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Revision 1.116 by root, Mon Dec 31 01:34:09 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.178 by root, Sat Sep 13 18:25:50 2008 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	// every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
		15	// with the name ev_<type>
13	ev_io stdin_watcher;	16	ev_io stdin_watcher;
14	ev_timer timeout_watcher;	17	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
15		18
16	/* called when data readable on stdin */	19	// all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
		20	// this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
17	static void	21	static void
18	stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents)	22	stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents)
19	{	23	{
20	/* puts ("stdin ready"); */	24	puts ("stdin ready");
21	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); /* just a syntax example */	25	// for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
22	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); /* leave all loop calls */	26	// with its corresponding stop function.
		27	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
		28
		29	// this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating
		30	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);
23	}	31	}
24		32
		33	// another callback, this time for a time-out
25	static void	34	static void
26	timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	35	timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
27	{	36	{
28	/* puts ("timeout"); */	37	puts ("timeout");
29	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); /* leave one loop call */	38	// this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating
		39	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);
30	}	40	}
31		41
32	int	42	int
33	main (void)	43	main (void)
34	{	44	{
		45	// use the default event loop unless you have special needs
35	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	46	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
36		47
37	/* initialise an io watcher, then start it */	48	// initialise an io watcher, then start it
		49	// this one will watch for stdin to become readable
38	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);	50	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
39	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	51	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
40		52
		53	// initialise a timer watcher, then start it
41	/* simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout */	54	// simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
42	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);	55	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
43	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);	56	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
44		57
45	/* loop till timeout or data ready */	58	// now wait for events to arrive
46	ev_loop (loop, 0);	59	ev_loop (loop, 0);
47		60
		61	// unloop was called, so exit
48	return 0;	62	return 0;
49	}	63	}
50		64
51	=head1 DESCRIPTION	65	=head1 DESCRIPTION
52		66
53	The newest version of this document is also available as a html-formatted	67	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	68	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
55	time: L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>.	69	time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
56		70
57	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a	71	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	72	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
59	these event sources and provide your program with events.	73	these event sources and provide your program with events.
60		74
…		…
84	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent	98	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
85	for example).	99	for example).
86		100
87	=head2 CONVENTIONS	101	=head2 CONVENTIONS
88		102
89	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will	103	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
90	be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about	104	configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
91	various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in	105	more info about various configuration options please have a look at
92	this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event	106	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>	107	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.	108	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have
		109	this argument.
95		110
96	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION	111	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
97		112
98	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the	113	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
99	(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near	114	(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
100	the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is	115	the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is
101	called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases	116	called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases
102	to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on	117	to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on
103	it, you should treat it as some floatingpoint value. Unlike the name	118	it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name
104	component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences	119	component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences
105	throughout libev.	120	throughout libev.
		121
		122	=head1 ERROR HANDLING
		123
		124	Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
		125	and internal errors (bugs).
		126
		127	When libev catches an operating system error it cannot handle (for example
		128	a system call indicating a condition libev cannot fix), it calls the callback
		129	set via C<ev_set_syserr_cb>, which is supposed to fix the problem or
		130	abort. The default is to print a diagnostic message and to call C<abort
		131	()>.
		132
		133	When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
		134	it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
		135	so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
		136	the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
		137
		138	Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has
		139	extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
		140	circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse.
		141
106		142
107	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS	143	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
108		144
109	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the	145	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
110	library in any way.	146	library in any way.
…		…
119		155
120	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)	156	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
121		157
122	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until	158	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	159	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
124	this is a subsecond-resolution C<sleep ()>.	160	this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
125		161
126	=item int ev_version_major ()	162	=item int ev_version_major ()
127		163
128	=item int ev_version_minor ()	164	=item int ev_version_minor ()
129		165
…		…
142	not a problem.	178	not a problem.
143		179
144	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong	180	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
145	version.	181	version.
146		182
147	assert (("libev version mismatch",	183	assert (("libev version mismatch",
148	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR	184	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
149	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));	185	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
150		186
151	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()	187	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
152		188
153	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>	189	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>
154	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their	190	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
…		…
156	a description of the set values.	192	a description of the set values.
157		193
158	Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and	194	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	195	a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11
160		196
161	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",	197	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
162	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));	198	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
163		199
164	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()	200	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
165		201
166	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also	202	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	203	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	204	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	205	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	206	(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.	207	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
172		208
173	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()	209	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
174		210
…		…
181	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	217	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
182		218
183	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))	219	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))
184		220
185	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the	221	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
186	semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to	222	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	223	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	224	when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
189	potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc	225	or take some potentially destructive action.
190	function.	226
		227	Since some systems (at least OpenBSD and Darwin) fail to implement
		228	correct C<realloc> semantics, libev will use a wrapper around the system
		229	C<realloc> and C<free> functions by default.
191		230
192	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,	231	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,	232	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.	233	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
195		234
196	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then	235	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
197	retries).	236	retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
198		237
199	static void *	238	static void *
200	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)	239	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
201	{	240	{
202	for (;;)	241	for (;;)
…		…
213	...	252	...
214	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);	253	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
215		254
216	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));	255	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));
217		256
218	Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such	257	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	258	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
220	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this	259	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	260	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	261	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	262	requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
224	(such as abort).	263	(such as abort).
225		264
226	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.	265	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
…		…
240	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP	279	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
241		280
242	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two	281	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two
243	types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child	282	types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child
244	events, and dynamically created loops which do not.	283	events, and dynamically created loops which do not.
245
246	If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop
247	in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you
248	create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking
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		284
253	=over 4	285	=over 4
254		286
255	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)	287	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
256		288
…		…
260	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).	292	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
261		293
262	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this	294	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
263	function.	295	function.
264		296
		297	Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
		298	from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
		299	as loops cannot bes hared easily between threads anyway).
		300
		301	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
		302	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
		303	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
		304	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
		305	can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
		306	C<ev_default_init>.
		307
265	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific	308	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>).	309	backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
267		310
268	The following flags are supported:	311	The following flags are supported:
269		312
…		…
274	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right	317	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
275	thing, believe me).	318	thing, believe me).
276		319
277	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>	320	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
278		321
279	If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid	322	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	323	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
281	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will	324	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
282	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is	325	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	326	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
284	around bugs.	327	around bugs.
…		…
290	enabling this flag.	333	enabling this flag.
291		334
292	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,	335	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	336	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	337	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	338	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	339	without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
297	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).	340	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
298		341
299	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and	342	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	343	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
301	flag.	344	flag.
302		345
303	This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>	346	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
304	environment variable.	347	environment variable.
305		348
306	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)	349	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
307		350
308	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as	351	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
…		…
310	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when	353	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	354	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.	355	usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
313		356
314	To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of	357	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	358	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	359	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	360	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	361	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
319	readyness notifications you get per iteration.	362	readiness notifications you get per iteration.
320		363
321	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)	364	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
322		365
323	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated	366	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
324	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial	367	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
…		…
332	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,	375	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	376	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),	377	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	378	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number
336	of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect	379	of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect
337	cases and rewiring a syscall per fd change, no fork support and bad	380	cases and requiring a system call per fd change, no fork support and bad
338	support for dup.	381	support for dup.
339		382
340	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration	383	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	384	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such incident
342	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its	385	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its
343	best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work	386	best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work
344	very well if you register events for both fds.	387	very well if you register events for both fds.
345		388
346	Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you	389	Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
…		…
349		392
350	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all	393	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.	394	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible, i.e.
352	keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times.	395	keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times.
353		396
354	While nominally embeddeble in other event loops, this feature is broken in	397	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
355	all kernel versions tested so far.	398	all kernel versions tested so far.
356		399
357	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)	400	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
358		401
359	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it	402	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	403	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	404	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"	405	it's completely useless). For this reason it's not being "auto-detected"
363	unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using	406	unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using
364	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)	407	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
365	system like NetBSD.	408	system like NetBSD.
366		409
367	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it	410	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
…		…
369	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	412	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
370		413
371	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the	414	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	415	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	416	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	417	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	418	two event changes per incident, support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it
376	drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.	419	drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.
377		420
378	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.	421	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
379		422
…		…
394	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)	437	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
395		438
396	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,	439	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)).	440	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
398		441
399	Please note that solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious	442	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	443	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
401	blocking when no data (or space) is available.	444	blocking when no data (or space) is available.
402		445
403	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active	446	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	447	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
405	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend	448	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
406	might perform better.	449	might perform better.
407		450
		451	On the positive side, ignoring the spurious readiness notifications, this
		452	backend actually performed to specification in all tests and is fully
		453	embeddable, which is a rare feat among the OS-specific backends.
		454
408	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>	455	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
409		456
410	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried	457	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	458	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
412	C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.	459	C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
413		460
414	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.	461	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
415		462
416	=back	463	=back
417		464
418	If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these	465	If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these
419	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If none are	466	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are
420	specified, most compiled-in backend will be tried, usually in reverse	467	specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.
421	order of their flag values :)
422		468
423	The most typical usage is like this:	469	The most typical usage is like this:
424		470
425	if (!ev_default_loop (0))	471	if (!ev_default_loop (0))
426	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");	472	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
427		473
428	Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow	474	Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
429	environment settings to be taken into account:	475	environment settings to be taken into account:
430		476
431	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);	477	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
432		478
433	Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if	479	Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if
434	available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private	480	available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private
435	event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):	481	event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):
436		482
437	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);	483	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
438		484
439	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)	485	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
440		486
441	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is	487	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	488	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
443	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by	489	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
444	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).	490	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
445		491
		492	Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
		493	libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
		494	default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
		495
446	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.	496	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
447		497
448	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);	498	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
449	if (!epoller)	499	if (!epoller)
450	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");	500	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
451		501
452	=item ev_default_destroy ()	502	=item ev_default_destroy ()
453		503
454	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state	504	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
455	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal	505	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
456	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your	506	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
457	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before>	507	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
458	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually	508	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
459	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them	509	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
460	for example).	510	for example).
461		511
462	Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by	512	Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by
…		…
473	Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an	523	Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
474	earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.	524	earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
475		525
476	=item ev_default_fork ()	526	=item ev_default_fork ()
477		527
		528	This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations
478	This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have	529	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	530	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	531	the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little
481	again makes little sense).	532	sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev
		533	functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration.
482		534
483	You I<must> call this function in the child process after forking if and	535	On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
484	only if you want to use the event library in both processes. If you just	536	process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If
485	fork+exec, you don't have to call it.	537	you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all.
486		538
487	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call	539	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	540	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>:	541	quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
490		542
491	pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);	543	pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
492		544
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)	545	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
498		546
499	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by	547	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	548	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.	549	after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.
		550
		551	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
		552
		553	Returns true when the given loop actually is the default loop, false otherwise.
502		554
503	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)	555	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
504		556
505	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to	557	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
506	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and	558	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
…		…
521	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not	573	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	574	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	575	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).	576	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
525		577
		578	=item ev_now_update (loop)
		579
		580	Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
		581	returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
		582	is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>.
		583
		584	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
		585	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
		586	the current time is a good idea.
		587
		588	See also "The special problem of time updates" in the C<ev_timer> section.
		589
526	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)	590	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
527		591
528	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called	592	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	593	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
530	events.	594	events.
…		…
541	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle	605	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle
542	those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in	606	those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in
543	case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.	607	case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.
544		608
545	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if	609	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
546	neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block	610	necessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block
547	your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after	611	your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after
548	one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some	612	one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some
549	external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other	613	external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other
550	libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is	614	libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
551	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.	615	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
552		616
553	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:	617	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
554		618
555	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.	619	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
556	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.	620	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
557	- If a fork was detected, queue and call all fork watchers.	621	- If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
558	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.	622	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.
559	- If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.	623	- If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
		624	as to not disturb the other process.
560	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.	625	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
561	- Update the "event loop time".	626	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
562	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all	627	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
563	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having	628	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
564	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).	629	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
565	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.	630	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
566	- Block the process, waiting for any events.	631	- Block the process, waiting for any events.
567	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.	632	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
568	- Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling.	633	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
569	- Queue all outstanding timers.	634	- Queue all outstanding timers.
570	- Queue all outstanding periodics.	635	- Queue all outstanding periodics.
571	- If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.	636	- Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
572	- Queue all check watchers.	637	- Queue all check watchers.
573	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).	638	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
574	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will	639	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
575	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.	640	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
576	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK	641	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
…		…
581	anymore.	646	anymore.
582		647
583	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long	648	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
584	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)	649	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
585	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);	650	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
586	... jobs done. yeah!	651	... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
587		652
588	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)	653	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
589		654
590	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it	655	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
591	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either	656	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
…		…
612	respectively).	677	respectively).
613		678
614	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>	679	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
615	running when nothing else is active.	680	running when nothing else is active.
616		681
617	struct ev_signal exitsig;	682	struct ev_signal exitsig;
618	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);	683	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
619	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);	684	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
620	evf_unref (loop);	685	evf_unref (loop);
621		686
622	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.	687	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
623		688
624	ev_ref (loop);	689	ev_ref (loop);
625	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);	690	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
626		691
627	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	692	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
628		693
629	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	694	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
630		695
631	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting	696	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
632	for events. Both are by default C<0>, meaning that libev will try to	697	for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
633	invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum latency.	698	will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
		699	latency.
634		700
635	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)	701	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
636	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks to	702	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
637	increase efficiency of loop iterations.	703	to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
		704	opportunities).
638		705
639	The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to	706	The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to
640	handle one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes	707	handle one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes
641	the program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new	708	the program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
642	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high	709	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
…		…
652	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased	719	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
653	latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers	720	latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers
654	will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will not introduce	721	will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will not introduce
655	any overhead in libev.	722	any overhead in libev.
656		723
657	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the io collect	724	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
658	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for	725	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
659	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It	726	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
660	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,	727	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
661	as this approsaches the timing granularity of most systems.	728	as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems.
		729
		730	Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
		731	saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
		732	are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
		733	times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
		734	reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
		735	they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
		736
		737	=item ev_loop_verify (loop)
		738
		739	This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
		740	compiled in. It tries to go through all internal structures and checks
		741	them for validity. If anything is found to be inconsistent, it will print
		742	an error message to standard error and call C<abort ()>.
		743
		744	This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
		745	circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
		746	data structures consistent.
662		747
663	=back	748	=back
664		749
665		750
666	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER	751	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
667		752
668	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your	753	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
669	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to	754	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
670	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:	755	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
671		756
672	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	757	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
673	{	758	{
674	ev_io_stop (w);	759	ev_io_stop (w);
675	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	760	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
676	}	761	}
677		762
678	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	763	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
679	struct ev_io stdin_watcher;	764	struct ev_io stdin_watcher;
680	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);	765	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
681	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	766	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
682	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	767	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
683	ev_loop (loop, 0);	768	ev_loop (loop, 0);
684		769
685	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your	770	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
686	watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack,	771	watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack,
687	although this can sometimes be quite valid).	772	although this can sometimes be quite valid).
688		773
689	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init	774	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init
690	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This	775	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
691	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io	776	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O
692	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given	777	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
693	is readable and/or writable).	778	is readable and/or writable).
694		779
695	Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro	780	Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro
696	with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro	781	with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro
…		…
766	=item C<EV_FORK>	851	=item C<EV_FORK>
767		852
768	The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see	853	The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
769	C<ev_fork>).	854	C<ev_fork>).
770		855
		856	=item C<EV_ASYNC>
		857
		858	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
		859
771	=item C<EV_ERROR>	860	=item C<EV_ERROR>
772		861
773	An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might	862	An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
774	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev	863	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
775	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other	864	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
776	problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping	865	problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping
777	with the watcher being stopped.	866	with the watcher being stopped.
778		867
779	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error,	868	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error,
780	for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if	869	for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if
781	your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope	870	your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope
782	with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded	871	with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
783	programs, though, so beware.	872	programs, though, so beware.
784		873
785	=back	874	=back
786		875
787	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS	876	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
…		…
817	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments	906	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
818	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.	907	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
819		908
820	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])	909	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
821		910
822	This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro	911	This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
823	calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise	912	calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
824	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.	913	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
825		914
826	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	915	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
827		916
828	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive	917	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
…		…
911	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and	1000	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
912	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data	1001	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
913	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own	1002	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
914	data:	1003	data:
915		1004
916	struct my_io	1005	struct my_io
917	{	1006	{
918	struct ev_io io;	1007	struct ev_io io;
919	int otherfd;	1008	int otherfd;
920	void *somedata;	1009	void *somedata;
921	struct whatever *mostinteresting;	1010	struct whatever *mostinteresting;
922	}	1011	};
		1012
		1013	...
		1014	struct my_io w;
		1015	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
923		1016
924	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you	1017	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
925	can cast it back to your own type:	1018	can cast it back to your own type:
926		1019
927	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents)	1020	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents)
928	{	1021	{
929	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;	1022	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
930	...	1023	...
931	}	1024	}
932		1025
933	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type	1026	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
934	instead have been omitted.	1027	instead have been omitted.
935		1028
936	Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple	1029	Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
937	watchers:	1030	embedded watchers:
938		1031
939	struct my_biggy	1032	struct my_biggy
940	{	1033	{
941	int some_data;	1034	int some_data;
942	ev_timer t1;	1035	ev_timer t1;
943	ev_timer t2;	1036	ev_timer t2;
944	}	1037	}
945		1038
946	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,	1039	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
947	you need to use C<offsetof>:	1040	complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
		1041	in the C<data> member of the watcher, or you need to use some pointer
		1042	arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers:
948		1043
949	#include <stddef.h>	1044	#include <stddef.h>
950		1045
951	static void	1046	static void
952	t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1047	t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
953	{	1048	{
954	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1049	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
955	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));	1050	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
956	}	1051	}
957		1052
958	static void	1053	static void
959	t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1054	t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
960	{	1055	{
961	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1056	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
962	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));	1057	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
963	}	1058	}
964		1059
965		1060
966	=head1 WATCHER TYPES	1061	=head1 WATCHER TYPES
967		1062
968	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat	1063	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
…		…
997	If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend	1092	If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
998	(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and	1093	(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
999	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).	1094	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
1000		1095
1001	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to	1096	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1002	receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might	1097	receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
1003	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block	1098	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1004	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a	1099	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
1005	lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into	1100	lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
1006	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus	1101	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
1007	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning	1102	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1008	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.	1103	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1009		1104
1010	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not	1105	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not
1011	play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test	1106	play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately re-test
1012	whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface	1107	whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface
1013	such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on	1108	such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on
1014	its own, so its quite safe to use).	1109	its own, so its quite safe to use).
1015		1110
1016	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors	1111	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
…		…
1054	To support fork in your programs, you either have to call	1149	To support fork in your programs, you either have to call
1055	C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,	1150	C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,
1056	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or	1151	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1057	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	1152	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1058		1153
		1154	=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
		1155
		1156	While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about SIGPIPE:
		1157	when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
		1158	send a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
		1159	this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
		1160
		1161	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
		1162	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
		1163	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
		1164
1059		1165
1060	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions	1166	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1061		1167
1062	=over 4	1168	=over 4
1063		1169
1064	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)	1170	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
1065		1171
1066	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)	1172	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
1067		1173
1068	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to	1174	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
1069	rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or	1175	receive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
1070	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.	1176	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.
1071		1177
1072	=item int fd [read-only]	1178	=item int fd [read-only]
1073		1179
1074	The file descriptor being watched.	1180	The file descriptor being watched.
…		…
1083		1189
1084	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well	1190	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
1085	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could	1191	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
1086	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.	1192	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
1087		1193
1088	static void	1194	static void
1089	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1195	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
1090	{	1196	{
1091	ev_io_stop (loop, w);	1197	ev_io_stop (loop, w);
1092	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors	1198	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors
1093	}	1199	}
1094		1200
1095	...	1201	...
1096	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	1202	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1097	struct ev_io stdin_readable;	1203	struct ev_io stdin_readable;
1098	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1204	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1099	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);	1205	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1100	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1206	ev_loop (loop, 0);
1101		1207
1102		1208
1103	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts	1209	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1104		1210
1105	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a	1211	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1106	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.	1212	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
1107		1213
1108	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that	1214	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
1109	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years	1215	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
1110	time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because	1216	year, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because
1111	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the	1217	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1112	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).	1218	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
		1219
		1220	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only after its timeout has passed,
		1221	but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then
		1222	order of execution is undefined.
		1223
		1224	=head3 The special problem of time updates
		1225
		1226	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
		1227	least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
		1228	time only before and after C<ev_loop> polls for new events, which causes
		1229	a growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
		1230	lots of events.
1113		1231
1114	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>	1232	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1115	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time	1233	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1116	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If	1234	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
1117	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout	1235	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
1118	on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:	1236	timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
1119		1237
1120	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);	1238	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
1121		1239
1122	The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed,	1240	If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1123	but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then	1241	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1124	order of execution is undefined.	1242	()>.
1125		1243
1126	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1244	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1127		1245
1128	=over 4	1246	=over 4
1129		1247
1130	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1248	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1131		1249
1132	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1250	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1133		1251
1134	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is	1252	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
1135	C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the	1253	is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
1136	timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds	1254	reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
1137	later, again, and again, until stopped manually.	1255	configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
		1256	until stopped manually.
1138		1257
1139	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you	1258	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
1140	configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at	1259	you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
1141	exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with	1260	trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
1142	the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the	1261	keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1143	timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.	1262	do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1144		1263
1145	=item ev_timer_again (loop)	1264	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1146		1265
1147	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is	1266	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
1148	repeating. The exact semantics are:	1267	repeating. The exact semantics are:
1149		1268
1150	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.	1269	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1151		1270
1152	If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out).	1271	If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
1153		1272
1154	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the	1273	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
1155	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.	1274	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1156		1275
1157	This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical	1276	This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical
1158	example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle	1277	example: Imagine you have a TCP connection and you want a so-called idle
1159	timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60	1278	timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
1160	seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to	1279	seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
1161	configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call	1280	configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
1162	C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If	1281	C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
1163	you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the	1282	you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
…		…
1189		1308
1190	=head3 Examples	1309	=head3 Examples
1191		1310
1192	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.	1311	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1193		1312
1194	static void	1313	static void
1195	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1314	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
1196	{	1315	{
1197	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here	1316	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1198	}	1317	}
1199		1318
1200	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1319	struct ev_timer mytimer;
1201	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);	1320	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1202	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);	1321	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1203		1322
1204	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of	1323	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1205	inactivity.	1324	inactivity.
1206		1325
1207	static void	1326	static void
1208	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1327	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
1209	{	1328	{
1210	.. ten seconds without any activity	1329	.. ten seconds without any activity
1211	}	1330	}
1212		1331
1213	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1332	struct ev_timer mytimer;
1214	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */	1333	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1215	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */	1334	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1216	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1335	ev_loop (loop, 0);
1217		1336
1218	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":	1337	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1219	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds	1338	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1220	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);	1339	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1221		1340
1222		1341
1223	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?	1342	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1224		1343
1225	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile	1344	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1226	(and unfortunately a bit complex).	1345	(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1227		1346
1228	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)	1347	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)
1229	but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher	1348	but on wall clock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher
1230	to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a	1349	to trigger after some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a
1231	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now ()	1350	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now ()
1232	+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will	1351	+ 10.>, that is, an absolute time not a delay) and then reset your system
		1352	clock to January of the previous year, then it will take more than year
1233	take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger	1353	to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger
1234	roughly 10 seconds later).	1354	roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
1235		1355
1236	They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as	1356	C<ev_periodic>s can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers,
1237	triggering an event on each midnight, local time or other, complicated,	1357	such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other
1238	rules.	1358	complicated, rules.
1239		1359
1240	As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the	1360	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1241	time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready	1361	time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
1242	during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.	1362	during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.
1243		1363
1244	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1364	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1245		1365
1246	=over 4	1366	=over 4
…		…
1254		1374
1255	=over 4	1375	=over 4
1256		1376
1257	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)	1377	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)
1258		1378
1259	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time	1379	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1260	C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs,	1380	time C<at> has passed and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time
1261	that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the	1381	jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will
1262	system time reaches or surpasses this time.	1382	run when the system time reaches or surpasses this time.
1263		1383
1264	=item * non-repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)	1384	=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1265		1385
1266	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next	1386	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1267	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)	1387	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)
1268	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.	1388	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
1269		1389
1270	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system	1390	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system
1271	time:	1391	time, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each hour, on
		1392	the hour:
1272		1393
1273	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);	1394	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1274		1395
1275	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,	1396	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1276	but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a	1397	but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1277	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible	1398	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1278	by 3600.	1399	by 3600.
1279		1400
1280	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that	1401	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1281	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible	1402	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1282	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.	1403	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1283		1404
1284	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near	1405	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near
1285	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for	1406	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1286	this value.	1407	this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
		1408
		1409	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
		1410	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
		1411	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
		1412	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
1287		1413
1288	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)	1414	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1289		1415
1290	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being	1416	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being
1291	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the	1417	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1292	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the	1418	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1293	current time as second argument.	1419	current time as second argument.
1294		1420
1295	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,	1421	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
1296	ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it,	1422	ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>.
1297	return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
1298	starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is legal).
1299		1423
		1424	If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
		1425	it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
		1426	only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
		1427
1300	Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,	1428	The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic
1301	ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:	1429	*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1302		1430
1303	static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	1431	static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1304	{	1432	{
1305	return now + 60.;	1433	return now + 60.;
1306	}	1434	}
…		…
1308	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value	1436	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1309	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It	1437	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
1310	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but	1438	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1311	might be called at other times, too.	1439	might be called at other times, too.
1312		1440
1313	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the	1441	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1314	passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger.	1442	equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1315		1443
1316	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that	1444	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1317	triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the	1445	triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
1318	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How	1446	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
1319	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main	1447	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
1320	reason I omitted it as an example).	1448	reason I omitted it as an example).
1321		1449
1322	=back	1450	=back
…		…
1326	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful	1454	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1327	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return	1455	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1328	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like	1456	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1329	program when the crontabs have changed).	1457	program when the crontabs have changed).
1330		1458
		1459	=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
		1460
		1461	When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
		1462	trigger next.
		1463
1331	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]	1464	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1332		1465
1333	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the	1466	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1334	absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).	1467	absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).
1335		1468
…		…
1346		1479
1347	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is	1480	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1348	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when	1481	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1349	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	1482	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1350		1483
1351	=item ev_tstamp at [read-only]
1352
1353	When active, contains the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1354	trigger next.
1355
1356	=back	1484	=back
1357		1485
1358	=head3 Examples	1486	=head3 Examples
1359		1487
1360	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the	1488	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1361	system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have	1489	system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1362	potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.	1490	potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1363		1491
1364	static void	1492	static void
1365	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1493	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
1366	{	1494	{
1367	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)	1495	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1368	}	1496	}
1369		1497
1370	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	1498	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1371	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);	1499	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1372	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	1500	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1373		1501
1374	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:	1502	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1375		1503
1376	#include <math.h>	1504	#include <math.h>
1377		1505
1378	static ev_tstamp	1506	static ev_tstamp
1379	my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	1507	my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1380	{	1508	{
1381	return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;	1509	return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;
1382	}	1510	}
1383		1511
1384	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);	1512	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1385		1513
1386	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:	1514	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1387		1515
1388	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	1516	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1389	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,	1517	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1390	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);	1518	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1391	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	1519	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1392		1520
1393		1521
1394	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!	1522	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1395		1523
1396	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific	1524	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
…		…
1403	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long	1531	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long
1404	as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal	1532	as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal
1405	watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to	1533	watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to
1406	SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).	1534	SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1407		1535
		1536	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
		1537	C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so system calls should not be unduly
		1538	interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting interrupted by
		1539	signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock
		1540	them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
		1541
1408	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1542	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1409		1543
1410	=over 4	1544	=over 4
1411		1545
1412	=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)	1546	=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)
…		…
1420		1554
1421	The signal the watcher watches out for.	1555	The signal the watcher watches out for.
1422		1556
1423	=back	1557	=back
1424		1558
		1559	=head3 Examples
		1560
		1561	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.
		1562
		1563	static void
		1564	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)
		1565	{
		1566	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
		1567	}
		1568
		1569	struct ev_signal signal_watcher;
		1570	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
		1571	ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);
		1572
1425		1573
1426	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes	1574	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1427		1575
1428	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to	1576	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1429	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies).	1577	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). It
		1578	is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child has been
		1579	forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long as the event
		1580	loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher).
		1581
		1582	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
		1583	you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
		1584
		1585	=head3 Process Interaction
		1586
		1587	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
		1588	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if
		1589	the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
		1590	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
		1591	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
		1592	children, even ones not watched.
		1593
		1594	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
		1595
		1596	Libev offers no special support for overriding the built-in child
		1597	processing, but if your application collides with libev's default child
		1598	handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
		1599	C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
		1600	default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
		1601	event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
		1602	that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
		1603
		1604	=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
		1605
		1606	Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
		1607	child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
		1608	callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
		1609	when a child exit is detected.
1430		1610
1431	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1611	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1432		1612
1433	=over 4	1613	=over 4
1434		1614
1435	=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid)	1615	=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid, int trace)
1436		1616
1437	=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid)	1617	=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid, int trace)
1438		1618
1439	Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or	1619	Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or
1440	I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look	1620	I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look
1441	at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see	1621	at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see
1442	the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems	1622	the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems
1443	C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the	1623	C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the
1444	process causing the status change.	1624	process causing the status change. C<trace> must be either C<0> (only
		1625	activate the watcher when the process terminates) or C<1> (additionally
		1626	activate the watcher when the process is stopped or continued).
1445		1627
1446	=item int pid [read-only]	1628	=item int pid [read-only]
1447		1629
1448	The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.	1630	The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.
1449		1631
…		…
1458		1640
1459	=back	1641	=back
1460		1642
1461	=head3 Examples	1643	=head3 Examples
1462		1644
1463	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.	1645	Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
		1646	its completion.
1464		1647
		1648	ev_child cw;
		1649
1465	static void	1650	static void
1466	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)	1651	child_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_child *w, int revents)
1467	{	1652	{
1468	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	1653	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
		1654	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1469	}	1655	}
1470		1656
1471	struct ev_signal signal_watcher;	1657	pid_t pid = fork ();
1472	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);	1658
1473	ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);	1659	if (pid < 0)
		1660	// error
		1661	else if (pid == 0)
		1662	{
		1663	// the forked child executes here
		1664	exit (1);
		1665	}
		1666	else
		1667	{
		1668	ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
		1669	ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
		1670	}
1474		1671
1475		1672
1476	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?	1673	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1477		1674
1478	This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls	1675	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1479	C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed	1676	C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed
1480	compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.	1677	compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.
1481		1678
1482	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does	1679	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1483	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does	1680	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does
…		…
1501	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be	1698	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1502	resource-intensive.	1699	resource-intensive.
1503		1700
1504	At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is	1701	At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is
1505	implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the	1702	implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the
		1703	reader, note, however, that the author sees no way of implementing ev_stat
1506	reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the	1704	semantics with kqueue). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should
1507	semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs	1705	not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev
1508	to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are	1706	sometimes needs to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify,
1509	usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no	1707	but changes are usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there
1510	polling.	1708	will be no polling.
		1709
		1710	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
		1711
		1712	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
		1713	compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
		1714	support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
		1715	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
		1716	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
		1717	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
		1718	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
		1719	most noticeably disabled with ev_stat and large file support.
		1720
		1721	The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
		1722	file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
		1723	optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
		1724	to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
		1725	default compilation environment.
1511		1726
1512	=head3 Inotify	1727	=head3 Inotify
1513		1728
1514	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only	1729	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only
1515	available on Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up	1730	available on Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up
1516	change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily	1731	change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily
1517	when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.	1732	when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.
1518		1733
1519	Inotify presense does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers	1734	Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1520	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid	1735	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1521	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presense of inotify support	1736	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1522	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling.	1737	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling.
1523		1738
1524	(There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to	1739	(There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1525	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file	1740	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1526	descriptor open on the object at all times).	1741	descriptor open on the object at all times).
1527		1742
1528	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution	1743	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1529		1744
1530	The C<stat ()> syscall only supports full-second resolution portably, and	1745	The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably, and
1531	even on systems where the resolution is higher, many filesystems still	1746	even on systems where the resolution is higher, many file systems still
1532	only support whole seconds.	1747	only support whole seconds.
1533		1748
1534	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you might	1749	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1535	miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and calls	1750	easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1536	your callback, which does something. When there is another update within	1751	calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1537	the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect it.	1752	within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect it as the stat
		1753	data does not change.
1538		1754
1539	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for a second (or till	1755	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
1540	the next second boundary), using a roughly one-second delay C<ev_timer>	1756	than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
1541	(C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.01); ev_timer_again (loop, w)>). The C<.01>	1757	a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
1542	is added to work around small timing inconsistencies of some operating	1758	ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
1543	systems.	1759
		1760	The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
		1761	of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
		1762	might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
		1763	C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
		1764	a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
		1765	update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
		1766	the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
		1767	the timer callback).
1544		1768
1545	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1769	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1546		1770
1547	=over 4	1771	=over 4
1548		1772
…		…
1554	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to	1778	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1555	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose	1779	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1556	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same	1780	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1557	path for as long as the watcher is active.	1781	path for as long as the watcher is active.
1558		1782
1559	The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected,	1783	The callback will receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected, relative
1560	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the	1784	to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the last change
1561	last change was detected).	1785	was detected).
1562		1786
1563	=item ev_stat_stat (ev_stat *)	1787	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1564		1788
1565	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the	1789	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1566	watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid	1790	watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1567	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be	1791	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1568	useful simply to find out the new values.	1792	the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
		1793	new values.
1569		1794
1570	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]	1795	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1571		1796
1572	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of	1797	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
1573	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types	1798	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1574	suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there	1799	suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
		1800	members to be present. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there was
1575	was some error while C<stat>ing the file.	1801	some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1576		1802
1577	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]	1803	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1578		1804
1579	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever	1805	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1580	C<prev> != C<attr>.	1806	C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
		1807	differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
		1808	C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
1581		1809
1582	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]	1810	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1583		1811
1584	The specified interval.	1812	The specified interval.
1585		1813
1586	=item const char *path [read-only]	1814	=item const char *path [read-only]
1587		1815
1588	The filesystem path that is being watched.	1816	The file system path that is being watched.
1589		1817
1590	=back	1818	=back
1591		1819
1592	=head3 Examples	1820	=head3 Examples
1593		1821
1594	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.	1822	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1595		1823
1596	static void	1824	static void
1597	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)	1825	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1598	{	1826	{
1599	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */	1827	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1600	if (w->attr.st_nlink)	1828	if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1601	{	1829	{
1602	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);	1830	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1603	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	1831	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1604	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	1832	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1605	}	1833	}
1606	else	1834	else
1607	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */	1835	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1608	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "	1836	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1609	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");	1837	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1610	}	1838	}
1611		1839
1612	...	1840	...
1613	ev_stat passwd;	1841	ev_stat passwd;
1614		1842
1615	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);	1843	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1616	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	1844	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1617		1845
1618	Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not	1846	Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
1619	miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so	1847	miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
1620	one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on	1848	one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
1621	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).	1849	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
1622		1850
1623	static ev_stat passwd;	1851	static ev_stat passwd;
1624	static ev_timer timer;	1852	static ev_timer timer;
1625		1853
1626	static void	1854	static void
1627	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	1855	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1628	{	1856	{
1629	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);	1857	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
1630		1858
1631	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */	1859	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
1632	}	1860	}
1633		1861
1634	static void	1862	static void
1635	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)	1863	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
1636	{	1864	{
1637	/* reset the one-second timer */	1865	/* reset the one-second timer */
1638	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);	1866	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
1639	}	1867	}
1640		1868
1641	...	1869	...
1642	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);	1870	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1643	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	1871	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1644	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.01);	1872	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1645		1873
1646		1874
1647	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...	1875	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1648		1876
1649	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher	1877	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
…		…
1680	=head3 Examples	1908	=head3 Examples
1681		1909
1682	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the	1910	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1683	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.	1911	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1684		1912
1685	static void	1913	static void
1686	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)	1914	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)
1687	{	1915	{
1688	free (w);	1916	free (w);
1689	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has	1917	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1690	// no longer asnything immediate to do.	1918	// no longer anything immediate to do.
1691	}	1919	}
1692		1920
1693	struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));	1921	struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));
1694	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);	1922	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1695	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);	1923	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1696		1924
1697		1925
1698	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!	1926	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1699		1927
1700	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:	1928	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:
…		…
1719		1947
1720	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need	1948	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need
1721	to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for	1949	to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for
1722	them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries	1950	them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries
1723	provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for	1951	provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for
1724	any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers	1952	any events that occurred (by checking the pending status of all watchers
1725	and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer	1953	and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer
1726	callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,	1954	callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,
1727	because you never know, you know?).	1955	because you never know, you know?).
1728		1956
1729	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate	1957	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
…		…
1737		1965
1738	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)	1966	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
1739	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers	1967	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
1740	after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers,	1968	after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers,
1741	too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully	1969	too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully
1742	supports this, they will be called before other C<ev_check> watchers	1970	supports this, they might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers
1743	did their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other	1971	did their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other
1744	(non-libev) event loops those other event loops might be in an unusable	1972	(non-libev) event loops those other event loops might be in an unusable
1745	state until their C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to	1973	state until their C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to
1746	coexist peacefully with others).	1974	coexist peacefully with others).
1747		1975
…		…
1762	=head3 Examples	1990	=head3 Examples
1763		1991
1764	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules	1992	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
1765	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev	1993	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
1766	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could	1994	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
1767	use for an actually working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib>	1995	use as a working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> embeds a
1768	embeds a Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV	1996	Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
1769	into the Glib event loop).	1997	Glib event loop).
1770		1998
1771	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,	1999	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1772	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows	2000	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1773	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low	2001	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
1774	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as	2002	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
1775	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.	2003	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1776		2004
1777	static ev_io iow [nfd];	2005	static ev_io iow [nfd];
1778	static ev_timer tw;	2006	static ev_timer tw;
1779		2007
1780	static void	2008	static void
1781	io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)	2009	io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1782	{	2010	{
1783	}	2011	}
1784		2012
1785	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking	2013	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1786	static void	2014	static void
1787	adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)	2015	adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1788	{	2016	{
1789	int timeout = 3600000;	2017	int timeout = 3600000;
1790	struct pollfd fds [nfd];	2018	struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1791	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.	2019	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1792	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));	2020	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1793		2021
1794	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */	2022	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1795	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);	2023	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1796	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);	2024	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1797		2025
1798	// create one ev_io per pollfd	2026	// create one ev_io per pollfd
1799	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2027	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1800	{	2028	{
1801	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,	2029	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1802	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)	2030	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1803	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));	2031	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1804		2032
1805	fds [i].revents = 0;	2033	fds [i].revents = 0;
1806	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);	2034	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1807	}	2035	}
1808	}	2036	}
1809		2037
1810	// stop all watchers after blocking	2038	// stop all watchers after blocking
1811	static void	2039	static void
1812	adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)	2040	adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1813	{	2041	{
1814	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);	2042	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1815		2043
1816	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2044	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1817	{	2045	{
1818	// set the relevant poll flags	2046	// set the relevant poll flags
1819	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here	2047	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1820	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;	2048	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
1821	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);	2049	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
1822	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;	2050	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1823	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;	2051	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1824		2052
1825	// now stop the watcher	2053	// now stop the watcher
1826	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);	2054	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1827	}	2055	}
1828		2056
1829	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));	2057	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1830	}	2058	}
1831		2059
1832	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>	2060	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
1833	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.	2061	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
1834		2062
1835	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event	2063	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
1836	notification (adns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher	2064	notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
1837	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.	2065	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
1838		2066
1839	static void	2067	static void
1840	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2068	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1841	{	2069	{
1842	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2070	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1843	update_now (EV_A);	2071	update_now (EV_A);
1844		2072
1845	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);	2073	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
1846	}	2074	}
1847		2075
1848	static void	2076	static void
1849	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)	2077	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1850	{	2078	{
1851	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2079	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1852	update_now (EV_A);	2080	update_now (EV_A);
1853		2081
1854	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2082	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1855	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2083	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1856	}	2084	}
1857		2085
1858	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll	2086	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll
1859		2087
1860	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you	2088	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
1861	want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, youc na override	2089	want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, you can override
1862	their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main	2090	their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main
1863	loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does	2091	loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does
1864	this.	2092	this.
1865		2093
1866	static gint	2094	static gint
1867	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)	2095	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
1868	{	2096	{
1869	int got_events = 0;	2097	int got_events = 0;
1870		2098
1871	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2099	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1872	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events	2100	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
1873		2101
1874	if (timeout >= 0)	2102	if (timeout >= 0)
1875	// create/start timer	2103	// create/start timer
1876		2104
1877	// poll	2105	// poll
1878	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	2106	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1879		2107
1880	// stop timer again	2108	// stop timer again
1881	if (timeout >= 0)	2109	if (timeout >= 0)
1882	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);	2110	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
1883		2111
1884	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set	2112	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
1885	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2113	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1886	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);	2114	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
1887		2115
1888	return got_events;	2116	return got_events;
1889	}	2117	}
1890		2118
1891		2119
1892	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...	2120	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1893		2121
1894	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop	2122	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
…		…
1950		2178
1951	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be	2179	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1952	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be	2180	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
1953	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback	2181	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1954	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,	2182	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
1955	if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).	2183	if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
1956		2184
1957	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)	2185	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
1958		2186
1959	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works	2187	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1960	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most	2188	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
1961	apropriate way for embedded loops.	2189	appropriate way for embedded loops.
1962		2190
1963	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]	2191	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
1964		2192
1965	The embedded event loop.	2193	The embedded event loop.
1966		2194
…		…
1968		2196
1969	=head3 Examples	2197	=head3 Examples
1970		2198
1971	Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default	2199	Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
1972	event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default	2200	event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
1973	loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the mebeddable loop is stored in	2201	loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
1974	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the acse no embeddable loop can be	2202	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
1975	used).	2203	used).
1976		2204
1977	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);	2205	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
1978	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;	2206	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
1979	struct ev_embed embed;	2207	struct ev_embed embed;
1980		2208
1981	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works	2209	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
1982	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)	2210	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
1983	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()	2211	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
1984	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())	2212	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
1985	: 0;	2213	: 0;
1986		2214
1987	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi	2215	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
1988	if (loop_lo)	2216	if (loop_lo)
1989	{	2217	{
1990	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);	2218	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
1991	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);	2219	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
1992	}	2220	}
1993	else	2221	else
1994	loop_lo = loop_hi;	2222	loop_lo = loop_hi;
1995		2223
1996	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create	2224	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
1997	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any	2225	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
1998	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in	2226	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
1999	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).	2227	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2000		2228
2001	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	2229	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2002	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;	2230	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2003	struct ev_embed embed;	2231	struct ev_embed embed;
2004		2232
2005	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)	2233	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2006	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))	2234	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2007	{	2235	{
2008	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);	2236	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2009	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);	2237	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2010	}	2238	}
2011		2239
2012	if (!loop_socket)	2240	if (!loop_socket)
2013	loop_socket = loop;	2241	loop_socket = loop;
2014		2242
2015	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else	2243	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
2016		2244
2017		2245
2018	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork	2246	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
2019		2247
2020	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because	2248	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
…		…
2036	believe me.	2264	believe me.
2037		2265
2038	=back	2266	=back
2039		2267
2040		2268
		2269	=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop
		2270
		2271	In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
		2272	asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
		2273	loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
		2274
		2275	Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not
		2276	control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what
		2277	C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you
		2278	can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal
		2279	safe.
		2280
		2281	This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
		2282	too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
		2283	(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
		2284	C<ev_async_sent> calls).
		2285
		2286	Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
		2287	just the default loop.
		2288
		2289	=head3 Queueing
		2290
		2291	C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
		2292	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
		2293	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
		2294	need elaborate support such as pthreads.
		2295
		2296	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
		2297	queue. But at least I can tell you would implement locking around your
		2298	queue:
		2299
		2300	=over 4
		2301
		2302	=item queueing from a signal handler context
		2303
		2304	To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
		2305	handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is an example that does that for
		2306	some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
		2307
		2308	static ev_async mysig;
		2309
		2310	static void
		2311	sigusr1_handler (void)
		2312	{
		2313	sometype data;
		2314
		2315	// no locking etc.
		2316	queue_put (data);
		2317	ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
		2318	}
		2319
		2320	static void
		2321	mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		2322	{
		2323	sometype data;
		2324	sigset_t block, prev;
		2325
		2326	sigemptyset (&block);
		2327	sigaddset (&block, SIGUSR1);
		2328	sigprocmask (SIG_BLOCK, &block, &prev);
		2329
		2330	while (queue_get (&data))
		2331	process (data);
		2332
		2333	if (sigismember (&prev, SIGUSR1)
		2334	sigprocmask (SIG_UNBLOCK, &block, 0);
		2335	}
		2336
		2337	(Note: pthreads in theory requires you to use C<pthread_setmask>
		2338	instead of C<sigprocmask> when you use threads, but libev doesn't do it
		2339	either...).
		2340
		2341	=item queueing from a thread context
		2342
		2343	The strategy for threads is different, as you cannot (easily) block
		2344	threads but you can easily preempt them, so to queue safely you need to
		2345	employ a traditional mutex lock, such as in this pthread example:
		2346
		2347	static ev_async mysig;
		2348	static pthread_mutex_t mymutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
		2349
		2350	static void
		2351	otherthread (void)
		2352	{
		2353	// only need to lock the actual queueing operation
		2354	pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
		2355	queue_put (data);
		2356	pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
		2357
		2358	ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
		2359	}
		2360
		2361	static void
		2362	mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		2363	{
		2364	pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
		2365
		2366	while (queue_get (&data))
		2367	process (data);
		2368
		2369	pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
		2370	}
		2371
		2372	=back
		2373
		2374
		2375	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
		2376
		2377	=over 4
		2378
		2379	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
		2380
		2381	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
		2382	kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
		2383	believe me.
		2384
		2385	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
		2386
		2387	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
		2388	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
		2389	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do in other threads, signal or
		2390	similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
		2391	section below on what exactly this means).
		2392
		2393	This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per loop iteration,
		2394	so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to repeated
		2395	calls to C<ev_async_send>.
		2396
		2397	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
		2398
		2399	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
		2400	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
		2401	event loop.
		2402
		2403	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
		2404	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
		2405	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
		2406	quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
		2407
		2408	Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending, only
		2409	whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending.
		2410
		2411	=back
		2412
		2413
2041	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS	2414	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
2042		2415
2043	There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.	2416	There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
2044		2417
2045	=over 4	2418	=over 4
…		…
2052	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or	2425	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
2053	more watchers yourself.	2426	more watchers yourself.
2054		2427
2055	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events	2428	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events
2056	is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and	2429	is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and
2057	C<events> set will be craeted and started.	2430	C<events> set will be created and started.
2058		2431
2059	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be	2432	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
2060	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and	2433	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
2061	repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of	2434	repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of
2062	dubious value.	2435	dubious value.
…		…
2064	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets	2437	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
2065	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of	2438	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
2066	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>	2439	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
2067	value passed to C<ev_once>:	2440	value passed to C<ev_once>:
2068		2441
2069	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)	2442	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
2070	{	2443	{
2071	if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)	2444	if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
2072	/* doh, nothing entered */;	2445	/* doh, nothing entered */;
2073	else if (revents & EV_READ)	2446	else if (revents & EV_READ)
2074	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;	2447	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
2075	}	2448	}
2076		2449
2077	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);	2450	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
2078		2451
2079	=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)	2452	=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
2080		2453
2081	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event	2454	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
2082	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an	2455	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
…		…
2087	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected	2460	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
2088	the given events it.	2461	the given events it.
2089		2462
2090	=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)	2463	=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)
2091		2464
2092	Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default	2465	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
2093	loop!).	2466	loop!).
2094		2467
2095	=back	2468	=back
2096		2469
2097		2470
…		…
2113		2486
2114	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities	2487	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
2115	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there	2488	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
2116	is an ev_pri field.	2489	is an ev_pri field.
2117		2490
		2491	=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
		2492	first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.
		2493
2118	=item * Other members are not supported.	2494	=item * Other members are not supported.
2119		2495
2120	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need	2496	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
2121	to use the libev header file and library.	2497	to use the libev header file and library.
2122		2498
2123	=back	2499	=back
2124		2500
2125	=head1 C++ SUPPORT	2501	=head1 C++ SUPPORT
2126		2502
2127	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow	2503	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
2128	you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change	2504	you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
2129	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.	2505	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
2130		2506
2131	To use it,	2507	To use it,
2132		2508
2133	#include <ev++.h>	2509	#include <ev++.h>
2134		2510
2135	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many	2511	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
2136	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are	2512	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
2137	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding	2513	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
2138	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.	2514	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
…		…
2205	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the	2581	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
2206	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.	2582	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
2207		2583
2208	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation	2584	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
2209		2585
2210	struct myclass	2586	struct myclass
2211	{	2587	{
2212	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	2588	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2213	}	2589	}
2214		2590
2215	myclass obj;	2591	myclass obj;
2216	ev::io iow;	2592	ev::io iow;
2217	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);	2593	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2218		2594
2219	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)	2595	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2220		2596
2221	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as	2597	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2222	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's	2598	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
…		…
2226		2602
2227	See the method-C<set> above for more details.	2603	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2228		2604
2229	Example:	2605	Example:
2230		2606
2231	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	2607	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2232	iow.set <io_cb> ();	2608	iow.set <io_cb> ();
2233		2609
2234	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)	2610	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
2235		2611
2236	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only	2612	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
2237	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).	2613	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
2238		2614
2239	=item w->set ([args])	2615	=item w->set ([arguments])
2240		2616
2241	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be	2617	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be
2242	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets	2618	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
2243	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this	2619	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
2244	method.	2620	method.
2245		2621
2246	=item w->start ()	2622	=item w->start ()
…		…
2270	=back	2646	=back
2271		2647
2272	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in	2648	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
2273	the constructor.	2649	the constructor.
2274		2650
2275	class myclass	2651	class myclass
2276	{	2652	{
2277	ev_io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);	2653	ev::io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2278	ev_idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);	2654	ev:idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2279		2655
2280	myclass ();	2656	myclass (int fd)
2281	}	2657	{
2282
2283	myclass::myclass (int fd)
2284	{
2285	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);	2658	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
2286	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);	2659	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2287		2660
2288	io.start (fd, ev::READ);	2661	io.start (fd, ev::READ);
		2662	}
2289	}	2663	};
		2664
		2665
		2666	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
		2667
		2668	Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
		2669	number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
		2670	any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
		2671	me a note.
		2672
		2673	=over 4
		2674
		2675	=item Perl
		2676
		2677	The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
		2678	libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
		2679	there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
		2680	to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>), C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the
		2681	C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV> and C<EV::Glib>).
		2682
		2683	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
		2684	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
		2685
		2686	=item Python
		2687
		2688	Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
		2689	seems to be quite complete and well-documented. Note, however, that the
		2690	patch they require for libev is outright dangerous as it breaks the ABI
		2691	for everybody else, and therefore, should never be applied in an installed
		2692	libev (if python requires an incompatible ABI then it needs to embed
		2693	libev).
		2694
		2695	=item Ruby
		2696
		2697	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
		2698	of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
		2699	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
		2700	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
		2701
		2702	=item D
		2703
		2704	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
		2705	be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
		2706
		2707	=back
2290		2708
2291		2709
2292	=head1 MACRO MAGIC	2710	=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2293		2711
2294	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal	2712	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
2295	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)	2713	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
2296	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.	2714	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
2297		2715
2298	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the	2716	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
2299	following macros are defined:	2717	following macros are defined:
…		…
2304		2722
2305	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev	2723	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2306	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,	2724	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2307	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:	2725	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2308		2726
2309	ev_unref (EV_A);	2727	ev_unref (EV_A);
2310	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);	2728	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2311	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	2729	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
2312		2730
2313	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,	2731	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2314	which is often provided by the following macro.	2732	which is often provided by the following macro.
2315		2733
2316	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>	2734	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
2317		2735
2318	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev	2736	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2319	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,	2737	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
2320	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:	2738	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
2321		2739
2322	// this is how ev_unref is being declared	2740	// this is how ev_unref is being declared
2323	static void ev_unref (EV_P);	2741	static void ev_unref (EV_P);
2324		2742
2325	// this is how you can declare your typical callback	2743	// this is how you can declare your typical callback
2326	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2744	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2327		2745
2328	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite	2746	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
2329	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.	2747	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
2330		2748
2331	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>	2749	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
2332		2750
2333	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default	2751	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
2334	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").	2752	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
		2753
		2754	=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
		2755
		2756	Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
		2757	default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
		2758	is undefined when the default loop has not been initialised by a previous
		2759	execution of C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> or C<ev_default_init (...)>.
		2760
		2761	It is often prudent to use C<EV_DEFAULT> when initialising the first
		2762	watcher in a function but use C<EV_DEFAULT_UC> afterwards.
2335		2763
2336	=back	2764	=back
2337		2765
2338	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above	2766	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
2339	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported	2767	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2340	or not.	2768	or not.
2341		2769
2342	static void	2770	static void
2343	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2771	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2344	{	2772	{
2345	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);	2773	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
2346	}	2774	}
2347		2775
2348	ev_check check;	2776	ev_check check;
2349	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);	2777	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
2350	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);	2778	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
2351	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);	2779	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
2352		2780
2353	=head1 EMBEDDING	2781	=head1 EMBEDDING
2354		2782
2355	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host	2783	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
2356	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra	2784	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
…		…
2363	libev somewhere in your source tree).	2791	libev somewhere in your source tree).
2364		2792
2365	=head2 FILESETS	2793	=head2 FILESETS
2366		2794
2367	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files	2795	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
2368	in your app.	2796	in your application.
2369		2797
2370	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP	2798	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
2371		2799
2372	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual	2800	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
2373	configuration (no autoconf):	2801	configuration (no autoconf):
2374		2802
2375	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	2803	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2376	#include "ev.c"	2804	#include "ev.c"
2377		2805
2378	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a	2806	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
2379	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use	2807	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
2380	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best	2808	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
2381	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and	2809	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
2382	where you can put other configuration options):	2810	where you can put other configuration options):
2383		2811
2384	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	2812	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2385	#include "ev.h"	2813	#include "ev.h"
2386		2814
2387	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++	2815	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
2388	compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated	2816	compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2389	as a bug).	2817	as a bug).
2390		2818
2391	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory	2819	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
2392	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):	2820	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2393		2821
2394	ev.h	2822	ev.h
2395	ev.c	2823	ev.c
2396	ev_vars.h	2824	ev_vars.h
2397	ev_wrap.h	2825	ev_wrap.h
2398		2826
2399	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only	2827	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
2400		2828
2401	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)	2829	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
2402	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	2830	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2403	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	2831	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2404	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)	2832	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2405	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)	2833	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2406		2834
2407	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need	2835	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
2408	to compile this single file.	2836	to compile this single file.
2409		2837
2410	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API	2838	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
2411		2839
2412	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:	2840	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
2413		2841
2414	#include "event.c"	2842	#include "event.c"
2415		2843
2416	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:	2844	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
2417		2845
2418	#include "event.h"	2846	#include "event.h"
2419		2847
2420	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.	2848	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
2421		2849
2422	You need the following additional files for this:	2850	You need the following additional files for this:
2423		2851
2424	event.h	2852	event.h
2425	event.c	2853	event.c
2426		2854
2427	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT	2855	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
2428		2856
2429	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in	2857	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
2430	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your	2858	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
2431	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then	2859	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
2432	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.	2860	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
2433		2861
2434	For this of course you need the m4 file:	2862	For this of course you need the m4 file:
2435		2863
2436	libev.m4	2864	libev.m4
2437		2865
2438	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS	2866	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2439		2867
2440	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define	2868	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
2441	before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity	2869	define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of
2442	and only include the select backend.	2870	autoconf is noted for every option.
2443		2871
2444	=over 4	2872	=over 4
2445		2873
2446	=item EV_STANDALONE	2874	=item EV_STANDALONE
2447		2875
…		…
2452	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.	2880	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2453		2881
2454	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC	2882	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2455		2883
2456	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	2884	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2457	monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use	2885	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use
2458	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you	2886	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you
2459	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when	2887	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when
2460	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have	2888	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2461	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>	2889	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2462	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).	2890	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).
2463		2891
2464	=item EV_USE_REALTIME	2892	=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2465		2893
2466	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	2894	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2467	realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at	2895	real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at
2468	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will	2896	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will
2469	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get	2897	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
2470	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the	2898	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the
2471	note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.	2899	note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
2472		2900
2473	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP	2901	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
2474		2902
2475	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available	2903	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
2476	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.	2904	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
2477		2905
		2906	=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
		2907
		2908	If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
		2909	available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
		2910	C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
		2911	If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
		2912	2.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
		2913
2478	=item EV_USE_SELECT	2914	=item EV_USE_SELECT
2479		2915
2480	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the	2916	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
2481	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no	2917	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
2482	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend	2918	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
2483	will not be compiled in.	2919	will not be compiled in.
2484		2920
2485	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET	2921	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2486		2922
2487	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>	2923	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
2488	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing	2924	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
2489	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on	2925	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on
2490	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some	2926	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some
2491	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only	2927	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only
2492	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might	2928	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might
2493	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.	2929	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.
2494		2930
…		…
2518		2954
2519	=item EV_USE_EPOLL	2955	=item EV_USE_EPOLL
2520		2956
2521	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux	2957	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
2522	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,	2958	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2523	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the	2959	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2524	preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems.	2960	backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
		2961	headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2525		2962
2526	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE	2963	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2527		2964
2528	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style	2965	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
2529	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,	2966	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
…		…
2542	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred	2979	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2543	backend for Solaris 10 systems.	2980	backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2544		2981
2545	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL	2982	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2546		2983
2547	reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.	2984	Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2548		2985
2549	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY	2986	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2550		2987
2551	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify	2988	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2552	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will	2989	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2553	be detected at runtime.	2990	be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
		2991	indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
		2992
		2993	=item EV_ATOMIC_T
		2994
		2995	Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
		2996	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
		2997	type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
		2998	that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
		2999	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
		3000
		3001	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
		3002	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2554		3003
2555	=item EV_H	3004	=item EV_H
2556		3005
2557	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if	3006	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2558	undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h> and F<ev.c>. This can be used to	3007	undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
2559	virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.	3008	used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2560		3009
2561	=item EV_CONFIG_H	3010	=item EV_CONFIG_H
2562		3011
2563	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override	3012	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
2564	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to	3013	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2565	C<EV_H>, above.	3014	C<EV_H>, above.
2566		3015
2567	=item EV_EVENT_H	3016	=item EV_EVENT_H
2568		3017
2569	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea	3018	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
2570	of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the dfeault is C<"event.h">.	3019	of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
2571		3020
2572	=item EV_PROTOTYPES	3021	=item EV_PROTOTYPES
2573		3022
2574	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function	3023	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
2575	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is	3024	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
…		…
2596	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search	3045	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
2597	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space	3046	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
2598	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually	3047	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
2599	fine.	3048	fine.
2600		3049
2601	If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to	3050	If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these both to
2602	C<0> will save some memory and cpu.	3051	C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
2603		3052
2604	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE	3053	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
2605		3054
2606	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If	3055	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
2607	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of	3056	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
…		…
2626	=item EV_FORK_ENABLE	3075	=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2627		3076
2628	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If	3077	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2629	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3078	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2630		3079
		3080	=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
		3081
		3082	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
		3083	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
		3084
2631	=item EV_MINIMAL	3085	=item EV_MINIMAL
2632		3086
2633	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some	3087	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2634	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override	3088	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some
2635	some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64.	3089	inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size on amd64. It also selects a
		3090	much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap.
2636		3091
2637	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE	3092	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2638		3093
2639	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	3094	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2640	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more	3095	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
…		…
2647	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),	3102	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
2648	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>	3103	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
2649	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of	3104	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
2650	two).	3105	two).
2651		3106
		3107	=item EV_USE_4HEAP
		3108
		3109	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		3110	timer and periodics heap, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
		3111	to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has
		3112	noticeably faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
		3113
		3114	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
		3115	(disabled).
		3116
		3117	=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
		3118
		3119	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		3120	timer and periodics heap, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
		3121	the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
		3122	which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
		3123	but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
		3124	noticeably with with many (hundreds) of watchers.
		3125
		3126	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
		3127	(disabled).
		3128
		3129	=item EV_VERIFY
		3130
		3131	Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will
		3132	be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
		3133	in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
		3134	called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
		3135	called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
		3136	verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
		3137	libev considerably.
		3138
		3139	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be
		3140	C<0.>
		3141
2652	=item EV_COMMON	3142	=item EV_COMMON
2653		3143
2654	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining	3144	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2655	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of	3145	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2656	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,	3146	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2657	though, and it must be identical each time.	3147	though, and it must be identical each time.
2658		3148
2659	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:	3149	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2660		3150
2661	#define EV_COMMON \	3151	#define EV_COMMON \
2662	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \	3152	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2663	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */	3153	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2664		3154
2665	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)	3155	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2666		3156
2667	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)	3157	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2668		3158
…		…
2675	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use	3165	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2676	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.	3166	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
2677		3167
2678	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS	3168	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
2679		3169
2680	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a dll) and you need a list of	3170	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
2681	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list	3171	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
2682	all public symbols, one per line:	3172	all public symbols, one per line:
2683		3173
2684	Symbols.ev for libev proper	3174	Symbols.ev for libev proper
2685	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation	3175	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
2686		3176
2687	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with	3177	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
2688	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in	3178	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
2689	itself, but sometimes it is inconvinient to avoid this).	3179	itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
2690		3180
2691	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to	3181	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
2692	include before including F<ev.h>:	3182	include before including F<ev.h>:
2693		3183
2694	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h	3184	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
…		…
2711	file.	3201	file.
2712		3202
2713	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file	3203	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
2714	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:	3204	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2715		3205
2716	#define EV_MINIMAL 1	3206	#define EV_MINIMAL 1
2717	#define EV_USE_POLL 0	3207	#define EV_USE_POLL 0
2718	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0	3208	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2719	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0	3209	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
2720	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0	3210	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
2721	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0	3211	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
2722	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>	3212	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
2723	#define EV_MINPRI 0	3213	#define EV_MINPRI 0
2724	#define EV_MAXPRI 0	3214	#define EV_MAXPRI 0
2725		3215
2726	#include "ev++.h"	3216	#include "ev++.h"
2727		3217
2728	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:	3218	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
2729		3219
2730	#include "ev_cpp.h"	3220	#include "ev_cpp.h"
2731	#include "ev.c"	3221	#include "ev.c"
		3222
		3223
		3224	=head1 THREADS AND COROUTINES
		3225
		3226	=head2 THREADS
		3227
		3228	Libev itself is completely thread-safe, but it uses no locking. This
		3229	means that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as
		3230	only one thread ever calls into one libev function with the same loop
		3231	parameter.
		3232
		3233	Or put differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done in
		3234	parallel from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter must be
		3235	done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as only one
		3236	thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using a mutex
		3237	per loop).
		3238
		3239	If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
		3240	without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
		3241	help you. I can give some generic advice however:
		3242
		3243	=over 4
		3244
		3245	=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
		3246	in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
		3247
		3248	This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
		3249	themselves and don't care/know about threading.
		3250
		3251	=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
		3252
		3253	Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
		3254	exists, but it is always a good start.
		3255
		3256	=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
		3257	loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
		3258
		3259	Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
		3260	better than you currently do :-)
		3261
		3262	=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
		3263	event loop - C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other
		3264	threads safely (or from signal contexts...).
		3265
		3266	=back
		3267
		3268	=head2 COROUTINES
		3269
		3270	Libev is much more accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
		3271	libev fully supports nesting calls to it's functions from different
		3272	coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two
		3273	different coroutines and switch freely between both coroutines running the
		3274	loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that
		3275	you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
		3276
		3277	Care has been invested into making sure that libev does not keep local
		3278	state inside C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow coroutine
		3279	switches.
2732		3280
2733		3281
2734	=head1 COMPLEXITIES	3282	=head1 COMPLEXITIES
2735		3283
2736	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside	3284	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
…		…
2754	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)	3302	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
2755		3303
2756	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them	3304	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them
2757	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.	3305	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
2758		3306
2759	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1)	3307	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2760		3308
2761	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.	3309	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
2762		3310
2763	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1)	3311	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2764		3312
2765	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))	3313	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
2766		3314
2767	These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the	3315	These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the
2768	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually	3316	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
2769	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).	3317	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).
2770		3318
2771	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)	3319	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
2772		3320
2773	By virtue of using a binary heap, the next timer is always found at the	3321	By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
2774	beginning of the storage array.	3322	fixed position in the storage array.
2775		3323
2776	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)	3324	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
2777		3325
2778	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires	3326	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
2779	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending	3327	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
2780	on backend and wether C<ev_io_set> was used).	3328	on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
2781		3329
2782	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)	3330	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
2783		3331
2784	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)	3332	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
2785		3333
2786	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each	3334	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
2787	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to	3335	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
2788	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating	3336	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
2789	watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. prioritiy handling.	3337	watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. priority handling.
		3338
		3339	=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
		3340
		3341	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
		3342
		3343	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
		3344
		3345	Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
		3346	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
		3347	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
2790		3348
2791	=back	3349	=back
2792		3350
2793		3351
2794	=head1 Win32 platform limitations and workarounds	3352	=head1 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
2795		3353
2796	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev	3354	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
2797	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX	3355	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
2798	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in	3356	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
2799	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket	3357	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
2800	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using	3358	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
2801	e.g. cygwin.	3359	e.g. cygwin.
2802		3360
		3361	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
		3362	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of
		3363	things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable
		3364	way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
		3365
2803	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except	3366	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
2804	embedding it into other applications.	3367	embedding it into other applications.
2805		3368
		3369	Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
		3370	accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
		3371	either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
		3372	so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
		3373	megabyte seems safe, but thsi apparently depends on the amount of memory
		3374	available).
		3375
2806	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and the	3376	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
2807	abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets is not	3377	the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
2808	recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use more than	3378	is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
2809	a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally different	3379	more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
2810	implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX model, which cannot	3380	different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
2811	be implemented efficiently on windows (microsoft monopoly games).	3381	notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
		3382	(Microsoft monopoly games).
		3383
		3384	A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
		3385	section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
		3386	of F<ev.h>:
		3387
		3388	#define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
		3389	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
		3390
		3391	#include "ev.h"
		3392
		3393	And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
		3394	you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded soruce files!):
		3395
		3396	#include "evwrap.h"
		3397	#include "ev.c"
2812		3398
2813	=over 4	3399	=over 4
2814		3400
2815	=item The winsocket select function	3401	=item The winsocket select function
2816		3402
2817	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it requires	3403	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
2818	socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors>. This makes select	3404	requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
2819	very inefficient, and also requires a mapping from file descriptors	3405	also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
2820	to socket handles. See the discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>,	3406	requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
2821	C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor	3407	C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
2822	symbols for more info.	3408	discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
		3409	C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
2823		3410
2824	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the microsoft runtime	3411	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
2825	libraries and raw winsocket select is:	3412	libraries and raw winsocket select is:
2826		3413
2827	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1	3414	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1
2828	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */	3415	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
2829		3416
2830	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a	3417	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
2831	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.	3418	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
2832		3419
2833	=item Limited number of file descriptors	3420	=item Limited number of file descriptors
2834		3421
2835	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things. Early versions	3422	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
2836	of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a max. of C<64> handles	3423
		3424	Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
2837	(probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels can only wait for	3425	of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
2838	C<64> things at the same time internally; microsoft recommends spawning a	3426	can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
2839	chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the previous thread in each).	3427	recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
		3428	previous thread in each. Great).
2840		3429
2841	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>	3430	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
2842	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select	3431	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
2843	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own	3432	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own
2844	select emulation on windows).	3433	select emulation on windows).
2845		3434
2846	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the microsoft runtime	3435	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
2847	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish	3436	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish
2848	or something like this inside microsoft). You can increase this by calling	3437	or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this by calling
2849	C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another	3438	C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another
2850	arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the microsoft runtime	3439	arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft runtime
2851	libraries.	3440	libraries.
2852		3441
2853	This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on	3442	This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on
2854	windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to	3443	windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to
2855	wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of	3444	wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of
2856	calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.	3445	calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
2857		3446
2858	=back	3447	=back
2859		3448
2860		3449
		3450	=head1 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
		3451
		3452	In addition to a working ISO-C implementation, libev relies on a few
		3453	additional extensions:
		3454
		3455	=over 4
		3456
		3457	=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
		3458	calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
		3459
		3460	Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
		3461	structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
		3462	assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
		3463	callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
		3464	calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
		3465
		3466	=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
		3467
		3468	The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
		3469	C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic w.r.t. accesses from different
		3470	threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
		3471	believed to be sufficiently portable.
		3472
		3473	=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
		3474
		3475	Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
		3476	allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
		3477	pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
		3478	thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
		3479	be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
		3480	C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
		3481
		3482	The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
		3483	except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
		3484	well.
		3485
		3486	=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
		3487
		3488	To improve portability and simplify using libev, libev uses C<long>
		3489	internally instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On
		3490	non-POSIX systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but
		3491	is still at least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of
		3492	millions of watchers.
		3493
		3494	=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
		3495
		3496	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
		3497	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good
		3498	enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by
		3499	implementations implementing IEEE 754 (basically all existing ones).
		3500
		3501	=back
		3502
		3503	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
		3504
		3505
		3506	=head1 COMPILER WARNINGS
		3507
		3508	Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
		3509	lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
		3510	scared by this.
		3511
		3512	However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
		3513	has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
		3514	warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
		3515	targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
		3516
		3517	Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
		3518	workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
		3519	maintainable.
		3520
		3521	And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
		3522	wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
		3523	seems to warn about).
		3524
		3525	While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
		3526	"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
		3527	with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
		3528	them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
		3529	warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
		3530
		3531
		3532	=head1 VALGRIND
		3533
		3534	Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
		3535	highly useful, but valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
		3536
		3537	If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
		3538	in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
		3539
		3540	==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		3541	==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		3542	==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
		3543
		3544	Then there is no memory leak. Similarly, under some circumstances,
		3545	valgrind might report kernel bugs as if it were a bug in libev, or it
		3546	might be confused (it is a very good tool, but only a tool).
		3547
		3548	If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
		3549	with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this is
		3550	a bug in libev. However, don't be annoyed when you get a brisk "this is
		3551	no bug" answer and take the chance of learning how to interpret valgrind
		3552	properly.
		3553
		3554	If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
		3555	I suggest using suppression lists.
		3556
		3557
2861	=head1 AUTHOR	3558	=head1 AUTHOR
2862		3559
2863	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.	3560	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.
2864		3561

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