[ViewVC] Diff of: cvs/libev/ev.pod

Comparing libev/ev.pod (file contents):
Revision 1.55 by root, Tue Nov 27 20:38:07 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.74 by root, Sat Dec 8 14:12:08 2007 UTC

…		…
47		47
48	return 0;	48	return 0;
49	}	49	}
50		50
51	=head1 DESCRIPTION	51	=head1 DESCRIPTION
		52
		53	The newest version of this document is also available as a html-formatted
		54	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
		55	time: L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>.
52		56
53	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a	57	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
54	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occuring), and it will manage	58	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occuring), and it will manage
55	these event sources and provide your program with events.	59	these event sources and provide your program with events.
56		60
…		…
63	details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the	67	details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the
64	watcher.	68	watcher.
65		69
66	=head1 FEATURES	70	=head1 FEATURES
67		71
68	Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the linux-specific C<epoll>, the	72	Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the
69	bsd-specific C<kqueue> and the solaris-specific event port mechanisms	73	BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms
70	for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>),	74	for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface
		75	(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers
71	absolute timers with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous	76	with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals
72	signals (C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and	77	(C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and event
73	event watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>,	78	watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>,
74	C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> watchers) as well as	79	C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> watchers) as well as
75	file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even limited support for fork events	80	file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even limited support for fork events
76	(C<ev_fork>).	81	(C<ev_fork>).
77		82
78	It also is quite fast (see this	83	It also is quite fast (see this
…		…
162	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for	167	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for
163	recommended ones.	168	recommended ones.
164		169
165	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	170	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
166		171
167	=item ev_set_allocator (void (cb)(void *ptr, size_t size))	172	=item ev_set_allocator (void (cb)(void *ptr, long size))
168		173
169	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype and semantics are	174	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
170	identical to the realloc C function). It is used to allocate and free	175	semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to
171	memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when memory needs to be	176	allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when
172	allocated, the library might abort or take some potentially destructive	177	memory needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some
173	action. The default is your system realloc function.	178	potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc
		179	function.
174		180
175	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,	181	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
176	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,	182	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
177	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.	183	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
178		184
…		…
264	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will	270	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
265	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is	271	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
266	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work	272	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
267	around bugs.	273	around bugs.
268		274
		275	=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
		276
		277	Instead of calling C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork> manually after
		278	a fork, you can also make libev check for a fork in each iteration by
		279	enabling this flag.
		280
		281	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
		282	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
		283	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
		284	Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
		285	without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my Linux system also has
		286	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
		287
		288	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
		289	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
		290	flag.
		291
		292	This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
		293	environment variable.
		294
269	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)	295	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
270		296
271	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as	297	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
272	libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,	298	libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
273	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when	299	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
…		…
407	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)	433	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
408		434
409	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by	435	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
410	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop	436	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
411	after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.	437	after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.
		438
		439	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
		440
		441	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
		442	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
		443	happily wraps around with enough iterations.
		444
		445	This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
		446	"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
		447	C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls.
412		448
413	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)	449	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
414		450
415	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in	451	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
416	use.	452	use.
…		…
700	=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher)	736	=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher)
701		737
702	Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding	738	Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding
703	events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher	739	events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher
704	is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but	740	is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but
705	C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe) and you must make sure the watcher is available to	741	C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe), you must not change its priority, and you must
706	libev (e.g. you cnanot C<free ()> it).	742	make sure the watcher is available to libev (e.g. you cannot C<free ()>
		743	it).
707		744
708	=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)	745	=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
709		746
710	Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.	747	Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
711		748
712	=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	749	=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
713		750
714	Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time	751	Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
715	(modulo threads).	752	(modulo threads).
		753
		754	=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority)
		755
		756	=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
		757
		758	Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
		759	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
		760	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
		761	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
		762	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
		763
		764	This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
		765	invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
		766	example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
		767	watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
		768
		769	If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
		770	you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
		771
		772	You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
		773	pending.
		774
		775	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
		776	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
		777
		778	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
		779	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
		780	or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.
		781
		782	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
		783
		784	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
		785	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
		786	can deal with that fact.
		787
		788	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
		789
		790	If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status
		791	and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
		792	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
716		793
717	=back	794	=back
718		795
719		796
720	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER	797	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
…		…
826	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning	903	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
827	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.	904	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
828		905
829	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not	906	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not
830	play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test	907	play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test
831	wether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface	908	whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface
832	such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on	909	such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on
833	its own, so its quite safe to use).	910	its own, so its quite safe to use).
834		911
835	=over 4	912	=over 4
836		913
…		…
914	=item ev_timer_again (loop)	991	=item ev_timer_again (loop)
915		992
916	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is	993	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
917	repeating. The exact semantics are:	994	repeating. The exact semantics are:
918		995
		996	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
		997
919	If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it.	998	If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
920		999
921	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the repeat	1000	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
922	value), or reset the running timer to the repeat value.	1001	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
923		1002
924	This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical	1003	This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical
925	example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called	1004	example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle
926	idle timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been,	1005	timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
927	say, 60 seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do	1006	seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
928	this is to configure an C<ev_timer> with C<after>=C<repeat>=C<60> and calling	1007	configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
929	C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If	1008	C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
930	you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the	1009	you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
931	socket, you can stop the timer, and again will automatically restart it if	1010	socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
932	need be.	1011	automatically restart it if need be.
933		1012
934	You can also ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start> altogether	1013	That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>
935	and only ever use the C<repeat> value:	1014	altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
936		1015
937	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);	1016	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);
938	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);	1017	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
939	...	1018	...
940	timer->again = 17.;	1019	timer->again = 17.;
941	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);	1020	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
942	...	1021	...
943	timer->again = 10.;	1022	timer->again = 10.;
944	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);	1023	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
945		1024
946	This is more efficient then stopping/starting the timer eahc time you want	1025	This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
947	to modify its timeout value.	1026	you want to modify its timeout value.
948		1027
949	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]	1028	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
950		1029
951	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out	1030	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
952	or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),	1031	or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),
…		…
1221	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does	1300	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does
1222	not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is	1301	not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is
1223	otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of	1302	otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of
1224	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.	1303	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.
1225		1304
		1305	The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is
		1306	relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.
		1307
1226	Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply	1308	Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply
1227	calls C<stat (2)> regulalry on the path to see if it changed somehow. You	1309	calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You
1228	can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify	1310	can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify
1229	a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,	1311	a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,
1230	unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around	1312	unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around
1231	five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also	1313	five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also
1232	impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats	1314	impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats
…		…
1234		1316
1235	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,	1317	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1236	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be	1318	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1237	resource-intensive.	1319	resource-intensive.
1238		1320
1239	At the time of this writing, no specific OS backends are implemented, but	1321	At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is
1240	if demand increases, at least a kqueue and inotify backend will be added.	1322	implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the
		1323	reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the
		1324	semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs
		1325	to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are
		1326	usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no
		1327	polling.
1241		1328
1242	=over 4	1329	=over 4
1243		1330
1244	=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat , callback, const char path, ev_tstamp interval)	1331	=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat , callback, const char path, ev_tstamp interval)
1245		1332
…		…
1309	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	1396	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1310		1397
1311		1398
1312	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...	1399	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1313		1400
1314	Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other events are pending	1401	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1315	(prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count). That is, as long	1402	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not
1316	as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts (or even signals,	1403	count).
1317	imagine) it will not be triggered. But when your process is idle all idle	1404
1318	watchers are being called again and again, once per event loop iteration -	1405	That 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
		1407	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
		1408	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
1319	until stopped, that is, or your process receives more events and becomes	1409	iteration - until stopped, that is, or your process receives more events
1320	busy.	1410	and becomes busy again with higher priority stuff.
1321		1411
1322	The most noteworthy effect is that as long as any idle watchers are	1412	The most noteworthy effect is that as long as any idle watchers are
1323	active, the process will not block when waiting for new events.	1413	active, the process will not block when waiting for new events.
1324		1414
1325	Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful	1415	Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
…		…
1425		1515
1426	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking	1516	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1427	static void	1517	static void
1428	adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop loop, ev_prepare w, int revents)	1518	adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop loop, ev_prepare w, int revents)
1429	{	1519	{
1430	int timeout = 3600000;truct pollfd fds [nfd];	1520	int timeout = 3600000;
		1521	struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1431	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.	1522	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1432	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));	1523	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1433		1524
1434	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */	1525	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1435	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);	1526	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
…		…
1669		1760
1670	To use it,	1761	To use it,
1671		1762
1672	#include <ev++.h>	1763	#include <ev++.h>
1673		1764
1674	(it is not installed by default). This automatically includes F<ev.h>	1765	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
1675	and puts all of its definitions (many of them macros) into the global	1766	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
1676	namespace. All C++ specific things are put into the C<ev> namespace.	1767	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
		1768	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
1677		1769
1678	It should support all the same embedding options as F<ev.h>, most notably	1770	Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++
1679	C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.	1771	classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer
		1772	that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if
		1773	you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).
		1774
		1775	Currently, functions, and static and non-static member functions can be
		1776	used as callbacks. Other types should be easy to add as long as they only
		1777	need one additional pointer for context. If you need support for other
		1778	types of functors please contact the author (preferably after implementing
		1779	it).
1680		1780
1681	Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:	1781	Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
1682		1782
1683	=over 4	1783	=over 4
1684		1784
…		…
1700		1800
1701	All of those classes have these methods:	1801	All of those classes have these methods:
1702		1802
1703	=over 4	1803	=over 4
1704		1804
1705	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object , object::method )	1805	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
1706		1806
1707	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object , object::method , struct ev_loop *)	1807	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *)
1708		1808
1709	=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE	1809	=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
1710		1810
1711	The constructor takes a pointer to an object and a method pointer to	1811	The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
1712	the event handler callback to call in this class. The constructor calls	1812	with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
1713	C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the C<set> method	1813
1714	before starting it. If you do not specify a loop then the constructor	1814	The constructor calls C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the
1715	automatically associates the default loop with this watcher.	1815	C<set> method before starting it.
		1816
		1817	It will not set a callback, however: You have to call the templated C<set>
		1818	method to set a callback before you can start the watcher.
		1819
		1820	(The reason why you have to use a method is a limitation in C++ which does
		1821	not allow explicit template arguments for constructors).
1716		1822
1717	The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active.	1823	The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active.
		1824
		1825	=item w->set<class, &class::method> (object *)
		1826
		1827	This method sets the callback method to call. The method has to have a
		1828	signature of C<void (*)(ev_TYPE &, int)>, it receives the watcher as
		1829	first argument and the C<revents> as second. The object must be given as
		1830	parameter and is stored in the C<data> member of the watcher.
		1831
		1832	This method synthesizes efficient thunking code to call your method from
		1833	the C callback that libev requires. If your compiler can inline your
		1834	callback (i.e. it is visible to it at the place of the C<set> call and
		1835	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
		1836	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
		1837
		1838	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
		1839
		1840	struct myclass
		1841	{
		1842	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
		1843	}
		1844
		1845	myclass obj;
		1846	ev::io iow;
		1847	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
		1848
		1849	=item w->set (void (function)(watcher &w, int), void data = 0)
		1850
		1851	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
		1852	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
		1853	C<data> member and is free for you to use.
		1854
		1855	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
1718		1856
1719	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)	1857	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
1720		1858
1721	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only	1859	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
1722	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).	1860	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
1723		1861
1724	=item w->set ([args])	1862	=item w->set ([args])
1725		1863
1726	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be	1864	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be
1727	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets	1865	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
1728	automatically stopped and restarted.	1866	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
		1867	method.
1729		1868
1730	=item w->start ()	1869	=item w->start ()
1731		1870
1732	Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument as the	1871	Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
1733	constructor already takes the loop.	1872	constructor already stores the event loop.
1734		1873
1735	=item w->stop ()	1874	=item w->stop ()
1736		1875
1737	Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.	1876	Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
1738		1877
…		…
1763		1902
1764	myclass ();	1903	myclass ();
1765	}	1904	}
1766		1905
1767	myclass::myclass (int fd)	1906	myclass::myclass (int fd)
1768	: io (this, &myclass::io_cb),
1769	idle (this, &myclass::idle_cb)
1770	{	1907	{
		1908	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
		1909	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
		1910
1771	io.start (fd, ev::READ);	1911	io.start (fd, ev::READ);
1772	}	1912	}
1773		1913
1774		1914
1775	=head1 MACRO MAGIC	1915	=head1 MACRO MAGIC
1776		1916
1777	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundemantal is	1917	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundemantal is
1778	C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines wether (most) functions and	1918	C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most) functions and
1779	callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.	1919	callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
1780		1920
1781	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the	1921	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
1782	following macros are defined:	1922	following macros are defined:
1783		1923
…		…
1816	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default	1956	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
1817	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").	1957	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
1818		1958
1819	=back	1959	=back
1820		1960
1821	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, working regardless of	1961	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
1822	wether multiple loops are supported or not.	1962	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
		1963	or not.
1823		1964
1824	static void	1965	static void
1825	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	1966	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1826	{	1967	{
1827	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);	1968	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
…		…
1829		1970
1830	ev_check check;	1971	ev_check check;
1831	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);	1972	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
1832	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);	1973	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
1833	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);	1974	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
1834
1835		1975
1836	=head1 EMBEDDING	1976	=head1 EMBEDDING
1837		1977
1838	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host	1978	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
1839	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra	1979	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
…		…
1879	ev_vars.h	2019	ev_vars.h
1880	ev_wrap.h	2020	ev_wrap.h
1881		2021
1882	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only	2022	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
1883		2023
1884	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is by default)	2024	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
1885	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	2025	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1886	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	2026	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1887	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)	2027	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1888	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)	2028	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1889		2029
…		…
2014		2154
2015	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL	2155	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2016		2156
2017	reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.	2157	reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2018		2158
		2159	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
		2160
		2161	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
		2162	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
		2163	be detected at runtime.
		2164
2019	=item EV_H	2165	=item EV_H
2020		2166
2021	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if	2167	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2022	undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This	2168	undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This
2023	can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.	2169	can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
…		…
2046	will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create	2192	will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
2047	additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support	2193	additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
2048	for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer	2194	for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
2049	argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.	2195	argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
2050		2196
		2197	=item EV_MINPRI
		2198
		2199	=item EV_MAXPRI
		2200
		2201	The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to
		2202	C<EV_MAXPRI>, but otherwise there are no non-obvious limitations. You can
		2203	provide for more priorities by overriding those symbols (usually defined
		2204	to be C<-2> and C<2>, respectively).
		2205
		2206	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
		2207	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
		2208	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
		2209	fine.
		2210
		2211	If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to
		2212	C<0> will save some memory and cpu.
		2213
2051	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE	2214	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
2052		2215
2053	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If	2216	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
2054	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of	2217	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
2055	code.	2218	code.
2056		2219
		2220	=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE
		2221
		2222	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
		2223	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
		2224	code.
		2225
2057	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE	2226	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2058		2227
2059	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If	2228	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2060	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	2229	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2061		2230
…		…
2078	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE	2247	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2079		2248
2080	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	2249	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2081	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more	2250	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
2082	than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to	2251	than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to
2083	increase this value.	2252	increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
		2253
		2254	=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
		2255
		2256	C<ev_staz> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
		2257	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
		2258	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
		2259	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
		2260	two).
2084		2261
2085	=item EV_COMMON	2262	=item EV_COMMON
2086		2263
2087	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining	2264	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2088	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of	2265	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
…		…
2117	interface) and F<EV.xs> (implementation) files. Only the F<EV.xs> file	2294	interface) and F<EV.xs> (implementation) files. Only the F<EV.xs> file
2118	will be compiled. It is pretty complex because it provides its own header	2295	will be compiled. It is pretty complex because it provides its own header
2119	file.	2296	file.
2120		2297
2121	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file	2298	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
2122	that everybody includes and which overrides some autoconf choices:	2299	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2123		2300
		2301	#define EV_MINIMAL 1
2124	#define EV_USE_POLL 0	2302	#define EV_USE_POLL 0
2125	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0	2303	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2126	#define EV_PERIODICS 0	2304	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
		2305	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
		2306	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
2127	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>	2307	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
		2308	#define EV_MINPRI 0
		2309	#define EV_MAXPRI 0
2128		2310
2129	#include "ev++.h"	2311	#include "ev++.h"
2130		2312
2131	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:	2313	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
2132		2314
…		…
2138		2320
2139	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside	2321	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
2140	libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the	2322	libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the
2141	documentation for C<ev_default_init>.	2323	documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
2142		2324
		2325	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
		2326	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
		2327	happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
		2328	mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average
		2329	it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
		2330
2143	=over 4	2331	=over 4
2144		2332
2145	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)	2333	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
2146		2334
		2335	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
		2336	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will
		2337	have to skip those 100 watchers.
		2338
2147	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat, again): O(log skipped_other_timers)	2339	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat, again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
2148		2340
		2341	That means that for changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them
		2342	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
		2343
2149	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1)	2344	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1)
2150		2345
		2346	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
2151	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1)	2347	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1)
2152		2348
2153	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % 16))	2349	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
		2350
		2351	These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the
		2352	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
		2353	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).
2154		2354
2155	=item Finding the next timer per loop iteration: O(1)	2355	=item Finding the next timer per loop iteration: O(1)
2156		2356
2157	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)	2357	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
2158		2358
		2359	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
		2360	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel).
		2361
2159	=item Activating one watcher: O(1)	2362	=item Activating one watcher: O(1)
2160		2363
		2364	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
		2365
		2366	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
		2367	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
		2368	linearly search all the priorities.
		2369
2161	=back	2370	=back
2162		2371
2163		2372
2164	=head1 AUTHOR	2373	=head1 AUTHOR
2165		2374

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Comparing libev/ev.pod (file contents): Revision 1.55 by root, Tue Nov 27 20:38:07 2007 UTC vs. Revision 1.74 by root, Sat Dec 8 14:12:08 2007 UTC

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Comparing libev/ev.pod (file contents):
Revision 1.55 by root, Tue Nov 27 20:38:07 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.74 by root, Sat Dec 8 14:12:08 2007 UTC