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Revision 1.105 by root, Sun Dec 23 03:50:10 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.310 by root, Thu Oct 21 12:32:47 2010 UTC

…		…
2		2
3	libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C	3	libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C
4		4
5	=head1 SYNOPSIS	5	=head1 SYNOPSIS
6		6
7	#include <ev.h>	7	#include <ev.h>
8		8
9	=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM	9	=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10		10
		11	// a single header file is required
11	#include <ev.h>	12	#include <ev.h>
12		13
		14	#include <stdio.h> // for puts
		15
		16	// every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
		17	// with the name ev_TYPE
13	ev_io stdin_watcher;	18	ev_io stdin_watcher;
14	ev_timer timeout_watcher;	19	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
15		20
16	/* called when data readable on stdin */	21	// all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
		22	// this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
17	static void	23	static void
18	stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents)	24	stdin_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
19	{	25	{
20	/* puts ("stdin ready"); */	26	puts ("stdin ready");
21	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); /* just a syntax example */	27	// for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
22	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); /* leave all loop calls */	28	// with its corresponding stop function.
		29	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
		30
		31	// this causes all nested ev_run's to stop iterating
		32	ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ALL);
23	}	33	}
24		34
		35	// another callback, this time for a time-out
25	static void	36	static void
26	timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	37	timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
27	{	38	{
28	/* puts ("timeout"); */	39	puts ("timeout");
29	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); /* leave one loop call */	40	// this causes the innermost ev_run to stop iterating
		41	ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ONE);
30	}	42	}
31		43
32	int	44	int
33	main (void)	45	main (void)
34	{	46	{
		47	// use the default event loop unless you have special needs
35	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	48	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
36		49
37	/* initialise an io watcher, then start it */	50	// initialise an io watcher, then start it
		51	// this one will watch for stdin to become readable
38	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);	52	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
39	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	53	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
40		54
		55	// initialise a timer watcher, then start it
41	/* simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout */	56	// simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
42	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);	57	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
43	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);	58	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
44		59
45	/* loop till timeout or data ready */	60	// now wait for events to arrive
46	ev_loop (loop, 0);	61	ev_run (loop, 0);
47		62
		63	// unloop was called, so exit
48	return 0;	64	return 0;
49	}	65	}
50		66
51	=head1 DESCRIPTION	67	=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
52		68
		69	This document documents the libev software package.
		70
53	The newest version of this document is also available as a html-formatted	71	The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted
54	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first	72	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
55	time: L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>.	73	time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
		74
		75	While this document tries to be as complete as possible in documenting
		76	libev, its usage and the rationale behind its design, it is not a tutorial
		77	on event-based programming, nor will it introduce event-based programming
		78	with libev.
		79
		80	Familiarity with event based programming techniques in general is assumed
		81	throughout this document.
		82
		83	=head1 ABOUT LIBEV
56		84
57	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a	85	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
58	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage	86	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
59	these event sources and provide your program with events.	87	these event sources and provide your program with events.
60		88
…		…
70	=head2 FEATURES	98	=head2 FEATURES
71		99
72	Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the	100	Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the
73	BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms	101	BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms
74	for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface	102	for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface
75	(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers	103	(for C<ev_stat>), Linux eventfd/signalfd (for faster and cleaner
76	with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals	104	inter-thread wakeup (C<ev_async>)/signal handling (C<ev_signal>)) relative
77	(C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and event	105	timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers with customised rescheduling
78	watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>,	106	(C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals (C<ev_signal>), process status
79	C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> watchers) as well as	107	change events (C<ev_child>), and event watchers dealing with the event
80	file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even limited support for fork events	108	loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and
81	(C<ev_fork>).	109	C<ev_check> watchers) as well as file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even
		110	limited support for fork events (C<ev_fork>).
82		111
83	It also is quite fast (see this	112	It also is quite fast (see this
84	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent	113	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
85	for example).	114	for example).
86		115
87	=head2 CONVENTIONS	116	=head2 CONVENTIONS
88		117
89	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will	118	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
90	be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about	119	configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
91	various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in	120	more info about various configuration options please have a look at
92	this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event	121	B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
93	loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of name C<loop>	122	for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
94	(which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have this argument.	123	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have
		124	this argument.
95		125
96	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION	126	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
97		127
98	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the	128	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing
99	(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near	129	the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (in practise
100	the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is	130	somewhere near the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't
101	called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases	131	ask). This type is called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use
102	to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on	132	too. It usually aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do
103	it, you should treat it as some floatingpoint value. Unlike the name	133	any calculations on it, you should treat it as some floating point value.
		134
104	component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences	135	Unlike the name component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for
105	throughout libev.	136	time differences (e.g. delays) throughout libev.
		137
		138	=head1 ERROR HANDLING
		139
		140	Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
		141	and internal errors (bugs).
		142
		143	When libev catches an operating system error it cannot handle (for example
		144	a system call indicating a condition libev cannot fix), it calls the callback
		145	set via C<ev_set_syserr_cb>, which is supposed to fix the problem or
		146	abort. The default is to print a diagnostic message and to call C<abort
		147	()>.
		148
		149	When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
		150	it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
		151	so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
		152	the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
		153
		154	Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has
		155	extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
		156	circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse.
		157
106		158
107	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS	159	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
108		160
109	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the	161	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
110	library in any way.	162	library in any way.
…		…
119		171
120	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)	172	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
121		173
122	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until	174	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
123	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically	175	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
124	this is a subsecond-resolution C<sleep ()>.	176	this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
125		177
126	=item int ev_version_major ()	178	=item int ev_version_major ()
127		179
128	=item int ev_version_minor ()	180	=item int ev_version_minor ()
129		181
…		…
140	as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually	192	as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
141	compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually	193	compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
142	not a problem.	194	not a problem.
143		195
144	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong	196	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
145	version.	197	version (note, however, that this will not detect ABI mismatches :).
146		198
147	assert (("libev version mismatch",	199	assert (("libev version mismatch",
148	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR	200	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
149	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));	201	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
150		202
151	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()	203	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
152		204
153	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>	205	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>
154	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their	206	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
…		…
156	a description of the set values.	208	a description of the set values.
157		209
158	Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and	210	Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and
159	a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11	211	a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11
160		212
161	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",	213	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
162	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));	214	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
163		215
164	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()	216	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
165		217
166	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also	218	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also
167	recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one	219	recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one
168	returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on	220	returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on
169	most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it	221	most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it
170	(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that	222	(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that
171	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.	223	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
172		224
173	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()	225	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
174		226
…		…
178	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for	230	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for
179	recommended ones.	231	recommended ones.
180		232
181	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	233	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
182		234
183	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))	235	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT]
184		236
185	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the	237	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
186	semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to	238	semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
187	allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when	239	used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
188	memory needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some	240	when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
189	potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc	241	or take some potentially destructive action.
190	function.	242
		243	Since some systems (at least OpenBSD and Darwin) fail to implement
		244	correct C<realloc> semantics, libev will use a wrapper around the system
		245	C<realloc> and C<free> functions by default.
191		246
192	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,	247	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
193	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,	248	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
194	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.	249	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
195		250
196	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then	251	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
197	retries).	252	retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
198		253
199	static void *	254	static void *
200	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)	255	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
201	{	256	{
202	for (;;)	257	for (;;)
…		…
211	}	266	}
212		267
213	...	268	...
214	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);	269	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
215		270
216	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));	271	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT]
217		272
218	Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such	273	Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
219	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string	274	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
220	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this	275	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
221	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no	276	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
222	matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the	277	matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
223	requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff	278	requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
224	(such as abort).	279	(such as abort).
225		280
226	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.	281	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
…		…
237		292
238	=back	293	=back
239		294
240	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP	295	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
241		296
242	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two	297	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct> is
243	types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child	298	I<not> optional in case unless libev 3 compatibility is disabled, as libev
244	events, and dynamically created loops which do not.	299	3 had an C<ev_loop> function colliding with the struct name).
245		300
246	If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop	301	The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
247	in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you	302	supports signals and child events, and dynamically created event loops
248	create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking	303	which do not.
249	whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different
250	threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if
251	done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient).
252		304
253	=over 4	305	=over 4
254		306
255	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)	307	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
256		308
…		…
260	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).	312	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
261		313
262	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this	314	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
263	function.	315	function.
264		316
		317	Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
		318	from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
		319	as loops cannot be shared easily between threads anyway).
		320
		321	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
		322	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
		323	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
		324	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
		325	can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
		326	C<ev_default_init>.
		327
265	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific	328	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
266	backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).	329	backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
267		330
268	The following flags are supported:	331	The following flags are supported:
269		332
…		…
274	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right	337	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
275	thing, believe me).	338	thing, believe me).
276		339
277	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>	340	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
278		341
279	If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid	342	If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
280	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable	343	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
281	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will	344	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
282	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is	345	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
283	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work	346	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
284	around bugs.	347	around bugs.
285		348
286	=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>	349	=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
287		350
288	Instead of calling C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork> manually after	351	Instead of calling C<ev_loop_fork> manually after a fork, you can also
289	a fork, you can also make libev check for a fork in each iteration by	352	make libev check for a fork in each iteration by enabling this flag.
290	enabling this flag.
291		353
292	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,	354	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
293	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop	355	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
294	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my	356	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
295	Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence	357	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
296	without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my Linux system also has	358	without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
297	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).	359	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
298		360
299	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and	361	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
300	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this	362	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
301	flag.	363	flag.
302		364
303	This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>	365	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
304	environment variable.	366	environment variable.
		367
		368	=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY>
		369
		370	When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the
		371	I<inotify> API for it's C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and
		372	testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as
		373	otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle.
		374
		375	=item C<EVFLAG_SIGNALFD>
		376
		377	When this flag is specified, then libev will attempt to use the
		378	I<signalfd> API for it's C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This API
		379	delivers signals synchronously, which makes it both faster and might make
		380	it possible to get the queued signal data. It can also simplify signal
		381	handling with threads, as long as you properly block signals in your
		382	threads that are not interested in handling them.
		383
		384	Signalfd will not be used by default as this changes your signal mask, and
		385	there are a lot of shoddy libraries and programs (glib's threadpool for
		386	example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks.
305		387
306	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)	388	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
307		389
308	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as	390	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
309	libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,	391	libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
310	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when	392	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
311	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its	393	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
312	usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.	394	usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
313		395
314	To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of	396	To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
315	parallelity (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are	397	parallelism (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
316	writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many	398	writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
317	connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have	399	connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
318	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of	400	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
319	readyness notifications you get per iteration.	401	readiness notifications you get per iteration.
		402
		403	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to the C<readfds> set and C<EV_WRITE> to the
		404	C<writefds> set (and to work around Microsoft Windows bugs, also onto the
		405	C<exceptfds> set on that platform).
320		406
321	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)	407	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
322		408
323	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated	409	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
324	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial	410	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
325	limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down	411	limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
326	considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,	412	considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
327	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for	413	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
328	performance tips.	414	performance tips.
329		415
		416	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
		417	C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
		418
330	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)	419	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
		420
		421	Use the linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9
		422	kernels).
331		423
332	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,	424	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
333	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale	425	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
334	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),	426	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
335	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number	427	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
336	of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect	428
337	cases and rewiring a syscall per fd change, no fork support and bad	429	The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
338	support for dup.	430	of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
		431	dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
		432	descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup and
		433	so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program forks then
		434	I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll set, which can
		435	take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course
		436	hard to detect.
		437
		438	Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but
		439	of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
		440	I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
		441	even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
		442	on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
		443	employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
		444	events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required. Last
		445	not least, it also refuses to work with some file descriptors which work
		446	perfectly fine with C<select> (files, many character devices...).
339		447
340	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration	448	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
341	will result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident	449	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
342	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its	450	incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
343	best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work	451	I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
344	very well if you register events for both fds.	452	file descriptors might not work very well if you register events for both
345		453	file descriptors.
346	Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
347	need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
348	(or space) is available.
349		454
350	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all	455	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
351	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible, i.e.	456	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
352	keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times.	457	i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
		458	starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
		459	extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
		460	as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
		461	take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
353		462
		463	All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
		464	faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
		465	the usage. So sad.
		466
354	While nominally embeddeble in other event loops, this feature is broken in	467	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
355	all kernel versions tested so far.	468	all kernel versions tested so far.
		469
		470	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		471	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
356		472
357	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)	473	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
358		474
359	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it	475	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
360	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably	476	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
361	with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course	477	with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
362	it's completely useless). For this reason it's not being "autodetected"	478	it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose brokenness
		479	is by design, these kqueue bugs can (and eventually will) be fixed
		480	without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not being
363	unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using	481	"auto-detected" unless you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using
364	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)	482	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
365	system like NetBSD.	483	system like NetBSD.
366		484
367	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it	485	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
368	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on	486	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
369	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	487	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
370		488
371	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the	489	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
372	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of	490	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
373	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never	491	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
374	cause an extra syscall as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to	492	cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
375	two event changes per incident, support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it	493	two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but
376	drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.	494	sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect
		495	cases
377		496
378	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.	497	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
379		498
380	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work	499	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
381	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken	500	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
382	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets	501	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
383	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop	502	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
384	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and using it only for	503	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (but C<poll> is of course
385	sockets.	504	also broken on OS X)) and, did I mention it, using it only for sockets.
		505
		506	This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
		507	C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
		508	C<NOTE_EOF>.
386		509
387	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)	510	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
388		511
389	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an	512	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
390	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets	513	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
…		…
394	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)	517	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
395		518
396	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,	519	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
397	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).	520	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
398		521
399	Please note that solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious	522	Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
400	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid	523	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
401	blocking when no data (or space) is available.	524	blocking when no data (or space) is available.
402		525
403	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active	526	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
404	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file	527	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
405	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend	528	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
406	might perform better.	529	might perform better.
407		530
		531	On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
		532	notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
		533	in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
		534	OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks).
		535
		536	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		537	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
		538
408	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>	539	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
409		540
410	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried	541	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
411	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as	542	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
412	C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.	543	C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
413		544
414	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.	545	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
415		546
416	=back	547	=back
417		548
418	If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these	549	If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value,
419	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If none are	550	then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed
420	specified, most compiled-in backend will be tried, usually in reverse	551	here). If none are specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends
421	order of their flag values :)	552	()> will be tried.
422		553
423	The most typical usage is like this:	554	Example: This is the most typical usage.
424		555
425	if (!ev_default_loop (0))	556	if (!ev_default_loop (0))
426	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");	557	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
427		558
428	Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow	559	Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
429	environment settings to be taken into account:	560	environment settings to be taken into account:
430		561
431	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);	562	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
432		563
433	Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if	564	Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
434	available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private	565	used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
435	event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):	566	private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
		567	fds):
436		568
437	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);	569	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
438		570
439	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)	571	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
440		572
441	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is	573	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
442	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot	574	always distinct from the default loop.
443	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by	575
444	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).	576	Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and one common way to use
		577	libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
		578	default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
445		579
446	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.	580	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
447		581
448	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);	582	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
449	if (!epoller)	583	if (!epoller)
450	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");	584	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
451		585
452	=item ev_default_destroy ()	586	=item ev_default_destroy ()
453		587
454	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state	588	Destroys the default loop (frees all memory and kernel state etc.). None
455	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal	589	of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal sense, so
456	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your	590	e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your responsibility to
457	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before>	591	either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before> calling this function,
458	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually	592	or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually the easiest thing, you
459	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them	593	can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them for example).
460	for example).
461		594
462	Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by	595	Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
463	this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers)	596	handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
464	would need to be stopped manually.	597	as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
465		598
466	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the	599	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
467	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling	600	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
468	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use	601	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
469	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).	602	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>.
470		603
471	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)	604	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
472		605
473	Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an	606	Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
474	earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.	607	earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
475		608
476	=item ev_default_fork ()	609	=item ev_default_fork ()
477		610
		611	This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_run> iterations
478	This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have	612	to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
479	one. Despite the name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense	613	name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in
480	after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that	614	the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little
481	again makes little sense).	615	sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev
		616	functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_run> iteration.
482		617
483	You I<must> call this function in the child process after forking if and	618	Again, you I<have> to call it on I<any> loop that you want to re-use after
484	only if you want to use the event library in both processes. If you just	619	a fork, I<even if you do not plan to use the loop in the parent>. This is
485	fork+exec, you don't have to call it.	620	because some kernel interfaces *cough* I<kqueue> *cough* do funny things
		621	during fork.
		622
		623	On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
		624	process if and only if you want to use the event loop in the child. If
		625	you just fork+exec or create a new loop in the child, you don't have to
		626	call it at all (in fact, C<epoll> is so badly broken that it makes a
		627	difference, but libev will usually detect this case on its own and do a
		628	costly reset of the backend).
486		629
487	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call	630	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
488	it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in	631	it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in
489	quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:	632	quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
490		633
491	pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);	634	pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
492		635
493	At the moment, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL> are safe to use
494	without calling this function, so if you force one of those backends you
495	do not need to care.
496
497	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)	636	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
498		637
499	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by	638	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
500	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop	639	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
501	after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.	640	after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you keep track of
		641	them is entirely your own problem.
502		642
		643	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
		644
		645	Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
		646	otherwise.
		647
503	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)	648	=item unsigned int ev_iteration (loop)
504		649
505	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to	650	Returns the current iteration count for the event loop, which is identical
506	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and	651	to the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0>
507	happily wraps around with enough iterations.	652	and happily wraps around with enough iterations.
508		653
509	This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it	654	This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
510	"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with	655	"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
511	C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls.	656	C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls - and is incremented between the
		657	prepare and check phases.
		658
		659	=item unsigned int ev_depth (loop)
		660
		661	Returns the number of times C<ev_run> was entered minus the number of
		662	times C<ev_run> was exited, in other words, the recursion depth.
		663
		664	Outside C<ev_run>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is
		665	C<1>, unless C<ev_run> was invoked recursively (or from another thread),
		666	in which case it is higher.
		667
		668	Leaving C<ev_run> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread
		669	etc.), doesn't count as "exit" - consider this as a hint to avoid such
		670	ungentleman-like behaviour unless it's really convenient.
512		671
513	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)	672	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
514		673
515	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in	674	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
516	use.	675	use.
…		…
521	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not	680	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
522	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base	681	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
523	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the	682	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
524	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).	683	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
525		684
		685	=item ev_now_update (loop)
		686
		687	Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
		688	returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
		689	is usually done automatically within C<ev_run ()>.
		690
		691	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
		692	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
		693	the current time is a good idea.
		694
		695	See also L<The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.
		696
		697	=item ev_suspend (loop)
		698
		699	=item ev_resume (loop)
		700
		701	These two functions suspend and resume an event loop, for use when the
		702	loop is not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
		703
		704	A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
		705	the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
		706	would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
		707	the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend>
		708	in your C<SIGTSTP> handler, sending yourself a C<SIGSTOP> and calling
		709	C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing.
		710
		711	Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend
		712	between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers
		713	will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
		714	occurred while suspended).
		715
		716	After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the
		717	given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume>
		718	without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
		719
		720	Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
		721	event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
		722
526	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)	723	=item ev_run (loop, int flags)
527		724
528	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called	725	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
529	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling	726	after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start
530	events.	727	handling events. It will ask the operating system for any new events, call
		728	the watcher callbacks, an then repeat the whole process indefinitely: This
		729	is why event loops are called I<loops>.
531		730
532	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until	731	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will keep handling events
533	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.	732	until either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_break> was
		733	called.
534		734
535	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than	735	Please note that an explicit C<ev_break> is usually better than
536	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has	736	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
537	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that	737	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
538	automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of	738	that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
539	relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty.	739	of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
		740	beauty.
540		741
541	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle	742	A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle
542	those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in	743	those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and
543	case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.	744	block your process in case there are no events and will return after one
		745	iteration of the loop. This is sometimes useful to poll and handle new
		746	events while doing lengthy calculations, to keep the program responsive.
544		747
545	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if	748	A flags value of C<EVRUN_ONCE> will look for new events (waiting if
546	neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block	749	necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
547	your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after	750	will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
548	one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some	751	be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
549	external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other	752	user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
		753	iteration of the loop.
		754
		755	This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
		756	with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
550	libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is	757	own C<ev_run>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
551	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.	758	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
552		759
553	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:	760	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does:
554		761
		762	- Increment loop depth.
		763	- Reset the ev_break status.
555	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.	764	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
556	* If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return.	765	LOOP:
557	- Queue all prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers.	766	- If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
		767	- If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
		768	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.
		769	- If ev_break was called, goto FINISH.
558	- If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.	770	- If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
		771	as to not disturb the other process.
559	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.	772	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
560	- Update the "event loop time".	773	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
561	- Calculate for how long to block.	774	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
		775	(active idle watchers, EVRUN_NOWAIT or not having
		776	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
		777	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
		778	- Increment loop iteration counter.
562	- Block the process, waiting for any events.	779	- Block the process, waiting for any events.
563	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.	780	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
564	- Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling.	781	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
565	- Queue all outstanding timers.	782	- Queue all expired timers.
566	- Queue all outstanding periodics.	783	- Queue all expired periodics.
567	- If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.	784	- Queue all idle watchers with priority higher than that of pending events.
568	- Queue all check watchers.	785	- Queue all check watchers.
569	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).	786	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
570	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will	787	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
571	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.	788	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
572	- If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK	789	- If ev_break has been called, or EVRUN_ONCE or EVRUN_NOWAIT
573	were used, return, otherwise continue with step *.	790	were used, or there are no active watchers, goto FINISH, otherwise
		791	continue with step LOOP.
		792	FINISH:
		793	- Reset the ev_break status iff it was EVBREAK_ONE.
		794	- Decrement the loop depth.
		795	- Return.
574		796
575	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding	797	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
576	anymore.	798	anymore.
577		799
578	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long	800	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
579	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)	801	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
580	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);	802	ev_run (my_loop, 0);
581	... jobs done. yeah!	803	... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
582		804
583	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)	805	=item ev_break (loop, how)
584		806
585	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it	807	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it
586	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either	808	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
587	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or	809	C<EVBREAK_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_run> call return, or
588	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.	810	C<EVBREAK_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_run> calls return.
		811
		812	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_run> again.
		813
		814	It is safe to call C<ev_break> from outside any C<ev_run> calls. ##TODO##
589		815
590	=item ev_ref (loop)	816	=item ev_ref (loop)
591		817
592	=item ev_unref (loop)	818	=item ev_unref (loop)
593		819
594	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event	820	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
595	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference	821	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
596	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. If you have	822	count is nonzero, C<ev_run> will not return on its own.
597	a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> from	823
598	returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For	824	This is useful when you have a watcher that you never intend to
		825	unregister, but that nevertheless should not keep C<ev_run> from
		826	returning. In such a case, call C<ev_unref> after starting, and C<ev_ref>
		827	before stopping it.
		828
599	example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not	829	As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
600	visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if	830	is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_run> from
601	no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent	831	exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
602	way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party	832	excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
603	libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>.	833	third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref
		834	before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active
		835	before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself
		836	(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref>
		837	in the callback).
604		838
605	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>	839	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_run>
606	running when nothing else is active.	840	running when nothing else is active.
607		841
608	struct ev_signal exitsig;	842	ev_signal exitsig;
609	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);	843	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
610	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);	844	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
611	evf_unref (loop);	845	evf_unref (loop);
612		846
613	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.	847	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
614		848
615	ev_ref (loop);	849	ev_ref (loop);
616	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);	850	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
617		851
618	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	852	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
619		853
620	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	854	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
621		855
622	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting	856	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
623	for events. Both are by default C<0>, meaning that libev will try to	857	for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
624	invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum latency.	858	will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
		859	latency.
625		860
626	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)	861	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
627	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks to	862	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
628	increase efficiency of loop iterations.	863	to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
		864	opportunities).
629		865
630	The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to	866	The idea is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to handle
631	handle one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes	867	one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes the
632	the program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new	868	program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
633	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high	869	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
634	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.	870	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
635		871
636	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more	872	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
637	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,	873	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
638	at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and	874	at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
639	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will	875	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
640	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.	876	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
		877	sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
		878	once per this interval, on average.
641		879
642	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev	880	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
643	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased	881	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
644	latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers	882	latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
645	will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will not introduce	883	later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
646	any overhead in libev.	884	value will not introduce any overhead in libev.
647		885
648	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the io collect	886	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
649	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for	887	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
650	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It	888	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
651	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,	889	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
652	as this approsaches the timing granularity of most systems.	890	as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. Note that if
		891	you do transactions with the outside world and you can't increase the
		892	parallelity, then this setting will limit your transaction rate (if you
		893	need to poll once per transaction and the I/O collect interval is 0.01,
		894	then you can't do more than 100 transactions per second).
		895
		896	Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
		897	saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
		898	are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
		899	times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
		900	reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
		901	they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
		902
		903	Example: we only need 0.1s timeout granularity, and we wish not to poll
		904	more often than 100 times per second:
		905
		906	ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.1);
		907	ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01);
		908
		909	=item ev_invoke_pending (loop)
		910
		911	This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their
		912	pending state. Normally, C<ev_run> does this automatically when required,
		913	but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy.
		914
		915	=item int ev_pending_count (loop)
		916
		917	Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers
		918	are pending.
		919
		920	=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P))
		921
		922	This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of
		923	invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_run> will call
		924	this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to
		925	invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
		926
		927	If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
		928	callback.
		929
		930	=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P), void (*acquire)(EV_P))
		931
		932	Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
		933	can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
		934	each call to a libev function.
		935
		936	However, C<ev_run> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible
		937	to wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the event
		938	loop via C<ev_break> and C<av_async_send>, another way is to set these
		939	I<release> and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
		940
		941	When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
		942	suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
		943	afterwards.
		944
		945	Ideally, C<release> will just call your mutex_unlock function, and
		946	C<acquire> will just call the mutex_lock function again.
		947
		948	While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of
		949	C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no
		950	modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will
		951	have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time
		952	waited. Use an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_run> when you want it
		953	to take note of any changes you made.
		954
		955	In theory, threads executing C<ev_run> will be async-cancel safe between
		956	invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>.
		957
		958	See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this
		959	document.
		960
		961	=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data)
		962
		963	=item ev_userdata (loop)
		964
		965	Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When
		966	C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns
		967	C<0.>
		968
		969	These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop,
		970	and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and
		971	C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for
		972	any other purpose as well.
		973
		974	=item ev_verify (loop)
		975
		976	This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
		977	compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
		978	through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
		979	is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
		980	error and call C<abort ()>.
		981
		982	This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
		983	circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
		984	data structures consistent.
653		985
654	=back	986	=back
655		987
656		988
657	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER	989	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
		990
		991	In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
		992	watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
		993	watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
658		994
659	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your	995	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
660	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to	996	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
661	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:	997	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
662		998
663	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	999	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
664	{	1000	{
665	ev_io_stop (w);	1001	ev_io_stop (w);
666	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	1002	ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
667	}	1003	}
668		1004
669	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	1005	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
		1006
670	struct ev_io stdin_watcher;	1007	ev_io stdin_watcher;
		1008
671	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);	1009	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
672	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1010	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
673	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	1011	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
		1012
674	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1013	ev_run (loop, 0);
675		1014
676	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your	1015	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
677	watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack,	1016	watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
678	although this can sometimes be quite valid).	1017	stack).
		1018
		1019	Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
		1020	or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
679		1021
680	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init	1022	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init
681	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This	1023	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
682	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io	1024	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O
683	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given	1025	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
684	is readable and/or writable).	1026	is readable and/or writable).
685		1027
686	Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro	1028	Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
687	with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro	1029	macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
688	to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< ev_<type>_init	1030	is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
689	(watcher *, callback, ...) >>.	1031	ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
690		1032
691	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it	1033	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it
692	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_<type>_start (loop, watcher	1034	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
693	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the	1035	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
694	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.	1036	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
695		1037
696	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you	1038	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
697	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never	1039	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
698	reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro.	1040	reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
699		1041
700	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the	1042	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
701	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as	1043	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
702	third argument.	1044	third argument.
703		1045
…		…
712	=item C<EV_WRITE>	1054	=item C<EV_WRITE>
713		1055
714	The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or	1056	The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or
715	writable.	1057	writable.
716		1058
717	=item C<EV_TIMEOUT>	1059	=item C<EV_TIMER>
718		1060
719	The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.	1061	The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.
720		1062
721	=item C<EV_PERIODIC>	1063	=item C<EV_PERIODIC>
722		1064
…		…
740		1082
741	=item C<EV_PREPARE>	1083	=item C<EV_PREPARE>
742		1084
743	=item C<EV_CHECK>	1085	=item C<EV_CHECK>
744		1086
745	All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_loop> starts	1087	All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_run> starts
746	to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after	1088	to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after
747	C<ev_loop> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any	1089	C<ev_run> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any
748	received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as	1090	received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as
749	many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account	1091	many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account
750	(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep	1092	(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep
751	C<ev_loop> from blocking).	1093	C<ev_run> from blocking).
752		1094
753	=item C<EV_EMBED>	1095	=item C<EV_EMBED>
754		1096
755	The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.	1097	The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.
756		1098
757	=item C<EV_FORK>	1099	=item C<EV_FORK>
758		1100
759	The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see	1101	The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
760	C<ev_fork>).	1102	C<ev_fork>).
761		1103
		1104	=item C<EV_ASYNC>
		1105
		1106	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
		1107
		1108	=item C<EV_CUSTOM>
		1109
		1110	Not ever sent (or otherwise used) by libev itself, but can be freely used
		1111	by libev users to signal watchers (e.g. via C<ev_feed_event>).
		1112
762	=item C<EV_ERROR>	1113	=item C<EV_ERROR>
763		1114
764	An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might	1115	An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
765	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev	1116	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
766	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other	1117	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
		1118	problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
		1119
767	problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping	1120	You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
768	with the watcher being stopped.	1121	watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
		1122	an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
		1123	bug in your program.
769		1124
770	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error,	1125	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
771	for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if	1126	example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
772	your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope	1127	callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
773	with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded	1128	the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
774	programs, though, so beware.	1129	programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
		1130	thing, so beware.
775		1131
776	=back	1132	=back
777		1133
778	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS	1134	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
779
780	In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
781	e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
782		1135
783	=over 4	1136	=over 4
784		1137
785	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	1138	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
786		1139
…		…
792	which rolls both calls into one.	1145	which rolls both calls into one.
793		1146
794	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped	1147	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
795	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.	1148	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
796		1149
797	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,	1150	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
798	int revents)>.	1151	int revents)>.
799		1152
		1153	Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
		1154
		1155	ev_io w;
		1156	ev_init (&w, my_cb);
		1157	ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
		1158
800	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])	1159	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *watcher, [args])
801		1160
802	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to	1161	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
803	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can	1162	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
804	call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this	1163	call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this
805	macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a	1164	macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a
806	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).	1165	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
807		1166
808	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments	1167	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
809	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.	1168	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
810		1169
		1170	See C<ev_init>, above, for an example.
		1171
811	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])	1172	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
812		1173
813	This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro	1174	This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
814	calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise	1175	calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
815	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.	1176	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
816		1177
		1178	Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
		1179
		1180	ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
		1181
817	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1182	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
818		1183
819	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive	1184	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
820	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.	1185	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
821		1186
		1187	Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
		1188	whole section.
		1189
		1190	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
		1191
822	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1192	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
823		1193
824	Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending	1194	Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
		1195	the watcher was active or not).
		1196
825	status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example,	1197	It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
826	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but	1198	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending - but
827	C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If	1199	calling C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor
828	you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a	1200	pending. If you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is
829	good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.	1201	therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
830		1202
831	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1203	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
832		1204
833	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started	1205	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
834	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify	1206	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
…		…
850	=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	1222	=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
851		1223
852	Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time	1224	Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
853	(modulo threads).	1225	(modulo threads).
854		1226
855	=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority)	1227	=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority)
856		1228
857	=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1229	=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
858		1230
859	Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small	1231	Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
860	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>	1232	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
861	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked	1233	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
862	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers	1234	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
863	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).	1235	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
864		1236
865	This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
866	invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
867	example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
868	watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
869
870	If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending	1237	If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
871	you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.	1238	you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
872		1239
873	You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or	1240	You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
874	pending.	1241	pending.
875		1242
		1243	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
		1244	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
		1245	or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
		1246
876	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is	1247	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
877	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).	1248	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
878		1249
879	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is	1250	See L<WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of
880	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might	1251	priorities.
881	or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.
882		1252
883	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)	1253	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
884		1254
885	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither	1255	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
886	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback	1256	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
887	can deal with that fact.	1257	can deal with that fact, as both are simply passed through to the
		1258	callback.
888		1259
889	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1260	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
890		1261
891	If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status	1262	If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
892	and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the	1263	returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
893	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.	1264	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
894		1265
		1266	Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
		1267	callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
		1268
		1269	=item ev_feed_event (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
		1270
		1271	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
		1272	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
		1273	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). Obviously you must
		1274	not free the watcher as long as it has pending events.
		1275
		1276	Stopping the watcher, letting libev invoke it, or calling
		1277	C<ev_clear_pending> will clear the pending event, even if the watcher was
		1278	not started in the first place.
		1279
		1280	See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related
		1281	functions that do not need a watcher.
		1282
895	=back	1283	=back
896		1284
897		1285
898	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER	1286	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
899		1287
900	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change	1288	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
901	and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used	1289	and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
902	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and	1290	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
903	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data	1291	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
904	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own	1292	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
905	data:	1293	data:
906		1294
907	struct my_io	1295	struct my_io
908	{	1296	{
909	struct ev_io io;	1297	ev_io io;
910	int otherfd;	1298	int otherfd;
911	void *somedata;	1299	void *somedata;
912	struct whatever *mostinteresting;	1300	struct whatever *mostinteresting;
913	}	1301	};
		1302
		1303	...
		1304	struct my_io w;
		1305	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
914		1306
915	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you	1307	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
916	can cast it back to your own type:	1308	can cast it back to your own type:
917		1309
918	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents)	1310	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
919	{	1311	{
920	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;	1312	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
921	...	1313	...
922	}	1314	}
923		1315
924	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type	1316	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
925	instead have been omitted.	1317	instead have been omitted.
926		1318
927	Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple	1319	Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
928	watchers:	1320	embedded watchers:
929		1321
930	struct my_biggy	1322	struct my_biggy
931	{	1323	{
932	int some_data;	1324	int some_data;
933	ev_timer t1;	1325	ev_timer t1;
934	ev_timer t2;	1326	ev_timer t2;
935	}	1327	}
936		1328
937	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,	1329	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
938	you need to use C<offsetof>:	1330	complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
		1331	in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
		1332	some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
		1333	programmers):
939		1334
940	#include <stddef.h>	1335	#include <stddef.h>
941		1336
942	static void	1337	static void
943	t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1338	t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
944	{	1339	{
945	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1340	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
946	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));	1341	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
947	}	1342	}
948		1343
949	static void	1344	static void
950	t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1345	t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
951	{	1346	{
952	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1347	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
953	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));	1348	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
954	}	1349	}
		1350
		1351	=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
		1352
		1353	Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small
		1354	integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation
		1355	between watchers in some way, all else being equal.
		1356
		1357	In libev, Watcher priorities can be set using C<ev_set_priority>. See its
		1358	description for the more technical details such as the actual priority
		1359	range.
		1360
		1361	There are two common ways how these these priorities are being interpreted
		1362	by event loops:
		1363
		1364	In the more common lock-out model, higher priorities "lock out" invocation
		1365	of lower priority watchers, which means as long as higher priority
		1366	watchers receive events, lower priority watchers are not being invoked.
		1367
		1368	The less common only-for-ordering model uses priorities solely to order
		1369	callback invocation within a single event loop iteration: Higher priority
		1370	watchers are invoked before lower priority ones, but they all get invoked
		1371	before polling for new events.
		1372
		1373	Libev uses the second (only-for-ordering) model for all its watchers
		1374	except for idle watchers (which use the lock-out model).
		1375
		1376	The rationale behind this is that implementing the lock-out model for
		1377	watchers is not well supported by most kernel interfaces, and most event
		1378	libraries will just poll for the same events again and again as long as
		1379	their callbacks have not been executed, which is very inefficient in the
		1380	common case of one high-priority watcher locking out a mass of lower
		1381	priority ones.
		1382
		1383	Static (ordering) priorities are most useful when you have two or more
		1384	watchers handling the same resource: a typical usage example is having an
		1385	C<ev_io> watcher to receive data, and an associated C<ev_timer> to handle
		1386	timeouts. Under load, data might be received while the program handles
		1387	other jobs, but since timers normally get invoked first, the timeout
		1388	handler will be executed before checking for data. In that case, giving
		1389	the timer a lower priority than the I/O watcher ensures that I/O will be
		1390	handled first even under adverse conditions (which is usually, but not
		1391	always, what you want).
		1392
		1393	Since idle watchers use the "lock-out" model, meaning that idle watchers
		1394	will only be executed when no same or higher priority watchers have
		1395	received events, they can be used to implement the "lock-out" model when
		1396	required.
		1397
		1398	For example, to emulate how many other event libraries handle priorities,
		1399	you can associate an C<ev_idle> watcher to each such watcher, and in
		1400	the normal watcher callback, you just start the idle watcher. The real
		1401	processing is done in the idle watcher callback. This causes libev to
		1402	continuously poll and process kernel event data for the watcher, but when
		1403	the lock-out case is known to be rare (which in turn is rare :), this is
		1404	workable.
		1405
		1406	Usually, however, the lock-out model implemented that way will perform
		1407	miserably under the type of load it was designed to handle. In that case,
		1408	it might be preferable to stop the real watcher before starting the
		1409	idle watcher, so the kernel will not have to process the event in case
		1410	the actual processing will be delayed for considerable time.
		1411
		1412	Here is an example of an I/O watcher that should run at a strictly lower
		1413	priority than the default, and which should only process data when no
		1414	other events are pending:
		1415
		1416	ev_idle idle; // actual processing watcher
		1417	ev_io io; // actual event watcher
		1418
		1419	static void
		1420	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
		1421	{
		1422	// stop the I/O watcher, we received the event, but
		1423	// are not yet ready to handle it.
		1424	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
		1425
		1426	// start the idle watcher to handle the actual event.
		1427	// it will not be executed as long as other watchers
		1428	// with the default priority are receiving events.
		1429	ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle);
		1430	}
		1431
		1432	static void
		1433	idle_cb (EV_P_ ev_idle *w, int revents)
		1434	{
		1435	// actual processing
		1436	read (STDIN_FILENO, ...);
		1437
		1438	// have to start the I/O watcher again, as
		1439	// we have handled the event
		1440	ev_io_start (EV_P_ &io);
		1441	}
		1442
		1443	// initialisation
		1444	ev_idle_init (&idle, idle_cb);
		1445	ev_io_init (&io, io_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
		1446	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &io);
		1447
		1448	In the "real" world, it might also be beneficial to start a timer, so that
		1449	low-priority connections can not be locked out forever under load. This
		1450	enables your program to keep a lower latency for important connections
		1451	during short periods of high load, while not completely locking out less
		1452	important ones.
955		1453
956		1454
957	=head1 WATCHER TYPES	1455	=head1 WATCHER TYPES
958		1456
959	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat	1457	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
…		…
983	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per	1481	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
984	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file	1482	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
985	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not	1483	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
986	required if you know what you are doing).	1484	required if you know what you are doing).
987		1485
988	You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends	1486	If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
989	(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file	1487	known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
990	descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing	1488	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). The same applies to file
991	to the same underlying file/socket/etc. description (that is, they share	1489	descriptors for which non-blocking operation makes no sense (such as
992	the same underlying "file open").	1490	files) - libev doesn't guarantee any specific behaviour in that case.
993
994	If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
995	(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
996	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
997		1491
998	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to	1492	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
999	receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might	1493	receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
1000	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block	1494	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1001	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a	1495	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
1002	lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into	1496	lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
1003	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus	1497	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
1004	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning	1498	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1005	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.	1499	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1006		1500
1007	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not	1501	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
1008	play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test	1502	not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
1009	whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface	1503	re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
1010	such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on	1504	interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already
1011	its own, so its quite safe to use).	1505	does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
		1506	use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
		1507	indefinitely.
		1508
		1509	But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1012		1510
1013	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors	1511	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1014		1512
1015	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file	1513	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
1016	descriptor (either by calling C<close> explicitly or by any other means,	1514	descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means,
1017	such as C<dup>). The reason is that you register interest in some file	1515	such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
1018	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop	1516	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
1019	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is	1517	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
1020	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in	1518	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
1021	fact, a different file descriptor.	1519	fact, a different file descriptor.
1022		1520
…		…
1033		1531
1034	=head3 The special problem of dup'ed file descriptors	1532	=head3 The special problem of dup'ed file descriptors
1035		1533
1036	Some backends (e.g. epoll), cannot register events for file descriptors,	1534	Some backends (e.g. epoll), cannot register events for file descriptors,
1037	but only events for the underlying file descriptions. That means when you	1535	but only events for the underlying file descriptions. That means when you
1038	have C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors and register events for them, only one	1536	have C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors or weirder constellations, and register
1039	file descriptor might actually receive events.	1537	events for them, only one file descriptor might actually receive events.
1040		1538
1041	There is no workaround possible except not registering events	1539	There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1042	for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to	1540	for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1043	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	1541	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1044		1542
…		…
1051	To support fork in your programs, you either have to call	1549	To support fork in your programs, you either have to call
1052	C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,	1550	C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,
1053	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or	1551	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1054	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	1552	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1055		1553
		1554	=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
		1555
		1556	While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
		1557	when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
		1558	sent a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
		1559	this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
		1560
		1561	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
		1562	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
		1563	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
		1564
		1565	=head3 The special problem of accept()ing when you can't
		1566
		1567	Many implementations of the POSIX C<accept> function (for example,
		1568	found in post-2004 Linux) have the peculiar behaviour of not removing a
		1569	connection from the pending queue in all error cases.
		1570
		1571	For example, larger servers often run out of file descriptors (because
		1572	of resource limits), causing C<accept> to fail with C<ENFILE> but not
		1573	rejecting the connection, leading to libev signalling readiness on
		1574	the next iteration again (the connection still exists after all), and
		1575	typically causing the program to loop at 100% CPU usage.
		1576
		1577	Unfortunately, the set of errors that cause this issue differs between
		1578	operating systems, there is usually little the app can do to remedy the
		1579	situation, and no known thread-safe method of removing the connection to
		1580	cope with overload is known (to me).
		1581
		1582	One of the easiest ways to handle this situation is to just ignore it
		1583	- when the program encounters an overload, it will just loop until the
		1584	situation is over. While this is a form of busy waiting, no OS offers an
		1585	event-based way to handle this situation, so it's the best one can do.
		1586
		1587	A better way to handle the situation is to log any errors other than
		1588	C<EAGAIN> and C<EWOULDBLOCK>, making sure not to flood the log with such
		1589	messages, and continue as usual, which at least gives the user an idea of
		1590	what could be wrong ("raise the ulimit!"). For extra points one could stop
		1591	the C<ev_io> watcher on the listening fd "for a while", which reduces CPU
		1592	usage.
		1593
		1594	If your program is single-threaded, then you could also keep a dummy file
		1595	descriptor for overload situations (e.g. by opening F</dev/null>), and
		1596	when you run into C<ENFILE> or C<EMFILE>, close it, run C<accept>,
		1597	close that fd, and create a new dummy fd. This will gracefully refuse
		1598	clients under typical overload conditions.
		1599
		1600	The last way to handle it is to simply log the error and C<exit>, as
		1601	is often done with C<malloc> failures, but this results in an easy
		1602	opportunity for a DoS attack.
1056		1603
1057	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions	1604	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1058		1605
1059	=over 4	1606	=over 4
1060		1607
1061	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)	1608	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
1062		1609
1063	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)	1610	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
1064		1611
1065	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to	1612	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
1066	rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or	1613	receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
1067	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.	1614	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.
1068		1615
1069	=item int fd [read-only]	1616	=item int fd [read-only]
1070		1617
1071	The file descriptor being watched.	1618	The file descriptor being watched.
1072		1619
1073	=item int events [read-only]	1620	=item int events [read-only]
1074		1621
1075	The events being watched.	1622	The events being watched.
1076		1623
1077	=back	1624	=back
		1625
		1626	=head3 Examples
1078		1627
1079	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well	1628	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
1080	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could	1629	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
1081	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.	1630	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
1082		1631
1083	static void	1632	static void
1084	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1633	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1085	{	1634	{
1086	ev_io_stop (loop, w);	1635	ev_io_stop (loop, w);
1087	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors	1636	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
1088	}	1637	}
1089		1638
1090	...	1639	...
1091	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	1640	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1092	struct ev_io stdin_readable;	1641	ev_io stdin_readable;
1093	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1642	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1094	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);	1643	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1095	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1644	ev_run (loop, 0);
1096		1645
1097		1646
1098	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts	1647	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1099		1648
1100	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a	1649	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1101	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.	1650	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
1102		1651
1103	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that	1652	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
1104	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years	1653	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
1105	time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because	1654	year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
1106	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the	1655	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1107	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).	1656	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
		1657
		1658	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
		1659	passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
		1660	might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the
		1661	same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked
		1662	before ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is
		1663	no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
		1664
		1665	=head3 Be smart about timeouts
		1666
		1667	Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
		1668	recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
		1669	you want to raise some error after a while.
		1670
		1671	What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
		1672	inefficient to smart and efficient.
		1673
		1674	In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
		1675	gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
		1676	data or other life sign was received).
		1677
		1678	=over 4
		1679
		1680	=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
		1681
		1682	This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
		1683	start the watcher:
		1684
		1685	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
		1686	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1687
		1688	Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
		1689	and start it again:
		1690
		1691	ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
		1692	ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
		1693	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1694
		1695	This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
		1696	some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
		1697	data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
		1698	still not a constant-time operation.
		1699
		1700	=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
		1701
		1702	This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
		1703	C<ev_timer_start>.
		1704
		1705	To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
		1706	of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
		1707	successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
		1708	you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
		1709	the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
		1710
		1711	That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
		1712	C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
		1713	member and C<ev_timer_again>.
		1714
		1715	At start:
		1716
		1717	ev_init (timer, callback);
		1718	timer->repeat = 60.;
		1719	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1720
		1721	Each time there is some activity:
		1722
		1723	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1724
		1725	It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
		1726	whether the watcher is active or not:
		1727
		1728	timer->repeat = 30.;
		1729	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1730
		1731	This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
		1732	you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
		1733	remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
		1734
		1735	It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
		1736
		1737	=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
		1738
		1739	This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
		1740	relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
		1741	our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
		1742	associated activity resets.
		1743
		1744	In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
		1745	but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
		1746	within the callback:
		1747
		1748	ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
		1749
		1750	static void
		1751	callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		1752	{
		1753	ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);
		1754	ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
		1755
		1756	// if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
		1757	if (timeout < now)
		1758	{
		1759	// timeout occurred, take action
		1760	}
		1761	else
		1762	{
		1763	// callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
		1764	// the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
		1765	// guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
		1766	w->repeat = timeout - now;
		1767	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
		1768	}
		1769	}
		1770
		1771	To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
		1772	as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has
		1773	been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise
		1774	the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so
		1775	re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
		1776	a timeout then.
		1777
		1778	Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the
		1779	C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.
		1780
		1781	This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
		1782	minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
		1783	libev to change the timeout.
		1784
		1785	To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
		1786	to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
		1787	callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
		1788
		1789	ev_init (timer, callback);
		1790	last_activity = ev_now (loop);
		1791	callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMER);
		1792
		1793	And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
		1794	C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
		1795
		1796	last_activity = ev_now (loop);
		1797
		1798	This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
		1799	time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
		1800
		1801	Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
		1802	callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
		1803	fix things for you.
		1804
		1805	=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
		1806
		1807	If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
		1808	employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
		1809	do even better:
		1810
		1811	When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
		1812	at the I<end> of the list.
		1813
		1814	Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
		1815	the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
		1816
		1817	When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
		1818	the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
		1819	update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
		1820
		1821	This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
		1822	starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
		1823	complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
		1824	ensures that the list stays sorted.
		1825
		1826	=back
		1827
		1828	So which method the best?
		1829
		1830	Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
		1831	situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
		1832	better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
		1833	one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
		1834
		1835	Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
		1836	rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
		1837	off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
		1838	overkill :)
		1839
		1840	=head3 The special problem of time updates
		1841
		1842	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
		1843	least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
		1844	time only before and after C<ev_run> collects new events, which causes a
		1845	growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
		1846	lots of events in one iteration.
1108		1847
1109	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>	1848	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1110	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time	1849	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1111	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If	1850	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
1112	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout	1851	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
1113	on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:	1852	timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
1114		1853
1115	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);	1854	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
1116		1855
1117	The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed,	1856	If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1118	but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then	1857	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1119	order of execution is undefined.	1858	()>.
		1859
		1860	=head3 The special problems of suspended animation
		1861
		1862	When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that
		1863	can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?
		1864
		1865	Some quick tests made with a Linux 2.6.28 indicate that a suspend freezes
		1866	all processes, while the clocks (C<times>, C<CLOCK_MONOTONIC>) continue
		1867	to run until the system is suspended, but they will not advance while the
		1868	system is suspended. That means, on resume, it will be as if the program
		1869	was frozen for a few seconds, but the suspend time will not be counted
		1870	towards C<ev_timer> when a monotonic clock source is used. The real time
		1871	clock advanced as expected, but if it is used as sole clocksource, then a
		1872	long suspend would be detected as a time jump by libev, and timers would
		1873	be adjusted accordingly.
		1874
		1875	I would not be surprised to see different behaviour in different between
		1876	operating systems, OS versions or even different hardware.
		1877
		1878	The other form of suspend (job control, or sending a SIGSTOP) will see a
		1879	time jump in the monotonic clocks and the realtime clock. If the program
		1880	is suspended for a very long time, and monotonic clock sources are in use,
		1881	then you can expect C<ev_timer>s to expire as the full suspension time
		1882	will be counted towards the timers. When no monotonic clock source is in
		1883	use, then libev will again assume a timejump and adjust accordingly.
		1884
		1885	It might be beneficial for this latter case to call C<ev_suspend>
		1886	and C<ev_resume> in code that handles C<SIGTSTP>, to at least get
		1887	deterministic behaviour in this case (you can do nothing against
		1888	C<SIGSTOP>).
1120		1889
1121	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1890	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1122		1891
1123	=over 4	1892	=over 4
1124		1893
1125	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1894	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1126		1895
1127	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1896	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1128		1897
1129	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is	1898	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
1130	C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the	1899	is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
1131	timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds	1900	reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
1132	later, again, and again, until stopped manually.	1901	configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
		1902	until stopped manually.
1133		1903
1134	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you	1904	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
1135	configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at	1905	you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
1136	exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with	1906	trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
1137	the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the	1907	keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1138	timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.	1908	do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1139		1909
1140	=item ev_timer_again (loop)	1910	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1141		1911
1142	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is	1912	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
1143	repeating. The exact semantics are:	1913	repeating. The exact semantics are:
1144		1914
1145	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.	1915	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1146		1916
1147	If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out).	1917	If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
1148		1918
1149	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the	1919	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
1150	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.	1920	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1151		1921
1152	This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical	1922	This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
1153	example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle	1923	usage example.
1154	timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
1155	seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
1156	configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
1157	C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
1158	you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
1159	socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
1160	automatically restart it if need be.
1161		1924
1162	That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>	1925	=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
1163	altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
1164		1926
1165	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);	1927	Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
1166	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);	1928	then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's
1167	...	1929	the timeout value currently configured.
1168	timer->again = 17.;
1169	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1170	...
1171	timer->again = 10.;
1172	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1173		1930
1174	This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time	1931	That is, after an C<ev_timer_set (w, 5, 7)>, C<ev_timer_remaining> returns
1175	you want to modify its timeout value.	1932	C<5>. When the timer is started and one second passes, C<ev_timer_remaining>
		1933	will return C<4>. When the timer expires and is restarted, it will return
		1934	roughly C<7> (likely slightly less as callback invocation takes some time,
		1935	too), and so on.
1176		1936
1177	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]	1937	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1178		1938
1179	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out	1939	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1180	or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),	1940	or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1181	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.	1941	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
1182		1942
1183	=back	1943	=back
1184		1944
		1945	=head3 Examples
		1946
1185	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.	1947	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1186		1948
1187	static void	1949	static void
1188	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1950	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1189	{	1951	{
1190	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here	1952	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1191	}	1953	}
1192		1954
1193	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1955	ev_timer mytimer;
1194	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);	1956	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1195	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);	1957	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1196		1958
1197	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of	1959	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1198	inactivity.	1960	inactivity.
1199		1961
1200	static void	1962	static void
1201	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1963	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1202	{	1964	{
1203	.. ten seconds without any activity	1965	.. ten seconds without any activity
1204	}	1966	}
1205		1967
1206	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1968	ev_timer mytimer;
1207	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */	1969	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1208	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */	1970	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1209	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1971	ev_run (loop, 0);
1210		1972
1211	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":	1973	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1212	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds	1974	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1213	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);	1975	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1214		1976
1215		1977
1216	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?	1978	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1217		1979
1218	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile	1980	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1219	(and unfortunately a bit complex).	1981	(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1220		1982
1221	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)	1983	Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
1222	but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher	1984	relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
1223	to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a	1985	(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calender or clock). The
1224	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now ()	1986	difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
1225	+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will	1987	time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
1226	take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger	1988	wrist-watch).
1227	roughly 10 seconds later).
1228		1989
1229	They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as	1990	You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
1230	triggering an event on each midnight, local time or other, complicated,	1991	in time: for example, if you tell a periodic watcher to trigger "in 10
1231	rules.	1992	seconds" (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now () + 10.>, that is, an absolute time
		1993	not a delay) and then reset your system clock to January of the previous
		1994	year, then it will take a year or more to trigger the event (unlike an
		1995	C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting
		1996	it, as it uses a relative timeout).
1232		1997
		1998	C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex
		1999	timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or
		2000	other complicated rules. This cannot be done with C<ev_timer> watchers, as
		2001	those cannot react to time jumps.
		2002
1233	As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the	2003	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1234	time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready	2004	point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
1235	during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.	2005	timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
		2006	earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
		2007	(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1236		2008
1237	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2009	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1238		2010
1239	=over 4	2011	=over 4
1240		2012
1241	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)	2013	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1242		2014
1243	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)	2015	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1244		2016
1245	Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of	2017	Lots of arguments, let's sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1246	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:	2018	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1247		2019
1248	=over 4	2020	=over 4
1249		2021
1250	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)	2022	=item * absolute timer (offset = absolute time, interval = 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1251		2023
1252	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time	2024	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1253	C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs,	2025	time C<offset> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a
1254	that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the	2026	time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it
1255	system time reaches or surpasses this time.	2027	will be stopped and invoked when the system clock reaches or surpasses
		2028	this point in time.
1256		2029
1257	=item * non-repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)	2030	=item * repeating interval timer (offset = offset within interval, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1258		2031
1259	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next	2032	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1260	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)	2033	C<offset + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be
1261	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.	2034	negative) and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. The C<offset>
		2035	argument is merely an offset into the C<interval> periods.
1262		2036
1263	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system	2037	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1264	time:	2038	system clock, for example, here is an C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
		2039	hour, on the hour (with respect to UTC):
1265		2040
1266	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);	2041	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1267		2042
1268	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,	2043	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1269	but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a	2044	but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1270	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible	2045	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1271	by 3600.	2046	by 3600.
1272		2047
1273	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that	2048	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1274	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible	2049	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1275	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.	2050	time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1276		2051
1277	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near	2052	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<offset> value is near
1278	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for	2053	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1279	this value.	2054	this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
1280		2055
		2056	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
		2057	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
		2058	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
		2059	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
		2060
1281	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)	2061	=item * manual reschedule mode (offset ignored, interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1282		2062
1283	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being	2063	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<offset> are both being
1284	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the	2064	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1285	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the	2065	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1286	current time as second argument.	2066	current time as second argument.
1287		2067
1288	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,	2068	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, ever,
1289	ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it,	2069	or make ANY other event loop modifications whatsoever, unless explicitly
1290	return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by	2070	allowed by documentation here>.
1291	starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is legal).
1292		2071
		2072	If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
		2073	it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
		2074	only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
		2075
1293	Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,	2076	The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1294	ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:	2077	*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1295		2078
		2079	static ev_tstamp
1296	static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	2080	my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1297	{	2081	{
1298	return now + 60.;	2082	return now + 60.;
1299	}	2083	}
1300		2084
1301	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value	2085	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1302	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It	2086	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
1303	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but	2087	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1304	might be called at other times, too.	2088	might be called at other times, too.
1305		2089
1306	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the	2090	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1307	passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger.	2091	equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1308		2092
1309	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that	2093	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1310	triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the	2094	triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
1311	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How	2095	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
1312	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main	2096	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
1313	reason I omitted it as an example).	2097	reason I omitted it as an example).
1314		2098
1315	=back	2099	=back
…		…
1319	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful	2103	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1320	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return	2104	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1321	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like	2105	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1322	program when the crontabs have changed).	2106	program when the crontabs have changed).
1323		2107
		2108	=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
		2109
		2110	When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed
		2111	to trigger next. This is not the same as the C<offset> argument to
		2112	C<ev_periodic_set>, but indeed works even in interval and manual
		2113	rescheduling modes.
		2114
1324	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]	2115	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1325		2116
1326	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the	2117	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1327	absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).	2118	absolute point in time (the C<offset> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>,
		2119	although libev might modify this value for better numerical stability).
1328		2120
1329	Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic	2121	Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
1330	timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	2122	timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1331		2123
1332	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]	2124	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1333		2125
1334	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only	2126	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1335	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being	2127	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1336	called.	2128	called.
1337		2129
1338	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]	2130	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1339		2131
1340	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is	2132	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1341	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when	2133	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1342	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	2134	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1343		2135
1344	=item ev_tstamp at [read-only]
1345
1346	When active, contains the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1347	trigger next.
1348
1349	=back	2136	=back
1350		2137
		2138	=head3 Examples
		2139
1351	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the	2140	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1352	system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have	2141	system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1353	potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.	2142	potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1354		2143
1355	static void	2144	static void
1356	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	2145	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_periodic *w, int revents)
1357	{	2146	{
1358	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)	2147	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1359	}	2148	}
1360		2149
1361	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	2150	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1362	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);	2151	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1363	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	2152	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1364		2153
1365	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:	2154	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1366		2155
1367	#include <math.h>	2156	#include <math.h>
1368		2157
1369	static ev_tstamp	2158	static ev_tstamp
1370	my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	2159	my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1371	{	2160	{
1372	return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;	2161	return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1373	}	2162	}
1374		2163
1375	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);	2164	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1376		2165
1377	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:	2166	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1378		2167
1379	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	2168	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1380	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,	2169	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1381	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);	2170	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1382	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	2171	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1383		2172
1384		2173
1385	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!	2174	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1386		2175
1387	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific	2176	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1388	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev	2177	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1389	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the	2178	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1390	normal event processing, like any other event.	2179	normal event processing, like any other event.
1391		2180
		2181	If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use
		2182	C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing
		2183	the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to
		2184	synchronously wake up an event loop.
		2185
1392	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the	2186	You can configure as many watchers as you like for the same signal, but
		2187	only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your
		2188	default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for
		2189	C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At
		2190	the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop.
		2191
1393	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher	2192	When the first watcher gets started will libev actually register something
1394	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long	2193	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as
1395	as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal	2194	you don't register any with libev for the same signal).
1396	watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to	2195
1397	SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).	2196	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
		2197	C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
		2198	not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
		2199	interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
		2200	and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
		2201
		2202	=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create
		2203
		2204	Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition
		2205	(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
		2206	stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
		2207	and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler.
		2208
		2209	While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never
		2210	sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on
		2211	C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect
		2212	certain signals to be blocked.
		2213
		2214	This means that before calling C<exec> (from the child) you should reset
		2215	the signal mask to whatever "default" you expect (all clear is a good
		2216	choice usually).
		2217
		2218	The simplest way to ensure that the signal mask is reset in the child is
		2219	to install a fork handler with C<pthread_atfork> that resets it. That will
		2220	catch fork calls done by libraries (such as the libc) as well.
		2221
		2222	In current versions of libev, the signal will not be blocked indefinitely
		2223	unless you use the C<signalfd> API (C<EV_SIGNALFD>). While this reduces
		2224	the window of opportunity for problems, it will not go away, as libev
		2225	I<has> to modify the signal mask, at least temporarily.
		2226
		2227	So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when
		2228	you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This
		2229	is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries.
1398		2230
1399	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2231	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1400		2232
1401	=over 4	2233	=over 4
1402		2234
…		…
1411		2243
1412	The signal the watcher watches out for.	2244	The signal the watcher watches out for.
1413		2245
1414	=back	2246	=back
1415		2247
		2248	=head3 Examples
		2249
		2250	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
		2251
		2252	static void
		2253	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
		2254	{
		2255	ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
		2256	}
		2257
		2258	ev_signal signal_watcher;
		2259	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
		2260	ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
		2261
1416		2262
1417	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes	2263	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1418		2264
1419	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to	2265	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1420	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies).	2266	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
		2267	exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
		2268	has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
		2269	as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
		2270	forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
		2271	but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later or
		2272	in the next callback invocation is not.
		2273
		2274	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
		2275	you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
		2276
		2277	Due to some design glitches inside libev, child watchers will always be
		2278	handled at maximum priority (their priority is set to C<EV_MAXPRI> by
		2279	libev)
		2280
		2281	=head3 Process Interaction
		2282
		2283	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
		2284	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if the
		2285	first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
		2286	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
		2287	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
		2288	children, even ones not watched.
		2289
		2290	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
		2291
		2292	Libev offers no special support for overriding the built-in child
		2293	processing, but if your application collides with libev's default child
		2294	handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
		2295	C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
		2296	default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
		2297	event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
		2298	that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
		2299
		2300	=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
		2301
		2302	Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
		2303	child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
		2304	callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
		2305	when a child exit is detected (calling C<ev_child_stop> twice is not a
		2306	problem).
1421		2307
1422	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2308	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1423		2309
1424	=over 4	2310	=over 4
1425		2311
1426	=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid)	2312	=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid, int trace)
1427		2313
1428	=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid)	2314	=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid, int trace)
1429		2315
1430	Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or	2316	Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or
1431	I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look	2317	I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look
1432	at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see	2318	at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see
1433	the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems	2319	the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems
1434	C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the	2320	C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the
1435	process causing the status change.	2321	process causing the status change. C<trace> must be either C<0> (only
		2322	activate the watcher when the process terminates) or C<1> (additionally
		2323	activate the watcher when the process is stopped or continued).
1436		2324
1437	=item int pid [read-only]	2325	=item int pid [read-only]
1438		2326
1439	The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.	2327	The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.
1440		2328
…		…
1447	The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems	2335	The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems
1448	C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).	2336	C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).
1449		2337
1450	=back	2338	=back
1451		2339
1452	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.	2340	=head3 Examples
1453		2341
		2342	Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
		2343	its completion.
		2344
		2345	ev_child cw;
		2346
1454	static void	2347	static void
1455	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)	2348	child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1456	{	2349	{
1457	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	2350	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
		2351	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1458	}	2352	}
1459		2353
1460	struct ev_signal signal_watcher;	2354	pid_t pid = fork ();
1461	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);	2355
1462	ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);	2356	if (pid < 0)
		2357	// error
		2358	else if (pid == 0)
		2359	{
		2360	// the forked child executes here
		2361	exit (1);
		2362	}
		2363	else
		2364	{
		2365	ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
		2366	ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
		2367	}
1463		2368
1464		2369
1465	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?	2370	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1466		2371
1467	This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls	2372	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1468	C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed	2373	C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
1469	compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.	2374	and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if
		2375	it did.
1470		2376
1471	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does	2377	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1472	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does	2378	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
1473	not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is	2379	exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
1474	otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of	2380	C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
1475	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.	2381	least one) and all the other fields of the stat buffer having unspecified
		2382	contents.
1476		2383
1477	The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is	2384	The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
		2385	C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
1478	relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.	2386	your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
1479		2387
1480	Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply	2388	Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
1481	calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You	2389	portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
1482	can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify	2390	to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
1483	a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,	2391	interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
1484	unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around	2392	recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
1485	five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also	2393	(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
1486	impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats	2394	change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
1487	usually overkill.	2395	currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
1488		2396
1489	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,	2397	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1490	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be	2398	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1491	resource-intensive.	2399	resource-intensive.
1492		2400
1493	At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is	2401	At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1494	implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the	2402	is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as an
1495	reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the	2403	exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way of
1496	semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs	2404	implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue, except as a hint).
1497	to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are	2405
1498	usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no	2406	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1499	polling.	2407
		2408	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
		2409	compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
		2410	support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
		2411	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
		2412	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
		2413	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
		2414	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
		2415	most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
		2416
		2417	The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
		2418	file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
		2419	optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
		2420	to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
		2421	default compilation environment.
		2422
		2423	=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
		2424
		2425	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev and present at
		2426	runtime, it will be used to speed up change detection where possible. The
		2427	inotify descriptor will be created lazily when the first C<ev_stat>
		2428	watcher is being started.
		2429
		2430	Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
		2431	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
		2432	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
		2433	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
		2434	but as long as kernel 2.6.25 or newer is used (2.6.24 and older have too
		2435	many bugs), the path exists (i.e. stat succeeds), and the path resides on
		2436	a local filesystem (libev currently assumes only ext2/3, jfs, reiserfs and
		2437	xfs are fully working) libev usually gets away without polling.
		2438
		2439	There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
		2440	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
		2441	descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
		2442	etc. is difficult.
		2443
		2444	=head3 C<stat ()> is a synchronous operation
		2445
		2446	Libev doesn't normally do any kind of I/O itself, and so is not blocking
		2447	the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat
		2448	()>, which is a synchronous operation.
		2449
		2450	For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very
		2451	busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast,
		2452	as the path data is usually in memory already (except when starting the
		2453	watcher).
		2454
		2455	For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
		2456	time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call
		2457	often takes multiple milliseconds.
		2458
		2459	Therefore, it is best to avoid using C<ev_stat> watchers on networked
		2460	paths, although this is fully supported by libev.
		2461
		2462	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
		2463
		2464	The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
		2465	and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
		2466	still only support whole seconds.
		2467
		2468	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
		2469	easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
		2470	calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
		2471	within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
		2472	stat data does change in other ways (e.g. file size).
		2473
		2474	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
		2475	than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
		2476	a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
		2477	ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
		2478
		2479	The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
		2480	of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
		2481	might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
		2482	C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
		2483	a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
		2484	update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
		2485	the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
		2486	the timer callback).
1500		2487
1501	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2488	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1502		2489
1503	=over 4	2490	=over 4
1504		2491
…		…
1510	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to	2497	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1511	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose	2498	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1512	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same	2499	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1513	path for as long as the watcher is active.	2500	path for as long as the watcher is active.
1514		2501
1515	The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected,	2502	The callback will receive an C<EV_STAT> event when a change was detected,
1516	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the	2503	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1517	last change was detected).	2504	last change was detected).
1518		2505
1519	=item ev_stat_stat (ev_stat *)	2506	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1520		2507
1521	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the	2508	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1522	watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid	2509	watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1523	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be	2510	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1524	useful simply to find out the new values.	2511	the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
		2512	new values.
1525		2513
1526	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]	2514	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1527		2515
1528	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of	2516	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
1529	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types	2517	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1530	suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there	2518	suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
		2519	members to be present. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there was
1531	was some error while C<stat>ing the file.	2520	some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1532		2521
1533	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]	2522	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1534		2523
1535	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever	2524	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1536	C<prev> != C<attr>.	2525	C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
		2526	differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
		2527	C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
1537		2528
1538	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]	2529	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1539		2530
1540	The specified interval.	2531	The specified interval.
1541		2532
1542	=item const char *path [read-only]	2533	=item const char *path [read-only]
1543		2534
1544	The filesystem path that is being watched.	2535	The file system path that is being watched.
1545		2536
1546	=back	2537	=back
1547		2538
		2539	=head3 Examples
		2540
1548	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.	2541	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1549		2542
1550	static void	2543	static void
1551	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)	2544	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1552	{	2545	{
1553	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */	2546	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1554	if (w->attr.st_nlink)	2547	if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1555	{	2548	{
1556	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);	2549	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1557	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2550	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1558	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2551	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1559	}	2552	}
1560	else	2553	else
1561	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */	2554	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1562	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "	2555	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1563	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");	2556	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1564	}	2557	}
1565		2558
1566	...	2559	...
1567	ev_stat passwd;	2560	ev_stat passwd;
1568		2561
1569	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd");	2562	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1570	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	2563	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
		2564
		2565	Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
		2566	miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
		2567	one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
		2568	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
		2569
		2570	static ev_stat passwd;
		2571	static ev_timer timer;
		2572
		2573	static void
		2574	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		2575	{
		2576	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
		2577
		2578	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
		2579	}
		2580
		2581	static void
		2582	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
		2583	{
		2584	/* reset the one-second timer */
		2585	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
		2586	}
		2587
		2588	...
		2589	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
		2590	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
		2591	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1571		2592
1572		2593
1573	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...	2594	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1574		2595
1575	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher	2596	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1576	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not	2597	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count
1577	count).	2598	as receiving "events").
1578		2599
1579	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts	2600	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1580	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be	2601	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1581	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers	2602	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1582	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop	2603	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
…		…
1593		2614
1594	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2615	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1595		2616
1596	=over 4	2617	=over 4
1597		2618
1598	=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback)	2619	=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
1599		2620
1600	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any	2621	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1601	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	2622	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1602	believe me.	2623	believe me.
1603		2624
1604	=back	2625	=back
1605		2626
		2627	=head3 Examples
		2628
1606	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the	2629	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1607	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.	2630	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1608		2631
1609	static void	2632	static void
1610	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)	2633	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1611	{	2634	{
1612	free (w);	2635	free (w);
1613	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has	2636	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1614	// no longer asnything immediate to do.	2637	// no longer anything immediate to do.
1615	}	2638	}
1616		2639
1617	struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));	2640	ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1618	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);	2641	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1619	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);	2642	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
1620		2643
1621		2644
1622	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!	2645	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1623		2646
1624	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:	2647	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
1625	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers	2648	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1626	afterwards.	2649	afterwards.
1627		2650
1628	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter	2651	You I<must not> call C<ev_run> or similar functions that enter
1629	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>	2652	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
1630	watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The	2653	watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The
1631	rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in	2654	rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in
1632	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,	2655	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1633	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be	2656	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1634	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.	2657	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1635		2658
1636	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and	2659	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1637	their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track	2660	their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
1638	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a	2661	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1639	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if	2662	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1640	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,	2663	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1641	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>	2664	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1642	watcher).	2665	watcher).
1643		2666
1644	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need	2667	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors
1645	to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for	2668	need to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers
1646	them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries	2669	for them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many
1647	provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for	2670	libraries provide exactly this functionality). Then, in the check watcher,
1648	any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers	2671	you check for any events that occurred (by checking the pending status
1649	and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer	2672	of all watchers and stopping them) and call back into the library. The
1650	callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,	2673	I/O and timer callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid
1651	because you never know, you know?).	2674	nevertheless, because you never know, you know?).
1652		2675
1653	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate	2676	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1654	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines	2677	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
1655	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines	2678	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
1656	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines	2679	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
…		…
1659	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping	2682	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1660	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).	2683	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1661		2684
1662	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)	2685	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
1663	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers	2686	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
		2687	after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).
		2688
1664	after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers,	2689	Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
1665	too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully	2690	activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
1666	supports this, they will be called before other C<ev_check> watchers	2691	might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
1667	did their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other	2692	C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
1668	(non-libev) event loops those other event loops might be in an unusable	2693	loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
1669	state until their C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to	2694	C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
1670	coexist peacefully with others).	2695	others).
1671		2696
1672	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2697	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1673		2698
1674	=over 4	2699	=over 4
1675		2700
…		…
1677		2702
1678	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)	2703	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1679		2704
1680	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no	2705	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
1681	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>	2706	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1682	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.	2707	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly, utterly and completely
		2708	pointless.
1683		2709
1684	=back	2710	=back
		2711
		2712	=head3 Examples
1685		2713
1686	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules	2714	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
1687	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev	2715	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
1688	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could	2716	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
1689	use for an actually working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib>	2717	use as a working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> embeds a
1690	embeds a Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV	2718	Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
1691	into the Glib event loop).	2719	Glib event loop).
1692		2720
1693	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,	2721	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1694	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows	2722	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1695	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low	2723	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
1696	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as	2724	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
1697	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.	2725	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1698		2726
1699	static ev_io iow [nfd];	2727	static ev_io iow [nfd];
1700	static ev_timer tw;	2728	static ev_timer tw;
1701		2729
1702	static void	2730	static void
1703	io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)	2731	io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1704	{	2732	{
1705	}	2733	}
1706		2734
1707	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking	2735	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1708	static void	2736	static void
1709	adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)	2737	adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1710	{	2738	{
1711	int timeout = 3600000;	2739	int timeout = 3600000;
1712	struct pollfd fds [nfd];	2740	struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1713	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.	2741	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1714	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));	2742	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1715		2743
1716	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */	2744	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1717	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);	2745	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3, 0.);
1718	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);	2746	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1719		2747
1720	// create one ev_io per pollfd	2748	// create one ev_io per pollfd
1721	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2749	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1722	{	2750	{
1723	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,	2751	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1724	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)	2752	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1725	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));	2753	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1726		2754
1727	fds [i].revents = 0;	2755	fds [i].revents = 0;
1728	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);	2756	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1729	}	2757	}
1730	}	2758	}
1731		2759
1732	// stop all watchers after blocking	2760	// stop all watchers after blocking
1733	static void	2761	static void
1734	adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)	2762	adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1735	{	2763	{
1736	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);	2764	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1737		2765
1738	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2766	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1739	{	2767	{
1740	// set the relevant poll flags	2768	// set the relevant poll flags
1741	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here	2769	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1742	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;	2770	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
1743	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);	2771	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
1744	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;	2772	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1745	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;	2773	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1746		2774
1747	// now stop the watcher	2775	// now stop the watcher
1748	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);	2776	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1749	}	2777	}
1750		2778
1751	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));	2779	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1752	}	2780	}
1753		2781
1754	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>	2782	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
1755	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.	2783	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
1756		2784
1757	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event	2785	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
1758	notification (adns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher	2786	notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
1759	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.	2787	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
1760		2788
1761	static void	2789	static void
1762	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2790	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1763	{	2791	{
1764	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2792	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1765	update_now (EV_A);	2793	update_now (EV_A);
1766		2794
1767	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);	2795	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
1768	}	2796	}
1769		2797
1770	static void	2798	static void
1771	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)	2799	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1772	{	2800	{
1773	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2801	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1774	update_now (EV_A);	2802	update_now (EV_A);
1775		2803
1776	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2804	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1777	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2805	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1778	}	2806	}
1779		2807
1780	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll	2808	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll
1781		2809
1782	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you	2810	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
1783	want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, youc na override	2811	want to embed is not flexible enough to support it. Instead, you can
1784	their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main	2812	override their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the
1785	loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does	2813	main loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module uses
1786	this.	2814	this approach, effectively embedding EV as a client into the horrible
		2815	libglib event loop.
1787		2816
1788	static gint	2817	static gint
1789	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)	2818	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
1790	{	2819	{
1791	int got_events = 0;	2820	int got_events = 0;
1792		2821
1793	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2822	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1794	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events	2823	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
1795		2824
1796	if (timeout >= 0)	2825	if (timeout >= 0)
1797	// create/start timer	2826	// create/start timer
1798		2827
1799	// poll	2828	// poll
1800	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	2829	ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
1801		2830
1802	// stop timer again	2831	// stop timer again
1803	if (timeout >= 0)	2832	if (timeout >= 0)
1804	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);	2833	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
1805		2834
1806	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set	2835	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
1807	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2836	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1808	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);	2837	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
1809		2838
1810	return got_events;	2839	return got_events;
1811	}	2840	}
1812		2841
1813		2842
1814	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...	2843	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1815		2844
1816	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop	2845	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
…		…
1822	prioritise I/O.	2851	prioritise I/O.
1823		2852
1824	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support	2853	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
1825	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you	2854	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
1826	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales	2855	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
1827	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it	2856	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed
1828	into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will	2857	it into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation
1829	be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but	2858	will be a bit slower because first libev has to call C<poll> and then
1830	at least you can use both at what they are best.	2859	C<kevent>, but at least you can use both mechanisms for what they are
		2860	best: C<kqueue> for scalable sockets and C<poll> if you want it to work :)
1831		2861
1832	As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have	2862	As for prioritising I/O: under rare circumstances you have the case where
1833	to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even	2863	some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
1834	priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case	2864	and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
1835	you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in	2865	this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
1836	a second one, and embed the second one in the first.	2866	the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
1837		2867
1838	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time	2868	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every
1839	there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then	2869	time there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback
1840	call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke	2870	must then call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single
1841	their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded	2871	sweep and invoke their callbacks (the callback doesn't need to invoke the
1842	loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback	2872	C<ev_embed_sweep> function directly, it could also start an idle watcher
1843	to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the	2873	to give the embedded loop strictly lower priority for example).
1844	embedded loop sweep.
1845		2874
1846	As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The	2875	You can also set the callback to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher
1847	callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can	2876	will automatically execute the embedded loop sweep whenever necessary.
1848	set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
1849	interested in that.
1850		2877
1851	Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:	2878	Fork detection will be handled transparently while the C<ev_embed> watcher
1852	when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,	2879	is active, i.e., the embedded loop will automatically be forked when the
1853	but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers	2880	embedding loop forks. In other cases, the user is responsible for calling
1854	yourself.	2881	C<ev_loop_fork> on the embedded loop.
1855		2882
1856	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by	2883	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
1857	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any	2884	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
1858	portable one.	2885	portable one.
1859		2886
1860	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared	2887	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
1861	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around	2888	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
1862	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to	2889	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
1863	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything:	2890	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
1864		2891
1865	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);	2892	=head3 C<ev_embed> and fork
1866	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
1867	struct ev_embed embed;
1868
1869	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
1870	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
1871	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
1872	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
1873	: 0;
1874		2893
1875	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi	2894	While the C<ev_embed> watcher is running, forks in the embedding loop will
1876	if (loop_lo)	2895	automatically be applied to the embedded loop as well, so no special
1877	{	2896	fork handling is required in that case. When the watcher is not running,
1878	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);	2897	however, it is still the task of the libev user to call C<ev_loop_fork ()>
1879	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);	2898	as applicable.
1880	}
1881	else
1882	loop_lo = loop_hi;
1883		2899
1884	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2900	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1885		2901
1886	=over 4	2902	=over 4
1887		2903
…		…
1891		2907
1892	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be	2908	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1893	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be	2909	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
1894	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback	2910	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1895	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,	2911	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
1896	if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).	2912	if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
1897		2913
1898	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)	2914	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
1899		2915
1900	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works	2916	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1901	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most	2917	similarly to C<ev_run (embedded_loop, EVRUN_NOWAIT)>, but in the most
1902	apropriate way for embedded loops.	2918	appropriate way for embedded loops.
1903		2919
1904	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]	2920	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
1905		2921
1906	The embedded event loop.	2922	The embedded event loop.
1907		2923
1908	=back	2924	=back
		2925
		2926	=head3 Examples
		2927
		2928	Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
		2929	event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
		2930	loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
		2931	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
		2932	used).
		2933
		2934	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
		2935	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
		2936	ev_embed embed;
		2937
		2938	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
		2939	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
		2940	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
		2941	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
		2942	: 0;
		2943
		2944	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
		2945	if (loop_lo)
		2946	{
		2947	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
		2948	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
		2949	}
		2950	else
		2951	loop_lo = loop_hi;
		2952
		2953	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
		2954	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
		2955	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
		2956	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
		2957
		2958	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
		2959	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
		2960	ev_embed embed;
		2961
		2962	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
		2963	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
		2964	{
		2965	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
		2966	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
		2967	}
		2968
		2969	if (!loop_socket)
		2970	loop_socket = loop;
		2971
		2972	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
1909		2973
1910		2974
1911	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork	2975	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
1912		2976
1913	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because	2977	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
…		…
1916	event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,	2980	event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
1917	and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling	2981	and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
1918	C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork	2982	C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
1919	handlers will be invoked, too, of course.	2983	handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
1920		2984
		2985	=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
		2986
		2987	Most uses of C<fork()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to set
		2988	up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
		2989	sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
		2990
		2991	This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
		2992	in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
		2993	fork.
		2994
		2995	The default mode of operation (for libev, with application help to detect
		2996	forks) is to duplicate all the state in the child, as would be expected
		2997	when I<either> the parent I<or> the child process continues.
		2998
		2999	When both processes want to continue using libev, then this is usually the
		3000	wrong result. In that case, usually one process (typically the parent) is
		3001	supposed to continue with all watchers in place as before, while the other
		3002	process typically wants to start fresh, i.e. without any active watchers.
		3003
		3004	The cleanest and most efficient way to achieve that with libev is to
		3005	simply create a new event loop, which of course will be "empty", and
		3006	use that for new watchers. This has the advantage of not touching more
		3007	memory than necessary, and thus avoiding the copy-on-write, and the
		3008	disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support
		3009	signal watchers).
		3010
		3011	When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for
		3012	other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call
		3013	C<ev_default_destroy ()> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>. Destroying
		3014	the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered watchers, so you
		3015	have to be careful not to execute code that modifies those watchers. Note
		3016	also that in that case, you have to re-register any signal watchers.
		3017
1921	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	3018	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1922		3019
1923	=over 4	3020	=over 4
1924		3021
1925	=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)	3022	=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
…		…
1929	believe me.	3026	believe me.
1930		3027
1931	=back	3028	=back
1932		3029
1933		3030
		3031	=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop
		3032
		3033	In general, you cannot use an C<ev_run> from multiple threads or other
		3034	asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
		3035	loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
		3036
		3037	Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control,
		3038	for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async>
		3039	watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you can signal
		3040	it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe.
		3041
		3042	This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
		3043	too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
		3044	(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
		3045	C<ev_async_sent> calls).
		3046
		3047	Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
		3048	just the default loop.
		3049
		3050	=head3 Queueing
		3051
		3052	C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
		3053	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
		3054	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
		3055	need elaborate support such as pthreads or unportable memory access
		3056	semantics.
		3057
		3058	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
		3059	queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
		3060	queue:
		3061
		3062	=over 4
		3063
		3064	=item queueing from a signal handler context
		3065
		3066	To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
		3067	handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is
		3068	an example that does that for some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
		3069
		3070	static ev_async mysig;
		3071
		3072	static void
		3073	sigusr1_handler (void)
		3074	{
		3075	sometype data;
		3076
		3077	// no locking etc.
		3078	queue_put (data);
		3079	ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
		3080	}
		3081
		3082	static void
		3083	mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		3084	{
		3085	sometype data;
		3086	sigset_t block, prev;
		3087
		3088	sigemptyset (&block);
		3089	sigaddset (&block, SIGUSR1);
		3090	sigprocmask (SIG_BLOCK, &block, &prev);
		3091
		3092	while (queue_get (&data))
		3093	process (data);
		3094
		3095	if (sigismember (&prev, SIGUSR1)
		3096	sigprocmask (SIG_UNBLOCK, &block, 0);
		3097	}
		3098
		3099	(Note: pthreads in theory requires you to use C<pthread_setmask>
		3100	instead of C<sigprocmask> when you use threads, but libev doesn't do it
		3101	either...).
		3102
		3103	=item queueing from a thread context
		3104
		3105	The strategy for threads is different, as you cannot (easily) block
		3106	threads but you can easily preempt them, so to queue safely you need to
		3107	employ a traditional mutex lock, such as in this pthread example:
		3108
		3109	static ev_async mysig;
		3110	static pthread_mutex_t mymutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
		3111
		3112	static void
		3113	otherthread (void)
		3114	{
		3115	// only need to lock the actual queueing operation
		3116	pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
		3117	queue_put (data);
		3118	pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
		3119
		3120	ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
		3121	}
		3122
		3123	static void
		3124	mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		3125	{
		3126	pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
		3127
		3128	while (queue_get (&data))
		3129	process (data);
		3130
		3131	pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
		3132	}
		3133
		3134	=back
		3135
		3136
		3137	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
		3138
		3139	=over 4
		3140
		3141	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
		3142
		3143	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
		3144	kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
		3145	trust me.
		3146
		3147	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
		3148
		3149	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
		3150	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
		3151	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or
		3152	similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
		3153	section below on what exactly this means).
		3154
		3155	Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
		3156	compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this
		3157	is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>,
		3158	reset when the event loop detects that).
		3159
		3160	This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per event loop
		3161	iteration, so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to
		3162	repeated calls to C<ev_async_send> for the same event loop.
		3163
		3164	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
		3165
		3166	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
		3167	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
		3168	event loop.
		3169
		3170	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
		3171	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
		3172	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
		3173	quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
		3174
		3175	Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending,
		3176	only whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending: there
		3177	is a time window between the event loop checking and resetting the async
		3178	notification, and the callback being invoked.
		3179
		3180	=back
		3181
		3182
1934	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS	3183	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
1935		3184
1936	There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.	3185	There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
1937		3186
1938	=over 4	3187	=over 4
1939		3188
1940	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)	3189	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
1941		3190
1942	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your	3191	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
1943	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both	3192	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
1944	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd	3193	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
1945	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or	3194	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
1946	more watchers yourself.	3195	more watchers yourself.
1947		3196
1948	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events	3197	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and the
1949	is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and	3198	C<events> argument is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for
1950	C<events> set will be craeted and started.	3199	the given C<fd> and C<events> set will be created and started.
1951		3200
1952	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be	3201	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
1953	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and	3202	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
1954	repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of	3203	repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
1955	dubious value.
1956		3204
1957	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets	3205	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and is
1958	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of	3206	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
1959	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>	3207	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMER>) and the C<arg>
1960	value passed to C<ev_once>:	3208	value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
		3209	a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
		3210	events precedence.
1961		3211
		3212	Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
		3213
1962	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)	3214	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
1963	{	3215	{
1964	if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
1965	/* doh, nothing entered */;
1966	else if (revents & EV_READ)	3216	if (revents & EV_READ)
1967	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;	3217	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
		3218	else if (revents & EV_TIMER)
		3219	/* doh, nothing entered */;
1968	}	3220	}
1969		3221
1970	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);	3222	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
1971		3223
1972	=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
1973
1974	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1975	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1976	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
1977
1978	=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)	3224	=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
1979		3225
1980	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected	3226	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
1981	the given events it.	3227	the given events it.
1982		3228
1983	=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)	3229	=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
1984		3230
1985	Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default	3231	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
1986	loop!).	3232	loop!).
1987		3233
1988	=back	3234	=back
1989		3235
1990		3236
…		…
2006		3252
2007	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities	3253	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
2008	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there	3254	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
2009	is an ev_pri field.	3255	is an ev_pri field.
2010		3256
		3257	=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
		3258	first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.
		3259
2011	=item * Other members are not supported.	3260	=item * Other members are not supported.
2012		3261
2013	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need	3262	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
2014	to use the libev header file and library.	3263	to use the libev header file and library.
2015		3264
2016	=back	3265	=back
2017		3266
2018	=head1 C++ SUPPORT	3267	=head1 C++ SUPPORT
2019		3268
2020	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow	3269	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
2021	you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change	3270	you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
2022	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.	3271	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
2023		3272
2024	To use it,	3273	To use it,
2025		3274
2026	#include <ev++.h>	3275	#include <ev++.h>
2027		3276
2028	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many	3277	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
2029	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are	3278	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
2030	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding	3279	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
2031	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.	3280	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
…		…
2065		3314
2066	=over 4	3315	=over 4
2067		3316
2068	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()	3317	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
2069		3318
2070	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *)	3319	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (loop)
2071		3320
2072	=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE	3321	=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
2073		3322
2074	The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher	3323	The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
2075	with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.	3324	with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
…		…
2098	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the	3347	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
2099	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.	3348	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
2100		3349
2101	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation	3350	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
2102		3351
2103	struct myclass	3352	struct myclass
2104	{	3353	{
2105	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	3354	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2106	}	3355	}
2107		3356
2108	myclass obj;	3357	myclass obj;
2109	ev::io iow;	3358	ev::io iow;
2110	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);	3359	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
		3360
		3361	=item w->set (object *)
		3362
		3363	This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
		3364	will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
		3365	functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
		3366	the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
		3367	list.
		3368
		3369	The C<operator ()> method prototype must be C<void operator ()(watcher &w,
		3370	int revents)>.
		3371
		3372	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
		3373
		3374	Example: use a functor object as callback.
		3375
		3376	struct myfunctor
		3377	{
		3378	void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
		3379	{
		3380	...
		3381	}
		3382	}
		3383
		3384	myfunctor f;
		3385
		3386	ev::io w;
		3387	w.set (&f);
2111		3388
2112	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)	3389	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2113		3390
2114	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as	3391	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2115	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's	3392	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
…		…
2117		3394
2118	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.	3395	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
2119		3396
2120	See the method-C<set> above for more details.	3397	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2121		3398
2122	Example:	3399	Example: Use a plain function as callback.
2123		3400
2124	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	3401	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2125	iow.set <io_cb> ();	3402	iow.set <io_cb> ();
2126		3403
2127	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)	3404	=item w->set (loop)
2128		3405
2129	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only	3406	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
2130	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).	3407	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
2131		3408
2132	=item w->set ([args])	3409	=item w->set ([arguments])
2133		3410
2134	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be	3411	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Either this
2135	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets	3412	method or a suitable start method must be called at least once. Unlike the
2136	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this	3413	C counterpart, an active watcher gets automatically stopped and restarted
2137	method.	3414	when reconfiguring it with this method.
2138		3415
2139	=item w->start ()	3416	=item w->start ()
2140		3417
2141	Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the	3418	Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
2142	constructor already stores the event loop.	3419	constructor already stores the event loop.
2143		3420
		3421	=item w->start ([arguments])
		3422
		3423	Instead of calling C<set> and C<start> methods separately, it is often
		3424	convenient to wrap them in one call. Uses the same type of arguments as
		3425	the configure C<set> method of the watcher.
		3426
2144	=item w->stop ()	3427	=item w->stop ()
2145		3428
2146	Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.	3429	Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
2147		3430
2148	=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)	3431	=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
…		…
2160		3443
2161	=back	3444	=back
2162		3445
2163	=back	3446	=back
2164		3447
2165	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in	3448	Example: Define a class with two I/O and idle watchers, start the I/O
2166	the constructor.	3449	watchers in the constructor.
2167		3450
2168	class myclass	3451	class myclass
2169	{	3452	{
2170	ev_io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);	3453	ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
		3454	ev::io2 io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2171	ev_idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);	3455	ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2172		3456
2173	myclass ();	3457	myclass (int fd)
2174	}	3458	{
2175
2176	myclass::myclass (int fd)
2177	{
2178	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);	3459	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
		3460	io2 .set <myclass, &myclass::io2_cb > (this);
2179	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);	3461	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2180		3462
2181	io.start (fd, ev::READ);	3463	io.set (fd, ev::WRITE); // configure the watcher
		3464	io.start (); // start it whenever convenient
		3465
		3466	io2.start (fd, ev::READ); // set + start in one call
		3467	}
2182	}	3468	};
		3469
		3470
		3471	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
		3472
		3473	Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
		3474	number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
		3475	any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
		3476	me a note.
		3477
		3478	=over 4
		3479
		3480	=item Perl
		3481
		3482	The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
		3483	libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
		3484	there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
		3485	to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>, but C<AnyEvent::DNS> is preferred nowadays),
		3486	C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV>
		3487	and C<EV::Glib>).
		3488
		3489	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
		3490	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
		3491
		3492	=item Python
		3493
		3494	Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
		3495	seems to be quite complete and well-documented.
		3496
		3497	=item Ruby
		3498
		3499	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
		3500	of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
		3501	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
		3502	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
		3503
		3504	Roger Pack reports that using the link order C<-lws2_32 -lmsvcrt-ruby-190>
		3505	makes rev work even on mingw.
		3506
		3507	=item Haskell
		3508
		3509	A haskell binding to libev is available at
		3510	L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
		3511
		3512	=item D
		3513
		3514	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
		3515	be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
		3516
		3517	=item Ocaml
		3518
		3519	Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
		3520	L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
		3521
		3522	=item Lua
		3523
		3524	Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the
		3525	time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at
		3526	L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>.
		3527
		3528	=back
2183		3529
2184		3530
2185	=head1 MACRO MAGIC	3531	=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2186		3532
2187	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal	3533	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
2188	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)	3534	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
2189	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.	3535	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
2190		3536
2191	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the	3537	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
2192	following macros are defined:	3538	following macros are defined:
…		…
2197		3543
2198	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev	3544	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2199	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,	3545	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2200	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:	3546	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2201		3547
2202	ev_unref (EV_A);	3548	ev_unref (EV_A);
2203	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);	3549	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2204	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	3550	ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
2205		3551
2206	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,	3552	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2207	which is often provided by the following macro.	3553	which is often provided by the following macro.
2208		3554
2209	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>	3555	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
2210		3556
2211	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev	3557	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2212	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,	3558	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
2213	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:	3559	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
2214		3560
2215	// this is how ev_unref is being declared	3561	// this is how ev_unref is being declared
2216	static void ev_unref (EV_P);	3562	static void ev_unref (EV_P);
2217		3563
2218	// this is how you can declare your typical callback	3564	// this is how you can declare your typical callback
2219	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	3565	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2220		3566
2221	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite	3567	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
2222	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.	3568	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
2223		3569
2224	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>	3570	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
2225		3571
2226	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default	3572	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
2227	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").	3573	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
		3574
		3575	=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
		3576
		3577	Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
		3578	default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
		3579	is undefined when the default loop has not been initialised by a previous
		3580	execution of C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> or C<ev_default_init (...)>.
		3581
		3582	It is often prudent to use C<EV_DEFAULT> when initialising the first
		3583	watcher in a function but use C<EV_DEFAULT_UC> afterwards.
2228		3584
2229	=back	3585	=back
2230		3586
2231	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above	3587	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
2232	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported	3588	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2233	or not.	3589	or not.
2234		3590
2235	static void	3591	static void
2236	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	3592	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2237	{	3593	{
2238	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);	3594	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
2239	}	3595	}
2240		3596
2241	ev_check check;	3597	ev_check check;
2242	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);	3598	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
2243	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);	3599	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
2244	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);	3600	ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
2245		3601
2246	=head1 EMBEDDING	3602	=head1 EMBEDDING
2247		3603
2248	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host	3604	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
2249	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra	3605	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
…		…
2256	libev somewhere in your source tree).	3612	libev somewhere in your source tree).
2257		3613
2258	=head2 FILESETS	3614	=head2 FILESETS
2259		3615
2260	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files	3616	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
2261	in your app.	3617	in your application.
2262		3618
2263	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP	3619	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
2264		3620
2265	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual	3621	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
2266	configuration (no autoconf):	3622	configuration (no autoconf):
2267		3623
2268	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3624	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2269	#include "ev.c"	3625	#include "ev.c"
2270		3626
2271	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a	3627	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
2272	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use	3628	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
2273	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best	3629	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
2274	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and	3630	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
2275	where you can put other configuration options):	3631	where you can put other configuration options):
2276		3632
2277	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3633	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2278	#include "ev.h"	3634	#include "ev.h"
2279		3635
2280	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++	3636	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
2281	compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated	3637	compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2282	as a bug).	3638	as a bug).
2283		3639
2284	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory	3640	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
2285	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):	3641	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2286		3642
2287	ev.h	3643	ev.h
2288	ev.c	3644	ev.c
2289	ev_vars.h	3645	ev_vars.h
2290	ev_wrap.h	3646	ev_wrap.h
2291		3647
2292	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only	3648	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
2293		3649
2294	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)	3650	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
2295	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3651	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2296	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3652	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2297	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3653	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2298	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3654	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2299		3655
2300	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need	3656	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
2301	to compile this single file.	3657	to compile this single file.
2302		3658
2303	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API	3659	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
2304		3660
2305	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:	3661	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
2306		3662
2307	#include "event.c"	3663	#include "event.c"
2308		3664
2309	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:	3665	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
2310		3666
2311	#include "event.h"	3667	#include "event.h"
2312		3668
2313	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.	3669	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
2314		3670
2315	You need the following additional files for this:	3671	You need the following additional files for this:
2316		3672
2317	event.h	3673	event.h
2318	event.c	3674	event.c
2319		3675
2320	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT	3676	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
2321		3677
2322	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in	3678	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
2323	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your	3679	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
2324	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then	3680	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
2325	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.	3681	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
2326		3682
2327	For this of course you need the m4 file:	3683	For this of course you need the m4 file:
2328		3684
2329	libev.m4	3685	libev.m4
2330		3686
2331	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS	3687	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2332		3688
2333	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define	3689	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
2334	before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity	3690	define before including (or compiling) any of its files. The default in
2335	and only include the select backend.	3691	the absence of autoconf is documented for every option.
		3692
		3693	Symbols marked with "(h)" do not change the ABI, and can have different
		3694	values when compiling libev vs. including F<ev.h>, so it is permissible
		3695	to redefine them before including F<ev.h> without breaking compatibility
		3696	to a compiled library. All other symbols change the ABI, which means all
		3697	users of libev and the libev code itself must be compiled with compatible
		3698	settings.
2336		3699
2337	=over 4	3700	=over 4
2338		3701
		3702	=item EV_COMPAT3 (h)
		3703
		3704	Backwards compatibility is a major concern for libev. This is why this
		3705	release of libev comes with wrappers for the functions and symbols that
		3706	have been renamed between libev version 3 and 4.
		3707
		3708	You can disable these wrappers (to test compatibility with future
		3709	versions) by defining C<EV_COMPAT3> to C<0> when compiling your
		3710	sources. This has the additional advantage that you can drop the C<struct>
		3711	from C<struct ev_loop> declarations, as libev will provide an C<ev_loop>
		3712	typedef in that case.
		3713
		3714	In some future version, the default for C<EV_COMPAT3> will become C<0>,
		3715	and in some even more future version the compatibility code will be
		3716	removed completely.
		3717
2339	=item EV_STANDALONE	3718	=item EV_STANDALONE (h)
2340		3719
2341	Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which	3720	Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which
2342	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy	3721	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
2343	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not	3722	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
2344	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in	3723	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
2345	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.	3724	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2346		3725
		3726	In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
		3727	configuration, but has to be more conservative.
		3728
2347	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC	3729	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2348		3730
2349	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3731	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2350	monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use	3732	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
2351	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you	3733	use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this,
2352	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when	3734	you usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it
2353	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have	3735	when the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2354	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>	3736	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2355	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).	3737	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). See also C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
2356		3738
2357	=item EV_USE_REALTIME	3739	=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2358		3740
2359	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3741	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2360	realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at	3742	real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability
2361	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will	3743	at runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock
2362	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get	3744	option will be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday>
2363	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the	3745	by C<clock_get (CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect
2364	note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.	3746	correctness. See the note about libraries in the description of
		3747	C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. Defaults to the opposite value of
		3748	C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
		3749
		3750	=item EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL
		3751
		3752	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to use a direct syscall instead
		3753	of calling the system-provided C<clock_gettime> function. This option
		3754	exists because on GNU/Linux, C<clock_gettime> is in C<librt>, but C<librt>
		3755	unconditionally pulls in C<libpthread>, slowing down single-threaded
		3756	programs needlessly. Using a direct syscall is slightly slower (in
		3757	theory), because no optimised vdso implementation can be used, but avoids
		3758	the pthread dependency. Defaults to C<1> on GNU/Linux with glibc 2.x or
		3759	higher, as it simplifies linking (no need for C<-lrt>).
2365		3760
2366	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP	3761	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
2367		3762
2368	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available	3763	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
2369	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.	3764	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
2370		3765
		3766	=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
		3767
		3768	If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
		3769	available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
		3770	C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
		3771	If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
		3772	2.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
		3773
2371	=item EV_USE_SELECT	3774	=item EV_USE_SELECT
2372		3775
2373	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the	3776	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
2374	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no	3777	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
2375	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend	3778	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
2376	will not be compiled in.	3779	will not be compiled in.
2377		3780
2378	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET	3781	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2379		3782
2380	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>	3783	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
2381	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing	3784	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
2382	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on	3785	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout
2383	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some	3786	on exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to
2384	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only	3787	some low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket
2385	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might	3788	only allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation,
2386	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.	3789	configures the maximum size of the C<fd_set>.
2387		3790
2388	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET	3791	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
2389		3792
2390	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that	3793	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
2391	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but	3794	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
…		…
2393	be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call	3796	be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
2394	C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,	3797	C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
2395	it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even	3798	it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
2396	on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.	3799	on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
2397		3800
		3801	=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE(fd)
		3802
		3803	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
		3804	file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
		3805	default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
		3806	correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
		3807	in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
		3808
		3809	=item EV_WIN32_HANDLE_TO_FD(handle)
		3810
		3811	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> then libev maps handles to file descriptors
		3812	using the standard C<_open_osfhandle> function. For programs implementing
		3813	their own fd to handle mapping, overwriting this function makes it easier
		3814	to do so. This can be done by defining this macro to an appropriate value.
		3815
		3816	=item EV_WIN32_CLOSE_FD(fd)
		3817
		3818	If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this
		3819	macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister
		3820	file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close
		3821	the underlying OS handle.
		3822
2398	=item EV_USE_POLL	3823	=item EV_USE_POLL
2399		3824
2400	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)	3825	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
2401	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It	3826	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
2402	takes precedence over select.	3827	takes precedence over select.
2403		3828
2404	=item EV_USE_EPOLL	3829	=item EV_USE_EPOLL
2405		3830
2406	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux	3831	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
2407	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,	3832	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2408	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the	3833	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2409	preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems.	3834	backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
		3835	headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2410		3836
2411	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE	3837	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2412		3838
2413	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style	3839	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
2414	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,	3840	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
…		…
2427	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred	3853	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2428	backend for Solaris 10 systems.	3854	backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2429		3855
2430	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL	3856	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2431		3857
2432	reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.	3858	Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2433		3859
2434	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY	3860	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2435		3861
2436	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify	3862	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2437	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will	3863	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2438	be detected at runtime.	3864	be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
		3865	indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2439		3866
		3867	=item EV_ATOMIC_T
		3868
		3869	Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
		3870	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
		3871	type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
		3872	that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
		3873	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
		3874
		3875	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
		3876	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
		3877
2440	=item EV_H	3878	=item EV_H (h)
2441		3879
2442	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if	3880	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2443	undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This	3881	undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
2444	can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.	3882	used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2445		3883
2446	=item EV_CONFIG_H	3884	=item EV_CONFIG_H (h)
2447		3885
2448	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override	3886	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
2449	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to	3887	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2450	C<EV_H>, above.	3888	C<EV_H>, above.
2451		3889
2452	=item EV_EVENT_H	3890	=item EV_EVENT_H (h)
2453		3891
2454	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea	3892	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
2455	of how the F<event.h> header can be found.	3893	of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
2456		3894
2457	=item EV_PROTOTYPES	3895	=item EV_PROTOTYPES (h)
2458		3896
2459	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function	3897	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
2460	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is	3898	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
2461	occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions	3899	occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions
2462	around libev functions.	3900	around libev functions.
…		…
2481	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search	3919	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
2482	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space	3920	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
2483	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually	3921	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
2484	fine.	3922	fine.
2485		3923
2486	If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to	3924	If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
2487	C<0> will save some memory and cpu.	3925	both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
2488		3926
2489	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE	3927	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE, EV_IDLE_ENABLE, EV_EMBED_ENABLE, EV_STAT_ENABLE,
		3928	EV_PREPARE_ENABLE, EV_CHECK_ENABLE, EV_FORK_ENABLE, EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE,
		3929	EV_ASYNC_ENABLE, EV_CHILD_ENABLE.
2490		3930
2491	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If	3931	If undefined or defined to be C<1> (and the platform supports it), then
2492	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of	3932	the respective watcher type is supported. If defined to be C<0>, then it
2493	code.	3933	is not. Disabling watcher types mainly saves code size.
2494		3934
2495	=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE	3935	=item EV_FEATURES
2496
2497	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
2498	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
2499	code.
2500
2501	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2502
2503	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2504	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2505
2506	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
2507
2508	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
2509	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2510
2511	=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2512
2513	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2514	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2515
2516	=item EV_MINIMAL
2517		3936
2518	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some	3937	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2519	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override	3938	speed (but with the full API), you can define this symbol to request
2520	some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64.	3939	certain subsets of functionality. The default is to enable all features
		3940	that can be enabled on the platform.
		3941
		3942	A typical way to use this symbol is to define it to C<0> (or to a bitset
		3943	with some broad features you want) and then selectively re-enable
		3944	additional parts you want, for example if you want everything minimal,
		3945	but multiple event loop support, async and child watchers and the poll
		3946	backend, use this:
		3947
		3948	#define EV_FEATURES 0
		3949	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 1
		3950	#define EV_USE_POLL 1
		3951	#define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
		3952	#define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
		3953
		3954	The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
		3955	values:
		3956
		3957	=over 4
		3958
		3959	=item C<1> - faster/larger code
		3960
		3961	Use larger code to speed up some operations.
		3962
		3963	Currently this is used to override some inlining decisions (enlarging the
		3964	code size by roughly 30% on amd64).
		3965
		3966	When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with
		3967	gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
		3968	assertions.
		3969
		3970	=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
		3971
		3972	Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger
		3973	hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size
		3974	and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
		3975	runtime.
		3976
		3977	=item C<4> - full API configuration
		3978
		3979	This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
		3980	enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).
		3981
		3982	=item C<8> - full API
		3983
		3984	This enables a lot of the "lesser used" API functions. See C<ev.h> for
		3985	details on which parts of the API are still available without this
		3986	feature, and do not complain if this subset changes over time.
		3987
		3988	=item C<16> - enable all optional watcher types
		3989
		3990	Enables all optional watcher types. If you want to selectively enable
		3991	only some watcher types other than I/O and timers (e.g. prepare,
		3992	embed, async, child...) you can enable them manually by defining
		3993	C<EV_watchertype_ENABLE> to C<1> instead.
		3994
		3995	=item C<32> - enable all backends
		3996
		3997	This enables all backends - without this feature, you need to enable at
		3998	least one backend manually (C<EV_USE_SELECT> is a good choice).
		3999
		4000	=item C<64> - enable OS-specific "helper" APIs
		4001
		4002	Enable inotify, eventfd, signalfd and similar OS-specific helper APIs by
		4003	default.
		4004
		4005	=back
		4006
		4007	Compiling with C<gcc -Os -DEV_STANDALONE -DEV_USE_EPOLL=1 -DEV_FEATURES=0>
		4008	reduces the compiled size of libev from 24.7Kb code/2.8Kb data to 6.5Kb
		4009	code/0.3Kb data on my GNU/Linux amd64 system, while still giving you I/O
		4010	watchers, timers and monotonic clock support.
		4011
		4012	With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough
		4013	when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by
		4014	your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an
		4015	I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb.
		4016
		4017	=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
		4018
		4019	If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio
		4020	functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size
		4021	somewhat, but if your program doesn't otherwise depend on stdio and your
		4022	libc allows it, this avoids linking in the stdio library which is quite
		4023	big.
		4024
		4025	Note that error messages might become less precise when this option is
		4026	enabled.
		4027
		4028	=item EV_NSIG
		4029
		4030	The highest supported signal number, +1 (or, the number of
		4031	signals): Normally, libev tries to deduce the maximum number of signals
		4032	automatically, but sometimes this fails, in which case it can be
		4033	specified. Also, using a lower number than detected (C<32> should be
		4034	good for about any system in existence) can save some memory, as libev
		4035	statically allocates some 12-24 bytes per signal number.
2521		4036
2522	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE	4037	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2523		4038
2524	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	4039	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2525	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more	4040	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES> disabled),
2526	than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to	4041	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you
2527	increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).	4042	might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
2528		4043
2529	=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE	4044	=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
2530		4045
2531	C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	4046	C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2532	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),	4047	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES>
2533	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>	4048	disabled), usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of
2534	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of	4049	C<ev_stat> watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a
2535	two).	4050	power of two).
		4051
		4052	=item EV_USE_4HEAP
		4053
		4054	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		4055	timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
		4056	to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
		4057	faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
		4058
		4059	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
		4060	will be C<0>.
		4061
		4062	=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
		4063
		4064	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		4065	timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
		4066	the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
		4067	which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
		4068	but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
		4069	noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
		4070
		4071	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
		4072	will be C<0>.
		4073
		4074	=item EV_VERIFY
		4075
		4076	Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_verify ()>) will
		4077	be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
		4078	in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
		4079	called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
		4080	called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
		4081	verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
		4082	libev considerably.
		4083
		4084	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
		4085	will be C<0>.
2536		4086
2537	=item EV_COMMON	4087	=item EV_COMMON
2538		4088
2539	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining	4089	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2540	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of	4090	this macro to something else you can include more and other types of
2541	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,	4091	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2542	though, and it must be identical each time.	4092	though, and it must be identical each time.
2543		4093
2544	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:	4094	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2545		4095
2546	#define EV_COMMON \	4096	#define EV_COMMON \
2547	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \	4097	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2548	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */	4098	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2549		4099
2550	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)	4100	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2551		4101
2552	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)	4102	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2553		4103
…		…
2558	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for	4108	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
2559	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to	4109	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
2560	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use	4110	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2561	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.	4111	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
2562		4112
		4113	=back
		4114
2563	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS	4115	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
2564		4116
2565	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a dll) and you need a list of	4117	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
2566	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list	4118	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
2567	all public symbols, one per line:	4119	all public symbols, one per line:
2568		4120
2569	Symbols.ev for libev proper	4121	Symbols.ev for libev proper
2570	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation	4122	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
2571		4123
2572	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with	4124	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
2573	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in	4125	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
2574	itself, but sometimes it is inconvinient to avoid this).	4126	itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
2575		4127
2576	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to	4128	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
2577	include before including F<ev.h>:	4129	include before including F<ev.h>:
2578		4130
2579	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h	4131	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
…		…
2596	file.	4148	file.
2597		4149
2598	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file	4150	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
2599	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:	4151	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2600		4152
2601	#define EV_MINIMAL 1	4153	#define EV_FEATURES 8
2602	#define EV_USE_POLL 0	4154	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1
2603	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2604	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0	4155	#define EV_PREPARE_ENABLE 1
		4156	#define EV_IDLE_ENABLE 1
2605	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0	4157	#define EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE 1
2606	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0	4158	#define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
		4159	#define EV_USE_STDEXCEPT 0
2607	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>	4160	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
2608	#define EV_MINPRI 0
2609	#define EV_MAXPRI 0
2610		4161
2611	#include "ev++.h"	4162	#include "ev++.h"
2612		4163
2613	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:	4164	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
2614		4165
2615	#include "ev_cpp.h"	4166	#include "ev_cpp.h"
2616	#include "ev.c"	4167	#include "ev.c"
2617		4168
		4169	=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES
2618		4170
		4171	=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
		4172
		4173	=head3 THREADS
		4174
		4175	All libev functions are reentrant and thread-safe unless explicitly
		4176	documented otherwise, but libev implements no locking itself. This means
		4177	that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as there
		4178	are no concurrent calls into any libev function with the same loop
		4179	parameter (C<ev_default_*> calls have an implicit default loop parameter,
		4180	of course): libev guarantees that different event loops share no data
		4181	structures that need any locking.
		4182
		4183	Or to put it differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done
		4184	concurrently from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter
		4185	must be done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as
		4186	only one thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using
		4187	a mutex per loop).
		4188
		4189	Specifically to support threads (and signal handlers), libev implements
		4190	so-called C<ev_async> watchers, which allow some limited form of
		4191	concurrency on the same event loop, namely waking it up "from the
		4192	outside".
		4193
		4194	If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
		4195	without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
		4196	help you, but here is some generic advice:
		4197
		4198	=over 4
		4199
		4200	=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
		4201	in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
		4202
		4203	This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
		4204	themselves and don't care/know about threading.
		4205
		4206	=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
		4207
		4208	Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
		4209	exists, but it is always a good start.
		4210
		4211	=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
		4212	loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
		4213
		4214	Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
		4215	better than you currently do :-)
		4216
		4217	=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
		4218	event loop.
		4219
		4220	C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other threads safely
		4221	(or from signal contexts...).
		4222
		4223	An example use would be to communicate signals or other events that only
		4224	work in the default loop by registering the signal watcher with the
		4225	default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
		4226	watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
		4227
		4228	=back
		4229
		4230	=head4 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE
		4231
		4232	Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
		4233	thread than where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
		4234	created/added/removed.
		4235
		4236	For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
		4237	which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
		4238	languages).
		4239
		4240	The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
		4241	variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
		4242	event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
		4243
		4244	First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
		4245
		4246	typedef struct {
		4247	mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
		4248	ev_async async_w;
		4249	thread_t tid;
		4250	cond_t invoke_cv;
		4251	} userdata;
		4252
		4253	void prepare_loop (EV_P)
		4254	{
		4255	// for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
		4256	static userdata u;
		4257
		4258	ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
		4259	ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
		4260
		4261	pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
		4262	pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
		4263
		4264	// now associate this with the loop
		4265	ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
		4266	ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
		4267	ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
		4268
		4269	// then create the thread running ev_loop
		4270	pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
		4271	}
		4272
		4273	The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
		4274	solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
		4275	that might have been added:
		4276
		4277	static void
		4278	async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		4279	{
		4280	// just used for the side effects
		4281	}
		4282
		4283	The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
		4284	protecting the loop data, respectively.
		4285
		4286	static void
		4287	l_release (EV_P)
		4288	{
		4289	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4290	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		4291	}
		4292
		4293	static void
		4294	l_acquire (EV_P)
		4295	{
		4296	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4297	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		4298	}
		4299
		4300	The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
		4301	into C<ev_run>:
		4302
		4303	void *
		4304	l_run (void *thr_arg)
		4305	{
		4306	struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
		4307
		4308	l_acquire (EV_A);
		4309	pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
		4310	ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
		4311	l_release (EV_A);
		4312
		4313	return 0;
		4314	}
		4315
		4316	Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
		4317	signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
		4318	writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
		4319	have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
		4320	and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
		4321	watchers is very beneficial):
		4322
		4323	static void
		4324	l_invoke (EV_P)
		4325	{
		4326	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4327
		4328	while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
		4329	{
		4330	wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
		4331	pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
		4332	}
		4333	}
		4334
		4335	Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
		4336	will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
		4337	thread to continue:
		4338
		4339	static void
		4340	real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
		4341	{
		4342	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4343
		4344	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		4345	ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
		4346	pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
		4347	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		4348	}
		4349
		4350	Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
		4351	event loop, you will now have to lock:
		4352
		4353	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
		4354	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4355
		4356	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
		4357
		4358	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		4359	ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
		4360	ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
		4361	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		4362
		4363	Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
		4364	an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
		4365	about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
		4366	watchers in the next event loop iteration.
		4367
		4368	=head3 COROUTINES
		4369
		4370	Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
		4371	libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
		4372	coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_run> on the same loop from two
		4373	different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running
		4374	the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is
		4375	that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
		4376
		4377	Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
		4378	C<ev_run>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
		4379	they do not call any callbacks.
		4380
		4381	=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
		4382
		4383	Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
		4384	lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
		4385	scared by this.
		4386
		4387	However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
		4388	has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
		4389	warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
		4390	targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
		4391
		4392	Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
		4393	workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
		4394	maintainable.
		4395
		4396	And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
		4397	wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
		4398	seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
		4399	warnings that resulted in an extreme number of false positives. These have
		4400	been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
		4401	such buggy versions.
		4402
		4403	While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
		4404	"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
		4405	with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
		4406	them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
		4407	warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
		4408
		4409
		4410	=head2 VALGRIND
		4411
		4412	Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
		4413	highly useful. Unfortunately, valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
		4414
		4415	If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
		4416	in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
		4417
		4418	==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		4419	==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		4420	==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
		4421
		4422	Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
		4423	is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
		4424
		4425	Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
		4426	as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
		4427	although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
		4428	confused.
		4429
		4430	Keep in mind that valgrind is a very good tool, but only a tool. Don't
		4431	make it into some kind of religion.
		4432
		4433	If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
		4434	with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this
		4435	is a bug in libev (best check the archives, too :). However, don't be
		4436	annoyed when you get a brisk "this is no bug" answer and take the chance
		4437	of learning how to interpret valgrind properly.
		4438
		4439	If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
		4440	I suggest using suppression lists.
		4441
		4442
		4443	=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
		4444
		4445	=head2 GNU/LINUX 32 BIT LIMITATIONS
		4446
		4447	GNU/Linux is the only common platform that supports 64 bit file/large file
		4448	interfaces but I<disables> them by default.
		4449
		4450	That means that libev compiled in the default environment doesn't support
		4451	files larger than 2GiB or so, which mainly affects C<ev_stat> watchers.
		4452
		4453	Unfortunately, many programs try to work around this GNU/Linux issue
		4454	by enabling the large file API, which makes them incompatible with the
		4455	standard libev compiled for their system.
		4456
		4457	Likewise, libev cannot enable the large file API itself as this would
		4458	suddenly make it incompatible to the default compile time environment,
		4459	i.e. all programs not using special compile switches.
		4460
		4461	=head2 OS/X AND DARWIN BUGS
		4462
		4463	The whole thing is a bug if you ask me - basically any system interface
		4464	you touch is broken, whether it is locales, poll, kqueue or even the
		4465	OpenGL drivers.
		4466
		4467	=head3 C<kqueue> is buggy
		4468
		4469	The kqueue syscall is broken in all known versions - most versions support
		4470	only sockets, many support pipes.
		4471
		4472	Libev tries to work around this by not using C<kqueue> by default on
		4473	this rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating
		4474	a loop.
		4475
		4476	=head3 C<poll> is buggy
		4477
		4478	Instead of fixing C<kqueue>, Apple replaced their (working) C<poll>
		4479	implementation by something calling C<kqueue> internally around the 10.5.6
		4480	release, so now C<kqueue> I<and> C<poll> are broken.
		4481
		4482	Libev tries to work around this by not using C<poll> by default on
		4483	this rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating
		4484	a loop.
		4485
		4486	=head3 C<select> is buggy
		4487
		4488	All that's left is C<select>, and of course Apple found a way to fuck this
		4489	one up as well: On OS/X, C<select> actively limits the number of file
		4490	descriptors you can pass in to 1024 - your program suddenly crashes when
		4491	you use more.
		4492
		4493	There is an undocumented "workaround" for this - defining
		4494	C<_DARWIN_UNLIMITED_SELECT>, which libev tries to use, so select I<should>
		4495	work on OS/X.
		4496
		4497	=head2 SOLARIS PROBLEMS AND WORKAROUNDS
		4498
		4499	=head3 C<errno> reentrancy
		4500
		4501	The default compile environment on Solaris is unfortunately so
		4502	thread-unsafe that you can't even use components/libraries compiled
		4503	without C<-D_REENTRANT> (as long as they use C<errno>), which, of course,
		4504	isn't defined by default.
		4505
		4506	If you want to use libev in threaded environments you have to make sure
		4507	it's compiled with C<_REENTRANT> defined.
		4508
		4509	=head3 Event port backend
		4510
		4511	The scalable event interface for Solaris is called "event ports". Unfortunately,
		4512	this mechanism is very buggy. If you run into high CPU usage, your program
		4513	freezes or you get a large number of spurious wakeups, make sure you have
		4514	all the relevant and latest kernel patches applied. No, I don't know which
		4515	ones, but there are multiple ones.
		4516
		4517	If you can't get it to work, you can try running the program by setting
		4518	the environment variable C<LIBEV_FLAGS=3> to only allow C<poll> and
		4519	C<select> backends.
		4520
		4521	=head2 AIX POLL BUG
		4522
		4523	AIX unfortunately has a broken C<poll.h> header. Libev works around
		4524	this by trying to avoid the poll backend altogether (i.e. it's not even
		4525	compiled in), which normally isn't a big problem as C<select> works fine
		4526	with large bitsets, and AIX is dead anyway.
		4527
		4528	=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
		4529
		4530	=head3 General issues
		4531
		4532	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
		4533	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
		4534	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
		4535	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
		4536	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
		4537	e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers,
		4538	as every compielr comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible
		4539	environment.
		4540
		4541	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
		4542	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing,
		4543	then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note
		4544	also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
		4545
		4546	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
		4547	embedding it into other applications.
		4548
		4549	Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev
		4550	tries its best, but under most conditions, signals will simply not work.
		4551
		4552	Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
		4553	accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
		4554	either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
		4555	so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
		4556	megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
		4557	available).
		4558
		4559	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
		4560	the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
		4561	is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
		4562	more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
		4563	different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
		4564	notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
		4565	(due to Microsoft monopoly games).
		4566
		4567	A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
		4568	section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
		4569	of F<ev.h>:
		4570
		4571	#define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
		4572	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
		4573
		4574	#include "ev.h"
		4575
		4576	And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
		4577	you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
		4578
		4579	#include "evwrap.h"
		4580	#include "ev.c"
		4581
		4582	=head3 The winsocket C<select> function
		4583
		4584	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
		4585	requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
		4586	also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
		4587	requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
		4588	C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
		4589	discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
		4590	C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
		4591
		4592	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
		4593	libraries and raw winsocket select is:
		4594
		4595	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1
		4596	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
		4597
		4598	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
		4599	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
		4600
		4601	=head3 Limited number of file descriptors
		4602
		4603	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
		4604
		4605	Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
		4606	of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
		4607	can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
		4608	recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
		4609	previous thread in each. Sounds great!).
		4610
		4611	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
		4612	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
		4613	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl and many
		4614	other interpreters do their own select emulation on windows).
		4615
		4616	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
		4617	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64>
		4618	fetish or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this
		4619	by calling C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048>
		4620	(another arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft
		4621	runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets
		4622	(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more,
		4623	you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but
		4624	the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
		4625
		4626	=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
		4627
		4628	In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
		4629	backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
		4630
		4631	=over 4
		4632
		4633	=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
		4634	calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
		4635
		4636	Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
		4637	structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
		4638	assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
		4639	callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
		4640	calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
		4641
		4642	=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
		4643
		4644	The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
		4645	C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
		4646	threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
		4647	believed to be sufficiently portable.
		4648
		4649	=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
		4650
		4651	Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
		4652	allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
		4653	pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
		4654	thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
		4655	be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
		4656	C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
		4657
		4658	The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
		4659	except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
		4660	well.
		4661
		4662	=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
		4663
		4664	To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
		4665	instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
		4666	systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but is still at
		4667	least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of millions of
		4668	watchers.
		4669
		4670	=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
		4671
		4672	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
		4673	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is
		4674	good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy
		4675	(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by
		4676	implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones. With
		4677	IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least 2200.
		4678
		4679	=back
		4680
		4681	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
		4682
		4683
2619	=head1 COMPLEXITIES	4684	=head1 ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITIES
2620		4685
2621	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside	4686	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
2622	libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the	4687	libev will be documented. For complexity discussions about backends see
2623	documentation for C<ev_default_init>.	4688	the documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
2624		4689
2625	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be	4690	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
2626	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this	4691	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
2627	happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might	4692	happens asymptotically rarer with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
2628	mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average	4693	mean that libev does a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on
2629	it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.	4694	average it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
2630		4695
2631	=over 4	4696	=over 4
2632		4697
2633	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)	4698	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
2634		4699
2635	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and	4700	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
2636	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will	4701	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that, then inserting will
2637	have to skip those 100 watchers.	4702	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
2638		4703
2639	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat, again): O(log skipped_other_timers)	4704	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
2640		4705
2641	That means that for changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them	4706	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them,
2642	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.	4707	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
2643		4708
2644	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1)	4709	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2645		4710
2646	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.	4711	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
		4712
2647	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1)	4713	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2648		4714
2649	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))	4715	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
2650		4716
2651	These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the	4717	These watchers are stored in lists, so they need to be walked to find the
2652	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually	4718	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
2653	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).	4719	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal: one is typical, two
		4720	is rare).
2654		4721
2655	=item Finding the next timer per loop iteration: O(1)	4722	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
		4723
		4724	By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
		4725	fixed position in the storage array.
2656		4726
2657	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)	4727	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
2658		4728
2659	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires	4729	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
2660	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel).	4730	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
		4731	on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
2661		4732
2662	=item Activating one watcher: O(1)	4733	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
2663		4734
2664	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)	4735	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
2665		4736
2666	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each	4737	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
2667	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to	4738	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
2668	linearly search all the priorities.	4739	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
		4740	watchers becomes O(1) with respect to priority handling.
		4741
		4742	=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
		4743
		4744	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
		4745
		4746	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
		4747
		4748	Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
		4749	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
		4750	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
2669		4751
2670	=back	4752	=back
2671		4753
2672		4754
		4755	=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X
		4756
		4757	The major version 4 introduced some minor incompatible changes to the API.
		4758
		4759	At the moment, the C<ev.h> header file tries to implement superficial
		4760	compatibility, so most programs should still compile. Those might be
		4761	removed in later versions of libev, so better update early than late.
		4762
		4763	=over 4
		4764
		4765	=item function/symbol renames
		4766
		4767	A number of functions and symbols have been renamed:
		4768
		4769	ev_loop => ev_run
		4770	EVLOOP_NONBLOCK => EVRUN_NOWAIT
		4771	EVLOOP_ONESHOT => EVRUN_ONCE
		4772
		4773	ev_unloop => ev_break
		4774	EVUNLOOP_CANCEL => EVBREAK_CANCEL
		4775	EVUNLOOP_ONE => EVBREAK_ONE
		4776	EVUNLOOP_ALL => EVBREAK_ALL
		4777
		4778	EV_TIMEOUT => EV_TIMER
		4779
		4780	ev_loop_count => ev_iteration
		4781	ev_loop_depth => ev_depth
		4782	ev_loop_verify => ev_verify
		4783
		4784	Most functions working on C<struct ev_loop> objects don't have an
		4785	C<ev_loop_> prefix, so it was removed; C<ev_loop>, C<ev_unloop> and
		4786	associated constants have been renamed to not collide with the C<struct
		4787	ev_loop> anymore and C<EV_TIMER> now follows the same naming scheme
		4788	as all other watcher types. Note that C<ev_loop_fork> is still called
		4789	C<ev_loop_fork> because it would otherwise clash with the C<ev_fork>
		4790	typedef.
		4791
		4792	=item C<EV_COMPAT3> backwards compatibility mechanism
		4793
		4794	The backward compatibility mechanism can be controlled by
		4795	C<EV_COMPAT3>. See L<PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS> in the L<EMBEDDING>
		4796	section.
		4797
		4798	=item C<EV_MINIMAL> mechanism replaced by C<EV_FEATURES>
		4799
		4800	The preprocessor symbol C<EV_MINIMAL> has been replaced by a different
		4801	mechanism, C<EV_FEATURES>. Programs using C<EV_MINIMAL> usually compile
		4802	and work, but the library code will of course be larger.
		4803
		4804	=back
		4805
		4806
		4807	=head1 GLOSSARY
		4808
		4809	=over 4
		4810
		4811	=item active
		4812
		4813	A watcher is active as long as it has been started (has been attached to
		4814	an event loop) but not yet stopped (disassociated from the event loop).
		4815
		4816	=item application
		4817
		4818	In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
		4819
		4820	=item callback
		4821
		4822	The address of a function that is called when some event has been
		4823	detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that
		4824	received the event, and the actual event bitset.
		4825
		4826	=item callback invocation
		4827
		4828	The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
		4829
		4830	=item event
		4831
		4832	A change of state of some external event, such as data now being available
		4833	for reading on a file descriptor, time having passed or simply not having
		4834	any other events happening anymore.
		4835
		4836	In libev, events are represented as single bits (such as C<EV_READ> or
		4837	C<EV_TIMER>).
		4838
		4839	=item event library
		4840
		4841	A software package implementing an event model and loop.
		4842
		4843	=item event loop
		4844
		4845	An entity that handles and processes external events and converts them
		4846	into callback invocations.
		4847
		4848	=item event model
		4849
		4850	The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes
		4851	watchers and events.
		4852
		4853	=item pending
		4854
		4855	A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been detected,
		4856	and stops being pending as soon as the watcher will be invoked or its
		4857	pending status is explicitly cleared by the application.
		4858
		4859	A watcher can be pending, but not active. Stopping a watcher also clears
		4860	its pending status.
		4861
		4862	=item real time
		4863
		4864	The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
		4865
		4866	=item wall-clock time
		4867
		4868	The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
		4869	be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when the you adjust your
		4870	clock.
		4871
		4872	=item watcher
		4873
		4874	A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
		4875	to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events.
		4876
		4877	=item watcher invocation
		4878
		4879	The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
		4880
		4881	=back
		4882
2673	=head1 AUTHOR	4883	=head1 AUTHOR
2674		4884
2675	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.	4885	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael Magnusson.
2676		4886

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