libev - some functions controlling the event loop

Functions Controlling the Event Loop

An event loop is described by a struct ev_loop*.

The library knows two types of such loop, the default loop, and dynamically created loops.

struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop(unsigned int flags)

• This will initialize the default event loop if it hasn't been initialized yet and return it.
• If the default loop could not be initialized, return false.
• If it already was initialized it simply return in.

• NOTE: this function is not thread-safe.

• The default loop is the only loop that can handle ev_signal and ev_child watchers.

struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new(unsigned int flags)

• Creates a new event loop that is always distinct from the default loop.
• It cannot handle signal and child watchers.

• NOTE: this function is thread-safe.
• The recommended way to use libev with threads is to create one loop per thread.

ev_default_destroy()

• destroys the default loop.
• None of the active event watchers will be stopped.

ev_loop_destroy(loop)

• Destroys an event loop created by an earlier call to ev_loop_new.

ev_run(loop, int flags)

• The event handler.
• this function usually is called after you initialized all your watchers and you want to start handling events.

ev_break(loop, how)

• Can be used to make a call to ev_loop return early(but only it has processed all outstanding events).

ev_ref(loop)

ev_unref(loop)

• ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event loop
• Every watcher keeps one reference.
• As long as the reference count is non zero, ev_loop will not return on its own.

reference: http://doc.dvgu.ru/devel/ev.html#functions_controlling_the_event_loop