Question 1

How do I build libuv from source on Windows?

Accepted Answer

Use CMake with prerequisites like Visual Studio Build Tools, as outlined in the build instructions. Run commands like `cmake -B build` and `cmake --build build`, ensuring Git for Windows is installed for test tools.

Question 2

libuv vs libevent: which should I choose for a new project?

Accepted Answer

libuv is better for cross-platform consistency and performance in async I/O, as it powers Node.js, while libevent might be preferred for its longer history and simpler API in some cases. Consider libuv if you need modern features like file system events or threading support.

Question 3

Does libuv support WebSockets or HTTP servers out of the box?

Accepted Answer

No, libuv provides low-level networking primitives like TCP/UDP, so you must implement WebSocket or HTTP protocols manually. It's designed for building custom servers rather than offering high-level web frameworks.

Question 4

How to handle errors in the libuv event loop?

Accepted Answer

Check callback parameters for error codes and use libuv's utilities like `uv_strerror()` for human-readable messages. The documentation and test examples show patterns for robust error handling in async operations.

Question 5

What platforms does libuv officially support?

Accepted Answer

It supports Linux, macOS, Windows, BSD, Solaris, and more, with details in the SUPPORTED_PLATFORMS file. Specific notes exist for AIX and z/OS, requiring extra packages or compiler flags.

Question 6

Is libuv thread-safe for multithreaded applications?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it provides threading primitives like mutexes and condition variables, but the event loop itself typically runs on a single thread. Use the thread pool for offloading blocking tasks to avoid stalling the loop.

Question 7

How to integrate libuv with a C++ application?

Accepted Answer

Link the C library directly and wrap calls in C++ classes for RAII. The API is C-based, so ensure proper memory management and consider using smart pointers to handle resources safely across event loop cycles.

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