208as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string 258as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
209indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this 259indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
210callback 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
211matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the 261matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
212requested 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
213(such as abort). 263(such as abort).
214 264
215Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too. 265Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
226 276
227=back 277=back
228 278
229=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP 279=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
230 280
231An 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 C<struct>
232types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child 282is I<not> optional in this case, as there is also an C<ev_loop>
233events, and dynamically created loops which do not. 283I<function>).
234 284
235If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop 285The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
236in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you 286supports signals and child events, and dynamically created loops which do
237create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking 287not.
238whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different
239threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if
240done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient).
241 288
242=over 4 289=over 4
243 290
244=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags) 291=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
245 292
249flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). 296flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
250 297
251If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 298If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
252function. 299function.
253 300
301Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
302from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
303as loops cannot bes hared easily between threads anyway).
304
305The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
306C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
307for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
308create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
309can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
310C<ev_default_init>.
311
254The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 312The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
255backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). 313backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
256 314
257The following flags are supported: 315The following flags are supported:
258 316
263The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right 321The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
264thing, believe me). 322thing, believe me).
265 323
266=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV> 324=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
267 325
268If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid 326If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
269or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable 327or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
270C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will 328C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
271override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is 329override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
272useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 330useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
273around bugs. 331around bugs.
279enabling this flag. 337enabling this flag.
280 338
281This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop, 339This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
282and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop 340and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
283iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my 341iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
284Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence 342GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
285without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my Linux system also has 343without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
286C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster). 344C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
287 345
288The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and 346The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
289forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this 347forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
290flag. 348flag.
291 349
292This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> 350This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
293environment variable. 351environment variable.
294 352
295=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 353=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
296 354
297This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 355This 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, 356libev 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 357but 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 358using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
301the fastest backend for a low number of fds. 359usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
360
361To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
362parallelism (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
363writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
364connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
365a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
366readiness notifications you get per iteration.
367
368This backend maps C<EV_READ> to the C<readfds> set and C<EV_WRITE> to the
369C<writefds> set (and to work around Microsoft Windows bugs, also onto the
370C<exceptfds> set on that platform).
302 371
303=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows) 372=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
304 373
305And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated than 374And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
306select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial limit on the 375than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
307number of fds you can use (except it will slow down considerably with a 376limit 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). 377considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
378i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
379performance tips.
380
381This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
382C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
309 383
310=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 384=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
311 385
312For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, 386For 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 387but 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 388like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
315either O(1) or O(active_fds). 389epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
316 390
391The epoll syscalls are the most misdesigned of the more advanced
392event mechanisms: probelsm include silently dropping events in some
393hard-to-detect cases, requiring a system call per fd change, no fork
394support, problems with dup and so on.
395
396Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds should work, but
397of course doesn't, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
398I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
399even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
400on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
401employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
402events to filter out spurious ones.
403
317While stopping and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration will 404While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
318result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident 405will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such incident
319(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its 406(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 407best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work
321well if you register events for both fds. 408very well if you register events for both fds.
322 409
323Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you 410Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
324need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data 411watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
325(or space) is available. 412i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
413starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
414extra overhead.
415
416While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
417all kernel versions tested so far.
418
419This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
420C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
326 421
327=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones) 422=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
328 423
329Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it 424Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it was
330was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work with 425broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably with
331anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course its 426anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course it's
332completely useless). For this reason its not being "autodetected" 427completely useless). For this reason it's not being "auto-detected" unless
333unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using 428you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or
334C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>). 429libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough) system like NetBSD.
430
431You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
432only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
433the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
335 434
336It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the 435It 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 436kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
338course). While starting and stopping an I/O watcher does not cause an 437course). 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 438cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
340incident, so its best to avoid that. 439two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it
440drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.
441
442This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
443
444While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
445everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
446almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
447(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
448(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and, did I mention it,
449using it only for sockets.
450
451This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
452C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
453C<NOTE_EOF>.
341 454
342=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8) 455=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
343 456
344This is not implemented yet (and might never be). 457This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
458implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
459and is not embeddable, which would limit the usefulness of this backend
460immensely.
345 461
346=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10) 462=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
347 463
348This uses the Solaris 10 port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris, 464This 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)). 465it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
350 466
351Please note that solaris ports can result in a lot of spurious 467Please 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 468notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
353blocking when no data (or space) is available. 469blocking when no data (or space) is available.
470
471While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
472file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
473descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
474might perform better.
475
476On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
477notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
478in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
479OS-specific backends.
480
481This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
482C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
354 483
355=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 484=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
356 485
357Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried 486Try 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 487with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
359C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>. 488C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
360 489
490It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
491
361=back 492=back
362 493
363If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these 494If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these
364backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If none are 495backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are
365specified, most compiled-in backend will be tried, usually in reverse 496specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.
366order of their flag values :)
367 497
368The most typical usage is like this: 498Example: This is the most typical usage.
369 499
370 if (!ev_default_loop (0)) 500 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
371 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?"); 501 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
372 502
373Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow 503Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
374environment settings to be taken into account: 504environment settings to be taken into account:
375 505
376 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV); 506 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
377 507
378Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if 508Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
379available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private 509used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
380event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds): 510private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
511fds):
381 512
382 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE); 513 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
383 514
384=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags) 515=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
385 516
386Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is 517Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
387always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot 518always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
388handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by 519handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
389undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled). 520undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
390 521
522Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
523libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
524default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
525
391Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 526Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
392 527
393 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 528 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
394 if (!epoller) 529 if (!epoller)
395 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 530 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
396 531
397=item ev_default_destroy () 532=item ev_default_destroy ()
398 533
399Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 534Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
400etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal 535etc.). 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 536sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
402responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before> 537responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
403calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually 538calling 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 539the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
405for example). 540for example).
541
542Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
543handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
544as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
545
546In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
547rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
548pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
549C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).
406 550
407=item ev_loop_destroy (loop) 551=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
408 552
409Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an 553Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
410earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>. 554earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
411 555
412=item ev_default_fork () 556=item ev_default_fork ()
413 557
558This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations
414This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have 559to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
415one. Despite the name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense 560name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in
416after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that 561the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little
417again makes little sense). 562sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev
563functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration.
418 564
419You I<must> call this function in the child process after forking if and 565On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
420only if you want to use the event library in both processes. If you just 566process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If
421fork+exec, you don't have to call it. 567you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all.
422 568
423The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call 569The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
424it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in 570it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in
425quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>: 571quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
426 572
427 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 573 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
428 574
429At the moment, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL> are safe to use
430without calling this function, so if you force one of those backends you
431do not need to care.
432
433=item ev_loop_fork (loop) 575=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
434 576
435Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by 577Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
436C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop 578C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
437after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem. 579after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is
580entirely your own problem.
581
582=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
583
584Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
585otherwise.
438 586
439=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop) 587=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
440 588
441Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to 589Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
442the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and 590the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
455 603
456Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop 604Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop
457received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not 605received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
458change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base 606change 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 607time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
460event occuring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it). 608event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
609
610=item ev_now_update (loop)
611
612Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
613returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
614is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>.
615
616This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
617very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
618the current time is a good idea.
619
620See also "The special problem of time updates" in the C<ev_timer> section.
461 621
462=item ev_loop (loop, int flags) 622=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
463 623
464Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 624Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
465after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling 625after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
468If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until 628If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until
469either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called. 629either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.
470 630
471Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than 631Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than
472relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has 632relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
473finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that 633finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
474automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of 634that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
475relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty. 635of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
636beauty.
476 637
477A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle 638A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle
478those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in 639those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your
479case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop. 640process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of
641the loop.
480 642
481A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if 643A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
482neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block 644necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
483your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after 645will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
484one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some 646be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarentee that a
485external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other 647user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
648iteration of the loop.
649
650This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
651with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
486libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 652own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
487usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 653usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
488 654
489Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 655Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
490 656
491 * If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return. 657 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
492 - Queue prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers. 658 * If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
659 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
660 - Queue and call all prepare watchers.
493 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state. 661 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
662 as to not disturb the other process.
494 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 663 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
495 - Update the "event loop time". 664 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
496 - Calculate for how long to block. 665 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
666 (active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
667 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
668 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
497 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 669 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
498 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events. 670 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
499 - Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling. 671 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
500 - Queue all outstanding timers. 672 - Queue all expired timers.
501 - Queue all outstanding periodics. 673 - Queue all expired periodics.
502 - If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers. 674 - Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
503 - Queue all check watchers. 675 - Queue all check watchers.
504 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first). 676 - 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 677 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
506 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 678 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
507 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 679 - If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
508 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *. 680 were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise
681 continue with step *.
509 682
510Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding 683Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
511anymore. 684anymore.
512 685
513 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 686 ... 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..) 687 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
515 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 688 ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
516 ... jobs done. yeah! 689 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
517 690
518=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 691=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
519 692
520Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 693Can 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 694has 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 695C<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. 696C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
524 697
698This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.
699
700It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls.
701
525=item ev_ref (loop) 702=item ev_ref (loop)
526 703
527=item ev_unref (loop) 704=item ev_unref (loop)
528 705
529Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event 706Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
530loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference 707loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
531count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. If you have 708count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own.
709
532a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> from 710If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop>
533returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For 711from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before
712stopping it.
713
534example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not 714As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is
535visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if 715not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting
536no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent 716if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent
537way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party 717way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party
538libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>. 718libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>
719(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,
720respectively).
539 721
540Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 722Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
541running when nothing else is active. 723running when nothing else is active.
542 724
543 struct ev_signal exitsig; 725 ev_signal exitsig;
544 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 726 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
545 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig); 727 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
546 evf_unref (loop); 728 evf_unref (loop);
547 729
548Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 730Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
549 731
550 ev_ref (loop); 732 ev_ref (loop);
551 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig); 733 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
734
735=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
736
737=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
738
739These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
740for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
741will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
742latency.
743
744Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
745allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
746to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
747opportunities).
748
749The idea is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to handle
750one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes the
751program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
752events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
753overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
754
755By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
756time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
757at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
758C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
759introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.
760
761Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
762to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
763latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
764later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
765value will not introduce any overhead in libev.
766
767Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
768interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
769interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
770usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
771as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems.
772
773Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
774saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
775are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
776times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
777reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
778they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
779
780=item ev_loop_verify (loop)
781
782This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
783compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
784through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
785is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
786error and call C<abort ()>.
787
788This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
789circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
790data structures consistent.
552 791
553=back 792=back
554 793
555 794
556=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER 795=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
796
797In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
798watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
799watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
557 800
558A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your 801A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
559interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to 802interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
560become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that: 803become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
561 804
562 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 805 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
563 { 806 {
564 ev_io_stop (w); 807 ev_io_stop (w);
565 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 808 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
566 } 809 }
567 810
568 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 811 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
812
569 struct ev_io stdin_watcher; 813 ev_io stdin_watcher;
814
570 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb); 815 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
571 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 816 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
572 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 817 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
818
573 ev_loop (loop, 0); 819 ev_loop (loop, 0);
574 820
575As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your 821As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
576watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack, 822watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
577although this can sometimes be quite valid). 823stack).
824
825Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
826or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
578 827
579Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init 828Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init
580(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This 829(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
581callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io 830callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O
582watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given 831watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
583is readable and/or writable). 832is readable and/or writable).
584 833
585Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro 834Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
586with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro 835macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
587to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< ev_<type>_init 836is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
588(watcher *, callback, ...) >>. 837ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
589 838
590To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it 839To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it
591with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_<type>_start (loop, watcher 840with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
592*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the 841*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
593corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>. 842corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
594 843
595As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you 844As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
596must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never 845must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
597reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro. 846reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
598 847
599Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the 848Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
600registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as 849registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
601third argument. 850third argument.
602 851
656=item C<EV_FORK> 905=item C<EV_FORK>
657 906
658The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see 907The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
659C<ev_fork>). 908C<ev_fork>).
660 909
910=item C<EV_ASYNC>
911
912The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
913
661=item C<EV_ERROR> 914=item C<EV_ERROR>
662 915
663An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might 916An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
664happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev 917happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
665ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other 918ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
919problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
920
666problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping 921You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
667with the watcher being stopped. 922watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
923an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
924bug in your program.
668 925
669Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, 926Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
670for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if 927example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
671your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope 928callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
672with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded 929the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
673programs, though, so beware. 930programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
931thing, so beware.
674 932
675=back 933=back
676 934
677=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS 935=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
678
679In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
680e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
681 936
682=over 4 937=over 4
683 938
684=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 939=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
685 940
691which rolls both calls into one. 946which rolls both calls into one.
692 947
693You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped 948You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
694(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding. 949(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
695 950
696The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, 951The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
697int revents)>. 952int revents)>.
953
954Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
955
956 ev_io w;
957 ev_init (&w, my_cb);
958 ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
698 959
699=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args]) 960=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])
700 961
701This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to 962This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
702call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can 963call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
705difference to the C<ev_init> macro). 966difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
706 967
707Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments 968Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
708(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro. 969(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
709 970
971See C<ev_init>, above, for an example.
972
710=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args]) 973=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
711 974
712This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro 975This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
713calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise 976calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
714a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course. 977a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
978
979Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
980
981 ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
715 982
716=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 983=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
717 984
718Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive 985Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
719events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen. 986events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
720 987
988Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
989whole section.
990
991 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
992
721=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 993=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
722 994
723Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending 995Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
996the watcher was active or not).
997
724status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example, 998It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
725non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but 999non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending - but
726C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If 1000calling C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor
727you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a 1001pending. If you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is
728good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function. 1002therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
729 1003
730=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1004=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
731 1005
732Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started 1006Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
733and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify 1007and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
775The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is 1049The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
776always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :). 1050always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
777 1051
778Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is 1052Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
779fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might 1053fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
780or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range. 1054or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
781 1055
782=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents) 1056=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
783 1057
784Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither 1058Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
785C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback 1059C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
786can deal with that fact. 1060can deal with that fact, as both are simply passed through to the
1061callback.
787 1062
788=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1063=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
789 1064
790If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status 1065If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
791and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the 1066returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
792watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>. 1067watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
793 1068
1069Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
1070callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
1071
794=back 1072=back
795 1073
796 1074
797=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 1075=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
798 1076
799Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change 1077Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
800and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used 1078and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
801to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and 1079to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
802don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data 1080don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
803member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own 1081member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
804data: 1082data:
805 1083
806 struct my_io 1084 struct my_io
807 { 1085 {
808 struct ev_io io; 1086 ev_io io;
809 int otherfd; 1087 int otherfd;
810 void *somedata; 1088 void *somedata;
811 struct whatever *mostinteresting; 1089 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
812 } 1090 };
1091
1092 ...
1093 struct my_io w;
1094 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
813 1095
814And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you 1096And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
815can cast it back to your own type: 1097can cast it back to your own type:
816 1098
817 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents) 1099 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
818 { 1100 {
819 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_; 1101 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
820 ... 1102 ...
821 } 1103 }
822 1104
823More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type 1105More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
824instead have been omitted. 1106instead have been omitted.
825 1107
826Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple 1108Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
827watchers: 1109embedded watchers:
828 1110
829 struct my_biggy 1111 struct my_biggy
830 { 1112 {
831 int some_data; 1113 int some_data;
832 ev_timer t1; 1114 ev_timer t1;
833 ev_timer t2; 1115 ev_timer t2;
834 } 1116 }
835 1117
836In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated, 1118In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
837you need to use C<offsetof>: 1119complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
1120in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
1121some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
1122programmers):
838 1123
839 #include <stddef.h> 1124 #include <stddef.h>
840 1125
841 static void 1126 static void
842 t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1127 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
843 { 1128 {
844 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1129 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
845 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1)); 1130 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
846 } 1131 }
847 1132
848 static void 1133 static void
849 t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1134 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
850 { 1135 {
851 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1136 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
852 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2)); 1137 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
853 } 1138 }
854 1139
855 1140
856=head1 WATCHER TYPES 1141=head1 WATCHER TYPES
857 1142
858This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 1143This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
882In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 1167In 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 1168fd 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 1169descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
885required if you know what you are doing). 1170required if you know what you are doing).
886 1171
887You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends 1172If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
888(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file 1173known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
889descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing 1174C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
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
894(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
895C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
896 1175
897Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to 1176Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
898receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might 1177receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
899be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block 1178be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
900because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a 1179because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
901lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into 1180lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
902this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus 1181this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
903it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning 1182it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
904C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives. 1183C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
905 1184
906If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not 1185If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
907play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test 1186not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
908whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface 1187re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
909such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on 1188interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already
910its own, so its quite safe to use). 1189does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
1190use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
1191indefinitely.
1192
1193But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1194
1195=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1196
1197Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
1198descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means,
1199such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
1200descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
1201this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
1202registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
1203fact, a different file descriptor.
1204
1205To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows
1206the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev
1207will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise
1208it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that
1209you I<have> to call C<ev_io_set> (or C<ev_io_init>) when you change the
1210descriptor even if the file descriptor number itself did not change.
1211
1212This is how one would do it normally anyway, the important point is that
1213the libev application should not optimise around libev but should leave
1214optimisations to libev.
1215
1216=head3 The special problem of dup'ed file descriptors
1217
1218Some backends (e.g. epoll), cannot register events for file descriptors,
1219but only events for the underlying file descriptions. That means when you
1220have C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors or weirder constellations, and register
1221events for them, only one file descriptor might actually receive events.
1222
1223There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1224for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1225C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1226
1227=head3 The special problem of fork
1228
1229Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit
1230useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about
1231it in the child.
1232
1233To support fork in your programs, you either have to call
1234C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,
1235enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1236C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1237
1238=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1239
1240While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
1241when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
1242sent a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
1243this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
1244
1245So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1246ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1247somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1248
1249
1250=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
911 1251
912=over 4 1252=over 4
913 1253
914=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 1254=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
915 1255
916=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events) 1256=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
917 1257
918Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to 1258Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
919rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or 1259receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
920C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events. 1260C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.
921 1261
922=item int fd [read-only] 1262=item int fd [read-only]
923 1263
924The file descriptor being watched. 1264The file descriptor being watched.
925 1265
926=item int events [read-only] 1266=item int events [read-only]
927 1267
928The events being watched. 1268The events being watched.
929 1269
930=back 1270=back
1271
1272=head3 Examples
931 1273
932Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well 1274Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
933readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could 1275readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
934attempt to read a whole line in the callback. 1276attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
935 1277
936 static void 1278 static void
937 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1279 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
938 { 1280 {
939 ev_io_stop (loop, w); 1281 ev_io_stop (loop, w);
940 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors 1282 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
941 } 1283 }
942 1284
943 ... 1285 ...
944 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 1286 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
945 struct ev_io stdin_readable; 1287 ev_io stdin_readable;
946 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1288 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
947 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 1289 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
948 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1290 ev_loop (loop, 0);
949 1291
950 1292
951=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts 1293=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
952 1294
953Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 1295Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
954given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 1296given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
955 1297
956The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 1298The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
957times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years 1299times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
958time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because 1300year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
959detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 1301detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
960monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 1302monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1303
1304The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1305passed, but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration
1306then order of execution is undefined.
1307
1308=head3 Be smart about timeouts
1309
1310Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
1311recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
1312you want to raise some error after a while.
1313
1314What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
1315inefficient to smart and efficient.
1316
1317In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
1318gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
1319data or other life sign was received).
1320
1321=over 4
1322
1323=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
1324
1325This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
1326start the watcher:
1327
1328 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
1329 ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
1330
1331Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
1332and start it again:
1333
1334 ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
1335 ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
1336 ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
1337
1338This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
1339some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
1340data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
1341still not a constant-time operation.
1342
1343=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
1344
1345This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
1346C<ev_timer_start>.
1347
1348To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
1349of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
1350successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
1351you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
1352the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
1353
1354That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
1355C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
1356member and C<ev_timer_again>.
1357
1358At start:
1359
1360 ev_timer_init (timer, callback);
1361 timer->repeat = 60.;
1362 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1363
1364Each time there is some activity:
1365
1366 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1367
1368It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
1369whether the watcher is active or not:
1370
1371 timer->repeat = 30.;
1372 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1373
1374This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
1375you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
1376remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
1377
1378It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
1379
1380=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
1381
1382This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
1383relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
1384our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
1385associated activity resets.
1386
1387In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
1388but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
1389within the callback:
1390
1391 ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
1392
1393 static void
1394 callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1395 {
1396 ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);
1397 ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
1398
1399 // if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
1400 if (timeout < now)
1401 {
1402 // timeout occured, take action
1403 }
1404 else
1405 {
1406 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
1407 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
1408 // guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
1409 w->again = timeout - now;
1410 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
1411 }
1412 }
1413
1414To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
1415as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has
1416been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise
1417the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so
1418re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
1419a timeout then.
1420
1421Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the
1422C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.
1423
1424This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
1425minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
1426libev to change the timeout.
1427
1428To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
1429to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
1430callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
1431
1432 ev_timer_init (timer, callback);
1433 last_activity = ev_now (loop);
1434 callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMEOUT);
1435
1436And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
1437C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
1438
1439 last_actiivty = ev_now (loop);
1440
1441This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
1442time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
1443
1444Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
1445callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
1446fix things for you.
1447
1448=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
1449
1450If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
1451employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
1452do even better:
1453
1454When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
1455at the I<end> of the list.
1456
1457Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
1458the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
1459
1460When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
1461the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
1462update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
1463
1464This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
1465starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
1466complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
1467ensures that the list stays sorted.
1468
1469=back
1470
1471So which method the best?
1472
1473Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
1474situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
1475better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
1476one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
1477
1478Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
1479rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
1480off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
1481overkill :)
1482
1483=head3 The special problem of time updates
1484
1485Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
1486least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
1487time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a
1488growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
1489lots of events in one iteration.
961 1490
962The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 1491The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
963time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 1492time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
964of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If 1493of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
965you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout 1494you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
966on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this: 1495timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
967 1496
968 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 1497 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
969 1498
970The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed, 1499If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
971but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then 1500update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
972order of execution is undefined. 1501()>.
1502
1503=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
973 1504
974=over 4 1505=over 4
975 1506
976=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1507=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
977 1508
978=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1509=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
979 1510
980Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is 1511Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
981C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the 1512is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
982timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds 1513reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
983later, again, and again, until stopped manually. 1514configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
1515until stopped manually.
984 1516
985The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you 1517The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
986configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at 1518you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
987exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with 1519trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
988the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the 1520keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
989timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 1521do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
990 1522
991=item ev_timer_again (loop) 1523=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
992 1524
993This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 1525This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
994repeating. The exact semantics are: 1526repeating. The exact semantics are:
995 1527
996If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared. 1528If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
997 1529
998If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out). 1530If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
999 1531
1000If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the 1532If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
1001C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value. 1533C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1002 1534
1003This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical 1535This sounds a bit complicated, see "Be smart about timeouts", above, for a
1004example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle 1536usage example.
1005timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
1006seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
1007configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
1008C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
1009you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
1010socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
1011automatically restart it if need be.
1012
1013That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>
1014altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
1015
1016 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);
1017 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1018 ...
1019 timer->again = 17.;
1020 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1021 ...
1022 timer->again = 10.;
1023 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1024
1025This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
1026you want to modify its timeout value.
1027 1537
1028=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write] 1538=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1029 1539
1030The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out 1540The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1031or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any), 1541or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1032which is also when any modifications are taken into account. 1542which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
1033 1543
1034=back 1544=back
1035 1545
1546=head3 Examples
1547
1036Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds. 1548Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1037 1549
1038 static void 1550 static void
1039 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1551 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1040 { 1552 {
1041 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here 1553 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1042 } 1554 }
1043 1555
1044 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1556 ev_timer mytimer;
1045 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.); 1557 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1046 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer); 1558 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1047 1559
1048Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of 1560Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1049inactivity. 1561inactivity.
1050 1562
1051 static void 1563 static void
1052 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1564 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1053 { 1565 {
1054 .. ten seconds without any activity 1566 .. ten seconds without any activity
1055 } 1567 }
1056 1568
1057 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1569 ev_timer mytimer;
1058 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */ 1570 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1059 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */ 1571 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1060 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1572 ev_loop (loop, 0);
1061 1573
1062 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity": 1574 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1063 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 1575 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1064 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 1576 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1065 1577
1066 1578
1067=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron? 1579=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1068 1580
1069Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 1581Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1070(and unfortunately a bit complex). 1582(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1071 1583
1072Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time) 1584Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)
1073but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher 1585but on wall clock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher
1074to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a 1586to trigger after 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 () 1587periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now ()
1076+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will 1588+ 10.>, that is, an absolute time not a delay) and then reset your system
1589clock to January of the previous year, then it will take more than year
1077take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger 1590to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger
1078roughly 10 seconds later and of course not if you reset your system time 1591roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
1079again).
1080 1592
1081They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as 1593C<ev_periodic>s can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers,
1082triggering an event on eahc midnight, local time. 1594such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other
1595complicated rules.
1083 1596
1084As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the 1597As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1085time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready 1598time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
1086during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined. 1599during the same loop iteration, then order of execution is undefined.
1600
1601=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1087 1602
1088=over 4 1603=over 4
1089 1604
1090=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb) 1605=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1091 1606
1092=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb) 1607=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)
1093 1608
1094Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of 1609Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1095operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex: 1610operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1096 1611
1097=over 4 1612=over 4
1098 1613
1099=item * absolute timer (interval = reschedule_cb = 0) 1614=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)
1100 1615
1101In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time 1616In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1102C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs, 1617time C<at> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a time
1103that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the 1618jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will
1104system time reaches or surpasses this time. 1619only run when the system clock reaches or surpasses this time.
1105 1620
1106=item * non-repeating interval timer (interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0) 1621=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1107 1622
1108In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next 1623In 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 1624C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)
1110of any time jumps. 1625and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
1111 1626
1112This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system 1627This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1113time: 1628system clock, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
1629hour, on the hour:
1114 1630
1115 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0); 1631 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1116 1632
1117This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers, 1633This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1118but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a 1634but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1119full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible 1635full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1120by 3600. 1636by 3600.
1121 1637
1122Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 1638Another 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 1639C<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. 1640time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1125 1641
1642For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near
1643C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1644this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
1645
1646Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
1647speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
1648will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
1649millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
1650
1126=item * manual reschedule mode (reschedule_cb = callback) 1651=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1127 1652
1128In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being 1653In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being
1129ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 1654ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1130reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 1655reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1131current time as second argument. 1656current time as second argument.
1132 1657
1133NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, 1658NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
1134ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it, 1659ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>.
1135return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
1136starting a prepare watcher).
1137 1660
1661If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
1662it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
1663only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
1664
1138Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, 1665The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1139ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.: 1666*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1140 1667
1668 static ev_tstamp
1141 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1669 my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1142 { 1670 {
1143 return now + 60.; 1671 return now + 60.;
1144 } 1672 }
1145 1673
1146It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value 1674It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1147(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It 1675(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
1148will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but 1676will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1149might be called at other times, too. 1677might be called at other times, too.
1150 1678
1151NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the 1679NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1152passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger. 1680equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1153 1681
1154This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 1682This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1155triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the 1683triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
1156next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How 1684next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
1157you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main 1685you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
1158reason I omitted it as an example). 1686reason I omitted it as an example).
1159 1687
1160=back 1688=back
1164Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful 1692Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1165when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return 1693when 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 1694a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1167program when the crontabs have changed). 1695program when the crontabs have changed).
1168 1696
1697=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
1698
1699When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1700trigger next.
1701
1702=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1703
1704When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1705absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).
1706
1707Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
1708timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1709
1169=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write] 1710=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1170 1711
1171The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only 1712The 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 1713take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1173called. 1714called.
1174 1715
1175=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write] 1716=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1176 1717
1177The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is 1718The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1178switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when 1719switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1179the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called. 1720the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1180 1721
1181=back 1722=back
1182 1723
1724=head3 Examples
1725
1183Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 1726Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1184system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 1727system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1185potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability. 1728potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1186 1729
1187 static void 1730 static void
1188 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1731 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1189 { 1732 {
1190 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows) 1733 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1191 } 1734 }
1192 1735
1193 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1736 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1194 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0); 1737 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1195 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1738 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1196 1739
1197Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it: 1740Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1198 1741
1199 #include <math.h> 1742 #include <math.h>
1200 1743
1201 static ev_tstamp 1744 static ev_tstamp
1202 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1745 my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1203 { 1746 {
1204 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.; 1747 return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1205 } 1748 }
1206 1749
1207 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb); 1750 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1208 1751
1209Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now: 1752Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1210 1753
1211 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1754 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1212 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 1755 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1213 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 1756 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1214 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1757 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1215 1758
1216 1759
1217=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled! 1760=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1218 1761
1219Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 1762Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1220signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 1763signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1221will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 1764will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1222normal event processing, like any other event. 1765normal event processing, like any other event.
1223 1766
1767If you want signals asynchronously, just use C<sigaction> as you would
1768do without libev and forget about sharing the signal. You can even use
1769C<ev_async> from a signal handler to synchronously wake up an event loop.
1770
1224You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the 1771You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the
1225first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher 1772first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal handler
1226with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long 1773with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as
1227as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal 1774you don't register any with libev for the same signal). Similarly, when
1228watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to 1775the last signal watcher for a signal is stopped, libev will reset the
1229SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before). 1776signal handler to SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1777
1778If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1779C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so system calls should not be unduly
1780interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting interrupted by
1781signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock
1782them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
1783
1784=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1230 1785
1231=over 4 1786=over 4
1232 1787
1233=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum) 1788=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)
1234 1789
1241 1796
1242The signal the watcher watches out for. 1797The signal the watcher watches out for.
1243 1798
1244=back 1799=back
1245 1800
1801=head3 Examples
1802
1803Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
1804
1805 static void
1806 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
1807 {
1808 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
1809 }
1810
1811 ev_signal signal_watcher;
1812 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1813 ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
1814
1246 1815
1247=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes 1816=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1248 1817
1249Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 1818Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1250some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). 1819some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
1820exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
1821has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
1822as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
1823forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
1824but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later is
1825not.
1826
1827Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1828you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
1829
1830=head3 Process Interaction
1831
1832Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1833initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if
1834the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
1835of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1836synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1837children, even ones not watched.
1838
1839=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
1840
1841Libev offers no special support for overriding the built-in child
1842processing, but if your application collides with libev's default child
1843handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
1844C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
1845default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
1846event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
1847that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
1848
1849=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
1850
1851Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
1852child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
1853callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
1854when a child exit is detected.
1855
1856=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1251 1857
1252=over 4 1858=over 4
1253 1859
1254=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid) 1860=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid, int trace)
1255 1861
1256=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid) 1862=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid, int trace)
1257 1863
1258Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or 1864Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or
1259I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look 1865I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look
1260at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see 1866at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see
1261the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems 1867the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems
1262C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the 1868C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the
1263process causing the status change. 1869process causing the status change. C<trace> must be either C<0> (only
1870activate the watcher when the process terminates) or C<1> (additionally
1871activate the watcher when the process is stopped or continued).
1264 1872
1265=item int pid [read-only] 1873=item int pid [read-only]
1266 1874
1267The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id. 1875The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.
1268 1876
1275The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems 1883The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems
1276C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details). 1884C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).
1277 1885
1278=back 1886=back
1279 1887
1280Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM. 1888=head3 Examples
1281 1889
1890Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
1891its completion.
1892
1893 ev_child cw;
1894
1282 static void 1895 static void
1283 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents) 1896 child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1284 { 1897 {
1285 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 1898 ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
1899 printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1286 } 1900 }
1287 1901
1288 struct ev_signal signal_watcher; 1902 pid_t pid = fork ();
1289 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 1903
1290 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb); 1904 if (pid < 0)
1905 // error
1906 else if (pid == 0)
1907 {
1908 // the forked child executes here
1909 exit (1);
1910 }
1911 else
1912 {
1913 ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
1914 ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
1915 }
1291 1916
1292 1917
1293=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change? 1918=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1294 1919
1295This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls 1920This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1296C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed 1921C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed
1297compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did. 1922compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.
1298 1923
1299The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does 1924The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1300not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does 1925not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does
1303the stat buffer having unspecified contents. 1928the stat buffer having unspecified contents.
1304 1929
1305The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is 1930The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is
1306relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined. 1931relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.
1307 1932
1308Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply 1933Since there is no standard kernel interface to do this, the portable
1309calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You 1934implementation simply calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if
1310can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify 1935it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling interval for
1311a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable, 1936this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!)
1312unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around 1937then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used (which
1313five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also 1938you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might change
1314impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats 1939dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is currently
1315usually overkill. 1940around C<0.1>, but thats usually overkill.
1316 1941
1317This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers, 1942This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1318as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be 1943as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1319resource-intensive. 1944resource-intensive.
1320 1945
1321At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is 1946At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1322implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the 1947is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as
1323reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the 1948an exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way
1324semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs 1949of implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue).
1325to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are 1950
1326usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no 1951=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1327polling. 1952
1953Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
1954compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
1955support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
1956structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
1957use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
1958compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
1959obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
1960most noticeably disabled with ev_stat and large file support.
1961
1962The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
1963file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
1964optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
1965to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
1966default compilation environment.
1967
1968=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
1969
1970When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally
1971only available with Linux 2.6.25 or above due to bugs in earlier
1972implementations) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up
1973change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created
1974lazily when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.
1975
1976Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1977except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1978making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1979there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
1980but as long as the path exists, libev usually gets away without polling.
1981
1982There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1983implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1984descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
1985etc. is difficult.
1986
1987=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1988
1989The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably, and
1990even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems still
1991only support whole seconds.
1992
1993That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1994easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1995calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1996within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
1997stat data does change in other ways (e.g. file size).
1998
1999The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
2000than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
2001a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
2002ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
2003
2004The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
2005of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
2006might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
2007C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
2008a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
2009update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
2010the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
2011the timer callback).
2012
2013=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1328 2014
1329=over 4 2015=over 4
1330 2016
1331=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval) 2017=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)
1332 2018
1336C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to 2022C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1337be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose 2023be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1338a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same 2024a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1339path for as long as the watcher is active. 2025path for as long as the watcher is active.
1340 2026
1341The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected, 2027The callback will receive an C<EV_STAT> event when a change was detected,
1342relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the 2028relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1343last change was detected). 2029last change was detected).
1344 2030
1345=item ev_stat_stat (ev_stat *) 2031=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1346 2032
1347Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the 2033Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1348watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid 2034watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1349detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be 2035detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1350useful simply to find out the new values. 2036the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
2037new values.
1351 2038
1352=item ev_statdata attr [read-only] 2039=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1353 2040
1354The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of 2041The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
1355C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types 2042C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1356suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there 2043suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
2044members to be present. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there was
1357was some error while C<stat>ing the file. 2045some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1358 2046
1359=item ev_statdata prev [read-only] 2047=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1360 2048
1361The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever 2049The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1362C<prev> != C<attr>. 2050C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
2051differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
2052C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
1363 2053
1364=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only] 2054=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1365 2055
1366The specified interval. 2056The specified interval.
1367 2057
1368=item const char *path [read-only] 2058=item const char *path [read-only]
1369 2059
1370The filesystem path that is being watched. 2060The file system path that is being watched.
1371 2061
1372=back 2062=back
1373 2063
2064=head3 Examples
2065
1374Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes. 2066Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1375 2067
1376 static void 2068 static void
1377 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents) 2069 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1378 { 2070 {
1379 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */ 2071 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1380 if (w->attr.st_nlink) 2072 if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1381 { 2073 {
1382 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size); 2074 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1383 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime); 2075 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1384 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime); 2076 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1385 } 2077 }
1386 else 2078 else
1387 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */ 2079 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1388 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. " 2080 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1389 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n"); 2081 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1390 } 2082 }
1391 2083
1392 ... 2084 ...
1393 ev_stat passwd; 2085 ev_stat passwd;
1394 2086
1395 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd"); 2087 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1396 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd); 2088 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
2089
2090Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
2091miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
2092one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
2093C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
2094
2095 static ev_stat passwd;
2096 static ev_timer timer;
2097
2098 static void
2099 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2100 {
2101 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
2102
2103 /* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
2104 }
2105
2106 static void
2107 stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
2108 {
2109 /* reset the one-second timer */
2110 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
2111 }
2112
2113 ...
2114 ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
2115 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
2116 ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1397 2117
1398 2118
1399=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do... 2119=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1400 2120
1401Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher 2121Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1402priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not 2122priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count
1403count). 2123as receiving "events").
1404 2124
1405That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts 2125That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1406(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be 2126(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1407triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers 2127triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1408are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop 2128are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
1415Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful 2135Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
1416effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do 2136effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do
1417"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the 2137"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
1418event loop has handled all outstanding events. 2138event loop has handled all outstanding events.
1419 2139
2140=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2141
1420=over 4 2142=over 4
1421 2143
1422=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback) 2144=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1423 2145
1424Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any 2146Initialises 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, 2147kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1426believe me. 2148believe me.
1427 2149
1428=back 2150=back
1429 2151
2152=head3 Examples
2153
1430Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the 2154Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1431callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual. 2155callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1432 2156
1433 static void 2157 static void
1434 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents) 2158 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1435 { 2159 {
1436 free (w); 2160 free (w);
1437 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has 2161 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1438 // no longer asnything immediate to do. 2162 // no longer anything immediate to do.
1439 } 2163 }
1440 2164
1441 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle)); 2165 ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1442 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb); 2166 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1443 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb); 2167 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1444 2168
1445 2169
1446=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop! 2170=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1447 2171
1448Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 2172Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
1449prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 2173prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1450afterwards. 2174afterwards.
1451 2175
1452You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter 2176You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter
1453the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check> 2177the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
1456those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking, 2180those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1457C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be 2181C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1458called in pairs bracketing the blocking call. 2182called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1459 2183
1460Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and 2184Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1461their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track 2185their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
1462variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a 2186variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1463coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if 2187coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1464you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example, 2188you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1465in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare> 2189in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1466watcher). 2190watcher).
1467 2191
1468This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need 2192This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors
1469to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for 2193need to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers
1470them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries 2194for them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many
1471provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 2195libraries provide exactly this functionality). Then, in the check watcher,
1472any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers 2196you check for any events that occurred (by checking the pending status
1473and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer 2197of all watchers and stopping them) and call back into the library. The
1474callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless, 2198I/O and timer callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid
1475because you never know, you know?). 2199nevertheless, because you never know, you know?).
1476 2200
1477As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate 2201As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1478coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines 2202coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
1479during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines 2203during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
1480are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines 2204are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
1481with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine 2205with 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 2206of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
1483loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping 2207loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1484low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks). 2208low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1485 2209
2210It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
2211priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
2212after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).
2213
2214Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
2215activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
2216might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
2217C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
2218loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
2219C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
2220others).
2221
2222=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2223
1486=over 4 2224=over 4
1487 2225
1488=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback) 2226=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
1489 2227
1490=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback) 2228=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1491 2229
1492Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no 2230Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
1493parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set> 2231parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1494macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless. 2232macros, but using them is utterly, utterly, utterly and completely
2233pointless.
1495 2234
1496=back 2235=back
1497 2236
1498Example: To include a library such as adns, you would add IO watchers 2237=head3 Examples
1499and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler, as required by libadns, and 2238
2239There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
2240into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
2241(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
2242use as a working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> embeds a
2243Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
2244Glib event loop).
2245
2246Method 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 2247and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1501pseudo-code only of course: 2248is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
2249priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
2250the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1502 2251
1503 static ev_io iow [nfd]; 2252 static ev_io iow [nfd];
1504 static ev_timer tw; 2253 static ev_timer tw;
1505 2254
1506 static void 2255 static void
1507 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 2256 io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1508 { 2257 {
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 } 2258 }
1515 2259
1516 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking 2260 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1517 static void 2261 static void
1518 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents) 2262 adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1519 { 2263 {
1520 int timeout = 3600000; 2264 int timeout = 3600000;
1521 struct pollfd fds [nfd]; 2265 struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1522 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc. 2266 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1523 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ())); 2267 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1524 2268
1525 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */ 2269 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1526 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3); 2270 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1527 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw); 2271 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1528 2272
1529 // create on ev_io per pollfd 2273 // create one ev_io per pollfd
1530 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 2274 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1531 { 2275 {
1532 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd, 2276 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1533 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0) 2277 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1534 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0))); 2278 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1535 2279
1536 fds [i].revents = 0; 2280 fds [i].revents = 0;
1537 iow [i].data = fds + i;
1538 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i); 2281 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1539 } 2282 }
1540 } 2283 }
1541 2284
1542 // stop all watchers after blocking 2285 // stop all watchers after blocking
1543 static void 2286 static void
1544 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents) 2287 adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1545 { 2288 {
1546 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw); 2289 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1547 2290
1548 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 2291 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
2292 {
2293 // set the relevant poll flags
2294 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
2295 struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
2296 int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
2297 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
2298 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
2299
2300 // now stop the watcher
1549 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i); 2301 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
2302 }
1550 2303
1551 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop)); 2304 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1552 } 2305 }
2306
2307Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
2308in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
2309
2310Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
2311notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
2312callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
2313
2314 static void
2315 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2316 {
2317 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
2318 update_now (EV_A);
2319
2320 adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
2321 }
2322
2323 static void
2324 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
2325 {
2326 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
2327 update_now (EV_A);
2328
2329 if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
2330 if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
2331 }
2332
2333 // do not ever call adns_afterpoll
2334
2335Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
2336want to embed is not flexible enough to support it. Instead, you can
2337override their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the
2338main loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module uses
2339this approach, effectively embedding EV as a client into the horrible
2340libglib event loop.
2341
2342 static gint
2343 event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
2344 {
2345 int got_events = 0;
2346
2347 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
2348 // create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
2349
2350 if (timeout >= 0)
2351 // create/start timer
2352
2353 // poll
2354 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
2355
2356 // stop timer again
2357 if (timeout >= 0)
2358 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
2359
2360 // stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
2361 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
2362 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
2363
2364 return got_events;
2365 }
1553 2366
1554 2367
1555=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough... 2368=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1556 2369
1557This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop 2370This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
1563prioritise I/O. 2376prioritise I/O.
1564 2377
1565As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support 2378As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
1566sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you 2379sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
1567still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales 2380still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
1568so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it 2381so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed
1569into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will 2382it into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation
1570be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but 2383will be a bit slower because first libev has to call C<poll> and then
1571at least you can use both at what they are best. 2384C<kevent>, but at least you can use both mechanisms for what they are
2385best: C<kqueue> for scalable sockets and C<poll> if you want it to work :)
1572 2386
1573As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have 2387As for prioritising I/O: under rare circumstances you have the case where
1574to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even 2388some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
1575priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case 2389and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
1576you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in 2390this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
1577a second one, and embed the second one in the first. 2391the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
1578 2392
1579As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time 2393As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time
1580there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then 2394there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then
1581call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke 2395call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke
1582their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded 2396their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded
1590interested in that. 2404interested in that.
1591 2405
1592Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking: 2406Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:
1593when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops, 2407when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,
1594but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers 2408but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers
1595yourself. 2409yourself - but you can use a fork watcher to handle this automatically,
2410and future versions of libev might do just that.
1596 2411
1597Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by 2412Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
1598C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any 2413C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
1599portable one. 2414portable one.
1600 2415
1601So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared 2416So 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 2417that 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 2418this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
1604create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything: 2419create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
1605 2420
1606 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0); 2421=head3 C<ev_embed> and fork
1607 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
1608 struct ev_embed embed;
1609
1610 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
1611 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
1612 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
1613 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
1614 : 0;
1615 2422
1616 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi 2423While the C<ev_embed> watcher is running, forks in the embedding loop will
1617 if (loop_lo) 2424automatically be applied to the embedded loop as well, so no special
1618 { 2425fork handling is required in that case. When the watcher is not running,
1619 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo); 2426however, it is still the task of the libev user to call C<ev_loop_fork ()>
1620 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed); 2427as applicable.
1621 } 2428
1622 else 2429=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1623 loop_lo = loop_hi;
1624 2430
1625=over 4 2431=over 4
1626 2432
1627=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 2433=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
1628 2434
1630 2436
1631Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be 2437Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1632embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be 2438embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
1633invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback 2439invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1634to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done, 2440to 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). 2441if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
1636 2442
1637=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *) 2443=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
1638 2444
1639Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works 2445Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1640similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most 2446similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
1641apropriate way for embedded loops. 2447appropriate way for embedded loops.
1642 2448
1643=item struct ev_loop *loop [read-only] 2449=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
1644 2450
1645The embedded event loop. 2451The embedded event loop.
1646 2452
1647=back 2453=back
2454
2455=head3 Examples
2456
2457Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
2458event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
2459loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
2460C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
2461used).
2462
2463 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2464 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2465 ev_embed embed;
2466
2467 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2468 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2469 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2470 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
2471 : 0;
2472
2473 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
2474 if (loop_lo)
2475 {
2476 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
2477 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
2478 }
2479 else
2480 loop_lo = loop_hi;
2481
2482Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
2483a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
2484kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
2485C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2486
2487 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2488 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2489 ev_embed embed;
2490
2491 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2492 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2493 {
2494 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2495 ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2496 }
2497
2498 if (!loop_socket)
2499 loop_socket = loop;
2500
2501 // now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
1648 2502
1649 2503
1650=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork 2504=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
1651 2505
1652Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because 2506Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
1655event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called, 2509event 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 2510and 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 2511C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
1658handlers will be invoked, too, of course. 2512handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
1659 2513
2514=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2515
1660=over 4 2516=over 4
1661 2517
1662=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback) 2518=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1663 2519
1664Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any 2520Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
1666believe me. 2522believe me.
1667 2523
1668=back 2524=back
1669 2525
1670 2526
2527=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop
2528
2529In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
2530asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
2531loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
2532
2533Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not
2534control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what
2535C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you
2536can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal
2537safe.
2538
2539This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
2540too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
2541(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
2542C<ev_async_sent> calls).
2543
2544Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
2545just the default loop.
2546
2547=head3 Queueing
2548
2549C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2550is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2551multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2552need elaborate support such as pthreads.
2553
2554That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2555queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2556queue:
2557
2558=over 4
2559
2560=item queueing from a signal handler context
2561
2562To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
2563handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is
2564an example that does that for some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
2565
2566 static ev_async mysig;
2567
2568 static void
2569 sigusr1_handler (void)
2570 {
2571 sometype data;
2572
2573 // no locking etc.
2574 queue_put (data);
2575 ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
2576 }
2577
2578 static void
2579 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
2580 {
2581 sometype data;
2582 sigset_t block, prev;
2583
2584 sigemptyset (&block);
2585 sigaddset (&block, SIGUSR1);
2586 sigprocmask (SIG_BLOCK, &block, &prev);
2587
2588 while (queue_get (&data))
2589 process (data);
2590
2591 if (sigismember (&prev, SIGUSR1)
2592 sigprocmask (SIG_UNBLOCK, &block, 0);
2593 }
2594
2595(Note: pthreads in theory requires you to use C<pthread_setmask>
2596instead of C<sigprocmask> when you use threads, but libev doesn't do it
2597either...).
2598
2599=item queueing from a thread context
2600
2601The strategy for threads is different, as you cannot (easily) block
2602threads but you can easily preempt them, so to queue safely you need to
2603employ a traditional mutex lock, such as in this pthread example:
2604
2605 static ev_async mysig;
2606 static pthread_mutex_t mymutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
2607
2608 static void
2609 otherthread (void)
2610 {
2611 // only need to lock the actual queueing operation
2612 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
2613 queue_put (data);
2614 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
2615
2616 ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
2617 }
2618
2619 static void
2620 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
2621 {
2622 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
2623
2624 while (queue_get (&data))
2625 process (data);
2626
2627 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
2628 }
2629
2630=back
2631
2632
2633=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2634
2635=over 4
2636
2637=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2638
2639Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2640kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2641trust me.
2642
2643=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2644
2645Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2646an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
2647C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or
2648similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
2649section below on what exactly this means).
2650
2651This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per loop iteration,
2652so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to repeated
2653calls to C<ev_async_send>.
2654
2655=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
2656
2657Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
2658watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
2659event loop.
2660
2661C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
2662the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
2663it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
2664quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
2665
2666Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending, only
2667whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending.
2668
2669=back
2670
2671
1671=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 2672=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
1672 2673
1673There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now. 2674There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
1674 2675
1675=over 4 2676=over 4
1676 2677
1677=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback) 2678=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
1678 2679
1679This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your 2680This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
1680callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both 2681callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
1681watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd 2682watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
1682or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 2683or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
1683more watchers yourself. 2684more watchers yourself.
1684 2685
1685If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events 2686If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and the
1686is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and 2687C<events> argument is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for
1687C<events> set will be craeted and started. 2688the given C<fd> and C<events> set will be created and started.
1688 2689
1689If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be 2690If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
1690started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and 2691started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
1691repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of 2692repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
1692dubious value.
1693 2693
1694The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets 2694The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
1695passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of 2695passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
1696C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg> 2696C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
1697value passed to C<ev_once>: 2697value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
2698a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
2699events precedence.
1698 2700
2701Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
2702
1699 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 2703 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
1700 { 2704 {
1701 if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
1702 /* doh, nothing entered */;
1703 else if (revents & EV_READ) 2705 if (revents & EV_READ)
1704 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */; 2706 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
2707 else if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
2708 /* doh, nothing entered */;
1705 } 2709 }
1706 2710
1707 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 2711 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
1708 2712
1709=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents) 2713=item ev_feed_event (struct ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
1710 2714
1711Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event 2715Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1712had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an 2716had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1713initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). 2717initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
1714 2718
1715=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents) 2719=item ev_feed_fd_event (struct ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)
1716 2720
1717Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 2721Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
1718the given events it. 2722the given events it.
1719 2723
1720=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum) 2724=item ev_feed_signal_event (struct ev_loop *loop, int signum)
1721 2725
1722Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default 2726Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
1723loop!). 2727loop!).
1724 2728
1725=back 2729=back
1726 2730
1727 2731
1743 2747
1744=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities 2748=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
1745will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there 2749will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
1746is an ev_pri field. 2750is an ev_pri field.
1747 2751
2752=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
2753first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.
2754
1748=item * Other members are not supported. 2755=item * Other members are not supported.
1749 2756
1750=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need 2757=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
1751to use the libev header file and library. 2758to use the libev header file and library.
1752 2759
1753=back 2760=back
1754 2761
1755=head1 C++ SUPPORT 2762=head1 C++ SUPPORT
1756 2763
1757Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow 2764Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
1758you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change 2765you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
1759the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects. 2766the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
1760 2767
1761To use it, 2768To use it,
1762 2769
1763 #include <ev++.h> 2770 #include <ev++.h>
1764 2771
1765This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many 2772This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
1766of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are 2773of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
1767put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding 2774put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
1768options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. 2775options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
1835your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the 2842your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
1836thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback. 2843thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
1837 2844
1838Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation 2845Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
1839 2846
1840 struct myclass 2847 struct myclass
1841 { 2848 {
1842 void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { } 2849 void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
1843 } 2850 }
1844 2851
1845 myclass obj; 2852 myclass obj;
1846 ev::io iow; 2853 ev::io iow;
1847 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj); 2854 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
1848 2855
1849=item w->set (void (*function)(watcher &w, int), void *data = 0) 2856=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
1850 2857
1851Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as 2858Also 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 2859callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
1853C<data> member and is free for you to use. 2860C<data> member and is free for you to use.
1854 2861
2862The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
2863
1855See the method-C<set> above for more details. 2864See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2865
2866Example: Use a plain function as callback.
2867
2868 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2869 iow.set <io_cb> ();
1856 2870
1857=item w->set (struct ev_loop *) 2871=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
1858 2872
1859Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only 2873Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
1860do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 2874do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
1861 2875
1862=item w->set ([args]) 2876=item w->set ([arguments])
1863 2877
1864Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be 2878Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be
1865called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets 2879called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
1866automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this 2880automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
1867method. 2881method.
1868 2882
1869=item w->start () 2883=item w->start ()
1873 2887
1874=item w->stop () 2888=item w->stop ()
1875 2889
1876Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument. 2890Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
1877 2891
1878=item w->again () C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only 2892=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
1879 2893
1880For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding 2894For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding
1881C<ev_TYPE_again> function. 2895C<ev_TYPE_again> function.
1882 2896
1883=item w->sweep () C<ev::embed> only 2897=item w->sweep () (C<ev::embed> only)
1884 2898
1885Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>. 2899Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>.
1886 2900
1887=item w->update () C<ev::stat> only 2901=item w->update () (C<ev::stat> only)
1888 2902
1889Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>. 2903Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>.
1890 2904
1891=back 2905=back
1892 2906
1893=back 2907=back
1894 2908
1895Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in 2909Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
1896the constructor. 2910the constructor.
1897 2911
1898 class myclass 2912 class myclass
1899 { 2913 {
1900 ev_io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 2914 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
1901 ev_idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents); 2915 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
1902 2916
1903 myclass (); 2917 myclass (int fd)
1904 } 2918 {
1905
1906 myclass::myclass (int fd)
1907 {
1908 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this); 2919 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
1909 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this); 2920 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
1910 2921
1911 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 2922 io.start (fd, ev::READ);
2923 }
1912 } 2924 };
2925
2926
2927=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
2928
2929Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
2930number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
2931any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
2932me a note.
2933
2934=over 4
2935
2936=item Perl
2937
2938The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
2939libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
2940there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
2941to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>, but C<AnyEvent::DNS> is preferred nowadays),
2942C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV>
2943and C<EV::Glib>).
2944
2945It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
2946L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2947
2948=item Python
2949
2950Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
2951seems to be quite complete and well-documented. Note, however, that the
2952patch they require for libev is outright dangerous as it breaks the ABI
2953for everybody else, and therefore, should never be applied in an installed
2954libev (if python requires an incompatible ABI then it needs to embed
2955libev).
2956
2957=item Ruby
2958
2959Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2960of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2961more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2962L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2963
2964=item D
2965
2966Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2967be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
2968
2969=item Ocaml
2970
2971Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
2972L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
2973
2974=back
1913 2975
1914 2976
1915=head1 MACRO MAGIC 2977=head1 MACRO MAGIC
1916 2978
1917Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundemantal is 2979Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
1918C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most) functions and 2980of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
1919callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument. 2981functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
1920 2982
1921To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the 2983To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
1922following macros are defined: 2984following macros are defined:
1923 2985
1924=over 4 2986=over 4
1927 2989
1928This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev 2990This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
1929loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument, 2991loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
1930C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example: 2992C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
1931 2993
1932 ev_unref (EV_A); 2994 ev_unref (EV_A);
1933 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher); 2995 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
1934 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 2996 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1935 2997
1936It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope, 2998It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
1937which is often provided by the following macro. 2999which is often provided by the following macro.
1938 3000
1939=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_> 3001=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
1940 3002
1941This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev 3003This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
1942loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter, 3004loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
1943C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example: 3005C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
1944 3006
1945 // this is how ev_unref is being declared 3007 // this is how ev_unref is being declared
1946 static void ev_unref (EV_P); 3008 static void ev_unref (EV_P);
1947 3009
1948 // this is how you can declare your typical callback 3010 // this is how you can declare your typical callback
1949 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 3011 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1950 3012
1951It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite 3013It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
1952suitable for use with C<EV_A>. 3014suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
1953 3015
1954=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> 3016=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
1955 3017
1956Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default 3018Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
1957loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). 3019loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
3020
3021=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
3022
3023Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
3024default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
3025is undefined when the default loop has not been initialised by a previous
3026execution of C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> or C<ev_default_init (...)>.
3027
3028It is often prudent to use C<EV_DEFAULT> when initialising the first
3029watcher in a function but use C<EV_DEFAULT_UC> afterwards.
1958 3030
1959=back 3031=back
1960 3032
1961Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above 3033Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
1962macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported 3034macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
1963or not. 3035or not.
1964 3036
1965 static void 3037 static void
1966 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 3038 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1967 { 3039 {
1968 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w); 3040 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
1969 } 3041 }
1970 3042
1971 ev_check check; 3043 ev_check check;
1972 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb); 3044 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
1973 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check); 3045 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
1974 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0); 3046 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
1975 3047
1976=head1 EMBEDDING 3048=head1 EMBEDDING
1977 3049
1978Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host 3050Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
1979applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra 3051applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
1980Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe) 3052Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe)
1981and rxvt-unicode. 3053and rxvt-unicode.
1982 3054
1983The goal is to enable you to just copy the neecssary files into your 3055The 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 3056source 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 3057you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of
1986libev somewhere in your source tree). 3058libev somewhere in your source tree).
1987 3059
1988=head2 FILESETS 3060=head2 FILESETS
1989 3061
1990Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files 3062Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
1991in your app. 3063in your application.
1992 3064
1993=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP 3065=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
1994 3066
1995To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual 3067To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
1996configuration (no autoconf): 3068configuration (no autoconf):
1997 3069
1998 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 3070 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
1999 #include "ev.c" 3071 #include "ev.c"
2000 3072
2001This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a 3073This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
2002single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use 3074single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
2003it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best 3075it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
2004done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and 3076done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
2005where you can put other configuration options): 3077where you can put other configuration options):
2006 3078
2007 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 3079 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
2008 #include "ev.h" 3080 #include "ev.h"
2009 3081
2010Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++ 3082Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
2011compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated 3083compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2012as a bug). 3084as a bug).
2013 3085
2014You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory 3086You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
2015in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev): 3087in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2016 3088
2017 ev.h 3089 ev.h
2018 ev.c 3090 ev.c
2019 ev_vars.h 3091 ev_vars.h
2020 ev_wrap.h 3092 ev_wrap.h
2021 3093
2022 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only 3094 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
2023 3095
2024 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default) 3096 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
2025 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3097 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2026 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3098 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2027 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3099 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2028 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3100 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2029 3101
2030F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need 3102F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
2031to compile this single file. 3103to compile this single file.
2032 3104
2033=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API 3105=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
2034 3106
2035To include the libevent compatibility API, also include: 3107To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
2036 3108
2037 #include "event.c" 3109 #include "event.c"
2038 3110
2039in the file including F<ev.c>, and: 3111in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
2040 3112
2041 #include "event.h" 3113 #include "event.h"
2042 3114
2043in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>. 3115in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
2044 3116
2045You need the following additional files for this: 3117You need the following additional files for this:
2046 3118
2047 event.h 3119 event.h
2048 event.c 3120 event.c
2049 3121
2050=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT 3122=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
2051 3123
2052Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in 3124Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
2053whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your 3125whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
2054F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then 3126F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
2055include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly. 3127include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
2056 3128
2057For this of course you need the m4 file: 3129For this of course you need the m4 file:
2058 3130
2059 libev.m4 3131 libev.m4
2060 3132
2061=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS 3133=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2062 3134
2063Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define 3135Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
2064before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity 3136define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of
2065and only include the select backend. 3137autoconf is documented for every option.
2066 3138
2067=over 4 3139=over 4
2068 3140
2069=item EV_STANDALONE 3141=item EV_STANDALONE
2070 3142
2075F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone. 3147F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2076 3148
2077=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 3149=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2078 3150
2079If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 3151If 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 3152monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use
2081of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you 3153of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you
2082usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when 3154usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when
2083the functionality isn't available is safe, though, althoguh you have 3155the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2084to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime> 3156to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2085function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). 3157function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).
2086 3158
2087=item EV_USE_REALTIME 3159=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2088 3160
2089If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 3161If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2090realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at 3162real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at
2091runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will 3163runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will
2092be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get 3164be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
2093(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See tzhe note about libraries 3165(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the
2094in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. 3166note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
3167
3168=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
3169
3170If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
3171and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
3172
3173=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
3174
3175If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
3176available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
3177C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
3178If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
31792.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2095 3180
2096=item EV_USE_SELECT 3181=item EV_USE_SELECT
2097 3182
2098If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the 3183If 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 3184C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
2100other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend 3185other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
2101will not be compiled in. 3186will not be compiled in.
2102 3187
2103=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET 3188=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2104 3189
2105If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set> 3190If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
2106structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing 3191structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
2107C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on 3192C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on
2108exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some 3193exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some
2109low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only 3194low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only
2110allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might 3195allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might
2111influence the size of the C<fd_set> used. 3196influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.
2112 3197
2118be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call 3203be 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, 3204C<_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 3205it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
2121on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms. 3206on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
2122 3207
3208=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE
3209
3210If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
3211file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
3212default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
3213correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
3214in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
3215
2123=item EV_USE_POLL 3216=item EV_USE_POLL
2124 3217
2125If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2) 3218If 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 3219backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
2127takes precedence over select. 3220takes precedence over select.
2128 3221
2129=item EV_USE_EPOLL 3222=item EV_USE_EPOLL
2130 3223
2131If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux 3224If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
2132C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime, 3225C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2133otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the 3226otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2134preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems. 3227backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
3228headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2135 3229
2136=item EV_USE_KQUEUE 3230=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2137 3231
2138If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style 3232If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
2139C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime, 3233C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
2152otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred 3246otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2153backend for Solaris 10 systems. 3247backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2154 3248
2155=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL 3249=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2156 3250
2157reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above. 3251Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2158 3252
2159=item EV_USE_INOTIFY 3253=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2160 3254
2161If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify 3255If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2162interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will 3256interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2163be detected at runtime. 3257be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
3258indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
3259
3260=item EV_ATOMIC_T
3261
3262Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
3263access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
3264type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
3265that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
3266as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
3267
3268In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
3269(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2164 3270
2165=item EV_H 3271=item EV_H
2166 3272
2167The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 3273The 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 3274undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
2169can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts. 3275used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2170 3276
2171=item EV_CONFIG_H 3277=item EV_CONFIG_H
2172 3278
2173If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override 3279If 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 3280F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2175C<EV_H>, above. 3281C<EV_H>, above.
2176 3282
2177=item EV_EVENT_H 3283=item EV_EVENT_H
2178 3284
2179Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea 3285Similarly 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. 3286of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
2181 3287
2182=item EV_PROTOTYPES 3288=item EV_PROTOTYPES
2183 3289
2184If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function 3290If 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 3291prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
2206When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search 3312When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
2207all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space 3313all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
2208and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually 3314and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
2209fine. 3315fine.
2210 3316
2211If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to 3317If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
2212C<0> will save some memory and cpu. 3318both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
2213 3319
2214=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 3320=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
2215 3321
2216If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If 3322If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
2217defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of 3323defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
2224code. 3330code.
2225 3331
2226=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE 3332=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2227 3333
2228If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If 3334If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2229defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 3335defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Embed watchers rely on most other
3336watcher types, which therefore must not be disabled.
2230 3337
2231=item EV_STAT_ENABLE 3338=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
2232 3339
2233If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If 3340If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
2234defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 3341defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2236=item EV_FORK_ENABLE 3343=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2237 3344
2238If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If 3345If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2239defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 3346defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2240 3347
3348=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
3349
3350If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
3351defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3352
2241=item EV_MINIMAL 3353=item EV_MINIMAL
2242 3354
2243If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some 3355If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2244speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override 3356speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some
2245some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64. 3357inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size on amd64. It also selects a
3358much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap.
2246 3359
2247=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE 3360=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2248 3361
2249C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 3362C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2250pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more 3363pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
2251than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to 3364than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to
2252increase this value (I<must> be a power of two). 3365increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
2253 3366
2254=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE 3367=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
2255 3368
2256C<ev_staz> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 3369C<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>), 3370inotify 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> 3371usually 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 3372watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
2260two). 3373two).
2261 3374
3375=item EV_USE_4HEAP
3376
3377Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3378timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
3379to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
3380faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
3381
3382The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
3383(disabled).
3384
3385=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
3386
3387Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3388timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
3389the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
3390which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
3391but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
3392noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
3393
3394The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
3395(disabled).
3396
3397=item EV_VERIFY
3398
3399Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will
3400be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
3401in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
3402called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
3403called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
3404verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
3405libev considerably.
3406
3407The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be
3408C<0>.
3409
2262=item EV_COMMON 3410=item EV_COMMON
2263 3411
2264By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining 3412By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2265this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of 3413this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2266members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files, 3414members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2267though, and it must be identical each time. 3415though, and it must be identical each time.
2268 3416
2269For example, the perl EV module uses something like this: 3417For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2270 3418
2271 #define EV_COMMON \ 3419 #define EV_COMMON \
2272 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \ 3420 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2273 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */ 3421 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2274 3422
2275=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type) 3423=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2276 3424
2277=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents) 3425=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2278 3426
2279=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb) 3427=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb)
2280 3428
2281Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher, 3429Can 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 3430and 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 3431definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
2284their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to 3432their 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 3433avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2286method calls instead of plain function calls in C++. 3434method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
3435
3436=back
3437
3438=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
3439
3440If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
3441exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
3442all public symbols, one per line:
3443
3444 Symbols.ev for libev proper
3445 Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
3446
3447This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
3448multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
3449itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
3450
3451A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
3452include before including F<ev.h>:
3453
3454 <Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
3455
3456This would create a file F<wrap.h> which essentially looks like this:
3457
3458 #define ev_backend myprefix_ev_backend
3459 #define ev_check_start myprefix_ev_check_start
3460 #define ev_check_stop myprefix_ev_check_stop
3461 ...
2287 3462
2288=head2 EXAMPLES 3463=head2 EXAMPLES
2289 3464
2290For a real-world example of a program the includes libev 3465For a real-world example of a program the includes libev
2291verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module 3466verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module
2296file. 3471file.
2297 3472
2298The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file 3473The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
2299that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices: 3474that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2300 3475
2301 #define EV_MINIMAL 1 3476 #define EV_MINIMAL 1
2302 #define EV_USE_POLL 0 3477 #define EV_USE_POLL 0
2303 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0 3478 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2304 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0 3479 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
2305 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0 3480 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
2306 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0 3481 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
2307 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h> 3482 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
2308 #define EV_MINPRI 0 3483 #define EV_MINPRI 0
2309 #define EV_MAXPRI 0 3484 #define EV_MAXPRI 0
2310 3485
2311 #include "ev++.h" 3486 #include "ev++.h"
2312 3487
2313And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled: 3488And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
2314 3489
2315 #include "ev_cpp.h" 3490 #include "ev_cpp.h"
2316 #include "ev.c" 3491 #include "ev.c"
2317 3492
3493=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES
2318 3494
3495=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
3496
3497=head3 THREADS
3498
3499All libev functions are reentrant and thread-safe unless explicitly
3500documented otherwise, but libev implements no locking itself. This means
3501that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as there
3502are no concurrent calls into any libev function with the same loop
3503parameter (C<ev_default_*> calls have an implicit default loop parameter,
3504of course): libev guarantees that different event loops share no data
3505structures that need any locking.
3506
3507Or to put it differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done
3508concurrently from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter
3509must be done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as
3510only one thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using
3511a mutex per loop).
3512
3513Specifically to support threads (and signal handlers), libev implements
3514so-called C<ev_async> watchers, which allow some limited form of
3515concurrency on the same event loop, namely waking it up "from the
3516outside".
3517
3518If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
3519without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
3520help you, but here is some generic advice:
3521
3522=over 4
3523
3524=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
3525in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
3526
3527This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
3528themselves and don't care/know about threading.
3529
3530=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
3531
3532Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
3533exists, but it is always a good start.
3534
3535=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
3536loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
3537
3538Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
3539better than you currently do :-)
3540
3541=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
3542event loop.
3543
3544C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other threads safely
3545(or from signal contexts...).
3546
3547An example use would be to communicate signals or other events that only
3548work in the default loop by registering the signal watcher with the
3549default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
3550watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
3551
3552=back
3553
3554=head3 COROUTINES
3555
3556Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
3557libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
3558coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two
3559different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running the
3560loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that
3561you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
3562
3563Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
3564C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
3565they do not clal any callbacks.
3566
3567=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
3568
3569Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
3570lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
3571scared by this.
3572
3573However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
3574has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
3575warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
3576targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
3577
3578Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
3579workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
3580maintainable.
3581
3582And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
3583wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
3584seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
3585warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have
3586been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
3587such buggy versions.
3588
3589While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
3590"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
3591with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
3592them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
3593warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
3594
3595
3596=head2 VALGRIND
3597
3598Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
3599highly useful. Unfortunately, valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
3600
3601If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
3602in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
3603
3604 ==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3605 ==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3606 ==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
3607
3608Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
3609is not a memleak - the memory is still being refernced, and didn't leak.
3610
3611Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
3612as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
3613although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
3614confused.
3615
3616Keep in mind that valgrind is a very good tool, but only a tool. Don't
3617make it into some kind of religion.
3618
3619If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
3620with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this
3621is a bug in libev (best check the archives, too :). However, don't be
3622annoyed when you get a brisk "this is no bug" answer and take the chance
3623of learning how to interpret valgrind properly.
3624
3625If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
3626I suggest using suppression lists.
3627
3628
3629=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
3630
3631=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
3632
3633Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
3634requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
3635model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
3636the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
3637descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
3638e.g. cygwin.
3639
3640Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
3641re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of
3642things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable
3643way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
3644
3645There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
3646embedding it into other applications.
3647
3648Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
3649accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
3650either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
3651so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
3652megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
3653available).
3654
3655Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
3656the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
3657is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
3658more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
3659different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
3660notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
3661(Microsoft monopoly games).
3662
3663A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
3664section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
3665of F<ev.h>:
3666
3667 #define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
3668 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
3669
3670 #include "ev.h"
3671
3672And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
3673you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
3674
3675 #include "evwrap.h"
3676 #include "ev.c"
3677
3678=over 4
3679
3680=item The winsocket select function
3681
3682The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
3683requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
3684also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
3685requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
3686C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
3687discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
3688C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
3689
3690The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
3691libraries and raw winsocket select is:
3692
3693 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3694 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
3695
3696Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
3697complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
3698
3699=item Limited number of file descriptors
3700
3701Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
3702
3703Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
3704of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
3705can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
3706recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
3707previous thread in each. Great).
3708
3709Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
3710to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
3711call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own
3712select emulation on windows).
3713
3714Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
3715libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish
3716or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this by calling
3717C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another
3718arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft runtime
3719libraries.
3720
3721This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on
3722windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to
3723wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of
3724calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
3725
3726=back
3727
3728=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
3729
3730In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
3731backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
3732
3733=over 4
3734
3735=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
3736calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
3737
3738Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
3739structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
3740assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
3741callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
3742calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
3743
3744=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
3745
3746The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
3747C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
3748threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
3749believed to be sufficiently portable.
3750
3751=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
3752
3753Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
3754allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
3755pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
3756thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
3757be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
3758C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
3759
3760The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
3761except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
3762well.
3763
3764=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
3765
3766To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
3767instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
3768systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but is still at
3769least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of millions of
3770watchers.
3771
3772=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
3773
3774The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
3775have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good
3776enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by
3777implementations implementing IEEE 754 (basically all existing ones).
3778
3779=back
3780
3781If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
3782
3783
2319=head1 COMPLEXITIES 3784=head1 ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITIES
2320 3785
2321In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside 3786In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
2322libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the 3787libev will be documented. For complexity discussions about backends see
2323documentation for C<ev_default_init>. 3788the documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
2324 3789
2325All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be 3790All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
2326extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this 3791extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
2327happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might 3792happens asymptotically rarer with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
2328mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average 3793mean that libev does a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on
2329it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time. 3794average it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
2330 3795
2331=over 4 3796=over 4
2332 3797
2333=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers) 3798=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
2334 3799
2335This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and 3800This 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 3801there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that, then inserting will
2337have to skip those 100 watchers. 3802have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
2338 3803
2339=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat, again): O(log skipped_other_timers) 3804=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
2340 3805
2341That means that for changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them 3806That 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. 3807as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
2343 3808
2344=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1) 3809=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2345 3810
2346These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list. 3811These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
3812
2347=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1) 3813=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2348 3814
2349=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE)) 3815=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
2350 3816
2351These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the 3817These watchers are stored in lists, so they need to be walked to find the
2352correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually 3818correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
2353have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal). 3819have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal: one is typical, two
3820is rare).
2354 3821
2355=item Finding the next timer per loop iteration: O(1) 3822=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
3823
3824By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
3825fixed position in the storage array.
2356 3826
2357=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd) 3827=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
2358 3828
2359A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires 3829A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
2360libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel). 3830libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
3831on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
2361 3832
2362=item Activating one watcher: O(1) 3833=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
2363 3834
2364=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities) 3835=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
2365 3836
2366Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each 3837Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
2367priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to 3838priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
2368linearly search all the priorities. 3839linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
3840watchers becomes O(1) with respect to priority handling.
3841
3842=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
3843
3844=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
3845
3846=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
3847
3848Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
3849calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
3850involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
2369 3851
2370=back 3852=back
2371 3853
2372 3854
2373=head1 AUTHOR 3855=head1 AUTHOR

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