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Comparing libev/ev.pod (file contents):
Revision 1.78 by root, Sun Dec 9 19:42:57 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.86 by root, Tue Dec 18 01:20:33 2007 UTC

98Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 98Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
99(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 99(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
100the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is 100the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is
101called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases 101called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases
102to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on 102to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on
103it, you should treat it as such. 103it, you should treat it as some floatingpoint value. Unlike the name
104component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences
105throughout libev.
104 106
105=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 107=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
106 108
107These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the 109These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
108library in any way. 110library in any way.
117 119
118=item int ev_version_major () 120=item int ev_version_major ()
119 121
120=item int ev_version_minor () 122=item int ev_version_minor ()
121 123
122You can find out the major and minor version numbers of the library 124You 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 125you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and
124C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global 126C<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 127symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the
126version of the library your program was compiled against. 128version of the library your program was compiled against.
127 129
130These version numbers refer to the ABI version of the library, not the
131release version.
132
128Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch, 133Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch,
129as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 134as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
130compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 135compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
131not a problem. 136not a problem.
132 137
133Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 138Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
134version. 139version.
908play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test 913play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test
909whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface 914whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface
910such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on 915such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on
911its own, so its quite safe to use). 916its own, so its quite safe to use).
912 917
918=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
919
920Some backends (e.g kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
921descriptor (either by calling C<close> explicitly or by any other means,
922such as C<dup>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
923descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
924this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
925registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
926fact, a different file descriptor.
927
928To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows
929the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev
930will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise
931it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that
932you I<have> to call C<ev_io_set> (or C<ev_io_init>) when you change the
933descriptor even if the file descriptor number itself did not change.
934
935This is how one would do it normally anyway, the important point is that
936the libev application should not optimise around libev but should leave
937optimisations to libev.
938
939
940=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
941
913=over 4 942=over 4
914 943
915=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 944=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
916 945
917=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events) 946=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
969 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 998 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
970 999
971The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed, 1000The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed,
972but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then 1001but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then
973order of execution is undefined. 1002order of execution is undefined.
1003
1004=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
974 1005
975=over 4 1006=over 4
976 1007
977=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1008=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
978 1009
1084 1115
1085As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the 1116As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the
1086time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready 1117time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
1087during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined. 1118during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.
1088 1119
1120=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1121
1089=over 4 1122=over 4
1090 1123
1091=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb) 1124=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1092 1125
1093=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb) 1126=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)
1188=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write] 1221=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1189 1222
1190The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is 1223The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1191switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when 1224switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1192the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called. 1225the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1226
1227=item ev_tstamp at [read-only]
1228
1229When active, contains the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1230trigger next.
1193 1231
1194=back 1232=back
1195 1233
1196Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 1234Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1197system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 1235system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1239with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long 1277with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long
1240as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal 1278as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal
1241watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to 1279watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to
1242SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before). 1280SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1243 1281
1282=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1283
1244=over 4 1284=over 4
1245 1285
1246=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum) 1286=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)
1247 1287
1248=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum) 1288=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum)
1259 1299
1260=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes 1300=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1261 1301
1262Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 1302Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1263some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). 1303some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies).
1304
1305=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1264 1306
1265=over 4 1307=over 4
1266 1308
1267=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid) 1309=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid)
1268 1310
1336reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the 1378reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the
1337semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs 1379semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs
1338to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are 1380to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are
1339usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no 1381usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no
1340polling. 1382polling.
1383
1384=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1341 1385
1342=over 4 1386=over 4
1343 1387
1344=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval) 1388=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)
1345 1389
1428Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful 1472Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
1429effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do 1473effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do
1430"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the 1474"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
1431event loop has handled all outstanding events. 1475event loop has handled all outstanding events.
1432 1476
1477=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1478
1433=over 4 1479=over 4
1434 1480
1435=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback) 1481=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1436 1482
1437Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any 1483Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1504their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other event 1550their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other event
1505loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their 1551loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
1506C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with 1552C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
1507others). 1553others).
1508 1554
1555=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1556
1509=over 4 1557=over 4
1510 1558
1511=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback) 1559=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
1512 1560
1513=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback) 1561=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1714 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed); 1762 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
1715 } 1763 }
1716 else 1764 else
1717 loop_lo = loop_hi; 1765 loop_lo = loop_hi;
1718 1766
1767=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1768
1719=over 4 1769=over 4
1720 1770
1721=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 1771=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
1722 1772
1723=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 1773=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
1749event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called, 1799event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
1750and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling 1800and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
1751C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork 1801C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
1752handlers will be invoked, too, of course. 1802handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
1753 1803
1804=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1805
1754=over 4 1806=over 4
1755 1807
1756=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback) 1808=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1757 1809
1758Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any 1810Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
1974 2026
1975=item w->stop () 2027=item w->stop ()
1976 2028
1977Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument. 2029Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
1978 2030
1979=item w->again () C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only 2031=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
1980 2032
1981For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding 2033For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding
1982C<ev_TYPE_again> function. 2034C<ev_TYPE_again> function.
1983 2035
1984=item w->sweep () C<ev::embed> only 2036=item w->sweep () (C<ev::embed> only)
1985 2037
1986Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>. 2038Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>.
1987 2039
1988=item w->update () C<ev::stat> only 2040=item w->update () (C<ev::stat> only)
1989 2041
1990Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>. 2042Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>.
1991 2043
1992=back 2044=back
1993 2045
2013 } 2065 }
2014 2066
2015 2067
2016=head1 MACRO MAGIC 2068=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2017 2069
2018Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundemantal is 2070Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal
2019C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most) functions and 2071of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
2020callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument. 2072functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
2021 2073
2022To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the 2074To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
2023following macros are defined: 2075following macros are defined:
2024 2076
2025=over 4 2077=over 4

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