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Revision 1.136 by root, Thu Mar 13 13:06:16 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.205 by root, Mon Oct 27 12:20:32 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	// a single header file is required
12	#include <ev.h>	12	#include <ev.h>
13		13
14	// every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct	14	// every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
15	// with the name ev_<type>	15	// with the name ev_TYPE
16	ev_io stdin_watcher;	16	ev_io stdin_watcher;
17	ev_timer timeout_watcher;	17	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
18		18
19	// all watcher callbacks have a similar signature	19	// all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
20	// this callback is called when data is readable on stdin	20	// this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
21	static void	21	static void
22	stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents)	22	stdin_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
23	{	23	{
24	puts ("stdin ready");	24	puts ("stdin ready");
25	// for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher	25	// for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
26	// with its corresponding stop function.	26	// with its corresponding stop function.
27	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);	27	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
28		28
29	// this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating	29	// this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating
30	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);	30	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);
31	}	31	}
32		32
33	// another callback, this time for a time-out	33	// another callback, this time for a time-out
34	static void	34	static void
35	timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	35	timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
36	{	36	{
37	puts ("timeout");	37	puts ("timeout");
38	// this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating	38	// this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating
39	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);	39	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);
40	}	40	}
41		41
42	int	42	int
43	main (void)	43	main (void)
44	{	44	{
45	// use the default event loop unless you have special needs	45	// use the default event loop unless you have special needs
46	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	46	ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
47		47
48	// 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	49	// this one will watch for stdin to become readable
50	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);
51	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	51	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
52		52
53	// initialise a timer watcher, then start it	53	// initialise a timer watcher, then start it
54	// simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout	54	// simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
55	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);	55	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
56	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);	56	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
57		57
58	// now wait for events to arrive	58	// now wait for events to arrive
59	ev_loop (loop, 0);	59	ev_loop (loop, 0);
60		60
61	// unloop was called, so exit	61	// unloop was called, so exit
62	return 0;	62	return 0;
63	}	63	}
64		64
65	=head1 DESCRIPTION	65	=head1 DESCRIPTION
66		66
67	The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted	67	The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted
68	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
69	time: L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>.	69	time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
70		70
71	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
72	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
73	these event sources and provide your program with events.	73	these event sources and provide your program with events.
74		74
…		…
103	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)	103	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
104	configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For	104	configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
105	more info about various configuration options please have a look at	105	more info about various configuration options please have a look at
106	B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support	106	B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
107	for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of	107	for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
108	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have	108	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<ev_loop *>) will not have
109	this argument.	109	this argument.
110		110
111	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION	111	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
112		112
113	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the	113	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
114	(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near	114	(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
115	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
116	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
117	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
118	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
119	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
120	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
121		142
122	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS	143	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
123		144
124	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the	145	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
125	library in any way.	146	library in any way.
…		…
134		155
135	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)	156	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
136		157
137	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
138	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
139	this is a subsecond-resolution C<sleep ()>.	160	this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
140		161
141	=item int ev_version_major ()	162	=item int ev_version_major ()
142		163
143	=item int ev_version_minor ()	164	=item int ev_version_minor ()
144		165
…		…
157	not a problem.	178	not a problem.
158		179
159	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
160	version.	181	version.
161		182
162	assert (("libev version mismatch",	183	assert (("libev version mismatch",
163	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR	184	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
164	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));	185	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
165		186
166	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()	187	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
167		188
168	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_*>
169	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their	190	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
…		…
171	a description of the set values.	192	a description of the set values.
172		193
173	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
174	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
175		196
176	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",	197	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
177	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));	198	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
178		199
179	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()	200	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
180		201
181	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
182	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
183	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
184	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
185	(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
186	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.	207	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
187		208
188	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()	209	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
189		210
…		…
193	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for	214	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for
194	recommended ones.	215	recommended ones.
195		216
196	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	217	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
197		218
198	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))	219	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT]
199		220
200	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the	221	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
201	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
202	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
203	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
204	potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc	225	or take some potentially destructive action.
205	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.
206		230
207	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,	231	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
208	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,
209	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.
210		234
211	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
212	retries).	236	retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
213		237
214	static void *	238	static void *
215	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)	239	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
216	{	240	{
217	for (;;)	241	for (;;)
…		…
226	}	250	}
227		251
228	...	252	...
229	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);	253	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
230		254
231	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));	255	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT]
232		256
233	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
234	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
235	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this	259	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
236	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
237	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
238	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
239	(such as abort).	263	(such as abort).
240		264
241	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.
…		…
252		276
253	=back	277	=back
254		278
255	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP	279	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
256		280
257	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 C<struct>
258	types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child	282	is I<not> optional in this case, as there is also an C<ev_loop>
259	events, and dynamically created loops which do not.	283	I<function>).
260		284
261	If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop	285	The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
262	in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you	286	supports signals and child events, and dynamically created loops which do
263	create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking	287	not.
264	whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different
265	threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if
266	done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient).
267		288
268	=over 4	289	=over 4
269		290
270	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)	291	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
271		292
…		…
275	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).	296	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
276		297
277	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this	298	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
278	function.	299	function.
279		300
		301	Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
		302	from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
		303	as loops cannot bes hared easily between threads anyway).
		304
280	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and	305	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
281	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler	306	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
282	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your app you can either	307	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
283	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you	308	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
284	can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling	309	can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
285	C<ev_default_init>.	310	C<ev_default_init>.
286		311
287	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific	312	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
…		…
296	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right	321	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
297	thing, believe me).	322	thing, believe me).
298		323
299	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>	324	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
300		325
301	If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid	326	If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
302	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable	327	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
303	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will	328	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
304	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is	329	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
305	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work	330	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
306	around bugs.	331	around bugs.
…		…
313		338
314	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,	339	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
315	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop	340	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
316	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my	341	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
317	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence	342	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
318	without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has	343	without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
319	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).	344	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
320		345
321	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and	346	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
322	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this	347	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
323	flag.	348	flag.
324		349
325	This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>	350	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
326	environment variable.	351	environment variable.
327		352
328	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)	353	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
329		354
330	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as	355	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
…		…
332	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when	357	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
333	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its	358	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
334	usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.	359	usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
335		360
336	To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of	361	To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
337	parallelity (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are	362	parallelism (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
338	writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many	363	writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
339	connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have	364	connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
340	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of	365	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
341	readyness notifications you get per iteration.	366	readiness notifications you get per iteration.
		367
		368	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to the C<readfds> set and C<EV_WRITE> to the
		369	C<writefds> set (and to work around Microsoft Windows bugs, also onto the
		370	C<exceptfds> set on that platform).
342		371
343	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)	372	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
344		373
345	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated	374	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
346	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial	375	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
347	limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down	376	limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
348	considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,	377	considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
349	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for	378	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
350	performance tips.	379	performance tips.
351		380
		381	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
		382	C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
		383
352	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)	384	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
353		385
354	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,	386	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
355	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale	387	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
356	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),	388	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
357	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number	389	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
358	of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect	390
359	cases and rewiring a syscall per fd change, no fork support and bad	391	The epoll syscalls are the most misdesigned of the more advanced
360	support for dup.	392	event mechanisms: probelsm include silently dropping events in some
		393	hard-to-detect cases, requiring a system call per fd change, no fork
		394	support, problems with dup and so on.
		395
		396	Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds should work, but
		397	of course doesn't, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
		398	I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
		399	even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
		400	on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
		401	employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
		402	events to filter out spurious ones.
361		403
362	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration	404	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
363	will result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident	405	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such incident
364	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its	406	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its
365	best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work	407	best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work
366	very well if you register events for both fds.	408	very well if you register events for both fds.
367		409
368	Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
369	need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
370	(or space) is available.
371
372	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all	410	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
373	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible, i.e.	411	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
374	keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times.	412	i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
		413	starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
		414	extra overhead.
375		415
376	While nominally embeddeble in other event loops, this feature is broken in	416	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
377	all kernel versions tested so far.	417	all kernel versions tested so far.
378		418
		419	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		420	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
		421
379	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)	422	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
380		423
381	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it	424	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it was
382	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably	425	broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably with
383	with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course	426	anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course it's
384	it's completely useless). For this reason it's not being "autodetected"	427	completely useless). For this reason it's not being "auto-detected" unless
385	unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using	428	you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or
386	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)	429	libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough) system like NetBSD.
387	system like NetBSD.
388		430
389	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it	431	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
390	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on	432	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
391	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	433	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
392		434
393	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the	435	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
394	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of	436	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
395	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never	437	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
396	cause an extra syscall as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to	438	cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
397	two event changes per incident, support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it	439	two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it
398	drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.	440	drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.
399		441
400	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.	442	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
401		443
402	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work	444	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
403	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken	445	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
404	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets	446	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
405	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop	447	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
406	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and using it only for	448	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and, did I mention it,
407	sockets.	449	using it only for sockets.
		450
		451	This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
		452	C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
		453	C<NOTE_EOF>.
408		454
409	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)	455	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
410		456
411	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an	457	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
412	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets	458	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
…		…
416	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)	462	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
417		463
418	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,	464	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
419	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).	465	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
420		466
421	Please note that solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious	467	Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
422	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid	468	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
423	blocking when no data (or space) is available.	469	blocking when no data (or space) is available.
424		470
425	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active	471	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
426	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file	472	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
427	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend	473	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
428	might perform better.	474	might perform better.
429		475
430	On the positive side, ignoring the spurious readyness notifications, this	476	On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
431	backend actually performed to specification in all tests and is fully	477	notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
432	embeddable, which is a rare feat among the OS-specific backends.	478	in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
		479	OS-specific backends.
		480
		481	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		482	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
433		483
434	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>	484	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
435		485
436	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried	486	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
437	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as	487	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
…		…
439		489
440	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.	490	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
441		491
442	=back	492	=back
443		493
444	If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these	494	If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these
445	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are	495	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are
446	specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.	496	specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.
447		497
448	The most typical usage is like this:	498	Example: This is the most typical usage.
449		499
450	if (!ev_default_loop (0))	500	if (!ev_default_loop (0))
451	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");	501	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
452		502
453	Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow	503	Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
454	environment settings to be taken into account:	504	environment settings to be taken into account:
455		505
456	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);	506	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
457		507
458	Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if	508	Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
459	available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private	509	used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
460	event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):	510	private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
		511	fds):
461		512
462	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);	513	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
463		514
464	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)	515	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
465		516
466	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is	517	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
467	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot	518	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
468	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by	519	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
469	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).	520	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
470		521
		522	Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
		523	libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
		524	default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
		525
471	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.	526	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
472		527
473	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);	528	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
474	if (!epoller)	529	if (!epoller)
475	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");	530	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
476		531
477	=item ev_default_destroy ()	532	=item ev_default_destroy ()
478		533
479	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state	534	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
480	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal	535	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
481	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your	536	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
482	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before>	537	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
483	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually	538	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
484	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them	539	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
485	for example).	540	for example).
486		541
487	Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by	542	Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
488	this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers)	543	handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
489	would need to be stopped manually.	544	as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
490		545
491	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the	546	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
492	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling	547	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
493	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use	548	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
494	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).	549	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).
…		…
519		574
520	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)	575	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
521		576
522	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by	577	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
523	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop	578	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
524	after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.	579	after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is
		580	entirely your own problem.
525		581
526	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)	582	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
527		583
528	Returns true when the given loop actually is the default loop, false otherwise.	584	Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
		585	otherwise.
529		586
530	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)	587	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
531		588
532	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to	589	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
533	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and	590	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
…		…
548	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not	605	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
549	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base	606	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
550	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the	607	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
551	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).	608	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
552		609
		610	=item ev_now_update (loop)
		611
		612	Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
		613	returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
		614	is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>.
		615
		616	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
		617	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
		618	the current time is a good idea.
		619
		620	See also "The special problem of time updates" in the C<ev_timer> section.
		621
553	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)	622	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
554		623
555	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called	624	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
556	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling	625	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
557	events.	626	events.
…		…
559	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until	628	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until
560	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.	629	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.
561		630
562	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than	631	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than
563	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has	632	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
564	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that	633	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
565	automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of	634	that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
566	relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty.	635	of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
		636	beauty.
567		637
568	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle	638	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle
569	those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in	639	those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your
570	case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.	640	process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of
		641	the loop.
571		642
572	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if	643	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
573	neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block	644	necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
574	your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after	645	will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
575	one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some	646	be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarentee that a
576	external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other	647	user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
		648	iteration of the loop.
		649
		650	This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
		651	with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
577	libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is	652	own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
578	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.	653	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
579		654
580	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:	655	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
581		656
582	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.	657	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
583	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.	658	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
584	- If a fork was detected, queue and call all fork watchers.	659	- If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
585	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.	660	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.
586	- If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.	661	- If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
		662	as to not disturb the other process.
587	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.	663	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
588	- Update the "event loop time".	664	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
589	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all	665	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
590	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having	666	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
591	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).	667	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
592	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.	668	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
593	- Block the process, waiting for any events.	669	- Block the process, waiting for any events.
594	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.	670	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
595	- Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling.	671	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
596	- Queue all outstanding timers.	672	- Queue all expired timers.
597	- Queue all outstanding periodics.	673	- Queue all expired periodics.
598	- If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.	674	- Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
599	- Queue all check watchers.	675	- Queue all check watchers.
600	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).	676	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
601	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will	677	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
602	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.	678	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
603	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK	679	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
…		…
608	anymore.	684	anymore.
609		685
610	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long	686	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
611	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)	687	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
612	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);	688	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
613	... jobs done. yeah!	689	... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
614		690
615	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)	691	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
616		692
617	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it	693	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
618	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either	694	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
619	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or	695	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
620	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.	696	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
621		697
622	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.	698	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.
623		699
		700	It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls.
		701
624	=item ev_ref (loop)	702	=item ev_ref (loop)
625		703
626	=item ev_unref (loop)	704	=item ev_unref (loop)
627		705
628	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event	706	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
629	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference	707	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
630	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. If you have	708	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own.
		709
631	a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> from	710	If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop>
632	returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For	711	from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before
		712	stopping it.
		713
633	example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not	714	As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is
634	visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if	715	not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting
635	no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent	716	if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent
636	way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party	717	way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party
637	libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>	718	libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>
638	(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,	719	(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,
639	respectively).	720	respectively).
640		721
641	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>	722	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
642	running when nothing else is active.	723	running when nothing else is active.
643		724
644	struct ev_signal exitsig;	725	ev_signal exitsig;
645	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);	726	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
646	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);	727	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
647	evf_unref (loop);	728	evf_unref (loop);
648		729
649	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.	730	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
650		731
651	ev_ref (loop);	732	ev_ref (loop);
652	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);	733	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
653		734
654	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	735	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
655		736
656	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	737	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
657		738
658	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting	739	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
659	for events. Both are by default C<0>, meaning that libev will try to	740	for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
660	invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum latency.	741	will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
		742	latency.
661		743
662	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)	744	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
663	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks to	745	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
664	increase efficiency of loop iterations.	746	to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
		747	opportunities).
665		748
666	The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to	749	The idea is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to handle
667	handle one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes	750	one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes the
668	the program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new	751	program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
669	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high	752	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
670	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.	753	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
671		754
672	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more	755	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
673	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,	756	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
…		…
675	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will	758	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
676	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.	759	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.
677		760
678	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev	761	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
679	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased	762	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
680	latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers	763	latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
681	will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will not introduce	764	later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
682	any overhead in libev.	765	value will not introduce any overhead in libev.
683		766
684	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the io collect	767	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
685	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for	768	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
686	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It	769	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
687	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,	770	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
688	as this approsaches the timing granularity of most systems.	771	as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems.
		772
		773	Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
		774	saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
		775	are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
		776	times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
		777	reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
		778	they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
		779
		780	=item ev_loop_verify (loop)
		781
		782	This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
		783	compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
		784	through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
		785	is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
		786	error and call C<abort ()>.
		787
		788	This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
		789	circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
		790	data structures consistent.
689		791
690	=back	792	=back
691		793
692		794
693	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER	795	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
		796
		797	In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
		798	watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
		799	watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
694		800
695	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your	801	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
696	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to	802	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
697	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:	803	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
698		804
699	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	805	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
700	{	806	{
701	ev_io_stop (w);	807	ev_io_stop (w);
702	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	808	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
703	}	809	}
704		810
705	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	811	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
		812
706	struct ev_io stdin_watcher;	813	ev_io stdin_watcher;
		814
707	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);	815	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
708	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	816	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
709	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	817	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
		818
710	ev_loop (loop, 0);	819	ev_loop (loop, 0);
711		820
712	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your	821	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
713	watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack,	822	watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
714	although this can sometimes be quite valid).	823	stack).
		824
		825	Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
		826	or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
715		827
716	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init	828	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init
717	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This	829	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
718	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io	830	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O
719	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given	831	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
720	is readable and/or writable).	832	is readable and/or writable).
721		833
722	Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro	834	Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
723	with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro	835	macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
724	to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< ev_<type>_init	836	is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
725	(watcher *, callback, ...) >>.	837	ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
726		838
727	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it	839	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it
728	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_<type>_start (loop, watcher	840	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
729	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the	841	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
730	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.	842	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
731		843
732	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you	844	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
733	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never	845	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
734	reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro.	846	reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
735		847
736	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the	848	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
737	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as	849	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
738	third argument.	850	third argument.
739		851
…		…
799		911
800	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).	912	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
801		913
802	=item C<EV_ERROR>	914	=item C<EV_ERROR>
803		915
804	An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might	916	An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
805	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev	917	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
806	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other	918	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
		919	problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
		920
807	problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping	921	You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
808	with the watcher being stopped.	922	watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
		923	an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
		924	bug in your program.
809		925
810	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error,	926	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
811	for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if	927	example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
812	your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope	928	callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
813	with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded	929	the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
814	programs, though, so beware.	930	programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
		931	thing, so beware.
815		932
816	=back	933	=back
817		934
818	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS	935	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
819
820	In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
821	e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
822		936
823	=over 4	937	=over 4
824		938
825	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	939	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
826		940
…		…
832	which rolls both calls into one.	946	which rolls both calls into one.
833		947
834	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped	948	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
835	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.	949	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
836		950
837	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,	951	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
838	int revents)>.	952	int revents)>.
		953
		954	Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
		955
		956	ev_io w;
		957	ev_init (&w, my_cb);
		958	ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
839		959
840	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])	960	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])
841		961
842	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to	962	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
843	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can	963	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
…		…
846	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).	966	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
847		967
848	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments	968	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
849	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.	969	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
850		970
		971	See C<ev_init>, above, for an example.
		972
851	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])	973	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
852		974
853	This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro	975	This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
854	calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise	976	calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
855	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.	977	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
		978
		979	Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
		980
		981	ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
856		982
857	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	983	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
858		984
859	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive	985	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
860	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.	986	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
861		987
		988	Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
		989	whole section.
		990
		991	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
		992
862	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	993	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
863		994
864	Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending	995	Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
		996	the watcher was active or not).
		997
865	status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example,	998	It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
866	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but	999	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending - but
867	C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If	1000	calling C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor
868	you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a	1001	pending. If you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is
869	good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.	1002	therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
870		1003
871	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1004	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
872		1005
873	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started	1006	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
874	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify	1007	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
…		…
916	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is	1049	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
917	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).	1050	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
918		1051
919	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is	1052	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
920	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might	1053	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
921	or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.	1054	or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
922		1055
923	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)	1056	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
924		1057
925	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither	1058	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
926	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback	1059	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
927	can deal with that fact.	1060	can deal with that fact, as both are simply passed through to the
		1061	callback.
928		1062
929	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1063	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
930		1064
931	If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status	1065	If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
932	and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the	1066	returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
933	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.	1067	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
934		1068
		1069	Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
		1070	callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
		1071
935	=back	1072	=back
936		1073
937		1074
938	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER	1075	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
939		1076
940	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change	1077	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
941	and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used	1078	and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
942	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and	1079	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
943	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data	1080	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
944	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own	1081	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
945	data:	1082	data:
946		1083
947	struct my_io	1084	struct my_io
948	{	1085	{
949	struct ev_io io;	1086	ev_io io;
950	int otherfd;	1087	int otherfd;
951	void *somedata;	1088	void *somedata;
952	struct whatever *mostinteresting;	1089	struct whatever *mostinteresting;
953	}	1090	};
		1091
		1092	...
		1093	struct my_io w;
		1094	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
954		1095
955	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you	1096	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
956	can cast it back to your own type:	1097	can cast it back to your own type:
957		1098
958	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents)	1099	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
959	{	1100	{
960	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;	1101	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
961	...	1102	...
962	}	1103	}
963		1104
964	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type	1105	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
965	instead have been omitted.	1106	instead have been omitted.
966		1107
967	Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple	1108	Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
968	watchers:	1109	embedded watchers:
969		1110
970	struct my_biggy	1111	struct my_biggy
971	{	1112	{
972	int some_data;	1113	int some_data;
973	ev_timer t1;	1114	ev_timer t1;
974	ev_timer t2;	1115	ev_timer t2;
975	}	1116	}
976		1117
977	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,	1118	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
978	you need to use C<offsetof>:	1119	complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
		1120	in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
		1121	some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
		1122	programmers):
979		1123
980	#include <stddef.h>	1124	#include <stddef.h>
981		1125
982	static void	1126	static void
983	t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1127	t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
984	{	1128	{
985	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1129	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
986	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));	1130	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
987	}	1131	}
988		1132
989	static void	1133	static void
990	t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1134	t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
991	{	1135	{
992	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1136	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
993	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));	1137	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
994	}	1138	}
995		1139
996		1140
997	=head1 WATCHER TYPES	1141	=head1 WATCHER TYPES
998		1142
999	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat	1143	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
…		…
1023	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per	1167	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
1024	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file	1168	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
1025	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not	1169	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1026	required if you know what you are doing).	1170	required if you know what you are doing).
1027		1171
1028	If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend	1172	If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
1029	(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and	1173	known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
1030	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).	1174	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
1031		1175
1032	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to	1176	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1033	receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might	1177	receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
1034	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block	1178	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1035	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a	1179	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
1036	lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into	1180	lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
1037	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus	1181	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
1038	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning	1182	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1039	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.	1183	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1040		1184
1041	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not	1185	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
1042	play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test	1186	not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
1043	whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface	1187	re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
1044	such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on	1188	interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already
1045	its own, so its quite safe to use).	1189	does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
		1190	use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
		1191	indefinitely.
		1192
		1193	But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1046		1194
1047	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors	1195	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1048		1196
1049	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file	1197	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
1050	descriptor (either by calling C<close> explicitly or by any other means,	1198	descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means,
1051	such as C<dup>). The reason is that you register interest in some file	1199	such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
1052	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop	1200	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
1053	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is	1201	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
1054	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in	1202	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
1055	fact, a different file descriptor.	1203	fact, a different file descriptor.
1056		1204
…		…
1085	To support fork in your programs, you either have to call	1233	To support fork in your programs, you either have to call
1086	C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,	1234	C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,
1087	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or	1235	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1088	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	1236	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1089		1237
		1238	=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
		1239
		1240	While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
		1241	when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
		1242	sent a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
		1243	this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
		1244
		1245	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
		1246	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
		1247	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
		1248
1090		1249
1091	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions	1250	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1092		1251
1093	=over 4	1252	=over 4
1094		1253
1095	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)	1254	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
1096		1255
1097	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)	1256	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
1098		1257
1099	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to	1258	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
1100	rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or	1259	receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
1101	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.	1260	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.
1102		1261
1103	=item int fd [read-only]	1262	=item int fd [read-only]
1104		1263
1105	The file descriptor being watched.	1264	The file descriptor being watched.
1106		1265
…		…
1114		1273
1115	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well	1274	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
1116	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could	1275	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
1117	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.	1276	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
1118		1277
1119	static void	1278	static void
1120	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1279	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1121	{	1280	{
1122	ev_io_stop (loop, w);	1281	ev_io_stop (loop, w);
1123	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors	1282	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
1124	}	1283	}
1125		1284
1126	...	1285	...
1127	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	1286	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1128	struct ev_io stdin_readable;	1287	ev_io stdin_readable;
1129	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1288	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1130	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);	1289	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1131	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1290	ev_loop (loop, 0);
1132		1291
1133		1292
1134	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts	1293	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1135		1294
1136	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a	1295	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1137	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.	1296	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
1138		1297
1139	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that	1298	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
1140	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years	1299	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
1141	time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because	1300	year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
1142	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the	1301	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1143	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).	1302	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
		1303
		1304	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
		1305	passed, but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration
		1306	then order of execution is undefined.
		1307
		1308	=head3 Be smart about timeouts
		1309
		1310	Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
		1311	recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
		1312	you want to raise some error after a while.
		1313
		1314	What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
		1315	inefficient to smart and efficient.
		1316
		1317	In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
		1318	gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
		1319	data or other life sign was received).
		1320
		1321	=over 4
		1322
		1323	=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
		1324
		1325	This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
		1326	start the watcher:
		1327
		1328	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
		1329	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1330
		1331	Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
		1332	and start it again:
		1333
		1334	ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
		1335	ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
		1336	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1337
		1338	This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
		1339	some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
		1340	data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
		1341	still not a constant-time operation.
		1342
		1343	=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
		1344
		1345	This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
		1346	C<ev_timer_start>.
		1347
		1348	To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
		1349	of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
		1350	successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
		1351	you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
		1352	the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
		1353
		1354	That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
		1355	C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
		1356	member and C<ev_timer_again>.
		1357
		1358	At start:
		1359
		1360	ev_timer_init (timer, callback);
		1361	timer->repeat = 60.;
		1362	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1363
		1364	Each time there is some activity:
		1365
		1366	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1367
		1368	It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
		1369	whether the watcher is active or not:
		1370
		1371	timer->repeat = 30.;
		1372	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1373
		1374	This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
		1375	you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
		1376	remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
		1377
		1378	It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
		1379
		1380	=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
		1381
		1382	This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
		1383	relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
		1384	our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
		1385	associated activity resets.
		1386
		1387	In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
		1388	but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
		1389	within the callback:
		1390
		1391	ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
		1392
		1393	static void
		1394	callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		1395	{
		1396	ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);
		1397	ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
		1398
		1399	// if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
		1400	if (timeout < now)
		1401	{
		1402	// timeout occured, take action
		1403	}
		1404	else
		1405	{
		1406	// callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
		1407	// the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
		1408	// guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
		1409	w->again = timeout - now;
		1410	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
		1411	}
		1412	}
		1413
		1414	To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
		1415	as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has
		1416	been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise
		1417	the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so
		1418	re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
		1419	a timeout then.
		1420
		1421	Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the
		1422	C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.
		1423
		1424	This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
		1425	minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
		1426	libev to change the timeout.
		1427
		1428	To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
		1429	to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
		1430	callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
		1431
		1432	ev_timer_init (timer, callback);
		1433	last_activity = ev_now (loop);
		1434	callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMEOUT);
		1435
		1436	And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
		1437	C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
		1438
		1439	last_actiivty = ev_now (loop);
		1440
		1441	This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
		1442	time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
		1443
		1444	Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
		1445	callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
		1446	fix things for you.
		1447
		1448	=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
		1449
		1450	If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
		1451	employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
		1452	do even better:
		1453
		1454	When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
		1455	at the I<end> of the list.
		1456
		1457	Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
		1458	the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
		1459
		1460	When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
		1461	the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
		1462	update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
		1463
		1464	This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
		1465	starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
		1466	complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
		1467	ensures that the list stays sorted.
		1468
		1469	=back
		1470
		1471	So which method the best?
		1472
		1473	Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
		1474	situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
		1475	better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
		1476	one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
		1477
		1478	Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
		1479	rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
		1480	off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
		1481	overkill :)
		1482
		1483	=head3 The special problem of time updates
		1484
		1485	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
		1486	least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
		1487	time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a
		1488	growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
		1489	lots of events in one iteration.
1144		1490
1145	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>	1491	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1146	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time	1492	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1147	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If	1493	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
1148	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout	1494	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
1149	on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:	1495	timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
1150		1496
1151	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);	1497	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
1152		1498
1153	The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed,	1499	If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1154	but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then	1500	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1155	order of execution is undefined.	1501	()>.
1156		1502
1157	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1503	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1158		1504
1159	=over 4	1505	=over 4
1160		1506
1161	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1507	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1162		1508
1163	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1509	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1164		1510
1165	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is	1511	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
1166	C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the	1512	is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
1167	timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds	1513	reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
1168	later, again, and again, until stopped manually.	1514	configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
		1515	until stopped manually.
1169		1516
1170	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you	1517	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
1171	configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at	1518	you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
1172	exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with	1519	trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
1173	the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the	1520	keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1174	timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.	1521	do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1175		1522
1176	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)	1523	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1177		1524
1178	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is	1525	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
1179	repeating. The exact semantics are:	1526	repeating. The exact semantics are:
1180		1527
1181	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.	1528	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1182		1529
1183	If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out).	1530	If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
1184		1531
1185	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the	1532	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
1186	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.	1533	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1187		1534
1188	This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical	1535	This sounds a bit complicated, see "Be smart about timeouts", above, for a
1189	example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle	1536	usage example.
1190	timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
1191	seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
1192	configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
1193	C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
1194	you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
1195	socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
1196	automatically restart it if need be.
1197
1198	That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>
1199	altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
1200
1201	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);
1202	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1203	...
1204	timer->again = 17.;
1205	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1206	...
1207	timer->again = 10.;
1208	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1209
1210	This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
1211	you want to modify its timeout value.
1212		1537
1213	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]	1538	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1214		1539
1215	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out	1540	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1216	or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),	1541	or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1217	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.	1542	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
1218		1543
1219	=back	1544	=back
1220		1545
1221	=head3 Examples	1546	=head3 Examples
1222		1547
1223	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.	1548	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1224		1549
1225	static void	1550	static void
1226	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1551	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1227	{	1552	{
1228	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here	1553	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1229	}	1554	}
1230		1555
1231	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1556	ev_timer mytimer;
1232	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);	1557	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1233	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);	1558	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1234		1559
1235	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of	1560	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1236	inactivity.	1561	inactivity.
1237		1562
1238	static void	1563	static void
1239	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1564	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1240	{	1565	{
1241	.. ten seconds without any activity	1566	.. ten seconds without any activity
1242	}	1567	}
1243		1568
1244	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1569	ev_timer mytimer;
1245	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */	1570	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1246	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */	1571	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1247	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1572	ev_loop (loop, 0);
1248		1573
1249	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":	1574	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1250	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds	1575	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1251	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);	1576	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1252		1577
1253		1578
1254	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?	1579	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1255		1580
1256	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile	1581	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1257	(and unfortunately a bit complex).	1582	(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1258		1583
1259	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)	1584	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)
1260	but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher	1585	but on wall clock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher
1261	to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a	1586	to trigger after some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a
1262	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now ()	1587	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now ()
1263	+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will	1588	+ 10.>, that is, an absolute time not a delay) and then reset your system
		1589	clock to January of the previous year, then it will take more than year
1264	take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger	1590	to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger
1265	roughly 10 seconds later).	1591	roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
1266		1592
1267	They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as	1593	C<ev_periodic>s can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers,
1268	triggering an event on each midnight, local time or other, complicated,	1594	such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other
1269	rules.	1595	complicated rules.
1270		1596
1271	As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the	1597	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1272	time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready	1598	time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
1273	during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.	1599	during the same loop iteration, then order of execution is undefined.
1274		1600
1275	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1601	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1276		1602
1277	=over 4	1603	=over 4
1278		1604
1279	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)	1605	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1280		1606
1281	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)	1607	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)
1282		1608
1283	Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of	1609	Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1284	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:	1610	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1285		1611
1286	=over 4	1612	=over 4
1287		1613
1288	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)	1614	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)
1289		1615
1290	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time	1616	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1291	C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs,	1617	time C<at> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a time
1292	that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the	1618	jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will
1293	system time reaches or surpasses this time.	1619	only run when the system clock reaches or surpasses this time.
1294		1620
1295	=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)	1621	=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1296		1622
1297	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next	1623	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1298	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)	1624	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)
1299	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.	1625	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
1300		1626
1301	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system	1627	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1302	time:	1628	system clock, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
		1629	hour, on the hour:
1303		1630
1304	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);	1631	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1305		1632
1306	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,	1633	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1307	but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a	1634	but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1308	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible	1635	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1309	by 3600.	1636	by 3600.
1310		1637
1311	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that	1638	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1312	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible	1639	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1313	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.	1640	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1314		1641
1315	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near	1642	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near
1316	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for	1643	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1317	this value.	1644	this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
		1645
		1646	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
		1647	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
		1648	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
		1649	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
1318		1650
1319	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)	1651	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1320		1652
1321	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being	1653	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being
1322	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the	1654	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1323	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the	1655	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1324	current time as second argument.	1656	current time as second argument.
1325		1657
1326	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,	1658	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
1327	ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it,	1659	ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>.
1328	return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
1329	starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is legal).
1330		1660
		1661	If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
		1662	it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
		1663	only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
		1664
1331	Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,	1665	The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1332	ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:	1666	*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1333		1667
		1668	static ev_tstamp
1334	static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	1669	my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1335	{	1670	{
1336	return now + 60.;	1671	return now + 60.;
1337	}	1672	}
1338		1673
1339	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value	1674	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1340	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It	1675	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
1341	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but	1676	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1342	might be called at other times, too.	1677	might be called at other times, too.
1343		1678
1344	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the	1679	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1345	passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger.	1680	equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1346		1681
1347	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that	1682	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1348	triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the	1683	triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
1349	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How	1684	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
1350	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main	1685	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
1351	reason I omitted it as an example).	1686	reason I omitted it as an example).
1352		1687
1353	=back	1688	=back
…		…
1357	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful	1692	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1358	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return	1693	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1359	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like	1694	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1360	program when the crontabs have changed).	1695	program when the crontabs have changed).
1361		1696
		1697	=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
		1698
		1699	When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
		1700	trigger next.
		1701
1362	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]	1702	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1363		1703
1364	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the	1704	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1365	absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).	1705	absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).
1366		1706
…		…
1371		1711
1372	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only	1712	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1373	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being	1713	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1374	called.	1714	called.
1375		1715
1376	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]	1716	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1377		1717
1378	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is	1718	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1379	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when	1719	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1380	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	1720	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1381		1721
1382	=item ev_tstamp at [read-only]
1383
1384	When active, contains the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1385	trigger next.
1386
1387	=back	1722	=back
1388		1723
1389	=head3 Examples	1724	=head3 Examples
1390		1725
1391	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the	1726	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1392	system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have	1727	system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1393	potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.	1728	potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1394		1729
1395	static void	1730	static void
1396	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1731	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1397	{	1732	{
1398	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)	1733	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1399	}	1734	}
1400		1735
1401	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	1736	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1402	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);	1737	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1403	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	1738	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1404		1739
1405	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:	1740	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1406		1741
1407	#include <math.h>	1742	#include <math.h>
1408		1743
1409	static ev_tstamp	1744	static ev_tstamp
1410	my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	1745	my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1411	{	1746	{
1412	return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;	1747	return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1413	}	1748	}
1414		1749
1415	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);	1750	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1416		1751
1417	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:	1752	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1418		1753
1419	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	1754	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1420	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,	1755	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1421	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);	1756	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1422	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	1757	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1423		1758
1424		1759
1425	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!	1760	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1426		1761
1427	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific	1762	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1428	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev	1763	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1429	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the	1764	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1430	normal event processing, like any other event.	1765	normal event processing, like any other event.
1431		1766
		1767	If you want signals asynchronously, just use C<sigaction> as you would
		1768	do without libev and forget about sharing the signal. You can even use
		1769	C<ev_async> from a signal handler to synchronously wake up an event loop.
		1770
1432	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the	1771	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the
1433	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher	1772	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal handler
1434	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long	1773	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as
1435	as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal	1774	you don't register any with libev for the same signal). Similarly, when
1436	watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to	1775	the last signal watcher for a signal is stopped, libev will reset the
1437	SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).	1776	signal handler to SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1438		1777
1439	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with	1778	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1440	C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so syscalls should not be unduly	1779	C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so system calls should not be unduly
1441	interrupted. If you have a problem with syscalls getting interrupted by	1780	interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting interrupted by
1442	signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock	1781	signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock
1443	them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.	1782	them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
1444		1783
1445	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1784	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1446		1785
…		…
1459		1798
1460	=back	1799	=back
1461		1800
1462	=head3 Examples	1801	=head3 Examples
1463		1802
1464	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.	1803	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
1465		1804
1466	static void	1805	static void
1467	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)	1806	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
1468	{	1807	{
1469	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	1808	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
1470	}	1809	}
1471		1810
1472	struct ev_signal signal_watcher;	1811	ev_signal signal_watcher;
1473	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);	1812	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1474	ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);	1813	ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
1475		1814
1476		1815
1477	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes	1816	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1478		1817
1479	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to	1818	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1480	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). It	1819	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
1481	is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child has been	1820	exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
1482	forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long as the event	1821	has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
1483	loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher).	1822	as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
		1823	forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
		1824	but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later is
		1825	not.
1484		1826
1485	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore	1827	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1486	you can only rgeister child watchers in the default event loop.	1828	you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
1487		1829
1488	=head3 Process Interaction	1830	=head3 Process Interaction
1489		1831
1490	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is	1832	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1491	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if	1833	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if
1492	the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurance	1834	the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
1493	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done	1835	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1494	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all	1836	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1495	children, even ones not watched.	1837	children, even ones not watched.
1496		1838
1497	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing	1839	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
…		…
1501	handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for	1843	handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
1502	C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the	1844	C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
1503	default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an	1845	default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
1504	event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for	1846	event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
1505	that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.	1847	that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
		1848
		1849	=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
		1850
		1851	Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
		1852	child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
		1853	callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
		1854	when a child exit is detected.
1506		1855
1507	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1856	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1508		1857
1509	=over 4	1858	=over 4
1510		1859
…		…
1539	=head3 Examples	1888	=head3 Examples
1540		1889
1541	Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for	1890	Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
1542	its completion.	1891	its completion.
1543		1892
1544	ev_child cw;	1893	ev_child cw;
1545		1894
1546	static void	1895	static void
1547	child_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_child *w, int revents)	1896	child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1548	{	1897	{
1549	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);	1898	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
1550	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);	1899	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1551	}	1900	}
1552		1901
1553	pid_t pid = fork ();	1902	pid_t pid = fork ();
1554		1903
1555	if (pid < 0)	1904	if (pid < 0)
1556	// error	1905	// error
1557	else if (pid == 0)	1906	else if (pid == 0)
1558	{	1907	{
1559	// the forked child executes here	1908	// the forked child executes here
1560	exit (1);	1909	exit (1);
1561	}	1910	}
1562	else	1911	else
1563	{	1912	{
1564	ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);	1913	ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
1565	ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);	1914	ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
1566	}	1915	}
1567		1916
1568		1917
1569	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?	1918	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1570		1919
1571	This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls	1920	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1572	C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed	1921	C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed
1573	compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.	1922	compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.
1574		1923
1575	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does	1924	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1576	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does	1925	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does
…		…
1579	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.	1928	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.
1580		1929
1581	The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is	1930	The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is
1582	relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.	1931	relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.
1583		1932
1584	Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply	1933	Since there is no standard kernel interface to do this, the portable
1585	calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You	1934	implementation simply calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if
1586	can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify	1935	it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling interval for
1587	a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,	1936	this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!)
1588	unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around	1937	then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used (which
1589	five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also	1938	you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might change
1590	impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats	1939	dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is currently
1591	usually overkill.	1940	around C<0.1>, but thats usually overkill.
1592		1941
1593	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,	1942	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1594	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be	1943	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1595	resource-intensive.	1944	resource-intensive.
1596		1945
1597	At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is	1946	At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1598	implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the	1947	is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as
1599	reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the	1948	an exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way
1600	semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs	1949	of implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue).
1601	to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are
1602	usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no
1603	polling.
1604		1950
1605	=head3 Inotify	1951	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1606		1952
		1953	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
		1954	compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
		1955	support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
		1956	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
		1957	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
		1958	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
		1959	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
		1960	most noticeably disabled with ev_stat and large file support.
		1961
		1962	The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
		1963	file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
		1964	optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
		1965	to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
		1966	default compilation environment.
		1967
		1968	=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
		1969
1607	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only	1970	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally
		1971	only available with Linux 2.6.25 or above due to bugs in earlier
1608	available on Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up	1972	implementations) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up
1609	change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily	1973	change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created
1610	when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.	1974	lazily when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.
1611		1975
1612	Inotify presense does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers	1976	Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1613	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid	1977	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1614	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presense of inotify support	1978	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1615	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling.	1979	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
		1980	but as long as the path exists, libev usually gets away without polling.
1616		1981
1617	(There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to	1982	There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1618	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file	1983	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1619	descriptor open on the object at all times).	1984	descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
		1985	etc. is difficult.
1620		1986
1621	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution	1987	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1622		1988
1623	The C<stat ()> syscall only supports full-second resolution portably, and	1989	The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably, and
1624	even on systems where the resolution is higher, many filesystems still	1990	even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems still
1625	only support whole seconds.	1991	only support whole seconds.
1626		1992
1627	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you might	1993	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1628	miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and calls	1994	easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1629	your callback, which does something. When there is another update within	1995	calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1630	the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect it.	1996	within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
		1997	stat data does change in other ways (e.g. file size).
1631		1998
1632	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for a second (or till	1999	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
1633	the next second boundary), using a roughly one-second delay C<ev_timer>	2000	than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
1634	(C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.01); ev_timer_again (loop, w)>). The C<.01>	2001	a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
1635	is added to work around small timing inconsistencies of some operating	2002	ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
1636	systems.	2003
		2004	The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
		2005	of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
		2006	might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
		2007	C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
		2008	a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
		2009	update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
		2010	the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
		2011	the timer callback).
1637		2012
1638	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2013	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1639		2014
1640	=over 4	2015	=over 4
1641		2016
…		…
1647	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to	2022	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1648	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose	2023	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1649	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same	2024	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1650	path for as long as the watcher is active.	2025	path for as long as the watcher is active.
1651		2026
1652	The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected,	2027	The callback will receive an C<EV_STAT> event when a change was detected,
1653	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the	2028	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1654	last change was detected).	2029	last change was detected).
1655		2030
1656	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)	2031	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1657		2032
1658	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the	2033	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1659	watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid	2034	watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1660	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be	2035	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1661	useful simply to find out the new values.	2036	the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
		2037	new values.
1662		2038
1663	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]	2039	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1664		2040
1665	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of	2041	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
1666	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types	2042	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1667	suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there	2043	suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
		2044	members to be present. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there was
1668	was some error while C<stat>ing the file.	2045	some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1669		2046
1670	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]	2047	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1671		2048
1672	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever	2049	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1673	C<prev> != C<attr>.	2050	C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
		2051	differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
		2052	C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
1674		2053
1675	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]	2054	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1676		2055
1677	The specified interval.	2056	The specified interval.
1678		2057
1679	=item const char *path [read-only]	2058	=item const char *path [read-only]
1680		2059
1681	The filesystem path that is being watched.	2060	The file system path that is being watched.
1682		2061
1683	=back	2062	=back
1684		2063
1685	=head3 Examples	2064	=head3 Examples
1686		2065
1687	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.	2066	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1688		2067
1689	static void	2068	static void
1690	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)	2069	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1691	{	2070	{
1692	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */	2071	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1693	if (w->attr.st_nlink)	2072	if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1694	{	2073	{
1695	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);	2074	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1696	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2075	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1697	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2076	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1698	}	2077	}
1699	else	2078	else
1700	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */	2079	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1701	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "	2080	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1702	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");	2081	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1703	}	2082	}
1704		2083
1705	...	2084	...
1706	ev_stat passwd;	2085	ev_stat passwd;
1707		2086
1708	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);	2087	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1709	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	2088	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1710		2089
1711	Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not	2090	Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
1712	miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so	2091	miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
1713	one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on	2092	one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
1714	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).	2093	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
1715		2094
1716	static ev_stat passwd;	2095	static ev_stat passwd;
1717	static ev_timer timer;	2096	static ev_timer timer;
1718		2097
1719	static void	2098	static void
1720	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2099	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1721	{	2100	{
1722	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);	2101	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
1723		2102
1724	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */	2103	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
1725	}	2104	}
1726		2105
1727	static void	2106	static void
1728	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)	2107	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
1729	{	2108	{
1730	/* reset the one-second timer */	2109	/* reset the one-second timer */
1731	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);	2110	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
1732	}	2111	}
1733		2112
1734	...	2113	...
1735	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);	2114	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1736	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	2115	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1737	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.01);	2116	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1738		2117
1739		2118
1740	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...	2119	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1741		2120
1742	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher	2121	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1743	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not	2122	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count
1744	count).	2123	as receiving "events").
1745		2124
1746	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts	2125	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1747	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be	2126	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1748	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers	2127	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1749	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop	2128	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
…		…
1773	=head3 Examples	2152	=head3 Examples
1774		2153
1775	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the	2154	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1776	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.	2155	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1777		2156
1778	static void	2157	static void
1779	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)	2158	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1780	{	2159	{
1781	free (w);	2160	free (w);
1782	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has	2161	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1783	// no longer anything immediate to do.	2162	// no longer anything immediate to do.
1784	}	2163	}
1785		2164
1786	struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));	2165	ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1787	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);	2166	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1788	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);	2167	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1789		2168
1790		2169
1791	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!	2170	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1792		2171
1793	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:	2172	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
1794	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers	2173	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1795	afterwards.	2174	afterwards.
1796		2175
1797	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter	2176	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter
1798	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>	2177	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
…		…
1801	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,	2180	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1802	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be	2181	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1803	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.	2182	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1804		2183
1805	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and	2184	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1806	their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track	2185	their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
1807	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a	2186	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1808	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if	2187	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1809	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,	2188	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1810	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>	2189	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1811	watcher).	2190	watcher).
1812		2191
1813	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need	2192	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors
1814	to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for	2193	need to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers
1815	them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries	2194	for them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many
1816	provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for	2195	libraries provide exactly this functionality). Then, in the check watcher,
1817	any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers	2196	you check for any events that occurred (by checking the pending status
1818	and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer	2197	of all watchers and stopping them) and call back into the library. The
1819	callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,	2198	I/O and timer callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid
1820	because you never know, you know?).	2199	nevertheless, because you never know, you know?).
1821		2200
1822	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate	2201	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1823	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines	2202	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
1824	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines	2203	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
1825	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines	2204	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
…		…
1828	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping	2207	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1829	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).	2208	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1830		2209
1831	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)	2210	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
1832	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers	2211	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
		2212	after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).
		2213
1833	after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers,	2214	Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
1834	too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully	2215	activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
1835	supports this, they will be called before other C<ev_check> watchers	2216	might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
1836	did their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other	2217	C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
1837	(non-libev) event loops those other event loops might be in an unusable	2218	loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
1838	state until their C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to	2219	C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
1839	coexist peacefully with others).	2220	others).
1840		2221
1841	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2222	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1842		2223
1843	=over 4	2224	=over 4
1844		2225
…		…
1846		2227
1847	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)	2228	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1848		2229
1849	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no	2230	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
1850	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>	2231	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1851	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.	2232	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly, utterly and completely
		2233	pointless.
1852		2234
1853	=back	2235	=back
1854		2236
1855	=head3 Examples	2237	=head3 Examples
1856		2238
1857	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules	2239	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
1858	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev	2240	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
1859	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could	2241	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
1860	use for an actually working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib>	2242	use as a working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> embeds a
1861	embeds a Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV	2243	Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
1862	into the Glib event loop).	2244	Glib event loop).
1863		2245
1864	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,	2246	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1865	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows	2247	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1866	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low	2248	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
1867	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as	2249	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
1868	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.	2250	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1869		2251
1870	static ev_io iow [nfd];	2252	static ev_io iow [nfd];
1871	static ev_timer tw;	2253	static ev_timer tw;
1872		2254
1873	static void	2255	static void
1874	io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)	2256	io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1875	{	2257	{
1876	}	2258	}
1877		2259
1878	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking	2260	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1879	static void	2261	static void
1880	adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)	2262	adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1881	{	2263	{
1882	int timeout = 3600000;	2264	int timeout = 3600000;
1883	struct pollfd fds [nfd];	2265	struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1884	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.	2266	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1885	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));	2267	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1886		2268
1887	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */	2269	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1888	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);	2270	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1889	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);	2271	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1890		2272
1891	// create one ev_io per pollfd	2273	// create one ev_io per pollfd
1892	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2274	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1893	{	2275	{
1894	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,	2276	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1895	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)	2277	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1896	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));	2278	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1897		2279
1898	fds [i].revents = 0;	2280	fds [i].revents = 0;
1899	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);	2281	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1900	}	2282	}
1901	}	2283	}
1902		2284
1903	// stop all watchers after blocking	2285	// stop all watchers after blocking
1904	static void	2286	static void
1905	adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)	2287	adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1906	{	2288	{
1907	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);	2289	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1908		2290
1909	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2291	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1910	{	2292	{
1911	// set the relevant poll flags	2293	// set the relevant poll flags
1912	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here	2294	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1913	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;	2295	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
1914	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);	2296	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
1915	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;	2297	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1916	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;	2298	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1917		2299
1918	// now stop the watcher	2300	// now stop the watcher
1919	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);	2301	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1920	}	2302	}
1921		2303
1922	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));	2304	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1923	}	2305	}
1924		2306
1925	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>	2307	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
1926	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.	2308	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
1927		2309
1928	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event	2310	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
1929	notification (adns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher	2311	notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
1930	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.	2312	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
1931		2313
1932	static void	2314	static void
1933	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2315	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1934	{	2316	{
1935	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2317	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1936	update_now (EV_A);	2318	update_now (EV_A);
1937		2319
1938	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);	2320	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
1939	}	2321	}
1940		2322
1941	static void	2323	static void
1942	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)	2324	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1943	{	2325	{
1944	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2326	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1945	update_now (EV_A);	2327	update_now (EV_A);
1946		2328
1947	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2329	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1948	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2330	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1949	}	2331	}
1950		2332
1951	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll	2333	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll
1952		2334
1953	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you	2335	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
1954	want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, youc na override	2336	want to embed is not flexible enough to support it. Instead, you can
1955	their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main	2337	override their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the
1956	loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does	2338	main loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module uses
1957	this.	2339	this approach, effectively embedding EV as a client into the horrible
		2340	libglib event loop.
1958		2341
1959	static gint	2342	static gint
1960	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)	2343	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
1961	{	2344	{
1962	int got_events = 0;	2345	int got_events = 0;
1963		2346
1964	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2347	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1965	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events	2348	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
1966		2349
1967	if (timeout >= 0)	2350	if (timeout >= 0)
1968	// create/start timer	2351	// create/start timer
1969		2352
1970	// poll	2353	// poll
1971	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	2354	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1972		2355
1973	// stop timer again	2356	// stop timer again
1974	if (timeout >= 0)	2357	if (timeout >= 0)
1975	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);	2358	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
1976		2359
1977	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set	2360	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
1978	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2361	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1979	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);	2362	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
1980		2363
1981	return got_events;	2364	return got_events;
1982	}	2365	}
1983		2366
1984		2367
1985	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...	2368	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1986		2369
1987	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop	2370	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
…		…
1993	prioritise I/O.	2376	prioritise I/O.
1994		2377
1995	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support	2378	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
1996	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you	2379	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
1997	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales	2380	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
1998	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it	2381	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed
1999	into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will	2382	it into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation
2000	be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but	2383	will be a bit slower because first libev has to call C<poll> and then
2001	at least you can use both at what they are best.	2384	C<kevent>, but at least you can use both mechanisms for what they are
		2385	best: C<kqueue> for scalable sockets and C<poll> if you want it to work :)
2002		2386
2003	As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have	2387	As for prioritising I/O: under rare circumstances you have the case where
2004	to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even	2388	some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
2005	priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case	2389	and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
2006	you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in	2390	this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
2007	a second one, and embed the second one in the first.	2391	the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
2008		2392
2009	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time	2393	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time
2010	there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then	2394	there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then
2011	call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke	2395	call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke
2012	their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded	2396	their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded
…		…
2020	interested in that.	2404	interested in that.
2021		2405
2022	Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:	2406	Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:
2023	when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,	2407	when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,
2024	but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers	2408	but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers
2025	yourself.	2409	yourself - but you can use a fork watcher to handle this automatically,
		2410	and future versions of libev might do just that.
2026		2411
2027	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by	2412	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
2028	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any	2413	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
2029	portable one.	2414	portable one.
2030		2415
2031	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared	2416	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
2032	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around	2417	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
2033	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to	2418	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
2034	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.	2419	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
2035		2420
		2421	=head3 C<ev_embed> and fork
		2422
		2423	While the C<ev_embed> watcher is running, forks in the embedding loop will
		2424	automatically be applied to the embedded loop as well, so no special
		2425	fork handling is required in that case. When the watcher is not running,
		2426	however, it is still the task of the libev user to call C<ev_loop_fork ()>
		2427	as applicable.
		2428
2036	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2429	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2037		2430
2038	=over 4	2431	=over 4
2039		2432
2040	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)	2433	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
…		…
2043		2436
2044	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be	2437	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
2045	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be	2438	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
2046	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback	2439	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
2047	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,	2440	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
2048	if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).	2441	if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
2049		2442
2050	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)	2443	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
2051		2444
2052	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works	2445	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
2053	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most	2446	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
2054	apropriate way for embedded loops.	2447	appropriate way for embedded loops.
2055		2448
2056	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]	2449	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
2057		2450
2058	The embedded event loop.	2451	The embedded event loop.
2059		2452
…		…
2061		2454
2062	=head3 Examples	2455	=head3 Examples
2063		2456
2064	Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default	2457	Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
2065	event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default	2458	event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
2066	loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the mebeddable loop is stored in	2459	loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
2067	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the acse no embeddable loop can be	2460	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
2068	used).	2461	used).
2069		2462
2070	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);	2463	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2071	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;	2464	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2072	struct ev_embed embed;	2465	ev_embed embed;
2073		2466
2074	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works	2467	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2075	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)	2468	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2076	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()	2469	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2077	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())	2470	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
2078	: 0;	2471	: 0;
2079		2472
2080	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi	2473	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
2081	if (loop_lo)	2474	if (loop_lo)
2082	{	2475	{
2083	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);	2476	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
2084	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);	2477	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
2085	}	2478	}
2086	else	2479	else
2087	loop_lo = loop_hi;	2480	loop_lo = loop_hi;
2088		2481
2089	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create	2482	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
2090	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any	2483	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
2091	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in	2484	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
2092	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).	2485	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2093		2486
2094	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	2487	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2095	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;	2488	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2096	struct ev_embed embed;	2489	ev_embed embed;
2097		2490
2098	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)	2491	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2099	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))	2492	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2100	{	2493	{
2101	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);	2494	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2102	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);	2495	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2103	}	2496	}
2104		2497
2105	if (!loop_socket)	2498	if (!loop_socket)
2106	loop_socket = loop;	2499	loop_socket = loop;
2107		2500
2108	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else	2501	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
2109		2502
2110		2503
2111	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork	2504	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
2112		2505
2113	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because	2506	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
…		…
2157	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a	2550	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2158	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't	2551	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2159	need elaborate support such as pthreads.	2552	need elaborate support such as pthreads.
2160		2553
2161	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own	2554	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2162	queue. But at least I can tell you would implement locking around your	2555	queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2163	queue:	2556	queue:
2164		2557
2165	=over 4	2558	=over 4
2166		2559
2167	=item queueing from a signal handler context	2560	=item queueing from a signal handler context
2168		2561
2169	To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal	2562	To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
2170	handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is an example that does that for	2563	handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is
2171	some fictitiuous SIGUSR1 handler:	2564	an example that does that for some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
2172		2565
2173	static ev_async mysig;	2566	static ev_async mysig;
2174		2567
2175	static void	2568	static void
2176	sigusr1_handler (void)	2569	sigusr1_handler (void)
…		…
2243		2636
2244	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)	2637	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2245		2638
2246	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any	2639	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2247	kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	2640	kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2248	believe me.	2641	trust me.
2249		2642
2250	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)	2643	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2251		2644
2252	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds	2645	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2253	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike	2646	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
2254	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do in other threads, signal or	2647	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or
2255	similar contexts (see the dicusssion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding	2648	similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
2256	section below on what exactly this means).	2649	section below on what exactly this means).
2257		2650
2258	This call incurs the overhead of a syscall only once per loop iteration,	2651	This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per loop iteration,
2259	so while the overhead might be noticable, it doesn't apply to repeated	2652	so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to repeated
2260	calls to C<ev_async_send>.	2653	calls to C<ev_async_send>.
2261		2654
		2655	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
		2656
		2657	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
		2658	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
		2659	event loop.
		2660
		2661	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
		2662	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
		2663	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
		2664	quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
		2665
		2666	Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending, only
		2667	whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending.
		2668
2262	=back	2669	=back
2263		2670
2264		2671
2265	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS	2672	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
2266		2673
…		…
2269	=over 4	2676	=over 4
2270		2677
2271	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)	2678	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
2272		2679
2273	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your	2680	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
2274	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both	2681	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
2275	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd	2682	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
2276	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or	2683	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
2277	more watchers yourself.	2684	more watchers yourself.
2278		2685
2279	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events	2686	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and the
2280	is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and	2687	C<events> argument is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for
2281	C<events> set will be craeted and started.	2688	the given C<fd> and C<events> set will be created and started.
2282		2689
2283	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be	2690	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
2284	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and	2691	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
2285	repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of	2692	repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
2286	dubious value.
2287		2693
2288	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets	2694	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
2289	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of	2695	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
2290	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>	2696	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
2291	value passed to C<ev_once>:	2697	value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
		2698	a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
		2699	events precedence.
2292		2700
		2701	Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
		2702
2293	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)	2703	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
2294	{	2704	{
2295	if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
2296	/* doh, nothing entered */;
2297	else if (revents & EV_READ)	2705	if (revents & EV_READ)
2298	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;	2706	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
		2707	else if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
		2708	/* doh, nothing entered */;
2299	}	2709	}
2300		2710
2301	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);	2711	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
2302		2712
2303	=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)	2713	=item ev_feed_event (struct ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
2304		2714
2305	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event	2715	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
2306	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an	2716	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
2307	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).	2717	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
2308		2718
2309	=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)	2719	=item ev_feed_fd_event (struct ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)
2310		2720
2311	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected	2721	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
2312	the given events it.	2722	the given events it.
2313		2723
2314	=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)	2724	=item ev_feed_signal_event (struct ev_loop *loop, int signum)
2315		2725
2316	Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default	2726	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
2317	loop!).	2727	loop!).
2318		2728
2319	=back	2729	=back
2320		2730
2321		2731
…		…
2337		2747
2338	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities	2748	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
2339	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there	2749	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
2340	is an ev_pri field.	2750	is an ev_pri field.
2341		2751
		2752	=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
		2753	first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.
		2754
2342	=item * Other members are not supported.	2755	=item * Other members are not supported.
2343		2756
2344	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need	2757	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
2345	to use the libev header file and library.	2758	to use the libev header file and library.
2346		2759
2347	=back	2760	=back
2348		2761
2349	=head1 C++ SUPPORT	2762	=head1 C++ SUPPORT
2350		2763
2351	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow	2764	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
2352	you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change	2765	you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
2353	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.	2766	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
2354		2767
2355	To use it,	2768	To use it,
2356		2769
2357	#include <ev++.h>	2770	#include <ev++.h>
2358		2771
2359	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many	2772	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
2360	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are	2773	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
2361	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding	2774	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
2362	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.	2775	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
…		…
2429	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the	2842	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
2430	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.	2843	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
2431		2844
2432	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation	2845	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
2433		2846
2434	struct myclass	2847	struct myclass
2435	{	2848	{
2436	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	2849	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2437	}	2850	}
2438		2851
2439	myclass obj;	2852	myclass obj;
2440	ev::io iow;	2853	ev::io iow;
2441	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);	2854	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2442		2855
2443	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)	2856	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2444		2857
2445	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as	2858	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2446	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's	2859	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
…		…
2448		2861
2449	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.	2862	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
2450		2863
2451	See the method-C<set> above for more details.	2864	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2452		2865
2453	Example:	2866	Example: Use a plain function as callback.
2454		2867
2455	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	2868	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2456	iow.set <io_cb> ();	2869	iow.set <io_cb> ();
2457		2870
2458	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)	2871	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
2459		2872
2460	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only	2873	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
2461	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).	2874	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
2462		2875
2463	=item w->set ([args])	2876	=item w->set ([arguments])
2464		2877
2465	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be	2878	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be
2466	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets	2879	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
2467	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this	2880	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
2468	method.	2881	method.
2469		2882
2470	=item w->start ()	2883	=item w->start ()
…		…
2494	=back	2907	=back
2495		2908
2496	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in	2909	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
2497	the constructor.	2910	the constructor.
2498		2911
2499	class myclass	2912	class myclass
2500	{	2913	{
2501	ev::io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);	2914	ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2502	ev:idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);	2915	ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2503		2916
2504	myclass (int fd)	2917	myclass (int fd)
2505	{	2918	{
2506	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);	2919	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
2507	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);	2920	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2508		2921
2509	io.start (fd, ev::READ);	2922	io.start (fd, ev::READ);
2510	}	2923	}
2511	};	2924	};
2512		2925
2513		2926
2514	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS	2927	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
2515		2928
2516	Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a	2929	Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
2517	numbe rof languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know	2930	number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
2518	any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop	2931	any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
2519	me a note.	2932	me a note.
2520		2933
2521	=over 4	2934	=over 4
2522		2935
2523	=item Perl	2936	=item Perl
2524		2937
2525	The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test	2938	The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
2526	libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,	2939	libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
2527	there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces	2940	there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
2528	to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>), C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the	2941	to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>, but C<AnyEvent::DNS> is preferred nowadays),
2529	C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV> and C<EV::Glib>).	2942	C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV>
		2943	and C<EV::Glib>).
2530		2944
2531	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is found at	2945	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
2532	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.	2946	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2533		2947
		2948	=item Python
		2949
		2950	Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
		2951	seems to be quite complete and well-documented. Note, however, that the
		2952	patch they require for libev is outright dangerous as it breaks the ABI
		2953	for everybody else, and therefore, should never be applied in an installed
		2954	libev (if python requires an incompatible ABI then it needs to embed
		2955	libev).
		2956
2534	=item Ruby	2957	=item Ruby
2535		2958
2536	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset	2959	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2537	of the libev API and adds filehandle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and	2960	of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2538	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at	2961	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2539	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.	2962	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2540		2963
2541	=item D	2964	=item D
2542		2965
2543	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to	2966	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2544	be found at L<http://git.llucax.com.ar/?p=software/ev.d.git;a=summary>.	2967	be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
		2968
		2969	=item Ocaml
		2970
		2971	Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
		2972	L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
2545		2973
2546	=back	2974	=back
2547		2975
2548		2976
2549	=head1 MACRO MAGIC	2977	=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2550		2978
2551	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal	2979	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
2552	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)	2980	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
2553	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.	2981	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
2554		2982
2555	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the	2983	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
2556	following macros are defined:	2984	following macros are defined:
…		…
2561		2989
2562	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev	2990	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2563	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,	2991	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2564	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:	2992	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2565		2993
2566	ev_unref (EV_A);	2994	ev_unref (EV_A);
2567	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);	2995	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2568	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	2996	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
2569		2997
2570	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,	2998	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2571	which is often provided by the following macro.	2999	which is often provided by the following macro.
2572		3000
2573	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>	3001	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
2574		3002
2575	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev	3003	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2576	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,	3004	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
2577	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:	3005	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
2578		3006
2579	// this is how ev_unref is being declared	3007	// this is how ev_unref is being declared
2580	static void ev_unref (EV_P);	3008	static void ev_unref (EV_P);
2581		3009
2582	// this is how you can declare your typical callback	3010	// this is how you can declare your typical callback
2583	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	3011	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2584		3012
2585	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite	3013	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
2586	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.	3014	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
2587		3015
2588	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>	3016	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
2589		3017
2590	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default	3018	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
2591	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").	3019	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
		3020
		3021	=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
		3022
		3023	Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
		3024	default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
		3025	is undefined when the default loop has not been initialised by a previous
		3026	execution of C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> or C<ev_default_init (...)>.
		3027
		3028	It is often prudent to use C<EV_DEFAULT> when initialising the first
		3029	watcher in a function but use C<EV_DEFAULT_UC> afterwards.
2592		3030
2593	=back	3031	=back
2594		3032
2595	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above	3033	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
2596	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported	3034	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2597	or not.	3035	or not.
2598		3036
2599	static void	3037	static void
2600	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	3038	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2601	{	3039	{
2602	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);	3040	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
2603	}	3041	}
2604		3042
2605	ev_check check;	3043	ev_check check;
2606	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);	3044	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
2607	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);	3045	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
2608	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);	3046	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
2609		3047
2610	=head1 EMBEDDING	3048	=head1 EMBEDDING
2611		3049
2612	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host	3050	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
2613	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra	3051	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
…		…
2620	libev somewhere in your source tree).	3058	libev somewhere in your source tree).
2621		3059
2622	=head2 FILESETS	3060	=head2 FILESETS
2623		3061
2624	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files	3062	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
2625	in your app.	3063	in your application.
2626		3064
2627	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP	3065	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
2628		3066
2629	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual	3067	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
2630	configuration (no autoconf):	3068	configuration (no autoconf):
2631		3069
2632	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3070	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2633	#include "ev.c"	3071	#include "ev.c"
2634		3072
2635	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a	3073	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
2636	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use	3074	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
2637	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best	3075	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
2638	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and	3076	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
2639	where you can put other configuration options):	3077	where you can put other configuration options):
2640		3078
2641	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3079	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2642	#include "ev.h"	3080	#include "ev.h"
2643		3081
2644	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++	3082	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
2645	compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated	3083	compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2646	as a bug).	3084	as a bug).
2647		3085
2648	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory	3086	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
2649	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):	3087	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2650		3088
2651	ev.h	3089	ev.h
2652	ev.c	3090	ev.c
2653	ev_vars.h	3091	ev_vars.h
2654	ev_wrap.h	3092	ev_wrap.h
2655		3093
2656	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only	3094	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
2657		3095
2658	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)	3096	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
2659	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3097	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2660	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3098	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2661	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3099	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2662	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3100	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2663		3101
2664	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need	3102	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
2665	to compile this single file.	3103	to compile this single file.
2666		3104
2667	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API	3105	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
2668		3106
2669	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:	3107	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
2670		3108
2671	#include "event.c"	3109	#include "event.c"
2672		3110
2673	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:	3111	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
2674		3112
2675	#include "event.h"	3113	#include "event.h"
2676		3114
2677	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.	3115	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
2678		3116
2679	You need the following additional files for this:	3117	You need the following additional files for this:
2680		3118
2681	event.h	3119	event.h
2682	event.c	3120	event.c
2683		3121
2684	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT	3122	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
2685		3123
2686	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in	3124	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
2687	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your	3125	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
2688	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then	3126	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
2689	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.	3127	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
2690		3128
2691	For this of course you need the m4 file:	3129	For this of course you need the m4 file:
2692		3130
2693	libev.m4	3131	libev.m4
2694		3132
2695	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS	3133	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2696		3134
2697	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define	3135	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
2698	before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity	3136	define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of
2699	and only include the select backend.	3137	autoconf is documented for every option.
2700		3138
2701	=over 4	3139	=over 4
2702		3140
2703	=item EV_STANDALONE	3141	=item EV_STANDALONE
2704		3142
…		…
2709	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.	3147	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2710		3148
2711	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC	3149	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2712		3150
2713	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3151	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2714	monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use	3152	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use
2715	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you	3153	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you
2716	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when	3154	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when
2717	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have	3155	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2718	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>	3156	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2719	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).	3157	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).
2720		3158
2721	=item EV_USE_REALTIME	3159	=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2722		3160
2723	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3161	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2724	realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at	3162	real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at
2725	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will	3163	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will
2726	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get	3164	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
2727	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the	3165	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the
2728	note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.	3166	note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
2729		3167
2730	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP	3168	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
2731		3169
2732	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available	3170	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
2733	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.	3171	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
2734		3172
		3173	=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
		3174
		3175	If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
		3176	available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
		3177	C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
		3178	If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
		3179	2.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
		3180
2735	=item EV_USE_SELECT	3181	=item EV_USE_SELECT
2736		3182
2737	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the	3183	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
2738	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no	3184	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
2739	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend	3185	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
2740	will not be compiled in.	3186	will not be compiled in.
2741		3187
2742	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET	3188	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2743		3189
2744	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>	3190	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
2745	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing	3191	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
2746	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on	3192	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on
2747	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some	3193	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some
2748	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only	3194	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only
2749	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might	3195	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might
2750	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.	3196	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.
2751		3197
…		…
2775		3221
2776	=item EV_USE_EPOLL	3222	=item EV_USE_EPOLL
2777		3223
2778	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux	3224	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
2779	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,	3225	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2780	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the	3226	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2781	preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems.	3227	backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
		3228	headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2782		3229
2783	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE	3230	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2784		3231
2785	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style	3232	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
2786	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,	3233	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
…		…
2799	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred	3246	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2800	backend for Solaris 10 systems.	3247	backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2801		3248
2802	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL	3249	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2803		3250
2804	reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.	3251	Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2805		3252
2806	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY	3253	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2807		3254
2808	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify	3255	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2809	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will	3256	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2810	be detected at runtime.	3257	be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
		3258	indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2811		3259
2812	=item EV_ATOMIC_T	3260	=item EV_ATOMIC_T
2813		3261
2814	Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose	3262	Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
2815	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such	3263	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
2816	type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type	3264	type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
2817	that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"	3265	that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
2818	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.	3266	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
2819		3267
2820	In the absense of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>	3268	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
2821	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.	3269	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2822		3270
2823	=item EV_H	3271	=item EV_H
2824		3272
2825	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if	3273	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
…		…
2864	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search	3312	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
2865	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space	3313	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
2866	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually	3314	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
2867	fine.	3315	fine.
2868		3316
2869	If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to	3317	If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
2870	C<0> will save some memory and cpu.	3318	both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
2871		3319
2872	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE	3320	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
2873		3321
2874	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If	3322	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
2875	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of	3323	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
…		…
2882	code.	3330	code.
2883		3331
2884	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE	3332	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2885		3333
2886	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If	3334	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2887	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3335	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Embed watchers rely on most other
		3336	watcher types, which therefore must not be disabled.
2888		3337
2889	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE	3338	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
2890		3339
2891	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If	3340	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
2892	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3341	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
…		…
2902	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3351	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2903		3352
2904	=item EV_MINIMAL	3353	=item EV_MINIMAL
2905		3354
2906	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some	3355	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2907	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override	3356	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some
2908	some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64.	3357	inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size on amd64. It also selects a
		3358	much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap.
2909		3359
2910	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE	3360	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2911		3361
2912	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	3362	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2913	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more	3363	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
…		…
2920	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),	3370	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
2921	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>	3371	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
2922	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of	3372	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
2923	two).	3373	two).
2924		3374
		3375	=item EV_USE_4HEAP
		3376
		3377	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		3378	timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
		3379	to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
		3380	faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
		3381
		3382	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
		3383	(disabled).
		3384
		3385	=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
		3386
		3387	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		3388	timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
		3389	the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
		3390	which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
		3391	but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
		3392	noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
		3393
		3394	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
		3395	(disabled).
		3396
		3397	=item EV_VERIFY
		3398
		3399	Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will
		3400	be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
		3401	in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
		3402	called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
		3403	called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
		3404	verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
		3405	libev considerably.
		3406
		3407	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be
		3408	C<0>.
		3409
2925	=item EV_COMMON	3410	=item EV_COMMON
2926		3411
2927	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining	3412	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2928	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of	3413	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2929	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,	3414	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2930	though, and it must be identical each time.	3415	though, and it must be identical each time.
2931		3416
2932	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:	3417	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2933		3418
2934	#define EV_COMMON \	3419	#define EV_COMMON \
2935	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \	3420	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2936	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */	3421	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2937		3422
2938	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)	3423	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2939		3424
2940	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)	3425	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2941		3426
…		…
2946	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for	3431	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
2947	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to	3432	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
2948	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use	3433	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2949	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.	3434	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
2950		3435
		3436	=back
		3437
2951	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS	3438	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
2952		3439
2953	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a dll) and you need a list of	3440	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
2954	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list	3441	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
2955	all public symbols, one per line:	3442	all public symbols, one per line:
2956		3443
2957	Symbols.ev for libev proper	3444	Symbols.ev for libev proper
2958	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation	3445	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
2959		3446
2960	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with	3447	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
2961	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in	3448	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
2962	itself, but sometimes it is inconvinient to avoid this).	3449	itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
2963		3450
2964	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to	3451	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
2965	include before including F<ev.h>:	3452	include before including F<ev.h>:
2966		3453
2967	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h	3454	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
…		…
2984	file.	3471	file.
2985		3472
2986	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file	3473	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
2987	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:	3474	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2988		3475
2989	#define EV_MINIMAL 1	3476	#define EV_MINIMAL 1
2990	#define EV_USE_POLL 0	3477	#define EV_USE_POLL 0
2991	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0	3478	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2992	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0	3479	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
2993	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0	3480	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
2994	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0	3481	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
2995	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>	3482	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
2996	#define EV_MINPRI 0	3483	#define EV_MINPRI 0
2997	#define EV_MAXPRI 0	3484	#define EV_MAXPRI 0
2998		3485
2999	#include "ev++.h"	3486	#include "ev++.h"
3000		3487
3001	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:	3488	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
3002		3489
3003	#include "ev_cpp.h"	3490	#include "ev_cpp.h"
3004	#include "ev.c"	3491	#include "ev.c"
3005		3492
		3493	=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES
3006		3494
3007	=head1 COMPLEXITIES	3495	=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
3008		3496
3009	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside	3497	=head3 THREADS
3010	libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the
3011	documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
3012		3498
3013	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be	3499	All libev functions are reentrant and thread-safe unless explicitly
3014	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this	3500	documented otherwise, but libev implements no locking itself. This means
3015	happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might	3501	that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as there
3016	mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average	3502	are no concurrent calls into any libev function with the same loop
3017	it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.	3503	parameter (C<ev_default_*> calls have an implicit default loop parameter,
		3504	of course): libev guarantees that different event loops share no data
		3505	structures that need any locking.
		3506
		3507	Or to put it differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done
		3508	concurrently from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter
		3509	must be done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as
		3510	only one thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using
		3511	a mutex per loop).
		3512
		3513	Specifically to support threads (and signal handlers), libev implements
		3514	so-called C<ev_async> watchers, which allow some limited form of
		3515	concurrency on the same event loop, namely waking it up "from the
		3516	outside".
		3517
		3518	If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
		3519	without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
		3520	help you, but here is some generic advice:
3018		3521
3019	=over 4	3522	=over 4
3020		3523
3021	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)	3524	=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
		3525	in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
3022		3526
3023	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and	3527	This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
3024	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will	3528	themselves and don't care/know about threading.
3025	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
3026		3529
3027	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)	3530	=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
3028		3531
3029	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them	3532	Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
3030	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.	3533	exists, but it is always a good start.
3031		3534
3032	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)	3535	=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
		3536	loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
3033		3537
3034	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.	3538	Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
		3539	better than you currently do :-)
3035		3540
3036	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)	3541	=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
		3542	event loop.
3037		3543
3038	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))	3544	C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other threads safely
		3545	(or from signal contexts...).
3039		3546
3040	These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the	3547	An example use would be to communicate signals or other events that only
3041	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually	3548	work in the default loop by registering the signal watcher with the
3042	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).	3549	default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
3043		3550	watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
3044	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
3045
3046	By virtue of using a binary heap, the next timer is always found at the
3047	beginning of the storage array.
3048
3049	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
3050
3051	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
3052	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
3053	on backend and wether C<ev_io_set> was used).
3054
3055	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
3056
3057	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
3058
3059	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
3060	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
3061	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
3062	watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. priority handling.
3063
3064	=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
3065
3066	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
3067
3068	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
3069
3070	Sending involves a syscall I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
3071	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
3072	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
3073		3551
3074	=back	3552	=back
3075		3553
		3554	=head3 COROUTINES
3076		3555
3077	=head1 Win32 platform limitations and workarounds	3556	Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
		3557	libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
		3558	coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two
		3559	different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running the
		3560	loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that
		3561	you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
		3562
		3563	Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
		3564	C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
		3565	they do not clal any callbacks.
		3566
		3567	=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
		3568
		3569	Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
		3570	lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
		3571	scared by this.
		3572
		3573	However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
		3574	has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
		3575	warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
		3576	targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
		3577
		3578	Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
		3579	workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
		3580	maintainable.
		3581
		3582	And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
		3583	wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
		3584	seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
		3585	warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have
		3586	been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
		3587	such buggy versions.
		3588
		3589	While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
		3590	"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
		3591	with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
		3592	them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
		3593	warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
		3594
		3595
		3596	=head2 VALGRIND
		3597
		3598	Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
		3599	highly useful. Unfortunately, valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
		3600
		3601	If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
		3602	in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
		3603
		3604	==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		3605	==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		3606	==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
		3607
		3608	Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
		3609	is not a memleak - the memory is still being refernced, and didn't leak.
		3610
		3611	Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
		3612	as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
		3613	although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
		3614	confused.
		3615
		3616	Keep in mind that valgrind is a very good tool, but only a tool. Don't
		3617	make it into some kind of religion.
		3618
		3619	If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
		3620	with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this
		3621	is a bug in libev (best check the archives, too :). However, don't be
		3622	annoyed when you get a brisk "this is no bug" answer and take the chance
		3623	of learning how to interpret valgrind properly.
		3624
		3625	If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
		3626	I suggest using suppression lists.
		3627
		3628
		3629	=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
		3630
		3631	=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
3078		3632
3079	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev	3633	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
3080	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX	3634	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
3081	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in	3635	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
3082	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket	3636	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
3083	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using	3637	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
3084	e.g. cygwin.	3638	e.g. cygwin.
3085		3639
		3640	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
		3641	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of
		3642	things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable
		3643	way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
		3644
3086	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except	3645	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
3087	embedding it into other applications.	3646	embedding it into other applications.
3088		3647
		3648	Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
		3649	accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
		3650	either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
		3651	so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
		3652	megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
		3653	available).
		3654
3089	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and the	3655	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
3090	abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets is not	3656	the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
3091	recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use more than	3657	is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
3092	a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally different	3658	more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
3093	implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX model, which cannot	3659	different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
3094	be implemented efficiently on windows (microsoft monopoly games).	3660	notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
		3661	(Microsoft monopoly games).
		3662
		3663	A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
		3664	section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
		3665	of F<ev.h>:
		3666
		3667	#define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
		3668	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
		3669
		3670	#include "ev.h"
		3671
		3672	And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
		3673	you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
		3674
		3675	#include "evwrap.h"
		3676	#include "ev.c"
3095		3677
3096	=over 4	3678	=over 4
3097		3679
3098	=item The winsocket select function	3680	=item The winsocket select function
3099		3681
3100	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it requires	3682	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
3101	socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors>. This makes select	3683	requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
3102	very inefficient, and also requires a mapping from file descriptors	3684	also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
3103	to socket handles. See the discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>,	3685	requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
3104	C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor	3686	C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
3105	symbols for more info.	3687	discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
		3688	C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
3106		3689
3107	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the microsoft runtime	3690	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
3108	libraries and raw winsocket select is:	3691	libraries and raw winsocket select is:
3109		3692
3110	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1	3693	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3111	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */	3694	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
3112		3695
3113	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a	3696	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
3114	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.	3697	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
3115		3698
3116	=item Limited number of file descriptors	3699	=item Limited number of file descriptors
3117		3700
3118	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things. Early versions	3701	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
3119	of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a max. of C<64> handles	3702
		3703	Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
3120	(probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels can only wait for	3704	of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
3121	C<64> things at the same time internally; microsoft recommends spawning a	3705	can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
3122	chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the previous thread in each).	3706	recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
		3707	previous thread in each. Great).
3123		3708
3124	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>	3709	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
3125	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select	3710	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
3126	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own	3711	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own
3127	select emulation on windows).	3712	select emulation on windows).
3128		3713
3129	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the microsoft runtime	3714	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
3130	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish	3715	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish
3131	or something like this inside microsoft). You can increase this by calling	3716	or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this by calling
3132	C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another	3717	C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another
3133	arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the microsoft runtime	3718	arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft runtime
3134	libraries.	3719	libraries.
3135		3720
3136	This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on	3721	This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on
3137	windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to	3722	windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to
3138	wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of	3723	wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of
3139	calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.	3724	calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
3140		3725
3141	=back	3726	=back
3142		3727
		3728	=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
		3729
		3730	In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
		3731	backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
		3732
		3733	=over 4
		3734
		3735	=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
		3736	calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
		3737
		3738	Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
		3739	structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
		3740	assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
		3741	callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
		3742	calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
		3743
		3744	=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
		3745
		3746	The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
		3747	C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
		3748	threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
		3749	believed to be sufficiently portable.
		3750
		3751	=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
		3752
		3753	Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
		3754	allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
		3755	pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
		3756	thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
		3757	be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
		3758	C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
		3759
		3760	The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
		3761	except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
		3762	well.
		3763
		3764	=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
		3765
		3766	To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
		3767	instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
		3768	systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but is still at
		3769	least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of millions of
		3770	watchers.
		3771
		3772	=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
		3773
		3774	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
		3775	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good
		3776	enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by
		3777	implementations implementing IEEE 754 (basically all existing ones).
		3778
		3779	=back
		3780
		3781	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
		3782
		3783
		3784	=head1 ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITIES
		3785
		3786	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
		3787	libev will be documented. For complexity discussions about backends see
		3788	the documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
		3789
		3790	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
		3791	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
		3792	happens asymptotically rarer with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
		3793	mean that libev does a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on
		3794	average it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
		3795
		3796	=over 4
		3797
		3798	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
		3799
		3800	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
		3801	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that, then inserting will
		3802	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
		3803
		3804	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
		3805
		3806	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them,
		3807	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
		3808
		3809	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
		3810
		3811	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
		3812
		3813	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
		3814
		3815	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
		3816
		3817	These watchers are stored in lists, so they need to be walked to find the
		3818	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
		3819	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal: one is typical, two
		3820	is rare).
		3821
		3822	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
		3823
		3824	By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
		3825	fixed position in the storage array.
		3826
		3827	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
		3828
		3829	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
		3830	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
		3831	on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
		3832
		3833	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
		3834
		3835	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
		3836
		3837	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
		3838	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
		3839	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
		3840	watchers becomes O(1) with respect to priority handling.
		3841
		3842	=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
		3843
		3844	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
		3845
		3846	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
		3847
		3848	Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
		3849	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
		3850	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
		3851
		3852	=back
		3853
3143		3854
3144	=head1 AUTHOR	3855	=head1 AUTHOR
3145		3856
3146	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.	3857	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.
3147		3858

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