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4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 #include <ev.h> 7 #include <ev.h>
8 8
9=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10
11 #include <ev.h>
12
13 ev_io stdin_watcher;
14 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
15
16 /* called when data readable on stdin */
17 static void
18 stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents)
19 {
20 /* puts ("stdin ready"); */
21 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); /* just a syntax example */
22 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); /* leave all loop calls */
23 }
24
25 static void
26 timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
27 {
28 /* puts ("timeout"); */
29 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); /* leave one loop call */
30 }
31
32 int
33 main (void)
34 {
35 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
36
37 /* initialise an io watcher, then start it */
38 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
39 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
40
41 /* simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout */
42 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
43 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
44
45 /* loop till timeout or data ready */
46 ev_loop (loop, 0);
47
48 return 0;
49 }
50
9=head1 DESCRIPTION 51=head1 DESCRIPTION
10 52
53The newest version of this document is also available as a html-formatted
54web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
55time: L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>.
56
11Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a 57Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
12file descriptor being readable or a timeout occuring), and it will manage 58file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
13these event sources and provide your program with events. 59these event sources and provide your program with events.
14 60
15To do this, it must take more or less complete control over your process 61To do this, it must take more or less complete control over your process
16(or thread) by executing the I<event loop> handler, and will then 62(or thread) by executing the I<event loop> handler, and will then
17communicate events via a callback mechanism. 63communicate events via a callback mechanism.
21details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the 67details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the
22watcher. 68watcher.
23 69
24=head1 FEATURES 70=head1 FEATURES
25 71
26Libev supports select, poll, the linux-specific epoll and the bsd-specific 72Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the
27kqueue mechanisms for file descriptor events, relative timers, absolute 73BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms
28timers with customised rescheduling, signal events, process status change 74for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface
29events (related to SIGCHLD), and event watchers dealing with the event 75(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers
30loop mechanism itself (idle, prepare and check watchers). It also is quite 76with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals
77(C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and event
78watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>,
79C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> watchers) as well as
80file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even limited support for fork events
81(C<ev_fork>).
82
83It also is quite fast (see this
31fast (see this L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing 84L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
32it to libevent for example). 85for example).
33 86
34=head1 CONVENTIONS 87=head1 CONVENTIONS
35 88
36Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration 89Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will
37will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info 90be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about
38about various configuration options please have a look at the file 91various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in
39F<README.embed> in the libev distribution. If libev was configured without 92this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event
40support for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial 93loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of name C<loop>
41argument of name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) 94(which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have this argument.
42will not have this argument.
43 95
44=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION 96=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION
45 97
46Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 98Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
47(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 99(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
48the 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
49called 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
50to 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
51it, 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.
52 106
53=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 107=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
54 108
55These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the 109These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
56library in any way. 110library in any way.
61 115
62Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the 116Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
63C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp 117C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
64you actually want to know. 118you actually want to know.
65 119
120=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
121
122Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
123either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
124this is a subsecond-resolution C<sleep ()>.
125
66=item int ev_version_major () 126=item int ev_version_major ()
67 127
68=item int ev_version_minor () 128=item int ev_version_minor ()
69 129
70You can find out the major and minor version numbers of the library 130You can find out the major and minor ABI version numbers of the library
71you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and 131you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and
72C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global 132C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global
73symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the 133symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the
74version of the library your program was compiled against. 134version of the library your program was compiled against.
75 135
136These version numbers refer to the ABI version of the library, not the
137release version.
138
76Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch, 139Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch,
77as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 140as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
78compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 141compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
79not a problem. 142not a problem.
80 143
81Example: make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 144Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
82version: 145version.
83 146
84 assert (("libev version mismatch", 147 assert (("libev version mismatch",
85 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 148 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
86 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 149 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
87 150
117 180
118See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 181See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
119 182
120=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) 183=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))
121 184
122Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar to the 185Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
123realloc C function, the semantics are identical). It is used to allocate 186semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to
124and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when memory 187allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when
125needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some potentially 188memory needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some
126destructive action. The default is your system realloc function. 189potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc
190function.
127 191
128You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say, 192You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
129free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator, 193free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
130or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available. 194or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
131 195
132Example: replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then 196Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
133retries: better than mine). 197retries).
134 198
135 static void * 199 static void *
136 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, long size) 200 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
137 { 201 {
138 for (;;) 202 for (;;)
139 { 203 {
140 void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size); 204 void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size);
141 205
157callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no 221callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no
158matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the 222matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
159requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff 223requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
160(such as abort). 224(such as abort).
161 225
162Example: do the same thing as libev does internally: 226Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
163 227
164 static void 228 static void
165 fatal_error (const char *msg) 229 fatal_error (const char *msg)
166 { 230 {
167 perror (msg); 231 perror (msg);
217C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will 281C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
218override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is 282override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
219useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 283useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
220around bugs. 284around bugs.
221 285
286=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
287
288Instead of calling C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork> manually after
289a fork, you can also make libev check for a fork in each iteration by
290enabling this flag.
291
292This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
293and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
294iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
295Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
296without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my Linux system also has
297C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
298
299The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
300forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
301flag.
302
303This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
304environment variable.
305
222=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 306=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
223 307
224This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 308This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
225libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds, 309libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
226but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when 310but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
235lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select, i.e. O(total_fds). 319lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select, i.e. O(total_fds).
236 320
237=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 321=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
238 322
239For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, 323For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
240but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like 324but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
241O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), epoll scales 325like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
242either O(1) or O(active_fds). 326epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number
327of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect
328cases and rewiring a syscall per fd change, no fork support and bad
329support for dup:
243 330
244While stopping and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration will 331While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
245result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident 332will result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident
246(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its 333(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its
247best to avoid that. Also, dup()ed file descriptors might not work very 334best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work
248well if you register events for both fds. 335very well if you register events for both fds.
249 336
250Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you 337Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
251need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data 338need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
252(or space) is available. 339(or space) is available.
253 340
254=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones) 341=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
255 342
256Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it 343Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
257was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work with 344was broken on I<all> BSDs (usually it doesn't work with anything but
258anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course its 345sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course it's completely
346useless. On NetBSD, it seems to work for all the FD types I tested, so it
259completely useless). For this reason its not being "autodetected" 347is used by default there). For this reason it's not being "autodetected"
260unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using 348unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using
261C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>). 349C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
350system like NetBSD.
262 351
263It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the 352It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
264kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of 353kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed,
265course). While starting and stopping an I/O watcher does not cause an 354of course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does
266extra syscall as with epoll, it still adds up to four event changes per 355never cause an extra syscall as with epoll, it still adds up to two event
267incident, so its best to avoid that. 356changes per incident, support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it drops fds
357silently in similarly hard-to-detetc cases.
268 358
269=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8) 359=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
270 360
271This is not implemented yet (and might never be). 361This is not implemented yet (and might never be).
272 362
273=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10) 363=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
274 364
275This uses the Solaris 10 port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris, 365This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
276it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)). 366it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
277 367
278Please note that solaris ports can result in a lot of spurious 368Please note that solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
279notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid 369notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
280blocking when no data (or space) is available. 370blocking when no data (or space) is available.
281 371
282=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 372=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
283 373
313Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is 403Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
314always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot 404always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
315handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by 405handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
316undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled). 406undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
317 407
318Example: try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 408Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
319 409
320 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 410 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
321 if (!epoller) 411 if (!epoller)
322 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 412 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
323 413
326Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 416Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
327etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal 417etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
328sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your 418sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
329responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before> 419responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before>
330calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually 420calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
331the easiest thing, youc na just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them 421the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
332for example). 422for example).
423
424Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by
425this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers)
426would need to be stopped manually.
427
428In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
429rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
430pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
431C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).
333 432
334=item ev_loop_destroy (loop) 433=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
335 434
336Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an 435Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
337earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>. 436earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
361 460
362Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by 461Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
363C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop 462C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
364after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem. 463after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.
365 464
465=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
466
467Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
468the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
469happily wraps around with enough iterations.
470
471This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
472"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
473C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls.
474
366=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop) 475=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
367 476
368Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in 477Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
369use. 478use.
370 479
372 481
373Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop 482Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop
374received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not 483received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
375change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base 484change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
376time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the 485time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
377event occuring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it). 486event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
378 487
379=item ev_loop (loop, int flags) 488=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
380 489
381Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 490Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
382after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling 491after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
403libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 512libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
404usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 513usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
405 514
406Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 515Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
407 516
517 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
408 * If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return. 518 * If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return.
409 - Queue prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers. 519 - Queue all prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers.
410 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state. 520 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.
411 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 521 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
412 - Update the "event loop time". 522 - Update the "event loop time".
413 - Calculate for how long to block. 523 - Calculate for how long to block.
414 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 524 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
422 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will 532 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
423 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 533 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
424 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 534 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
425 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *. 535 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *.
426 536
427Example: queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding 537Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding
428anymore. 538anymore.
429 539
430 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 540 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
431 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 541 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
432 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 542 ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
452visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if 562visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if
453no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent 563no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent
454way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party 564way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party
455libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>. 565libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>.
456 566
457Example: create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 567Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
458running when nothing else is active. 568running when nothing else is active.
459 569
460 struct dv_signal exitsig; 570 struct ev_signal exitsig;
461 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 571 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
462 ev_signal_start (myloop, &exitsig); 572 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
463 evf_unref (myloop); 573 evf_unref (loop);
464 574
465Example: for some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 575Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
466 576
467 ev_ref (myloop); 577 ev_ref (loop);
468 ev_signal_stop (myloop, &exitsig); 578 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
579
580=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
581
582=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
583
584These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
585for events. Both are by default C<0>, meaning that libev will try to
586invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum latency.
587
588Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
589allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks to
590increase efficiency of loop iterations.
591
592The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to
593handle one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes
594the program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
595events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
596overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
597
598By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
599time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
600at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
601C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null bvalue will
602introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.
603
604Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
605to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
606latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers
607will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will not introduce
608any overhead in libev.
609
610Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the io collect
611interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
612interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
613usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
614as this approsaches the timing granularity of most systems.
469 615
470=back 616=back
471 617
472 618
473=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER 619=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
653=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher) 799=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher)
654 800
655Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding 801Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding
656events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher 802events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher
657is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but 803is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but
658C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe) and you must make sure the watcher is available to 804C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe), you must not change its priority, and you must
659libev (e.g. you cnanot C<free ()> it). 805make sure the watcher is available to libev (e.g. you cannot C<free ()>
806it).
660 807
661=item callback = ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher) 808=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
662 809
663Returns the callback currently set on the watcher. 810Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
664 811
665=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 812=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
666 813
667Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time 814Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
668(modulo threads). 815(modulo threads).
816
817=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority)
818
819=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
820
821Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
822integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
823(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
824before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
825from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
826
827This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
828invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
829example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
830watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
831
832If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
833you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
834
835You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
836pending.
837
838The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
839always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
840
841Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
842fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
843or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.
844
845=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
846
847Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
848C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
849can deal with that fact.
850
851=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
852
853If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status
854and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
855watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
669 856
670=back 857=back
671 858
672 859
673=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 860=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
694 { 881 {
695 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_; 882 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
696 ... 883 ...
697 } 884 }
698 885
699More interesting and less C-conformant ways of catsing your callback type 886More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
700have been omitted.... 887instead have been omitted.
888
889Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple
890watchers:
891
892 struct my_biggy
893 {
894 int some_data;
895 ev_timer t1;
896 ev_timer t2;
897 }
898
899In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,
900you need to use C<offsetof>:
901
902 #include <stddef.h>
903
904 static void
905 t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
906 {
907 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
908 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
909 }
910
911 static void
912 t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
913 {
914 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
915 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
916 }
701 917
702 918
703=head1 WATCHER TYPES 919=head1 WATCHER TYPES
704 920
705This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 921This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
750it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning 966it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
751C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives. 967C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
752 968
753If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not 969If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not
754play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test 970play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test
755wether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface 971whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface
756such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on 972such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on
757its own, so its quite safe to use). 973its own, so its quite safe to use).
974
975=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
976
977Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
978descriptor (either by calling C<close> explicitly or by any other means,
979such as C<dup>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
980descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
981this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
982registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
983fact, a different file descriptor.
984
985To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows
986the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev
987will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise
988it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that
989you I<have> to call C<ev_io_set> (or C<ev_io_init>) when you change the
990descriptor even if the file descriptor number itself did not change.
991
992This is how one would do it normally anyway, the important point is that
993the libev application should not optimise around libev but should leave
994optimisations to libev.
995
996=head3 The special problem of dup'ed file descriptors
997
998Some backends (e.g. epoll), cannot register events for file descriptors,
999but only events for the underlying file descriptions. That menas when you
1000have C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors and register events for them, only one
1001file descriptor might actually receive events.
1002
1003There is no workaorund possible except not registering events
1004for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors or to resort to
1005C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1006
1007=head3 The special problem of fork
1008
1009Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit
1010useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about
1011it in the child.
1012
1013To support fork in your programs, you either have to call
1014C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,
1015enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1016C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1017
1018
1019=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
758 1020
759=over 4 1021=over 4
760 1022
761=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 1023=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
762 1024
774 1036
775The events being watched. 1037The events being watched.
776 1038
777=back 1039=back
778 1040
779Example: call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well 1041Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
780readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could 1042readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
781attempt to read a whole line in the callback: 1043attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
782 1044
783 static void 1045 static void
784 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1046 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
785 { 1047 {
786 ev_io_stop (loop, w); 1048 ev_io_stop (loop, w);
816 1078
817The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed, 1079The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed,
818but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then 1080but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then
819order of execution is undefined. 1081order of execution is undefined.
820 1082
1083=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1084
821=over 4 1085=over 4
822 1086
823=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1087=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
824 1088
825=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1089=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
838=item ev_timer_again (loop) 1102=item ev_timer_again (loop)
839 1103
840This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 1104This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
841repeating. The exact semantics are: 1105repeating. The exact semantics are:
842 1106
1107If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1108
843If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it. 1109If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
844 1110
845If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the repeat 1111If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
846value), or reset the running timer to the repeat value. 1112C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
847 1113
848This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical 1114This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical
849example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called 1115example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle
850idle timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, 1116timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
851say, 60 seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do 1117seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
852this is to configure an C<ev_timer> with C<after>=C<repeat>=C<60> and calling 1118configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
853C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If 1119C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
854you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the 1120you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
855socket, you can stop the timer, and again will automatically restart it if 1121socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
856need be. 1122automatically restart it if need be.
857 1123
858You can also ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start> altogether 1124That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>
859and only ever use the C<repeat> value: 1125altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
860 1126
861 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.); 1127 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);
862 ev_timer_again (loop, timer); 1128 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
863 ... 1129 ...
864 timer->again = 17.; 1130 timer->again = 17.;
865 ev_timer_again (loop, timer); 1131 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
866 ... 1132 ...
867 timer->again = 10.; 1133 timer->again = 10.;
868 ev_timer_again (loop, timer); 1134 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
869 1135
870This is more efficient then stopping/starting the timer eahc time you want 1136This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
871to modify its timeout value. 1137you want to modify its timeout value.
872 1138
873=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write] 1139=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
874 1140
875The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out 1141The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
876or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any), 1142or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),
877which is also when any modifications are taken into account. 1143which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
878 1144
879=back 1145=back
880 1146
881Example: create a timer that fires after 60 seconds. 1147Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
882 1148
883 static void 1149 static void
884 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1150 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
885 { 1151 {
886 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here 1152 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
888 1154
889 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1155 struct ev_timer mytimer;
890 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.); 1156 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
891 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer); 1157 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
892 1158
893Example: create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of 1159Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
894inactivity. 1160inactivity.
895 1161
896 static void 1162 static void
897 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1163 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
898 { 1164 {
918but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher 1184but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher
919to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a 1185to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a
920periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now () 1186periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now ()
921+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will 1187+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will
922take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger 1188take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger
923roughly 10 seconds later and of course not if you reset your system time 1189roughly 10 seconds later).
924again).
925 1190
926They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as 1191They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as
927triggering an event on eahc midnight, local time. 1192triggering an event on each midnight, local time or other, complicated,
1193rules.
928 1194
929As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the 1195As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the
930time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready 1196time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
931during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined. 1197during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.
932 1198
1199=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1200
933=over 4 1201=over 4
934 1202
935=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb) 1203=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
936 1204
937=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb) 1205=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)
939Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of 1207Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of
940operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex: 1208operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:
941 1209
942=over 4 1210=over 4
943 1211
944=item * absolute timer (interval = reschedule_cb = 0) 1212=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)
945 1213
946In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time 1214In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time
947C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs, 1215C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs,
948that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the 1216that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the
949system time reaches or surpasses this time. 1217system time reaches or surpasses this time.
950 1218
951=item * non-repeating interval timer (interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0) 1219=item * non-repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
952 1220
953In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next 1221In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
954C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N) and then repeat, regardless 1222C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)
955of any time jumps. 1223and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
956 1224
957This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system 1225This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system
958time: 1226time:
959 1227
960 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0); 1228 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
966 1234
967Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 1235Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
968C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 1236C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
969time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 1237time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
970 1238
1239For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near
1240C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1241this value.
1242
971=item * manual reschedule mode (reschedule_cb = callback) 1243=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
972 1244
973In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being 1245In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being
974ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 1246ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
975reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 1247reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
976current time as second argument. 1248current time as second argument.
977 1249
978NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, 1250NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
979ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it, 1251ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it,
980return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by 1252return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
981starting a prepare watcher). 1253starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is legal).
982 1254
983Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, 1255Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,
984ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.: 1256ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
985 1257
986 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1258 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1009Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful 1281Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1010when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return 1282when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1011a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like 1283a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1012program when the crontabs have changed). 1284program when the crontabs have changed).
1013 1285
1286=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1287
1288When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1289absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).
1290
1291Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
1292timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1293
1014=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write] 1294=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1015 1295
1016The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only 1296The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1017take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being 1297take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1018called. 1298called.
1021 1301
1022The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is 1302The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1023switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when 1303switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1024the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called. 1304the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1025 1305
1306=item ev_tstamp at [read-only]
1307
1308When active, contains the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1309trigger next.
1310
1026=back 1311=back
1027 1312
1028Example: call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 1313Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1029system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 1314system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1030potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability. 1315potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.
1031 1316
1032 static void 1317 static void
1033 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1318 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
1037 1322
1038 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1323 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1039 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0); 1324 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1040 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1325 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1041 1326
1042Example: the same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it: 1327Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1043 1328
1044 #include <math.h> 1329 #include <math.h>
1045 1330
1046 static ev_tstamp 1331 static ev_tstamp
1047 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1332 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1049 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.; 1334 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;
1050 } 1335 }
1051 1336
1052 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb); 1337 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1053 1338
1054Example: call a callback every hour, starting now: 1339Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1055 1340
1056 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1341 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1057 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 1342 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1058 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 1343 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1059 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1344 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1071with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long 1356with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long
1072as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal 1357as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal
1073watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to 1358watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to
1074SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before). 1359SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1075 1360
1361=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1362
1076=over 4 1363=over 4
1077 1364
1078=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum) 1365=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)
1079 1366
1080=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum) 1367=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum)
1091 1378
1092=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes 1379=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1093 1380
1094Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 1381Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1095some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). 1382some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies).
1383
1384=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1096 1385
1097=over 4 1386=over 4
1098 1387
1099=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid) 1388=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid)
1100 1389
1120The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems 1409The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems
1121C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details). 1410C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).
1122 1411
1123=back 1412=back
1124 1413
1125Example: try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM. 1414Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.
1126 1415
1127 static void 1416 static void
1128 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents) 1417 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)
1129 { 1418 {
1130 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 1419 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
1145not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does 1434not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does
1146not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is 1435not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is
1147otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of 1436otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of
1148the stat buffer having unspecified contents. 1437the stat buffer having unspecified contents.
1149 1438
1439The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is
1440relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.
1441
1150Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply 1442Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply
1151calls C<stat (2)> regulalry on the path to see if it changed somehow. You 1443calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You
1152can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify 1444can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify
1153a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable, 1445a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,
1154unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around 1446unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around
1155five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also 1447five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also
1156impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats 1448impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats
1158 1450
1159This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers, 1451This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1160as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be 1452as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1161resource-intensive. 1453resource-intensive.
1162 1454
1163At the time of this writing, no specific OS backends are implemented, but 1455At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is
1164if demand increases, at least a kqueue and inotify backend will be added. 1456implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the
1457reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the
1458semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs
1459to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are
1460usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no
1461polling.
1462
1463=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1165 1464
1166=over 4 1465=over 4
1167 1466
1168=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval) 1467=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)
1169 1468
1233 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd); 1532 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1234 1533
1235 1534
1236=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do... 1535=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1237 1536
1238Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other events are pending 1537Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1239(prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count). That is, as long 1538priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not
1240as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts (or even signals, 1539count).
1241imagine) it will not be triggered. But when your process is idle all idle 1540
1242watchers are being called again and again, once per event loop iteration - 1541That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1542(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1543triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1544are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
1243until stopped, that is, or your process receives more events and becomes 1545iteration - until stopped, that is, or your process receives more events
1244busy. 1546and becomes busy again with higher priority stuff.
1245 1547
1246The most noteworthy effect is that as long as any idle watchers are 1548The most noteworthy effect is that as long as any idle watchers are
1247active, the process will not block when waiting for new events. 1549active, the process will not block when waiting for new events.
1248 1550
1249Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful 1551Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
1250effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do 1552effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do
1251"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the 1553"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
1252event loop has handled all outstanding events. 1554event loop has handled all outstanding events.
1253 1555
1556=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1557
1254=over 4 1558=over 4
1255 1559
1256=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback) 1560=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1257 1561
1258Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any 1562Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1259kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 1563kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1260believe me. 1564believe me.
1261 1565
1262=back 1566=back
1263 1567
1264Example: dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle>, start it, and in the 1568Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1265callback, free it. Alos, use no error checking, as usual. 1569callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1266 1570
1267 static void 1571 static void
1268 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents) 1572 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)
1269 { 1573 {
1270 free (w); 1574 free (w);
1315with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine 1619with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
1316of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event 1620of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
1317loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping 1621loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1318low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks). 1622low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1319 1623
1624It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
1625priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
1626after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers,
1627too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully
1628supports this, they will be called before other C<ev_check> watchers did
1629their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other event
1630loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
1631C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
1632others).
1633
1634=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1635
1320=over 4 1636=over 4
1321 1637
1322=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback) 1638=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
1323 1639
1324=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback) 1640=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1327parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set> 1643parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1328macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless. 1644macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.
1329 1645
1330=back 1646=back
1331 1647
1332Example: To include a library such as adns, you would add IO watchers 1648There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
1333and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler, as required by libadns, and 1649into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
1650(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
1651use for an actually working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib>
1652embeds a Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV
1653into the Glib event loop).
1654
1655Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1334in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows is 1656and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1335pseudo-code only of course: 1657is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
1658priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
1659the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1336 1660
1337 static ev_io iow [nfd]; 1661 static ev_io iow [nfd];
1338 static ev_timer tw; 1662 static ev_timer tw;
1339 1663
1340 static void 1664 static void
1341 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 1665 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1342 { 1666 {
1343 // set the relevant poll flags
1344 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1345 struct pollfd *fd = (struct pollfd *)w->data;
1346 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1347 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1348 } 1667 }
1349 1668
1350 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking 1669 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1351 static void 1670 static void
1352 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents) 1671 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1353 { 1672 {
1354 int timeout = 3600000;truct pollfd fds [nfd]; 1673 int timeout = 3600000;
1674 struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1355 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc. 1675 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1356 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ())); 1676 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1357 1677
1358 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */ 1678 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1359 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3); 1679 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1360 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw); 1680 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1361 1681
1362 // create on ev_io per pollfd 1682 // create one ev_io per pollfd
1363 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 1683 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1364 { 1684 {
1365 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd, 1685 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1366 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0) 1686 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1367 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0))); 1687 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1368 1688
1369 fds [i].revents = 0; 1689 fds [i].revents = 0;
1370 iow [i].data = fds + i;
1371 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i); 1690 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1372 } 1691 }
1373 } 1692 }
1374 1693
1375 // stop all watchers after blocking 1694 // stop all watchers after blocking
1377 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents) 1696 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1378 { 1697 {
1379 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw); 1698 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1380 1699
1381 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 1700 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1701 {
1702 // set the relevant poll flags
1703 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1704 struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
1705 int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
1706 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1707 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1708
1709 // now stop the watcher
1382 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i); 1710 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1711 }
1383 1712
1384 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop)); 1713 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1714 }
1715
1716Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
1717in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
1718
1719Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
1720notification (adns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
1721callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
1722
1723 static void
1724 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1725 {
1726 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1727 update_now (EV_A);
1728
1729 adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
1730 }
1731
1732 static void
1733 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1734 {
1735 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1736 update_now (EV_A);
1737
1738 if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1739 if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1740 }
1741
1742 // do not ever call adns_afterpoll
1743
1744Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
1745want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, youc na override
1746their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main
1747loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does
1748this.
1749
1750 static gint
1751 event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
1752 {
1753 int got_events = 0;
1754
1755 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1756 // create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
1757
1758 if (timeout >= 0)
1759 // create/start timer
1760
1761 // poll
1762 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1763
1764 // stop timer again
1765 if (timeout >= 0)
1766 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
1767
1768 // stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
1769 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1770 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
1771
1772 return got_events;
1385 } 1773 }
1386 1774
1387 1775
1388=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough... 1776=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1389 1777
1390This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop 1778This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
1391into another (currently only C<ev_io> events are supported in the embedded 1779into another (currently only C<ev_io> events are supported in the embedded
1392loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or incorrect 1780loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or incorrect
1393fashion and must not be used). 1781fashion and must not be used). (See portability notes, below).
1394 1782
1395There are primarily two reasons you would want that: work around bugs and 1783There are primarily two reasons you would want that: work around bugs and
1396prioritise I/O. 1784prioritise I/O.
1397 1785
1398As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support 1786As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
1453 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed); 1841 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
1454 } 1842 }
1455 else 1843 else
1456 loop_lo = loop_hi; 1844 loop_lo = loop_hi;
1457 1845
1846=head2 Portability notes
1847
1848Kqueue is nominally embeddable, but this is broken on all BSDs that I
1849tried, in various ways. Usually the embedded event loop will simply never
1850receive events, sometimes it will only trigger a few times, sometimes in a
1851loop. Epoll is also nominally embeddable, but many Linux kernel versions
1852will always eport the epoll fd as ready, even when no events are pending.
1853
1854While libev allows embedding these backends (they are contained in
1855C<ev_embeddable_backends ()>), take extreme care that it will actually
1856work.
1857
1858When in doubt, create a dynamic event loop forced to use sockets (this
1859usually works) and possibly another thread and a pipe or so to report to
1860your main event loop.
1861
1862=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1863
1458=over 4 1864=over 4
1459 1865
1460=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 1866=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
1461 1867
1462=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 1868=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
1471 1877
1472Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works 1878Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1473similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most 1879similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
1474apropriate way for embedded loops. 1880apropriate way for embedded loops.
1475 1881
1476=item struct ev_loop *loop [read-only] 1882=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
1477 1883
1478The embedded event loop. 1884The embedded event loop.
1479 1885
1480=back 1886=back
1481 1887
1488event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called, 1894event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
1489and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling 1895and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
1490C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork 1896C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
1491handlers will be invoked, too, of course. 1897handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
1492 1898
1899=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1900
1493=over 4 1901=over 4
1494 1902
1495=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback) 1903=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1496 1904
1497Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any 1905Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
1593 2001
1594To use it, 2002To use it,
1595 2003
1596 #include <ev++.h> 2004 #include <ev++.h>
1597 2005
1598(it is not installed by default). This automatically includes F<ev.h> 2006This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
1599and puts all of its definitions (many of them macros) into the global 2007of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
1600namespace. All C++ specific things are put into the C<ev> namespace. 2008put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
2009options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
1601 2010
1602It should support all the same embedding options as F<ev.h>, most notably 2011Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++
1603C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. 2012classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer
2013that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if
2014you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).
2015
2016Currently, functions, and static and non-static member functions can be
2017used as callbacks. Other types should be easy to add as long as they only
2018need one additional pointer for context. If you need support for other
2019types of functors please contact the author (preferably after implementing
2020it).
1604 2021
1605Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace: 2022Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
1606 2023
1607=over 4 2024=over 4
1608 2025
1624 2041
1625All of those classes have these methods: 2042All of those classes have these methods:
1626 2043
1627=over 4 2044=over 4
1628 2045
1629=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *) 2046=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
1630 2047
1631=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *, struct ev_loop *) 2048=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *)
1632 2049
1633=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE 2050=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
1634 2051
1635The constructor takes a pointer to an object and a method pointer to 2052The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
1636the event handler callback to call in this class. The constructor calls 2053with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
1637C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the C<set> method 2054
1638before starting it. If you do not specify a loop then the constructor 2055The constructor calls C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the
1639automatically associates the default loop with this watcher. 2056C<set> method before starting it.
2057
2058It will not set a callback, however: You have to call the templated C<set>
2059method to set a callback before you can start the watcher.
2060
2061(The reason why you have to use a method is a limitation in C++ which does
2062not allow explicit template arguments for constructors).
1640 2063
1641The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active. 2064The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active.
2065
2066=item w->set<class, &class::method> (object *)
2067
2068This method sets the callback method to call. The method has to have a
2069signature of C<void (*)(ev_TYPE &, int)>, it receives the watcher as
2070first argument and the C<revents> as second. The object must be given as
2071parameter and is stored in the C<data> member of the watcher.
2072
2073This method synthesizes efficient thunking code to call your method from
2074the C callback that libev requires. If your compiler can inline your
2075callback (i.e. it is visible to it at the place of the C<set> call and
2076your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
2077thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
2078
2079Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
2080
2081 struct myclass
2082 {
2083 void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2084 }
2085
2086 myclass obj;
2087 ev::io iow;
2088 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2089
2090=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2091
2092Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2093callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
2094C<data> member and is free for you to use.
2095
2096The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
2097
2098See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2099
2100Example:
2101
2102 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2103 iow.set <io_cb> ();
1642 2104
1643=item w->set (struct ev_loop *) 2105=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
1644 2106
1645Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only 2107Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
1646do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 2108do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
1647 2109
1648=item w->set ([args]) 2110=item w->set ([args])
1649 2111
1650Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be 2112Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be
1651called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets 2113called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
1652automatically stopped and restarted. 2114automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
2115method.
1653 2116
1654=item w->start () 2117=item w->start ()
1655 2118
1656Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument as the 2119Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
1657constructor already takes the loop. 2120constructor already stores the event loop.
1658 2121
1659=item w->stop () 2122=item w->stop ()
1660 2123
1661Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument. 2124Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
1662 2125
1663=item w->again () C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only 2126=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
1664 2127
1665For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding 2128For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding
1666C<ev_TYPE_again> function. 2129C<ev_TYPE_again> function.
1667 2130
1668=item w->sweep () C<ev::embed> only 2131=item w->sweep () (C<ev::embed> only)
1669 2132
1670Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>. 2133Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>.
1671 2134
1672=item w->update () C<ev::stat> only 2135=item w->update () (C<ev::stat> only)
1673 2136
1674Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>. 2137Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>.
1675 2138
1676=back 2139=back
1677 2140
1687 2150
1688 myclass (); 2151 myclass ();
1689 } 2152 }
1690 2153
1691 myclass::myclass (int fd) 2154 myclass::myclass (int fd)
1692 : io (this, &myclass::io_cb),
1693 idle (this, &myclass::idle_cb)
1694 { 2155 {
2156 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
2157 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2158
1695 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 2159 io.start (fd, ev::READ);
1696 } 2160 }
1697 2161
1698 2162
1699=head1 MACRO MAGIC 2163=head1 MACRO MAGIC
1700 2164
1701Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundemantal is 2165Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal
1702C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines wether (most) functions and 2166of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
1703callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument. 2167functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
1704 2168
1705To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the 2169To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
1706following macros are defined: 2170following macros are defined:
1707 2171
1708=over 4 2172=over 4
1740Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default 2204Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
1741loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). 2205loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
1742 2206
1743=back 2207=back
1744 2208
1745Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, working regardless of 2209Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
1746wether multiple loops are supported or not. 2210macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2211or not.
1747 2212
1748 static void 2213 static void
1749 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 2214 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1750 { 2215 {
1751 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w); 2216 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
1754 ev_check check; 2219 ev_check check;
1755 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb); 2220 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
1756 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check); 2221 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
1757 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0); 2222 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
1758 2223
1759
1760=head1 EMBEDDING 2224=head1 EMBEDDING
1761 2225
1762Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host 2226Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
1763applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra 2227applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
1764Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe) 2228Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe)
1765and rxvt-unicode. 2229and rxvt-unicode.
1766 2230
1767The goal is to enable you to just copy the neecssary files into your 2231The goal is to enable you to just copy the necessary files into your
1768source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so 2232source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so
1769you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of 2233you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of
1770libev somewhere in your source tree). 2234libev somewhere in your source tree).
1771 2235
1772=head2 FILESETS 2236=head2 FILESETS
1803 ev_vars.h 2267 ev_vars.h
1804 ev_wrap.h 2268 ev_wrap.h
1805 2269
1806 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only 2270 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
1807 2271
1808 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is by default) 2272 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
1809 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 2273 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1810 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 2274 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1811 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default) 2275 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1812 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default) 2276 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1813 2277
1862 2326
1863If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 2327If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
1864monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use 2328monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use
1865of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you 2329of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you
1866usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when 2330usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when
1867the functionality isn't available is safe, though, althoguh you have 2331the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
1868to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime> 2332to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
1869function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). 2333function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).
1870 2334
1871=item EV_USE_REALTIME 2335=item EV_USE_REALTIME
1872 2336
1873If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 2337If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
1874realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at 2338realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at
1875runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will 2339runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will
1876be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get 2340be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
1877(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See tzhe note about libraries 2341(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the
1878in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. 2342note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
2343
2344=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
2345
2346If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
2347and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
1879 2348
1880=item EV_USE_SELECT 2349=item EV_USE_SELECT
1881 2350
1882If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the 2351If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
1883C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no 2352C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no
1938 2407
1939=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL 2408=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
1940 2409
1941reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above. 2410reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
1942 2411
2412=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2413
2414If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2415interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2416be detected at runtime.
2417
1943=item EV_H 2418=item EV_H
1944 2419
1945The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 2420The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
1946undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This 2421undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This
1947can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts. 2422can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
1970will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create 2445will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
1971additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support 2446additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
1972for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer 2447for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
1973argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop. 2448argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
1974 2449
2450=item EV_MINPRI
2451
2452=item EV_MAXPRI
2453
2454The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to
2455C<EV_MAXPRI>, but otherwise there are no non-obvious limitations. You can
2456provide for more priorities by overriding those symbols (usually defined
2457to be C<-2> and C<2>, respectively).
2458
2459When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
2460all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
2461and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
2462fine.
2463
2464If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to
2465C<0> will save some memory and cpu.
2466
1975=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 2467=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
1976 2468
1977If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If 2469If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
1978defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of 2470defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
1979code. 2471code.
1980 2472
2473=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE
2474
2475If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
2476defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
2477code.
2478
1981=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE 2479=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
1982 2480
1983If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If 2481If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
1984defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 2482defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
1985 2483
2002=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE 2500=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2003 2501
2004C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 2502C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2005pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more 2503pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
2006than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to 2504than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to
2007increase this value. 2505increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
2506
2507=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
2508
2509C<ev_staz> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2510inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
2511usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
2512watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
2513two).
2008 2514
2009=item EV_COMMON 2515=item EV_COMMON
2010 2516
2011By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining 2517By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2012this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of 2518this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2025 2531
2026=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb) 2532=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb)
2027 2533
2028Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher, 2534Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher,
2029and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member 2535and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member
2030definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.v> header file for 2536definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
2031their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to 2537their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
2032avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use 2538avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2033method calls instead of plain function calls in C++. 2539method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
2540
2541=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
2542
2543If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a dll) and you need a list of
2544exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
2545all public symbols, one per line:
2546
2547 Symbols.ev for libev proper
2548 Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
2549
2550This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
2551multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
2552itself, but sometimes it is inconvinient to avoid this).
2553
2554A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
2555include before including F<ev.h>:
2556
2557 <Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
2558
2559This would create a file F<wrap.h> which essentially looks like this:
2560
2561 #define ev_backend myprefix_ev_backend
2562 #define ev_check_start myprefix_ev_check_start
2563 #define ev_check_stop myprefix_ev_check_stop
2564 ...
2034 2565
2035=head2 EXAMPLES 2566=head2 EXAMPLES
2036 2567
2037For a real-world example of a program the includes libev 2568For a real-world example of a program the includes libev
2038verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module 2569verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module
2041interface) and F<EV.xs> (implementation) files. Only the F<EV.xs> file 2572interface) and F<EV.xs> (implementation) files. Only the F<EV.xs> file
2042will be compiled. It is pretty complex because it provides its own header 2573will be compiled. It is pretty complex because it provides its own header
2043file. 2574file.
2044 2575
2045The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file 2576The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
2046that everybody includes and which overrides some autoconf choices: 2577that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2047 2578
2579 #define EV_MINIMAL 1
2048 #define EV_USE_POLL 0 2580 #define EV_USE_POLL 0
2049 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0 2581 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2050 #define EV_PERIODICS 0 2582 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
2583 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
2584 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
2051 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h> 2585 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
2586 #define EV_MINPRI 0
2587 #define EV_MAXPRI 0
2052 2588
2053 #include "ev++.h" 2589 #include "ev++.h"
2054 2590
2055And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled: 2591And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
2056 2592
2062 2598
2063In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside 2599In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
2064libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the 2600libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the
2065documentation for C<ev_default_init>. 2601documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
2066 2602
2603All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
2604extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
2605happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
2606mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average
2607it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
2608
2067=over 4 2609=over 4
2068 2610
2069=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers) 2611=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
2070 2612
2613This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
2614there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will
2615have to skip those 100 watchers.
2616
2071=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat, again): O(log skipped_other_timers) 2617=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat, again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
2072 2618
2619That means that for changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them
2620as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
2621
2073=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1) 2622=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1)
2074 2623
2624These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
2075=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1) 2625=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1)
2076 2626
2077=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % 16)) 2627=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
2628
2629These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the
2630correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
2631have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).
2078 2632
2079=item Finding the next timer per loop iteration: O(1) 2633=item Finding the next timer per loop iteration: O(1)
2080 2634
2081=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd) 2635=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
2082 2636
2637A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
2638libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel).
2639
2083=item Activating one watcher: O(1) 2640=item Activating one watcher: O(1)
2084 2641
2642=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
2643
2644Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
2645priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
2646linearly search all the priorities.
2647
2085=back 2648=back
2086 2649
2087 2650
2088=head1 AUTHOR 2651=head1 AUTHOR
2089 2652

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