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Revision 1.136 by root, Thu Mar 13 13:06:16 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.354 by root, Tue Jan 11 01:40:25 2011 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	#include <stdio.h> // for puts
		15
14	// every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct	16	// every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
15	// with the name ev_<type>	17	// with the name ev_TYPE
16	ev_io stdin_watcher;	18	ev_io stdin_watcher;
17	ev_timer timeout_watcher;	19	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
18		20
19	// all watcher callbacks have a similar signature	21	// all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
20	// this callback is called when data is readable on stdin	22	// this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
21	static void	23	static void
22	stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents)	24	stdin_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
23	{	25	{
24	puts ("stdin ready");	26	puts ("stdin ready");
25	// for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher	27	// for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
26	// with its corresponding stop function.	28	// with its corresponding stop function.
27	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);	29	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
28		30
29	// this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating	31	// this causes all nested ev_run's to stop iterating
30	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);	32	ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ALL);
31	}	33	}
32		34
33	// another callback, this time for a time-out	35	// another callback, this time for a time-out
34	static void	36	static void
35	timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	37	timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
36	{	38	{
37	puts ("timeout");	39	puts ("timeout");
38	// this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating	40	// this causes the innermost ev_run to stop iterating
39	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);	41	ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ONE);
40	}	42	}
41		43
42	int	44	int
43	main (void)	45	main (void)
44	{	46	{
45	// use the default event loop unless you have special needs	47	// use the default event loop unless you have special needs
46	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	48	struct ev_loop *loop = EV_DEFAULT;
47		49
48	// initialise an io watcher, then start it	50	// initialise an io watcher, then start it
49	// this one will watch for stdin to become readable	51	// this one will watch for stdin to become readable
50	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);	52	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
51	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	53	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
52		54
53	// initialise a timer watcher, then start it	55	// initialise a timer watcher, then start it
54	// simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout	56	// simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
55	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);	57	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
56	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);	58	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
57		59
58	// now wait for events to arrive	60	// now wait for events to arrive
59	ev_loop (loop, 0);	61	ev_run (loop, 0);
60		62
61	// unloop was called, so exit	63	// unloop was called, so exit
62	return 0;	64	return 0;
63	}	65	}
64		66
65	=head1 DESCRIPTION	67	=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
		68
		69	This document documents the libev software package.
66		70
67	The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted	71	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	72	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
69	time: L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>.	73	time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
		74
		75	While this document tries to be as complete as possible in documenting
		76	libev, its usage and the rationale behind its design, it is not a tutorial
		77	on event-based programming, nor will it introduce event-based programming
		78	with libev.
		79
		80	Familiarity with event based programming techniques in general is assumed
		81	throughout this document.
		82
		83	=head1 WHAT TO READ WHEN IN A HURRY
		84
		85	This manual tries to be very detailed, but unfortunately, this also makes
		86	it very long. If you just want to know the basics of libev, I suggest
		87	reading L<ANATOMY OF A WATCHER>, then the L<EXAMPLE PROGRAM> above and
		88	look up the missing functions in L<GLOBAL FUNCTIONS> and the C<ev_io> and
		89	C<ev_timer> sections in L<WATCHER TYPES>.
		90
		91	=head1 ABOUT LIBEV
70		92
71	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a	93	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	94	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
73	these event sources and provide your program with events.	95	these event sources and provide your program with events.
74		96
…		…
84	=head2 FEATURES	106	=head2 FEATURES
85		107
86	Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the	108	Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the
87	BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms	109	BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms
88	for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface	110	for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface
89	(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers	111	(for C<ev_stat>), Linux eventfd/signalfd (for faster and cleaner
90	with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals	112	inter-thread wakeup (C<ev_async>)/signal handling (C<ev_signal>)) relative
91	(C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and event	113	timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers with customised rescheduling
92	watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>,	114	(C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals (C<ev_signal>), process status
93	C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> watchers) as well as	115	change events (C<ev_child>), and event watchers dealing with the event
94	file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even limited support for fork events	116	loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and
95	(C<ev_fork>).	117	C<ev_check> watchers) as well as file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even
		118	limited support for fork events (C<ev_fork>).
96		119
97	It also is quite fast (see this	120	It also is quite fast (see this
98	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent	121	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
99	for example).	122	for example).
100		123
…		…
108	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have	131	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have
109	this argument.	132	this argument.
110		133
111	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION	134	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
112		135
113	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the	136	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing
114	(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near	137	the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (in practice
115	the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is	138	somewhere near the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't
116	called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases	139	ask). This type is called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use
117	to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on	140	too. It usually aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do
118	it, you should treat it as some floatingpoint value. Unlike the name	141	any calculations on it, you should treat it as some floating point value.
		142
119	component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences	143	Unlike the name component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for
120	throughout libev.	144	time differences (e.g. delays) throughout libev.
		145
		146	=head1 ERROR HANDLING
		147
		148	Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
		149	and internal errors (bugs).
		150
		151	When libev catches an operating system error it cannot handle (for example
		152	a system call indicating a condition libev cannot fix), it calls the callback
		153	set via C<ev_set_syserr_cb>, which is supposed to fix the problem or
		154	abort. The default is to print a diagnostic message and to call C<abort
		155	()>.
		156
		157	When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
		158	it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
		159	so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
		160	the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
		161
		162	Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has
		163	extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
		164	circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse.
		165
121		166
122	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS	167	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
123		168
124	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the	169	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
125	library in any way.	170	library in any way.
…		…
128		173
129	=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()	174	=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()
130		175
131	Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the	176	Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
132	C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp	177	C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
133	you actually want to know.	178	you actually want to know. Also interesting is the combination of
		179	C<ev_update_now> and C<ev_now>.
134		180
135	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)	181	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
136		182
137	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until	183	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	184	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
139	this is a subsecond-resolution C<sleep ()>.	185	this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
140		186
141	=item int ev_version_major ()	187	=item int ev_version_major ()
142		188
143	=item int ev_version_minor ()	189	=item int ev_version_minor ()
144		190
…		…
155	as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually	201	as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
156	compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually	202	compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
157	not a problem.	203	not a problem.
158		204
159	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong	205	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
160	version.	206	version (note, however, that this will not detect other ABI mismatches,
		207	such as LFS or reentrancy).
161		208
162	assert (("libev version mismatch",	209	assert (("libev version mismatch",
163	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR	210	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
164	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));	211	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
165		212
166	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()	213	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
167		214
168	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>	215	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>
169	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their	216	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
…		…
171	a description of the set values.	218	a description of the set values.
172		219
173	Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and	220	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	221	a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11
175		222
176	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",	223	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
177	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));	224	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
178		225
179	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()	226	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
180		227
181	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also	228	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and
182	recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one	229	also recommended for this platform, meaning it will work for most file
		230	descriptor types. This set is often smaller than the one returned by
183	returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on	231	C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on most BSDs
184	most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it	232	and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it (assuming
185	(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that	233	you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that libev will
186	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.	234	probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
187		235
188	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()	236	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
189		237
190	Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This	238	Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This
191	is the theoretical, all-platform, value. To find which backends	239	value is platform-specific but can include backends not available on the
192	might be supported on the current system, you would need to look at	240	current system. To find which embeddable backends might be supported on
193	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for	241	the current system, you would need to look at C<ev_embeddable_backends ()
194	recommended ones.	242	& ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for recommended ones.
195		243
196	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	244	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
197		245
198	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))	246	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))
199		247
200	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the	248	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
201	semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to	249	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	250	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	251	when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
204	potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc	252	or take some potentially destructive action.
205	function.	253
		254	Since some systems (at least OpenBSD and Darwin) fail to implement
		255	correct C<realloc> semantics, libev will use a wrapper around the system
		256	C<realloc> and C<free> functions by default.
206		257
207	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,	258	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,	259	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.	260	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
210		261
211	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then	262	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
212	retries).	263	retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
213		264
214	static void *	265	static void *
215	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)	266	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
216	{	267	{
217	for (;;)	268	for (;;)
…		…
226	}	277	}
227		278
228	...	279	...
229	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);	280	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
230		281
231	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));	282	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg))
232		283
233	Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such	284	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	285	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
235	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this	286	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	287	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	288	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	289	requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
239	(such as abort).	290	(such as abort).
240		291
241	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.	292	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
…		…
248	}	299	}
249		300
250	...	301	...
251	ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);	302	ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
252		303
		304	=item ev_feed_signal (int signum)
		305
		306	This function can be used to "simulate" a signal receive. It is completely
		307	safe to call this function at any time, from any context, including signal
		308	handlers or random threads.
		309
		310	Its main use is to customise signal handling in your process, especially
		311	in the presence of threads. For example, you could block signals
		312	by default in all threads (and specifying C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK> when
		313	creating any loops), and in one thread, use C<sigwait> or any other
		314	mechanism to wait for signals, then "deliver" them to libev by calling
		315	C<ev_feed_signal>.
		316
253	=back	317	=back
254		318
255	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP	319	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING EVENT LOOPS
256		320
257	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two	321	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct> is
258	types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child	322	I<not> optional in this case unless libev 3 compatibility is disabled, as
259	events, and dynamically created loops which do not.	323	libev 3 had an C<ev_loop> function colliding with the struct name).
260		324
261	If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop	325	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	326	supports child process events, and dynamically created event loops which
263	create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking	327	do 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		328
268	=over 4	329	=over 4
269		330
270	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)	331	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
271		332
272	This will initialise the default event loop if it hasn't been initialised	333	This returns the "default" event loop object, which is what you should
273	yet and return it. If the default loop could not be initialised, returns	334	normally use when you just need "the event loop". Event loop objects and
274	false. If it already was initialised it simply returns it (and ignores the	335	the C<flags> parameter are described in more detail in the entry for
275	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).	336	C<ev_loop_new>.
		337
		338	If the default loop is already initialised then this function simply
		339	returns it (and ignores the flags. If that is troubling you, check
		340	C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). Otherwise it will create it with the given
		341	flags, which should almost always be C<0>, unless the caller is also the
		342	one calling C<ev_run> or otherwise qualifies as "the main program".
276		343
277	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this	344	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
278	function.	345	function (or via the C<EV_DEFAULT> macro).
279		346
		347	Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
		348	from multiple threads, you have to employ some kind of mutex (note also
		349	that this case is unlikely, as loops cannot be shared easily between
		350	threads anyway).
		351
280	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and	352	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_child> watchers,
281	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler	353	and to do this, it always registers a handler for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is
282	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your app you can either	354	a problem for your application you can either create a dynamic loop with
283	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you	355	C<ev_loop_new> which doesn't do that, or you can simply overwrite the
284	can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling	356	C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling C<ev_default_init>.
285	C<ev_default_init>.	357
		358	Example: This is the most typical usage.
		359
		360	if (!ev_default_loop (0))
		361	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
		362
		363	Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
		364	environment settings to be taken into account:
		365
		366	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
		367
		368	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
		369
		370	This will create and initialise a new event loop object. If the loop
		371	could not be initialised, returns false.
		372
		373	This function is thread-safe, and one common way to use libev with
		374	threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the default
		375	loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
286		376
287	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific	377	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
288	backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).	378	backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
289		379
290	The following flags are supported:	380	The following flags are supported:
…		…
296	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right	386	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
297	thing, believe me).	387	thing, believe me).
298		388
299	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>	389	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
300		390
301	If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid	391	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	392	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
303	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will	393	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
304	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is	394	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	395	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
306	around bugs.	396	around bugs.
307		397
308	=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>	398	=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
309		399
310	Instead of calling C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork> manually after	400	Instead of calling C<ev_loop_fork> manually after a fork, you can also
311	a fork, you can also make libev check for a fork in each iteration by	401	make libev check for a fork in each iteration by enabling this flag.
312	enabling this flag.
313		402
314	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,	403	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	404	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	405	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	406	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	407	without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
319	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).	408	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
320		409
321	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and	410	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	411	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
323	flag.	412	flag.
324		413
325	This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>	414	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
326	environment variable.	415	environment variable.
		416
		417	=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY>
		418
		419	When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the
		420	I<inotify> API for its C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and
		421	testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as
		422	otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle.
		423
		424	=item C<EVFLAG_SIGNALFD>
		425
		426	When this flag is specified, then libev will attempt to use the
		427	I<signalfd> API for its C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This API
		428	delivers signals synchronously, which makes it both faster and might make
		429	it possible to get the queued signal data. It can also simplify signal
		430	handling with threads, as long as you properly block signals in your
		431	threads that are not interested in handling them.
		432
		433	Signalfd will not be used by default as this changes your signal mask, and
		434	there are a lot of shoddy libraries and programs (glib's threadpool for
		435	example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks.
		436
		437	=item C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>
		438
		439	When this flag is specified, then libev will avoid to modify the signal
		440	mask. Specifically, this means you ahve to make sure signals are unblocked
		441	when you want to receive them.
		442
		443	This behaviour is useful when you want to do your own signal handling, or
		444	want to handle signals only in specific threads and want to avoid libev
		445	unblocking the signals.
		446
		447	This flag's behaviour will become the default in future versions of libev.
327		448
328	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)	449	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
329		450
330	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as	451	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
331	libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,	452	libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
332	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when	453	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	454	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.	455	usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
335		456
336	To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of	457	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	458	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	459	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	460	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	461	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
341	readyness notifications you get per iteration.	462	readiness notifications you get per iteration.
		463
		464	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to the C<readfds> set and C<EV_WRITE> to the
		465	C<writefds> set (and to work around Microsoft Windows bugs, also onto the
		466	C<exceptfds> set on that platform).
342		467
343	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)	468	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
344		469
345	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated	470	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
346	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial	471	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	472	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,	473	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	474	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
350	performance tips.	475	performance tips.
351		476
		477	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
		478	C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
		479
352	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)	480	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
		481
		482	Use the linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9
		483	kernels).
353		484
354	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,	485	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	486	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),	487	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	488	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
358	of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect	489
359	cases and rewiring a syscall per fd change, no fork support and bad	490	The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
360	support for dup.	491	of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
		492	dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
		493	descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup,
		494	returning before the timeout value, resulting in additional iterations
		495	(and only giving 5ms accuracy while select on the same platform gives
		496	0.1ms) and so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program
		497	forks then I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll
		498	set, which can take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor)
		499	and is of course hard to detect.
		500
		501	Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but
		502	of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
		503	I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
		504	even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
		505	on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
		506	employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
		507	events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required. Last
		508	not least, it also refuses to work with some file descriptors which work
		509	perfectly fine with C<select> (files, many character devices...).
		510
		511	Epoll is truly the train wreck analog among event poll mechanisms,
		512	a frankenpoll, cobbled together in a hurry, no thought to design or
		513	interaction with others.
361		514
362	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration	515	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	516	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
364	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its	517	incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
365	best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work	518	I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
366	very well if you register events for both fds.	519	file descriptors might not work very well if you register events for both
367		520	file descriptors.
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		521
372	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all	522	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.	523	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
374	keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times.	524	i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
		525	starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
		526	extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
		527	as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
		528	take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
375		529
		530	All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
		531	faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
		532	the usage. So sad.
		533
376	While nominally embeddeble in other event loops, this feature is broken in	534	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
377	all kernel versions tested so far.	535	all kernel versions tested so far.
		536
		537	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		538	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
378		539
379	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)	540	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
380		541
381	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it	542	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
382	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably	543	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
383	with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course	544	with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
384	it's completely useless). For this reason it's not being "autodetected"	545	it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose brokenness
		546	is by design, these kqueue bugs can (and eventually will) be fixed
		547	without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not being
385	unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using	548	"auto-detected" unless you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using
386	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)	549	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
387	system like NetBSD.	550	system like NetBSD.
388		551
389	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it	552	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	553	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.	554	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
392		555
393	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the	556	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	557	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	558	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	559	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	560	two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but
398	drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.	561	sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect
		562	cases
399		563
400	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.	564	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
401		565
402	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work	566	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	567	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	568	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	569	(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	570	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (but C<poll> is of course
407	sockets.	571	also broken on OS X)) and, did I mention it, using it only for sockets.
		572
		573	This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
		574	C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
		575	C<NOTE_EOF>.
408		576
409	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)	577	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
410		578
411	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an	579	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	580	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
…		…
416	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)	584	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
417		585
418	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,	586	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)).	587	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
420		588
421	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
423	blocking when no data (or space) is available.
424
425	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active	589	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	590	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
427	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend	591	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
428	might perform better.	592	might perform better.
429		593
430	On the positive side, ignoring the spurious readyness notifications, this	594	On the positive side, this backend actually performed fully to
431	backend actually performed to specification in all tests and is fully	595	specification in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat
432	embeddable, which is a rare feat among the OS-specific backends.	596	among the OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed
		597	hacks).
		598
		599	On the negative side, the interface is I<bizarre> - so bizarre that
		600	even sun itself gets it wrong in their code examples: The event polling
		601	function sometimes returning events to the caller even though an error
		602	occurred, but with no indication whether it has done so or not (yes, it's
		603	even documented that way) - deadly for edge-triggered interfaces where
		604	you absolutely have to know whether an event occurred or not because you
		605	have to re-arm the watcher.
		606
		607	Fortunately libev seems to be able to work around these idiocies.
		608
		609	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		610	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
433		611
434	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>	612	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
435		613
436	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried	614	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	615	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
438	C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.	616	C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
439		617
440	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.	618	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag, use whatever
		619	C<ev_recommended_backends ()> returns, or simply do not specify a backend
		620	at all.
		621
		622	=item C<EVBACKEND_MASK>
		623
		624	Not a backend at all, but a mask to select all backend bits from a
		625	C<flags> value, in case you want to mask out any backends from a flags
		626	value (e.g. when modifying the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> environment variable).
441		627
442	=back	628	=back
443		629
444	If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these	630	If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value,
445	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are	631	then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed
446	specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.	632	here). If none are specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends
447		633	()> will be tried.
448	The most typical usage is like this:
449
450	if (!ev_default_loop (0))
451	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
452
453	Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
454	environment settings to be taken into account:
455
456	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
457
458	Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if
459	available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private
460	event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):
461
462	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
463
464	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
465
466	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
468	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).
470		634
471	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.	635	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
472		636
473	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);	637	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
474	if (!epoller)	638	if (!epoller)
475	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");	639	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
476		640
		641	Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
		642	used if available.
		643
		644	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_loop_new (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
		645
477	=item ev_default_destroy ()	646	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
478		647
479	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state	648	Destroys an event loop object (frees all memory and kernel state
480	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal	649	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	650	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>	651	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
483	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually	652	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	653	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
485	for example).	654	for example).
486		655
487	Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by	656	Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
488	this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers)	657	handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
489	would need to be stopped manually.	658	as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
490		659
491	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the	660	This function is normally used on loop objects allocated by
492	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling	661	C<ev_loop_new>, but it can also be used on the default loop returned by
		662	C<ev_default_loop>, in which case it is not thread-safe.
		663
		664	Note that it is not advisable to call this function on the default loop
		665	except in the rare occasion where you really need to free its resources.
493	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use	666	If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use C<ev_loop_new>
494	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).	667	and C<ev_loop_destroy>.
495		668
496	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)	669	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
497		670
498	Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
499	earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
500
501	=item ev_default_fork ()
502
503	This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations	671	This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_run> iterations to
504	to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the	672	reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
505	name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in	673	name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in
506	the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little	674	the child process. You I<must> call it (or use C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>) in the
507	sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev	675	child before resuming or calling C<ev_run>.
508	functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration.	676
		677	Again, you I<have> to call it on I<any> loop that you want to re-use after
		678	a fork, I<even if you do not plan to use the loop in the parent>. This is
		679	because some kernel interfaces *cough* I<kqueue> *cough* do funny things
		680	during fork.
509		681
510	On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child	682	On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
511	process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If	683	process if and only if you want to use the event loop in the child. If
512	you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all.	684	you just fork+exec or create a new loop in the child, you don't have to
		685	call it at all (in fact, C<epoll> is so badly broken that it makes a
		686	difference, but libev will usually detect this case on its own and do a
		687	costly reset of the backend).
513		688
514	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call	689	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
515	it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in	690	it just in case after a fork.
516	quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
517		691
		692	Example: Automate calling C<ev_loop_fork> on the default loop when
		693	using pthreads.
		694
		695	static void
		696	post_fork_child (void)
		697	{
		698	ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
		699	}
		700
		701	...
518	pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);	702	pthread_atfork (0, 0, post_fork_child);
519
520	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
521
522	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
524	after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.
525		703
526	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)	704	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
527		705
528	Returns true when the given loop actually is the default loop, false otherwise.	706	Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
		707	otherwise.
529		708
530	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)	709	=item unsigned int ev_iteration (loop)
531		710
532	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to	711	Returns the current iteration count for the event loop, which is identical
533	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and	712	to the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0>
534	happily wraps around with enough iterations.	713	and happily wraps around with enough iterations.
535		714
536	This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it	715	This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
537	"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with	716	"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
538	C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls.	717	C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls - and is incremented between the
		718	prepare and check phases.
		719
		720	=item unsigned int ev_depth (loop)
		721
		722	Returns the number of times C<ev_run> was entered minus the number of
		723	times C<ev_run> was exited normally, in other words, the recursion depth.
		724
		725	Outside C<ev_run>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is
		726	C<1>, unless C<ev_run> was invoked recursively (or from another thread),
		727	in which case it is higher.
		728
		729	Leaving C<ev_run> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread,
		730	throwing an exception etc.), doesn't count as "exit" - consider this
		731	as a hint to avoid such ungentleman-like behaviour unless it's really
		732	convenient, in which case it is fully supported.
539		733
540	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)	734	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
541		735
542	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in	736	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
543	use.	737	use.
…		…
548	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not	742	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	743	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	744	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).	745	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
552		746
		747	=item ev_now_update (loop)
		748
		749	Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
		750	returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
		751	is usually done automatically within C<ev_run ()>.
		752
		753	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
		754	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
		755	the current time is a good idea.
		756
		757	See also L<The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.
		758
		759	=item ev_suspend (loop)
		760
		761	=item ev_resume (loop)
		762
		763	These two functions suspend and resume an event loop, for use when the
		764	loop is not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
		765
		766	A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
		767	the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
		768	would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
		769	the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend>
		770	in your C<SIGTSTP> handler, sending yourself a C<SIGSTOP> and calling
		771	C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing.
		772
		773	Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend
		774	between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers
		775	will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
		776	occurred while suspended).
		777
		778	After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the
		779	given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume>
		780	without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
		781
		782	Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
		783	event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
		784
553	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)	785	=item ev_run (loop, int flags)
554		786
555	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called	787	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	788	after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start
557	events.	789	handling events. It will ask the operating system for any new events, call
		790	the watcher callbacks, an then repeat the whole process indefinitely: This
		791	is why event loops are called I<loops>.
558		792
559	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until	793	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will keep handling events
560	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.	794	until either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_break> was
		795	called.
561		796
562	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than	797	Please note that an explicit C<ev_break> is usually better than
563	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has	798	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
564	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that	799	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
565	automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of	800	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.	801	of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
		802	beauty.
567		803
		804	This function is also I<mostly> exception-safe - you can break out of
		805	a C<ev_run> call by calling C<longjmp> in a callback, throwing a C++
		806	exception and so on. This does not decrement the C<ev_depth> value, nor
		807	will it clear any outstanding C<EVBREAK_ONE> breaks.
		808
568	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle	809	A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle
569	those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in	810	those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and
570	case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.	811	block your process in case there are no events and will return after one
		812	iteration of the loop. This is sometimes useful to poll and handle new
		813	events while doing lengthy calculations, to keep the program responsive.
571		814
572	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if	815	A flags value of C<EVRUN_ONCE> will look for new events (waiting if
573	neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block	816	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	817	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	818	be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
576	external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other	819	user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
		820	iteration of the loop.
		821
		822	This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
		823	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	824	own C<ev_run>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
578	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.	825	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
579		826
580	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:	827	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does:
581		828
		829	- Increment loop depth.
		830	- Reset the ev_break status.
582	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.	831	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
		832	LOOP:
583	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.	833	- If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
584	- If a fork was detected, queue and call all fork watchers.	834	- If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
585	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.	835	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.
		836	- If ev_break was called, goto FINISH.
586	- If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.	837	- If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
		838	as to not disturb the other process.
587	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.	839	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
588	- Update the "event loop time".	840	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
589	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all	841	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
590	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having	842	(active idle watchers, EVRUN_NOWAIT or not having
591	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).	843	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
592	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.	844	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
		845	- Increment loop iteration counter.
593	- Block the process, waiting for any events.	846	- Block the process, waiting for any events.
594	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.	847	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
595	- Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling.	848	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
596	- Queue all outstanding timers.	849	- Queue all expired timers.
597	- Queue all outstanding periodics.	850	- Queue all expired periodics.
598	- If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.	851	- Queue all idle watchers with priority higher than that of pending events.
599	- Queue all check watchers.	852	- Queue all check watchers.
600	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).	853	- 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	854	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
602	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.	855	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
603	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK	856	- If ev_break has been called, or EVRUN_ONCE or EVRUN_NOWAIT
604	were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise	857	were used, or there are no active watchers, goto FINISH, otherwise
605	continue with step *.	858	continue with step LOOP.
		859	FINISH:
		860	- Reset the ev_break status iff it was EVBREAK_ONE.
		861	- Decrement the loop depth.
		862	- Return.
606		863
607	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding	864	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
608	anymore.	865	anymore.
609		866
610	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long	867	... 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..)	868	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
612	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);	869	ev_run (my_loop, 0);
613	... jobs done. yeah!	870	... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
614		871
615	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)	872	=item ev_break (loop, how)
616		873
617	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it	874	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it
618	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either	875	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	876	C<EVBREAK_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_run> call return, or
620	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.	877	C<EVBREAK_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_run> calls return.
621		878
622	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.	879	This "break state" will be cleared on the next call to C<ev_run>.
		880
		881	It is safe to call C<ev_break> from outside any C<ev_run> calls, too, in
		882	which case it will have no effect.
623		883
624	=item ev_ref (loop)	884	=item ev_ref (loop)
625		885
626	=item ev_unref (loop)	886	=item ev_unref (loop)
627		887
628	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event	888	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	889	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	890	count is nonzero, C<ev_run> will not return on its own.
631	a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> from	891
632	returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For	892	This is useful when you have a watcher that you never intend to
		893	unregister, but that nevertheless should not keep C<ev_run> from
		894	returning. In such a case, call C<ev_unref> after starting, and C<ev_ref>
		895	before stopping it.
		896
633	example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not	897	As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
634	visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if	898	is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_run> from
635	no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent	899	exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
636	way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party	900	excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
637	libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>	901	third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref
638	(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,	902	before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active
639	respectively).	903	before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself
		904	(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref>
		905	in the callback).
640		906
641	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>	907	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_run>
642	running when nothing else is active.	908	running when nothing else is active.
643		909
644	struct ev_signal exitsig;	910	ev_signal exitsig;
645	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);	911	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
646	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);	912	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
647	evf_unref (loop);	913	ev_unref (loop);
648		914
649	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.	915	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
650		916
651	ev_ref (loop);	917	ev_ref (loop);
652	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);	918	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
653		919
654	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	920	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
655		921
656	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	922	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
657		923
658	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting	924	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	925	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.	926	will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
		927	latency.
661		928
662	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)	929	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	930	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
664	increase efficiency of loop iterations.	931	to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
		932	opportunities).
665		933
666	The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to	934	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	935	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	936	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	937	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
670	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.	938	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
671		939
672	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more	940	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,	941	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
674	at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and	942	at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
675	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will	943	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.	944	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
		945	sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
		946	once per this interval, on average.
677		947
678	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev	948	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
679	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased	949	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
680	latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers	950	latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
681	will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will not introduce	951	later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
682	any overhead in libev.	952	value will not introduce any overhead in libev.
683		953
684	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the io collect	954	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	955	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	956	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>,	957	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.	958	as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. Note that if
		959	you do transactions with the outside world and you can't increase the
		960	parallelity, then this setting will limit your transaction rate (if you
		961	need to poll once per transaction and the I/O collect interval is 0.01,
		962	then you can't do more than 100 transactions per second).
		963
		964	Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
		965	saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
		966	are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
		967	times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
		968	reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
		969	they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
		970
		971	Example: we only need 0.1s timeout granularity, and we wish not to poll
		972	more often than 100 times per second:
		973
		974	ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.1);
		975	ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01);
		976
		977	=item ev_invoke_pending (loop)
		978
		979	This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their
		980	pending state. Normally, C<ev_run> does this automatically when required,
		981	but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy. This
		982	function can be invoked from a watcher - this can be useful for example
		983	when you want to do some lengthy calculation and want to pass further
		984	event handling to another thread (you still have to make sure only one
		985	thread executes within C<ev_invoke_pending> or C<ev_run> of course).
		986
		987	=item int ev_pending_count (loop)
		988
		989	Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers
		990	are pending.
		991
		992	=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P))
		993
		994	This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of
		995	invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_run> will call
		996	this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to
		997	invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
		998
		999	If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
		1000	callback.
		1001
		1002	=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P), void (*acquire)(EV_P))
		1003
		1004	Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
		1005	can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
		1006	each call to a libev function.
		1007
		1008	However, C<ev_run> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible
		1009	to wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the event
		1010	loop via C<ev_break> and C<av_async_send>, another way is to set these
		1011	I<release> and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
		1012
		1013	When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
		1014	suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
		1015	afterwards.
		1016
		1017	Ideally, C<release> will just call your mutex_unlock function, and
		1018	C<acquire> will just call the mutex_lock function again.
		1019
		1020	While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of
		1021	C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no
		1022	modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will
		1023	have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time
		1024	waited. Use an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_run> when you want it
		1025	to take note of any changes you made.
		1026
		1027	In theory, threads executing C<ev_run> will be async-cancel safe between
		1028	invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>.
		1029
		1030	See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this
		1031	document.
		1032
		1033	=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data)
		1034
		1035	=item void *ev_userdata (loop)
		1036
		1037	Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When
		1038	C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns
		1039	C<0>.
		1040
		1041	These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop,
		1042	and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and
		1043	C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for
		1044	any other purpose as well.
		1045
		1046	=item ev_verify (loop)
		1047
		1048	This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
		1049	compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
		1050	through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
		1051	is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
		1052	error and call C<abort ()>.
		1053
		1054	This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
		1055	circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
		1056	data structures consistent.
689		1057
690	=back	1058	=back
691		1059
692		1060
693	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER	1061	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
694		1062
		1063	In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
		1064	watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
		1065	watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
		1066
695	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your	1067	A watcher is an opaque structure that you allocate and register to record
696	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to	1068	your interest in some event. To make a concrete example, imagine you want
697	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:	1069	to wait for STDIN to become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher
		1070	for that:
698		1071
699	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1072	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
700	{	1073	{
701	ev_io_stop (w);	1074	ev_io_stop (w);
702	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	1075	ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
703	}	1076	}
704		1077
705	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	1078	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
		1079
706	struct ev_io stdin_watcher;	1080	ev_io stdin_watcher;
		1081
707	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);	1082	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
708	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1083	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
709	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	1084	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
		1085
710	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1086	ev_run (loop, 0);
711		1087
712	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your	1088	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,	1089	watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
714	although this can sometimes be quite valid).	1090	stack).
715		1091
		1092	Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
		1093	or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
		1094
716	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init	1095	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init (watcher
717	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This	1096	*, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This callback is
718	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io	1097	invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O watchers, each
719	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given	1098	time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given is readable
720	is readable and/or writable).	1099	and/or writable).
721		1100
722	Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro	1101	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	1102	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	1103	is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
725	(watcher *, callback, ...) >>.	1104	ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
726		1105
727	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it	1106	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	1107	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	1108	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
730	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.	1109	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
731		1110
732	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you	1111	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	1112	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
734	reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro.	1113	reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
735		1114
736	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the	1115	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	1116	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
738	third argument.	1117	third argument.
739		1118
…		…
748	=item C<EV_WRITE>	1127	=item C<EV_WRITE>
749		1128
750	The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or	1129	The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or
751	writable.	1130	writable.
752		1131
753	=item C<EV_TIMEOUT>	1132	=item C<EV_TIMER>
754		1133
755	The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.	1134	The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.
756		1135
757	=item C<EV_PERIODIC>	1136	=item C<EV_PERIODIC>
758		1137
…		…
776		1155
777	=item C<EV_PREPARE>	1156	=item C<EV_PREPARE>
778		1157
779	=item C<EV_CHECK>	1158	=item C<EV_CHECK>
780		1159
781	All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_loop> starts	1160	All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_run> starts
782	to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after	1161	to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after
783	C<ev_loop> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any	1162	C<ev_run> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any
784	received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as	1163	received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as
785	many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account	1164	many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account
786	(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep	1165	(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep
787	C<ev_loop> from blocking).	1166	C<ev_run> from blocking).
788		1167
789	=item C<EV_EMBED>	1168	=item C<EV_EMBED>
790		1169
791	The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.	1170	The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.
792		1171
793	=item C<EV_FORK>	1172	=item C<EV_FORK>
794		1173
795	The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see	1174	The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
796	C<ev_fork>).	1175	C<ev_fork>).
797		1176
		1177	=item C<EV_CLEANUP>
		1178
		1179	The event loop is about to be destroyed (see C<ev_cleanup>).
		1180
798	=item C<EV_ASYNC>	1181	=item C<EV_ASYNC>
799		1182
800	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).	1183	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
801		1184
		1185	=item C<EV_CUSTOM>
		1186
		1187	Not ever sent (or otherwise used) by libev itself, but can be freely used
		1188	by libev users to signal watchers (e.g. via C<ev_feed_event>).
		1189
802	=item C<EV_ERROR>	1190	=item C<EV_ERROR>
803		1191
804	An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might	1192	An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
805	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev	1193	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	1194	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
		1195	problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
		1196
807	problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping	1197	You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
808	with the watcher being stopped.	1198	watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
		1199	an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
		1200	bug in your program.
809		1201
810	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error,	1202	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	1203	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	1204	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	1205	the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
814	programs, though, so beware.	1206	programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
		1207	thing, so beware.
815		1208
816	=back	1209	=back
817		1210
818	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS	1211	=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		1212
823	=over 4	1213	=over 4
824		1214
825	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	1215	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
826		1216
…		…
832	which rolls both calls into one.	1222	which rolls both calls into one.
833		1223
834	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped	1224	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.	1225	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
836		1226
837	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,	1227	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
838	int revents)>.	1228	int revents)>.
839		1229
		1230	Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
		1231
		1232	ev_io w;
		1233	ev_init (&w, my_cb);
		1234	ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
		1235
840	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])	1236	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *watcher, [args])
841		1237
842	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to	1238	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	1239	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
844	call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this	1240	call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this
845	macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a	1241	macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a
846	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).	1242	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
847		1243
848	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments	1244	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.	1245	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
850		1246
		1247	See C<ev_init>, above, for an example.
		1248
851	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])	1249	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
852		1250
853	This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro	1251	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	1252	calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
855	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.	1253	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
856		1254
		1255	Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
		1256
		1257	ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
		1258
857	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1259	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
858		1260
859	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive	1261	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
860	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.	1262	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
861		1263
		1264	Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
		1265	whole section.
		1266
		1267	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
		1268
862	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1269	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
863		1270
864	Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending	1271	Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
		1272	the watcher was active or not).
		1273
865	status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example,	1274	It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
866	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but	1275	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	1276	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	1277	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.	1278	therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
870		1279
871	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1280	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
872		1281
873	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started	1282	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	1283	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
…		…
890	=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	1299	=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
891		1300
892	Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time	1301	Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
893	(modulo threads).	1302	(modulo threads).
894		1303
895	=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority)	1304	=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority)
896		1305
897	=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1306	=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
898		1307
899	Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small	1308	Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
900	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>	1309	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
901	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked	1310	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
902	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers	1311	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
903	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).	1312	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
904		1313
905	This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
906	invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
907	example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
908	watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
909
910	If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending	1314	If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
911	you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.	1315	you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
912		1316
913	You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or	1317	You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
914	pending.	1318	pending.
915		1319
		1320	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
		1321	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
		1322	or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
		1323
916	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is	1324	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 :).	1325	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
918		1326
919	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is	1327	See L<WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of
920	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might	1328	priorities.
921	or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.
922		1329
923	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)	1330	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
924		1331
925	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither	1332	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	1333	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
927	can deal with that fact.	1334	can deal with that fact, as both are simply passed through to the
		1335	callback.
928		1336
929	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1337	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
930		1338
931	If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status	1339	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	1340	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>.	1341	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
934		1342
		1343	Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
		1344	callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
		1345
		1346	=item ev_feed_event (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
		1347
		1348	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
		1349	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
		1350	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). Obviously you must
		1351	not free the watcher as long as it has pending events.
		1352
		1353	Stopping the watcher, letting libev invoke it, or calling
		1354	C<ev_clear_pending> will clear the pending event, even if the watcher was
		1355	not started in the first place.
		1356
		1357	See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related
		1358	functions that do not need a watcher.
		1359
935	=back	1360	=back
936		1361
937
938	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER	1362	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
939		1363
940	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change	1364	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	1365	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	1366	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	1367	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	1368	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
945	data:	1369	data:
946		1370
947	struct my_io	1371	struct my_io
948	{	1372	{
949	struct ev_io io;	1373	ev_io io;
950	int otherfd;	1374	int otherfd;
951	void *somedata;	1375	void *somedata;
952	struct whatever *mostinteresting;	1376	struct whatever *mostinteresting;
953	}	1377	};
		1378
		1379	...
		1380	struct my_io w;
		1381	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
954		1382
955	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you	1383	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
956	can cast it back to your own type:	1384	can cast it back to your own type:
957		1385
958	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents)	1386	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
959	{	1387	{
960	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;	1388	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
961	...	1389	...
962	}	1390	}
963		1391
964	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type	1392	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
965	instead have been omitted.	1393	instead have been omitted.
966		1394
967	Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple	1395	Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
968	watchers:	1396	embedded watchers:
969		1397
970	struct my_biggy	1398	struct my_biggy
971	{	1399	{
972	int some_data;	1400	int some_data;
973	ev_timer t1;	1401	ev_timer t1;
974	ev_timer t2;	1402	ev_timer t2;
975	}	1403	}
976		1404
977	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,	1405	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
978	you need to use C<offsetof>:	1406	complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
		1407	in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
		1408	some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
		1409	programmers):
979		1410
980	#include <stddef.h>	1411	#include <stddef.h>
981		1412
982	static void	1413	static void
983	t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1414	t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
984	{	1415	{
985	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1416	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
986	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));	1417	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
987	}	1418	}
988		1419
989	static void	1420	static void
990	t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1421	t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
991	{	1422	{
992	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1423	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
993	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));	1424	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
994	}	1425	}
		1426
		1427	=head2 WATCHER STATES
		1428
		1429	There are various watcher states mentioned throughout this manual -
		1430	active, pending and so on. In this section these states and the rules to
		1431	transition between them will be described in more detail - and while these
		1432	rules might look complicated, they usually do "the right thing".
		1433
		1434	=over 4
		1435
		1436	=item initialiased
		1437
		1438	Before a watcher can be registered with the event looop it has to be
		1439	initialised. This can be done with a call to C<ev_TYPE_init>, or calls to
		1440	C<ev_init> followed by the watcher-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> function.
		1441
		1442	In this state it is simply some block of memory that is suitable for use
		1443	in an event loop. It can be moved around, freed, reused etc. at will.
		1444
		1445	=item started/running/active
		1446
		1447	Once a watcher has been started with a call to C<ev_TYPE_start> it becomes
		1448	property of the event loop, and is actively waiting for events. While in
		1449	this state it cannot be accessed (except in a few documented ways), moved,
		1450	freed or anything else - the only legal thing is to keep a pointer to it,
		1451	and call libev functions on it that are documented to work on active watchers.
		1452
		1453	=item pending
		1454
		1455	If a watcher is active and libev determines that an event it is interested
		1456	in has occurred (such as a timer expiring), it will become pending. It will
		1457	stay in this pending state until either it is stopped or its callback is
		1458	about to be invoked, so it is not normally pending inside the watcher
		1459	callback.
		1460
		1461	The watcher might or might not be active while it is pending (for example,
		1462	an expired non-repeating timer can be pending but no longer active). If it
		1463	is stopped, it can be freely accessed (e.g. by calling C<ev_TYPE_set>),
		1464	but it is still property of the event loop at this time, so cannot be
		1465	moved, freed or reused. And if it is active the rules described in the
		1466	previous item still apply.
		1467
		1468	It is also possible to feed an event on a watcher that is not active (e.g.
		1469	via C<ev_feed_event>), in which case it becomes pending without being
		1470	active.
		1471
		1472	=item stopped
		1473
		1474	A watcher can be stopped implicitly by libev (in which case it might still
		1475	be pending), or explicitly by calling its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function. The
		1476	latter will clear any pending state the watcher might be in, regardless
		1477	of whether it was active or not, so stopping a watcher explicitly before
		1478	freeing it is often a good idea.
		1479
		1480	While stopped (and not pending) the watcher is essentially in the
		1481	initialised state, that is it can be reused, moved, modified in any way
		1482	you wish.
		1483
		1484	=back
		1485
		1486	=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
		1487
		1488	Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small
		1489	integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation
		1490	between watchers in some way, all else being equal.
		1491
		1492	In libev, Watcher priorities can be set using C<ev_set_priority>. See its
		1493	description for the more technical details such as the actual priority
		1494	range.
		1495
		1496	There are two common ways how these these priorities are being interpreted
		1497	by event loops:
		1498
		1499	In the more common lock-out model, higher priorities "lock out" invocation
		1500	of lower priority watchers, which means as long as higher priority
		1501	watchers receive events, lower priority watchers are not being invoked.
		1502
		1503	The less common only-for-ordering model uses priorities solely to order
		1504	callback invocation within a single event loop iteration: Higher priority
		1505	watchers are invoked before lower priority ones, but they all get invoked
		1506	before polling for new events.
		1507
		1508	Libev uses the second (only-for-ordering) model for all its watchers
		1509	except for idle watchers (which use the lock-out model).
		1510
		1511	The rationale behind this is that implementing the lock-out model for
		1512	watchers is not well supported by most kernel interfaces, and most event
		1513	libraries will just poll for the same events again and again as long as
		1514	their callbacks have not been executed, which is very inefficient in the
		1515	common case of one high-priority watcher locking out a mass of lower
		1516	priority ones.
		1517
		1518	Static (ordering) priorities are most useful when you have two or more
		1519	watchers handling the same resource: a typical usage example is having an
		1520	C<ev_io> watcher to receive data, and an associated C<ev_timer> to handle
		1521	timeouts. Under load, data might be received while the program handles
		1522	other jobs, but since timers normally get invoked first, the timeout
		1523	handler will be executed before checking for data. In that case, giving
		1524	the timer a lower priority than the I/O watcher ensures that I/O will be
		1525	handled first even under adverse conditions (which is usually, but not
		1526	always, what you want).
		1527
		1528	Since idle watchers use the "lock-out" model, meaning that idle watchers
		1529	will only be executed when no same or higher priority watchers have
		1530	received events, they can be used to implement the "lock-out" model when
		1531	required.
		1532
		1533	For example, to emulate how many other event libraries handle priorities,
		1534	you can associate an C<ev_idle> watcher to each such watcher, and in
		1535	the normal watcher callback, you just start the idle watcher. The real
		1536	processing is done in the idle watcher callback. This causes libev to
		1537	continuously poll and process kernel event data for the watcher, but when
		1538	the lock-out case is known to be rare (which in turn is rare :), this is
		1539	workable.
		1540
		1541	Usually, however, the lock-out model implemented that way will perform
		1542	miserably under the type of load it was designed to handle. In that case,
		1543	it might be preferable to stop the real watcher before starting the
		1544	idle watcher, so the kernel will not have to process the event in case
		1545	the actual processing will be delayed for considerable time.
		1546
		1547	Here is an example of an I/O watcher that should run at a strictly lower
		1548	priority than the default, and which should only process data when no
		1549	other events are pending:
		1550
		1551	ev_idle idle; // actual processing watcher
		1552	ev_io io; // actual event watcher
		1553
		1554	static void
		1555	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
		1556	{
		1557	// stop the I/O watcher, we received the event, but
		1558	// are not yet ready to handle it.
		1559	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
		1560
		1561	// start the idle watcher to handle the actual event.
		1562	// it will not be executed as long as other watchers
		1563	// with the default priority are receiving events.
		1564	ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle);
		1565	}
		1566
		1567	static void
		1568	idle_cb (EV_P_ ev_idle *w, int revents)
		1569	{
		1570	// actual processing
		1571	read (STDIN_FILENO, ...);
		1572
		1573	// have to start the I/O watcher again, as
		1574	// we have handled the event
		1575	ev_io_start (EV_P_ &io);
		1576	}
		1577
		1578	// initialisation
		1579	ev_idle_init (&idle, idle_cb);
		1580	ev_io_init (&io, io_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
		1581	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &io);
		1582
		1583	In the "real" world, it might also be beneficial to start a timer, so that
		1584	low-priority connections can not be locked out forever under load. This
		1585	enables your program to keep a lower latency for important connections
		1586	during short periods of high load, while not completely locking out less
		1587	important ones.
995		1588
996		1589
997	=head1 WATCHER TYPES	1590	=head1 WATCHER TYPES
998		1591
999	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat	1592	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	1616	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	1617	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	1618	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1026	required if you know what you are doing).	1619	required if you know what you are doing).
1027		1620
1028	If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
1029	(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
1030	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
1031
1032	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to	1621	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	1622	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	1623	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	1624	because there is no data. It is very easy to get into this situation even
1036	lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into	1625	with a relatively standard program structure. Thus it is best to always
1037	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus	1626	use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning C<EAGAIN> is far
1038	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.	1627	preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1040		1628
1041	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not	1629	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	1630	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	1631	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	1632	interface such as poll (fortunately in the case of Xlib, it already does
1045	its own, so its quite safe to use).	1633	this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
		1634	use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
		1635	indefinitely.
		1636
		1637	But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1046		1638
1047	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors	1639	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1048		1640
1049	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file	1641	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,	1642	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	1643	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	1644	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	1645	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	1646	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
1055	fact, a different file descriptor.	1647	fact, a different file descriptor.
1056		1648
…		…
1074		1666
1075	There is no workaround possible except not registering events	1667	There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1076	for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to	1668	for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1077	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	1669	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1078		1670
		1671	=head3 The special problem of files
		1672
		1673	Many people try to use C<select> (or libev) on file descriptors
		1674	representing files, and expect it to become ready when their program
		1675	doesn't block on disk accesses (which can take a long time on their own).
		1676
		1677	However, this cannot ever work in the "expected" way - you get a readiness
		1678	notification as soon as the kernel knows whether and how much data is
		1679	there, and in the case of open files, that's always the case, so you
		1680	always get a readiness notification instantly, and your read (or possibly
		1681	write) will still block on the disk I/O.
		1682
		1683	Another way to view it is that in the case of sockets, pipes, character
		1684	devices and so on, there is another party (the sender) that delivers data
		1685	on it's own, but in the case of files, there is no such thing: the disk
		1686	will not send data on it's own, simply because it doesn't know what you
		1687	wish to read - you would first have to request some data.
		1688
		1689	Since files are typically not-so-well supported by advanced notification
		1690	mechanism, libev tries hard to emulate POSIX behaviour with respect
		1691	to files, even though you should not use it. The reason for this is
		1692	convenience: sometimes you want to watch STDIN or STDOUT, which is
		1693	usually a tty, often a pipe, but also sometimes files or special devices
		1694	(for example, C<epoll> on Linux works with F</dev/random> but not with
		1695	F</dev/urandom>), and even though the file might better be served with
		1696	asynchronous I/O instead of with non-blocking I/O, it is still useful when
		1697	it "just works" instead of freezing.
		1698
		1699	So avoid file descriptors pointing to files when you know it (e.g. use
		1700	libeio), but use them when it is convenient, e.g. for STDIN/STDOUT, or
		1701	when you rarely read from a file instead of from a socket, and want to
		1702	reuse the same code path.
		1703
1079	=head3 The special problem of fork	1704	=head3 The special problem of fork
1080		1705
1081	Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit	1706	Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit
1082	useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about	1707	useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about
1083	it in the child.	1708	it in the child if you want to continue to use it in the child.
1084		1709
1085	To support fork in your programs, you either have to call	1710	To support fork in your child processes, you have to call C<ev_loop_fork
1086	C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,	1711	()> after a fork in the child, enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to
1087	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or	1712	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1088	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1089		1713
		1714	=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
		1715
		1716	While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
		1717	when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
		1718	sent a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
		1719	this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
		1720
		1721	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
		1722	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
		1723	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
		1724
		1725	=head3 The special problem of accept()ing when you can't
		1726
		1727	Many implementations of the POSIX C<accept> function (for example,
		1728	found in post-2004 Linux) have the peculiar behaviour of not removing a
		1729	connection from the pending queue in all error cases.
		1730
		1731	For example, larger servers often run out of file descriptors (because
		1732	of resource limits), causing C<accept> to fail with C<ENFILE> but not
		1733	rejecting the connection, leading to libev signalling readiness on
		1734	the next iteration again (the connection still exists after all), and
		1735	typically causing the program to loop at 100% CPU usage.
		1736
		1737	Unfortunately, the set of errors that cause this issue differs between
		1738	operating systems, there is usually little the app can do to remedy the
		1739	situation, and no known thread-safe method of removing the connection to
		1740	cope with overload is known (to me).
		1741
		1742	One of the easiest ways to handle this situation is to just ignore it
		1743	- when the program encounters an overload, it will just loop until the
		1744	situation is over. While this is a form of busy waiting, no OS offers an
		1745	event-based way to handle this situation, so it's the best one can do.
		1746
		1747	A better way to handle the situation is to log any errors other than
		1748	C<EAGAIN> and C<EWOULDBLOCK>, making sure not to flood the log with such
		1749	messages, and continue as usual, which at least gives the user an idea of
		1750	what could be wrong ("raise the ulimit!"). For extra points one could stop
		1751	the C<ev_io> watcher on the listening fd "for a while", which reduces CPU
		1752	usage.
		1753
		1754	If your program is single-threaded, then you could also keep a dummy file
		1755	descriptor for overload situations (e.g. by opening F</dev/null>), and
		1756	when you run into C<ENFILE> or C<EMFILE>, close it, run C<accept>,
		1757	close that fd, and create a new dummy fd. This will gracefully refuse
		1758	clients under typical overload conditions.
		1759
		1760	The last way to handle it is to simply log the error and C<exit>, as
		1761	is often done with C<malloc> failures, but this results in an easy
		1762	opportunity for a DoS attack.
1090		1763
1091	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions	1764	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1092		1765
1093	=over 4	1766	=over 4
1094		1767
1095	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)	1768	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
1096		1769
1097	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)	1770	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
1098		1771
1099	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to	1772	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	1773	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.	1774	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.
1102		1775
1103	=item int fd [read-only]	1776	=item int fd [read-only]
1104		1777
1105	The file descriptor being watched.	1778	The file descriptor being watched.
1106		1779
…		…
1114		1787
1115	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well	1788	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	1789	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
1117	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.	1790	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
1118		1791
1119	static void	1792	static void
1120	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1793	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1121	{	1794	{
1122	ev_io_stop (loop, w);	1795	ev_io_stop (loop, w);
1123	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors	1796	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
1124	}	1797	}
1125		1798
1126	...	1799	...
1127	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	1800	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1128	struct ev_io stdin_readable;	1801	ev_io stdin_readable;
1129	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1802	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1130	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);	1803	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1131	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1804	ev_run (loop, 0);
1132		1805
1133		1806
1134	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts	1807	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1135		1808
1136	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a	1809	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1137	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.	1810	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
1138		1811
1139	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that	1812	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	1813	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	1814	year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
1142	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the	1815	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1143	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).	1816	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
		1817
		1818	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
		1819	passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
		1820	might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the
		1821	same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked
		1822	before ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is
		1823	no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
		1824
		1825	=head3 Be smart about timeouts
		1826
		1827	Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
		1828	recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
		1829	you want to raise some error after a while.
		1830
		1831	What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
		1832	inefficient to smart and efficient.
		1833
		1834	In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
		1835	gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
		1836	data or other life sign was received).
		1837
		1838	=over 4
		1839
		1840	=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
		1841
		1842	This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
		1843	start the watcher:
		1844
		1845	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
		1846	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1847
		1848	Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
		1849	and start it again:
		1850
		1851	ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
		1852	ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
		1853	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1854
		1855	This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
		1856	some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
		1857	data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
		1858	still not a constant-time operation.
		1859
		1860	=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
		1861
		1862	This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
		1863	C<ev_timer_start>.
		1864
		1865	To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
		1866	of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
		1867	successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
		1868	you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
		1869	the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
		1870
		1871	That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
		1872	C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
		1873	member and C<ev_timer_again>.
		1874
		1875	At start:
		1876
		1877	ev_init (timer, callback);
		1878	timer->repeat = 60.;
		1879	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1880
		1881	Each time there is some activity:
		1882
		1883	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1884
		1885	It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
		1886	whether the watcher is active or not:
		1887
		1888	timer->repeat = 30.;
		1889	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1890
		1891	This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
		1892	you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
		1893	remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
		1894
		1895	It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
		1896
		1897	=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
		1898
		1899	This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
		1900	relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
		1901	our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
		1902	associated activity resets.
		1903
		1904	In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
		1905	but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
		1906	within the callback:
		1907
		1908	ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
		1909
		1910	static void
		1911	callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		1912	{
		1913	ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);
		1914	ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
		1915
		1916	// if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
		1917	if (timeout < now)
		1918	{
		1919	// timeout occurred, take action
		1920	}
		1921	else
		1922	{
		1923	// callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
		1924	// the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
		1925	// guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
		1926	w->repeat = timeout - now;
		1927	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
		1928	}
		1929	}
		1930
		1931	To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
		1932	as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has
		1933	been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise
		1934	the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so
		1935	re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
		1936	a timeout then.
		1937
		1938	Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the
		1939	C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.
		1940
		1941	This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
		1942	minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
		1943	libev to change the timeout.
		1944
		1945	To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
		1946	to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
		1947	callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
		1948
		1949	ev_init (timer, callback);
		1950	last_activity = ev_now (loop);
		1951	callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMER);
		1952
		1953	And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
		1954	C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
		1955
		1956	last_activity = ev_now (loop);
		1957
		1958	This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
		1959	time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
		1960
		1961	Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
		1962	callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
		1963	fix things for you.
		1964
		1965	=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
		1966
		1967	If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
		1968	employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
		1969	do even better:
		1970
		1971	When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
		1972	at the I<end> of the list.
		1973
		1974	Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
		1975	the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
		1976
		1977	When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
		1978	the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
		1979	update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
		1980
		1981	This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
		1982	starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
		1983	complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
		1984	ensures that the list stays sorted.
		1985
		1986	=back
		1987
		1988	So which method the best?
		1989
		1990	Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
		1991	situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
		1992	better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
		1993	one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
		1994
		1995	Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
		1996	rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
		1997	off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
		1998	overkill :)
		1999
		2000	=head3 The special problem of time updates
		2001
		2002	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
		2003	least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
		2004	time only before and after C<ev_run> collects new events, which causes a
		2005	growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
		2006	lots of events in one iteration.
1144		2007
1145	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>	2008	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	2009	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	2010	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	2011	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:	2012	timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
1150		2013
1151	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);	2014	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
1152		2015
1153	The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed,	2016	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	2017	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1155	order of execution is undefined.	2018	()>.
		2019
		2020	=head3 The special problems of suspended animation
		2021
		2022	When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that
		2023	can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?
		2024
		2025	Some quick tests made with a Linux 2.6.28 indicate that a suspend freezes
		2026	all processes, while the clocks (C<times>, C<CLOCK_MONOTONIC>) continue
		2027	to run until the system is suspended, but they will not advance while the
		2028	system is suspended. That means, on resume, it will be as if the program
		2029	was frozen for a few seconds, but the suspend time will not be counted
		2030	towards C<ev_timer> when a monotonic clock source is used. The real time
		2031	clock advanced as expected, but if it is used as sole clocksource, then a
		2032	long suspend would be detected as a time jump by libev, and timers would
		2033	be adjusted accordingly.
		2034
		2035	I would not be surprised to see different behaviour in different between
		2036	operating systems, OS versions or even different hardware.
		2037
		2038	The other form of suspend (job control, or sending a SIGSTOP) will see a
		2039	time jump in the monotonic clocks and the realtime clock. If the program
		2040	is suspended for a very long time, and monotonic clock sources are in use,
		2041	then you can expect C<ev_timer>s to expire as the full suspension time
		2042	will be counted towards the timers. When no monotonic clock source is in
		2043	use, then libev will again assume a timejump and adjust accordingly.
		2044
		2045	It might be beneficial for this latter case to call C<ev_suspend>
		2046	and C<ev_resume> in code that handles C<SIGTSTP>, to at least get
		2047	deterministic behaviour in this case (you can do nothing against
		2048	C<SIGSTOP>).
1156		2049
1157	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2050	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1158		2051
1159	=over 4	2052	=over 4
1160		2053
1161	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	2054	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1162		2055
1163	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	2056	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1164		2057
1165	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is	2058	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	2059	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	2060	reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
1168	later, again, and again, until stopped manually.	2061	configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
		2062	until stopped manually.
1169		2063
1170	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you	2064	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	2065	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	2066	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	2067	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.	2068	do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1175		2069
1176	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)	2070	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1177		2071
1178	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is	2072	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
1179	repeating. The exact semantics are:	2073	repeating. The exact semantics are:
1180		2074
1181	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.	2075	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1182		2076
1183	If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out).	2077	If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
1184		2078
1185	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the	2079	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.	2080	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1187		2081
1188	This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical	2082	This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
1189	example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle	2083	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		2084
1198	That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>	2085	=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
1199	altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
1200		2086
1201	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);	2087	Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
1202	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);	2088	then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's
1203	...	2089	the timeout value currently configured.
1204	timer->again = 17.;
1205	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1206	...
1207	timer->again = 10.;
1208	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1209		2090
1210	This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time	2091	That is, after an C<ev_timer_set (w, 5, 7)>, C<ev_timer_remaining> returns
1211	you want to modify its timeout value.	2092	C<5>. When the timer is started and one second passes, C<ev_timer_remaining>
		2093	will return C<4>. When the timer expires and is restarted, it will return
		2094	roughly C<7> (likely slightly less as callback invocation takes some time,
		2095	too), and so on.
1212		2096
1213	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]	2097	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1214		2098
1215	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out	2099	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),	2100	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.	2101	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
1218		2102
1219	=back	2103	=back
1220		2104
1221	=head3 Examples	2105	=head3 Examples
1222		2106
1223	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.	2107	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1224		2108
1225	static void	2109	static void
1226	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	2110	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1227	{	2111	{
1228	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here	2112	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1229	}	2113	}
1230		2114
1231	struct ev_timer mytimer;	2115	ev_timer mytimer;
1232	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);	2116	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1233	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);	2117	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1234		2118
1235	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of	2119	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1236	inactivity.	2120	inactivity.
1237		2121
1238	static void	2122	static void
1239	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	2123	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1240	{	2124	{
1241	.. ten seconds without any activity	2125	.. ten seconds without any activity
1242	}	2126	}
1243		2127
1244	struct ev_timer mytimer;	2128	ev_timer mytimer;
1245	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */	2129	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1246	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */	2130	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1247	ev_loop (loop, 0);	2131	ev_run (loop, 0);
1248		2132
1249	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":	2133	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1250	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds	2134	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1251	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);	2135	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1252		2136
1253		2137
1254	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?	2138	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1255		2139
1256	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile	2140	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1257	(and unfortunately a bit complex).	2141	(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1258		2142
1259	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)	2143	Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
1260	but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher	2144	relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
1261	to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a	2145	(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calender or clock). The
1262	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now ()	2146	difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
1263	+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will	2147	time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
1264	take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger	2148	wrist-watch).
1265	roughly 10 seconds later).
1266		2149
1267	They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as	2150	You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
1268	triggering an event on each midnight, local time or other, complicated,	2151	in time: for example, if you tell a periodic watcher to trigger "in 10
1269	rules.	2152	seconds" (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now () + 10.>, that is, an absolute time
		2153	not a delay) and then reset your system clock to January of the previous
		2154	year, then it will take a year or more to trigger the event (unlike an
		2155	C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting
		2156	it, as it uses a relative timeout).
1270		2157
		2158	C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex
		2159	timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or
		2160	other complicated rules. This cannot be done with C<ev_timer> watchers, as
		2161	those cannot react to time jumps.
		2162
1271	As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the	2163	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	2164	point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
1273	during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.	2165	timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
		2166	earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
		2167	(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1274		2168
1275	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2169	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1276		2170
1277	=over 4	2171	=over 4
1278		2172
1279	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)	2173	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1280		2174
1281	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)	2175	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1282		2176
1283	Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of	2177	Lots of arguments, let's sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1284	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:	2178	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1285		2179
1286	=over 4	2180	=over 4
1287		2181
1288	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)	2182	=item * absolute timer (offset = absolute time, interval = 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1289		2183
1290	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time	2184	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,	2185	time C<offset> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a
1292	that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the	2186	time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it
1293	system time reaches or surpasses this time.	2187	will be stopped and invoked when the system clock reaches or surpasses
		2188	this point in time.
1294		2189
1295	=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)	2190	=item * repeating interval timer (offset = offset within interval, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1296		2191
1297	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next	2192	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)	2193	C<offset + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be
1299	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.	2194	negative) and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. The C<offset>
		2195	argument is merely an offset into the C<interval> periods.
1300		2196
1301	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system	2197	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1302	time:	2198	system clock, for example, here is an C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
		2199	hour, on the hour (with respect to UTC):
1303		2200
1304	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);	2201	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1305		2202
1306	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,	2203	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	2204	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	2205	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1309	by 3600.	2206	by 3600.
1310		2207
1311	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that	2208	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	2209	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.	2210	time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1314		2211
1315	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near	2212	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<offset> value is near
1316	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for	2213	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1317	this value.	2214	this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
1318		2215
		2216	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
		2217	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
		2218	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
		2219	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
		2220
1319	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)	2221	=item * manual reschedule mode (offset ignored, interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1320		2222
1321	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being	2223	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<offset> are both being
1322	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the	2224	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1323	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the	2225	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1324	current time as second argument.	2226	current time as second argument.
1325		2227
1326	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,	2228	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, ever,
1327	ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it,	2229	or make ANY other event loop modifications whatsoever, unless explicitly
1328	return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by	2230	allowed by documentation here>.
1329	starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is legal).
1330		2231
		2232	If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
		2233	it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
		2234	only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
		2235
1331	Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,	2236	The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1332	ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:	2237	*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1333		2238
		2239	static ev_tstamp
1334	static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	2240	my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1335	{	2241	{
1336	return now + 60.;	2242	return now + 60.;
1337	}	2243	}
1338		2244
1339	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value	2245	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	2246	(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	2247	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1342	might be called at other times, too.	2248	might be called at other times, too.
1343		2249
1344	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the	2250	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.	2251	equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1346		2252
1347	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that	2253	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	2254	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	2255	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	2256	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).	2257	reason I omitted it as an example).
1352		2258
1353	=back	2259	=back
…		…
1357	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful	2263	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1358	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return	2264	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	2265	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1360	program when the crontabs have changed).	2266	program when the crontabs have changed).
1361		2267
		2268	=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
		2269
		2270	When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed
		2271	to trigger next. This is not the same as the C<offset> argument to
		2272	C<ev_periodic_set>, but indeed works even in interval and manual
		2273	rescheduling modes.
		2274
1362	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]	2275	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1363		2276
1364	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the	2277	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>).	2278	absolute point in time (the C<offset> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>,
		2279	although libev might modify this value for better numerical stability).
1366		2280
1367	Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic	2281	Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
1368	timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	2282	timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1369		2283
1370	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]	2284	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1371		2285
1372	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only	2286	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	2287	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1374	called.	2288	called.
1375		2289
1376	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]	2290	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1377		2291
1378	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is	2292	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	2293	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.	2294	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1381		2295
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	2296	=back
1388		2297
1389	=head3 Examples	2298	=head3 Examples
1390		2299
1391	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the	2300	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1392	system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have	2301	system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1393	potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.	2302	potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1394		2303
1395	static void	2304	static void
1396	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	2305	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_periodic *w, int revents)
1397	{	2306	{
1398	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)	2307	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1399	}	2308	}
1400		2309
1401	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	2310	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1402	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);	2311	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1403	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	2312	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1404		2313
1405	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:	2314	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1406		2315
1407	#include <math.h>	2316	#include <math.h>
1408		2317
1409	static ev_tstamp	2318	static ev_tstamp
1410	my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	2319	my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1411	{	2320	{
1412	return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;	2321	return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1413	}	2322	}
1414		2323
1415	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);	2324	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1416		2325
1417	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:	2326	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1418		2327
1419	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	2328	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1420	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,	2329	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1421	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);	2330	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1422	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	2331	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1423		2332
1424		2333
1425	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!	2334	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1426		2335
1427	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific	2336	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	2337	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	2338	will try its best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1430	normal event processing, like any other event.	2339	normal event processing, like any other event.
1431		2340
		2341	If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use
		2342	C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing
		2343	the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to
		2344	synchronously wake up an event loop.
		2345
1432	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the	2346	You can configure as many watchers as you like for the same signal, but
		2347	only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your
		2348	default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for
		2349	C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At
		2350	the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop.
		2351
1433	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher	2352	When the first watcher gets started will libev actually register something
1434	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long	2353	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	2354	you don't register any with libev for the same signal).
1436	watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to
1437	SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1438		2355
1439	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with	2356	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1440	C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so syscalls should not be unduly	2357	C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
1441	interrupted. If you have a problem with syscalls getting interrupted by	2358	not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
1442	signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock	2359	interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
1443	them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.	2360	and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
		2361
		2362	=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create
		2363
		2364	Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition
		2365	(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
		2366	stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
		2367	and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler.
		2368
		2369	While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never
		2370	sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on
		2371	C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect
		2372	certain signals to be blocked.
		2373
		2374	This means that before calling C<exec> (from the child) you should reset
		2375	the signal mask to whatever "default" you expect (all clear is a good
		2376	choice usually).
		2377
		2378	The simplest way to ensure that the signal mask is reset in the child is
		2379	to install a fork handler with C<pthread_atfork> that resets it. That will
		2380	catch fork calls done by libraries (such as the libc) as well.
		2381
		2382	In current versions of libev, the signal will not be blocked indefinitely
		2383	unless you use the C<signalfd> API (C<EV_SIGNALFD>). While this reduces
		2384	the window of opportunity for problems, it will not go away, as libev
		2385	I<has> to modify the signal mask, at least temporarily.
		2386
		2387	So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when
		2388	you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This
		2389	is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries.
		2390
		2391	=head3 The special problem of threads signal handling
		2392
		2393	POSIX threads has problematic signal handling semantics, specifically,
		2394	a lot of functionality (sigfd, sigwait etc.) only really works if all
		2395	threads in a process block signals, which is hard to achieve.
		2396
		2397	When you want to use sigwait (or mix libev signal handling with your own
		2398	for the same signals), you can tackle this problem by globally blocking
		2399	all signals before creating any threads (or creating them with a fully set
		2400	sigprocmask) and also specifying the C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK> when creating
		2401	loops. Then designate one thread as "signal receiver thread" which handles
		2402	these signals. You can pass on any signals that libev might be interested
		2403	in by calling C<ev_feed_signal>.
1444		2404
1445	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2405	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1446		2406
1447	=over 4	2407	=over 4
1448		2408
…		…
1459		2419
1460	=back	2420	=back
1461		2421
1462	=head3 Examples	2422	=head3 Examples
1463		2423
1464	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.	2424	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
1465		2425
1466	static void	2426	static void
1467	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)	2427	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
1468	{	2428	{
1469	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	2429	ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
1470	}	2430	}
1471		2431
1472	struct ev_signal signal_watcher;	2432	ev_signal signal_watcher;
1473	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);	2433	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1474	ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);	2434	ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
1475		2435
1476		2436
1477	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes	2437	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1478		2438
1479	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to	2439	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	2440	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	2441	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	2442	has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
1483	loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher).	2443	as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
		2444	forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
		2445	but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later or
		2446	in the next callback invocation is not.
1484		2447
1485	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore	2448	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1486	you can only rgeister child watchers in the default event loop.	2449	you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
		2450
		2451	Due to some design glitches inside libev, child watchers will always be
		2452	handled at maximum priority (their priority is set to C<EV_MAXPRI> by
		2453	libev)
1487		2454
1488	=head3 Process Interaction	2455	=head3 Process Interaction
1489		2456
1490	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is	2457	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1491	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if	2458	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if the
1492	the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurance	2459	first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
1493	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done	2460	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1494	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all	2461	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1495	children, even ones not watched.	2462	children, even ones not watched.
1496		2463
1497	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing	2464	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
…		…
1501	handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for	2468	handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
1502	C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the	2469	C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
1503	default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an	2470	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	2471	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.	2472	that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
		2473
		2474	=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
		2475
		2476	Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
		2477	child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
		2478	callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
		2479	when a child exit is detected (calling C<ev_child_stop> twice is not a
		2480	problem).
1506		2481
1507	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2482	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1508		2483
1509	=over 4	2484	=over 4
1510		2485
…		…
1539	=head3 Examples	2514	=head3 Examples
1540		2515
1541	Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for	2516	Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
1542	its completion.	2517	its completion.
1543		2518
1544	ev_child cw;	2519	ev_child cw;
1545		2520
1546	static void	2521	static void
1547	child_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_child *w, int revents)	2522	child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1548	{	2523	{
1549	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);	2524	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
1550	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);	2525	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1551	}	2526	}
1552		2527
1553	pid_t pid = fork ();	2528	pid_t pid = fork ();
1554		2529
1555	if (pid < 0)	2530	if (pid < 0)
1556	// error	2531	// error
1557	else if (pid == 0)	2532	else if (pid == 0)
1558	{	2533	{
1559	// the forked child executes here	2534	// the forked child executes here
1560	exit (1);	2535	exit (1);
1561	}	2536	}
1562	else	2537	else
1563	{	2538	{
1564	ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);	2539	ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
1565	ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);	2540	ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
1566	}	2541	}
1567		2542
1568		2543
1569	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?	2544	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1570		2545
1571	This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls	2546	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	2547	C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
1573	compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.	2548	and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if
		2549	it did.
1574		2550
1575	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does	2551	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	2552	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
1577	not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is	2553	exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
1578	otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of	2554	C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
1579	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.	2555	least one) and all the other fields of the stat buffer having unspecified
		2556	contents.
1580		2557
1581	The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is	2558	The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
		2559	C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
1582	relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.	2560	your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
1583		2561
1584	Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply	2562	Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
1585	calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You	2563	portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
1586	can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify	2564	to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
1587	a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,	2565	interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
1588	unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around	2566	recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
1589	five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also	2567	(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
1590	impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats	2568	change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
1591	usually overkill.	2569	currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
1592		2570
1593	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,	2571	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1594	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be	2572	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1595	resource-intensive.	2573	resource-intensive.
1596		2574
1597	At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is	2575	At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1598	implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the	2576	is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as an
1599	reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the	2577	exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way of
1600	semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs	2578	implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue, except as a hint).
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		2579
1605	=head3 Inotify	2580	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1606		2581
		2582	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
		2583	compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
		2584	support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
		2585	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
		2586	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
		2587	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
		2588	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
		2589	most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
		2590
		2591	The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
		2592	file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
		2593	optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
		2594	to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
		2595	default compilation environment.
		2596
		2597	=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
		2598
1607	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only	2599	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev and present at
1608	available on Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up	2600	runtime, it will be used to speed up change detection where possible. The
1609	change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily	2601	inotify descriptor will be created lazily when the first C<ev_stat>
1610	when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.	2602	watcher is being started.
1611		2603
1612	Inotify presense does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers	2604	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	2605	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	2606	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.	2607	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
		2608	but as long as kernel 2.6.25 or newer is used (2.6.24 and older have too
		2609	many bugs), the path exists (i.e. stat succeeds), and the path resides on
		2610	a local filesystem (libev currently assumes only ext2/3, jfs, reiserfs and
		2611	xfs are fully working) libev usually gets away without polling.
1616		2612
1617	(There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to	2613	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	2614	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1619	descriptor open on the object at all times).	2615	descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
		2616	etc. is difficult.
		2617
		2618	=head3 C<stat ()> is a synchronous operation
		2619
		2620	Libev doesn't normally do any kind of I/O itself, and so is not blocking
		2621	the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat
		2622	()>, which is a synchronous operation.
		2623
		2624	For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very
		2625	busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast,
		2626	as the path data is usually in memory already (except when starting the
		2627	watcher).
		2628
		2629	For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
		2630	time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call
		2631	often takes multiple milliseconds.
		2632
		2633	Therefore, it is best to avoid using C<ev_stat> watchers on networked
		2634	paths, although this is fully supported by libev.
1620		2635
1621	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution	2636	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1622		2637
1623	The C<stat ()> syscall only supports full-second resolution portably, and	2638	The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
1624	even on systems where the resolution is higher, many filesystems still	2639	and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
1625	only support whole seconds.	2640	still only support whole seconds.
1626		2641
1627	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you might	2642	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	2643	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	2644	calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1630	the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect it.	2645	within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
		2646	stat data does change in other ways (e.g. file size).
1631		2647
1632	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for a second (or till	2648	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>	2649	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>	2650	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	2651	ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
1636	systems.	2652
		2653	The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
		2654	of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
		2655	might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
		2656	C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
		2657	a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
		2658	update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
		2659	the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
		2660	the timer callback).
1637		2661
1638	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2662	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1639		2663
1640	=over 4	2664	=over 4
1641		2665
…		…
1647	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to	2671	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	2672	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	2673	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.	2674	path for as long as the watcher is active.
1651		2675
1652	The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected,	2676	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	2677	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1654	last change was detected).	2678	last change was detected).
1655		2679
1656	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)	2680	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1657		2681
1658	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the	2682	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	2683	watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1660	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be	2684	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1661	useful simply to find out the new values.	2685	the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
		2686	new values.
1662		2687
1663	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]	2688	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1664		2689
1665	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of	2690	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	2691	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	2692	suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
		2693	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.	2694	some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1669		2695
1670	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]	2696	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1671		2697
1672	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever	2698	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1673	C<prev> != C<attr>.	2699	C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
		2700	differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
		2701	C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
1674		2702
1675	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]	2703	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1676		2704
1677	The specified interval.	2705	The specified interval.
1678		2706
1679	=item const char *path [read-only]	2707	=item const char *path [read-only]
1680		2708
1681	The filesystem path that is being watched.	2709	The file system path that is being watched.
1682		2710
1683	=back	2711	=back
1684		2712
1685	=head3 Examples	2713	=head3 Examples
1686		2714
1687	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.	2715	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1688		2716
1689	static void	2717	static void
1690	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)	2718	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1691	{	2719	{
1692	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */	2720	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1693	if (w->attr.st_nlink)	2721	if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1694	{	2722	{
1695	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);	2723	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1696	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2724	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1697	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2725	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1698	}	2726	}
1699	else	2727	else
1700	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */	2728	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1701	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "	2729	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1702	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");	2730	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1703	}	2731	}
1704		2732
1705	...	2733	...
1706	ev_stat passwd;	2734	ev_stat passwd;
1707		2735
1708	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);	2736	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1709	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	2737	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1710		2738
1711	Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not	2739	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	2740	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	2741	one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
1714	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).	2742	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
1715		2743
1716	static ev_stat passwd;	2744	static ev_stat passwd;
1717	static ev_timer timer;	2745	static ev_timer timer;
1718		2746
1719	static void	2747	static void
1720	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2748	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1721	{	2749	{
1722	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);	2750	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
1723		2751
1724	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */	2752	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
1725	}	2753	}
1726		2754
1727	static void	2755	static void
1728	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)	2756	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
1729	{	2757	{
1730	/* reset the one-second timer */	2758	/* reset the one-second timer */
1731	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);	2759	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
1732	}	2760	}
1733		2761
1734	...	2762	...
1735	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);	2763	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1736	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	2764	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1737	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.01);	2765	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1738		2766
1739		2767
1740	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...	2768	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1741		2769
1742	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher	2770	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	2771	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count
1744	count).	2772	as receiving "events").
1745		2773
1746	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts	2774	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	2775	(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	2776	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	2777	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
…		…
1760		2788
1761	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2789	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1762		2790
1763	=over 4	2791	=over 4
1764		2792
1765	=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback)	2793	=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
1766		2794
1767	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any	2795	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1768	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	2796	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1769	believe me.	2797	believe me.
1770		2798
…		…
1773	=head3 Examples	2801	=head3 Examples
1774		2802
1775	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the	2803	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1776	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.	2804	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1777		2805
1778	static void	2806	static void
1779	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)	2807	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1780	{	2808	{
1781	free (w);	2809	free (w);
1782	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has	2810	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1783	// no longer anything immediate to do.	2811	// no longer anything immediate to do.
1784	}	2812	}
1785		2813
1786	struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));	2814	ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1787	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);	2815	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1788	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);	2816	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
1789		2817
1790		2818
1791	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!	2819	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1792		2820
1793	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:	2821	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
1794	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers	2822	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1795	afterwards.	2823	afterwards.
1796		2824
1797	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter	2825	You I<must not> call C<ev_run> or similar functions that enter
1798	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>	2826	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
1799	watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The	2827	watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The
1800	rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in	2828	rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in
1801	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,	2829	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	2830	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1803	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.	2831	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1804		2832
1805	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and	2833	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	2834	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	2835	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1808	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if	2836	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,	2837	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>	2838	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1811	watcher).	2839	watcher).
1812		2840
1813	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need	2841	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	2842	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	2843	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	2844	libraries provide exactly this functionality). Then, in the check watcher,
1817	any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers	2845	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	2846	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,	2847	I/O and timer callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid
1820	because you never know, you know?).	2848	nevertheless, because you never know, you know?).
1821		2849
1822	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate	2850	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1823	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines	2851	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
1824	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines	2852	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	2853	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	2856	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1829	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).	2857	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1830		2858
1831	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)	2859	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	2860	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
		2861	after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).
		2862
1833	after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers,	2863	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	2864	activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
1835	supports this, they will be called before other C<ev_check> watchers	2865	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	2866	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	2867	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	2868	C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
1839	coexist peacefully with others).	2869	others).
1840		2870
1841	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2871	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1842		2872
1843	=over 4	2873	=over 4
1844		2874
…		…
1846		2876
1847	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)	2877	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1848		2878
1849	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no	2879	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>	2880	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.	2881	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly, utterly and completely
		2882	pointless.
1852		2883
1853	=back	2884	=back
1854		2885
1855	=head3 Examples	2886	=head3 Examples
1856		2887
1857	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules	2888	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	2889	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	2890	(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>	2891	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	2892	Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
1862	into the Glib event loop).	2893	Glib event loop).
1863		2894
1864	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,	2895	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	2896	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	2897	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	2898	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.	2899	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1869		2900
1870	static ev_io iow [nfd];	2901	static ev_io iow [nfd];
1871	static ev_timer tw;	2902	static ev_timer tw;
1872		2903
1873	static void	2904	static void
1874	io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)	2905	io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1875	{	2906	{
1876	}	2907	}
1877		2908
1878	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking	2909	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1879	static void	2910	static void
1880	adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)	2911	adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1881	{	2912	{
1882	int timeout = 3600000;	2913	int timeout = 3600000;
1883	struct pollfd fds [nfd];	2914	struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1884	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.	2915	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1885	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));	2916	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1886		2917
1887	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */	2918	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1888	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);	2919	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3, 0.);
1889	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);	2920	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1890		2921
1891	// create one ev_io per pollfd	2922	// create one ev_io per pollfd
1892	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2923	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1893	{	2924	{
1894	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,	2925	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1895	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)	2926	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1896	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));	2927	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1897		2928
1898	fds [i].revents = 0;	2929	fds [i].revents = 0;
1899	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);	2930	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1900	}	2931	}
1901	}	2932	}
1902		2933
1903	// stop all watchers after blocking	2934	// stop all watchers after blocking
1904	static void	2935	static void
1905	adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)	2936	adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1906	{	2937	{
1907	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);	2938	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1908		2939
1909	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2940	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1910	{	2941	{
1911	// set the relevant poll flags	2942	// set the relevant poll flags
1912	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here	2943	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1913	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;	2944	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
1914	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);	2945	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
1915	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;	2946	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1916	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;	2947	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1917		2948
1918	// now stop the watcher	2949	// now stop the watcher
1919	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);	2950	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1920	}	2951	}
1921		2952
1922	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));	2953	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1923	}	2954	}
1924		2955
1925	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>	2956	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.	2957	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
1927		2958
1928	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event	2959	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
1929	notification (adns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher	2960	notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
1930	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.	2961	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
1931		2962
1932	static void	2963	static void
1933	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2964	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1934	{	2965	{
1935	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2966	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1936	update_now (EV_A);	2967	update_now (EV_A);
1937		2968
1938	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);	2969	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
1939	}	2970	}
1940		2971
1941	static void	2972	static void
1942	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)	2973	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1943	{	2974	{
1944	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2975	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1945	update_now (EV_A);	2976	update_now (EV_A);
1946		2977
1947	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2978	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1948	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2979	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1949	}	2980	}
1950		2981
1951	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll	2982	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll
1952		2983
1953	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you	2984	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	2985	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	2986	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	2987	main loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module uses
1957	this.	2988	this approach, effectively embedding EV as a client into the horrible
		2989	libglib event loop.
1958		2990
1959	static gint	2991	static gint
1960	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)	2992	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
1961	{	2993	{
1962	int got_events = 0;	2994	int got_events = 0;
1963		2995
1964	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2996	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1965	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events	2997	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
1966		2998
1967	if (timeout >= 0)	2999	if (timeout >= 0)
1968	// create/start timer	3000	// create/start timer
1969		3001
1970	// poll	3002	// poll
1971	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	3003	ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
1972		3004
1973	// stop timer again	3005	// stop timer again
1974	if (timeout >= 0)	3006	if (timeout >= 0)
1975	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);	3007	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
1976		3008
1977	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set	3009	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
1978	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	3010	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1979	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);	3011	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
1980		3012
1981	return got_events;	3013	return got_events;
1982	}	3014	}
1983		3015
1984		3016
1985	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...	3017	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1986		3018
1987	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop	3019	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
…		…
1993	prioritise I/O.	3025	prioritise I/O.
1994		3026
1995	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support	3027	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	3028	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	3029	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	3030	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	3031	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	3032	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.	3033	C<kevent>, but at least you can use both mechanisms for what they are
		3034	best: C<kqueue> for scalable sockets and C<poll> if you want it to work :)
2002		3035
2003	As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have	3036	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	3037	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	3038	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	3039	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.	3040	the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
2008		3041
2009	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time	3042	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every
2010	there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then	3043	time there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback
2011	call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke	3044	must then call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single
2012	their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded	3045	sweep and invoke their callbacks (the callback doesn't need to invoke the
2013	loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback	3046	C<ev_embed_sweep> function directly, it could also start an idle watcher
2014	to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the	3047	to give the embedded loop strictly lower priority for example).
2015	embedded loop sweep.
2016		3048
2017	As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The	3049	You can also set the callback to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher
2018	callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can	3050	will automatically execute the embedded loop sweep whenever necessary.
2019	set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
2020	interested in that.
2021		3051
2022	Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:	3052	Fork detection will be handled transparently while the C<ev_embed> watcher
2023	when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,	3053	is active, i.e., the embedded loop will automatically be forked when the
2024	but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers	3054	embedding loop forks. In other cases, the user is responsible for calling
2025	yourself.	3055	C<ev_loop_fork> on the embedded loop.
2026		3056
2027	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by	3057	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
2028	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any	3058	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
2029	portable one.	3059	portable one.
2030		3060
2031	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared	3061	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	3062	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	3063	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.	3064	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
2035		3065
		3066	=head3 C<ev_embed> and fork
		3067
		3068	While the C<ev_embed> watcher is running, forks in the embedding loop will
		3069	automatically be applied to the embedded loop as well, so no special
		3070	fork handling is required in that case. When the watcher is not running,
		3071	however, it is still the task of the libev user to call C<ev_loop_fork ()>
		3072	as applicable.
		3073
2036	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	3074	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2037		3075
2038	=over 4	3076	=over 4
2039		3077
2040	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)	3078	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
…		…
2043		3081
2044	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be	3082	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	3083	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	3084	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,	3085	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).	3086	if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
2049		3087
2050	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)	3088	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
2051		3089
2052	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works	3090	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	3091	similarly to C<ev_run (embedded_loop, EVRUN_NOWAIT)>, but in the most
2054	apropriate way for embedded loops.	3092	appropriate way for embedded loops.
2055		3093
2056	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]	3094	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
2057		3095
2058	The embedded event loop.	3096	The embedded event loop.
2059		3097
…		…
2061		3099
2062	=head3 Examples	3100	=head3 Examples
2063		3101
2064	Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default	3102	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	3103	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	3104	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	3105	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
2068	used).	3106	used).
2069		3107
2070	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);	3108	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2071	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;	3109	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2072	struct ev_embed embed;	3110	ev_embed embed;
2073		3111
2074	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works	3112	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2075	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)	3113	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2076	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()	3114	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2077	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())	3115	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
2078	: 0;	3116	: 0;
2079		3117
2080	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi	3118	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
2081	if (loop_lo)	3119	if (loop_lo)
2082	{	3120	{
2083	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);	3121	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
2084	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);	3122	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
2085	}	3123	}
2086	else	3124	else
2087	loop_lo = loop_hi;	3125	loop_lo = loop_hi;
2088		3126
2089	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create	3127	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
2090	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any	3128	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
2091	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in	3129	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
2092	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).	3130	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2093		3131
2094	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	3132	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2095	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;	3133	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2096	struct ev_embed embed;	3134	ev_embed embed;
2097		3135
2098	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)	3136	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2099	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))	3137	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2100	{	3138	{
2101	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);	3139	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2102	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);	3140	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2103	}	3141	}
2104		3142
2105	if (!loop_socket)	3143	if (!loop_socket)
2106	loop_socket = loop;	3144	loop_socket = loop;
2107		3145
2108	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else	3146	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
2109		3147
2110		3148
2111	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork	3149	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
2112		3150
2113	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because	3151	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
…		…
2116	event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,	3154	event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
2117	and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling	3155	and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
2118	C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork	3156	C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
2119	handlers will be invoked, too, of course.	3157	handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
2120		3158
		3159	=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
		3160
		3161	Most uses of C<fork()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to set
		3162	up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
		3163	sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
		3164
		3165	This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
		3166	in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
		3167	fork.
		3168
		3169	The default mode of operation (for libev, with application help to detect
		3170	forks) is to duplicate all the state in the child, as would be expected
		3171	when I<either> the parent I<or> the child process continues.
		3172
		3173	When both processes want to continue using libev, then this is usually the
		3174	wrong result. In that case, usually one process (typically the parent) is
		3175	supposed to continue with all watchers in place as before, while the other
		3176	process typically wants to start fresh, i.e. without any active watchers.
		3177
		3178	The cleanest and most efficient way to achieve that with libev is to
		3179	simply create a new event loop, which of course will be "empty", and
		3180	use that for new watchers. This has the advantage of not touching more
		3181	memory than necessary, and thus avoiding the copy-on-write, and the
		3182	disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support
		3183	signal watchers).
		3184
		3185	When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for
		3186	other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call
		3187	C<ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT)> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>.
		3188	Destroying the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered
		3189	watchers, so you have to be careful not to execute code that modifies
		3190	those watchers. Note also that in that case, you have to re-register any
		3191	signal watchers.
		3192
2121	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	3193	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2122		3194
2123	=over 4	3195	=over 4
2124		3196
2125	=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)	3197	=item ev_fork_init (ev_fork *, callback)
2126		3198
2127	Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any	3199	Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
2128	kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	3200	kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2129	believe me.	3201	really.
2130		3202
2131	=back	3203	=back
2132		3204
2133		3205
		3206	=head2 C<ev_cleanup> - even the best things end
		3207
		3208	Cleanup watchers are called just before the event loop is being destroyed
		3209	by a call to C<ev_loop_destroy>.
		3210
		3211	While there is no guarantee that the event loop gets destroyed, cleanup
		3212	watchers provide a convenient method to install cleanup hooks for your
		3213	program, worker threads and so on - you just to make sure to destroy the
		3214	loop when you want them to be invoked.
		3215
		3216	Cleanup watchers are invoked in the same way as any other watcher. Unlike
		3217	all other watchers, they do not keep a reference to the event loop (which
		3218	makes a lot of sense if you think about it). Like all other watchers, you
		3219	can call libev functions in the callback, except C<ev_cleanup_start>.
		3220
		3221	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
		3222
		3223	=over 4
		3224
		3225	=item ev_cleanup_init (ev_cleanup *, callback)
		3226
		3227	Initialises and configures the cleanup watcher - it has no parameters of
		3228	any kind. There is a C<ev_cleanup_set> macro, but using it is utterly
		3229	pointless, I assure you.
		3230
		3231	=back
		3232
		3233	Example: Register an atexit handler to destroy the default loop, so any
		3234	cleanup functions are called.
		3235
		3236	static void
		3237	program_exits (void)
		3238	{
		3239	ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT_UC);
		3240	}
		3241
		3242	...
		3243	atexit (program_exits);
		3244
		3245
2134	=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop	3246	=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop
2135		3247
2136	In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other	3248	In general, you cannot use an C<ev_run> from multiple threads or other
2137	asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event	3249	asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
2138	loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).	3250	loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
2139		3251
2140	Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not	3252	Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control,
2141	control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what	3253	for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async>
2142	C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you	3254	watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you can signal
2143	can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal	3255	it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe.
2144	safe.
2145		3256
2146	This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,	3257	This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
2147	too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed	3258	too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
2148	(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of	3259	(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
2149	C<ev_async_sent> calls).	3260	C<ev_async_sent> calls). In fact, you could use signal watchers as a kind
		3261	of "global async watchers" by using a watcher on an otherwise unused
		3262	signal, and C<ev_feed_signal> to signal this watcher from another thread,
		3263	even without knowing which loop owns the signal.
2150		3264
2151	Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not	3265	Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
2152	just the default loop.	3266	just the default loop.
2153		3267
2154	=head3 Queueing	3268	=head3 Queueing
2155		3269
2156	C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason	3270	C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2157	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a	3271	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	3272	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2159	need elaborate support such as pthreads.	3273	need elaborate support such as pthreads or unportable memory access
		3274	semantics.
2160		3275
2161	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own	3276	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	3277	queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2163	queue:	3278	queue:
2164		3279
2165	=over 4	3280	=over 4
2166		3281
2167	=item queueing from a signal handler context	3282	=item queueing from a signal handler context
2168		3283
2169	To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal	3284	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	3285	handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is
2171	some fictitiuous SIGUSR1 handler:	3286	an example that does that for some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
2172		3287
2173	static ev_async mysig;	3288	static ev_async mysig;
2174		3289
2175	static void	3290	static void
2176	sigusr1_handler (void)	3291	sigusr1_handler (void)
…		…
2242	=over 4	3357	=over 4
2243		3358
2244	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)	3359	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2245		3360
2246	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any	3361	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,	3362	kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2248	believe me.	3363	trust me.
2249		3364
2250	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)	3365	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2251		3366
2252	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds	3367	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	3368	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	3369	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	3370	similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
2256	section below on what exactly this means).	3371	section below on what exactly this means).
2257		3372
		3373	Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
		3374	compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this
		3375	is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>,
		3376	reset when the event loop detects that).
		3377
2258	This call incurs the overhead of a syscall only once per loop iteration,	3378	This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per event loop
2259	so while the overhead might be noticable, it doesn't apply to repeated	3379	iteration, so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to
2260	calls to C<ev_async_send>.	3380	repeated calls to C<ev_async_send> for the same event loop.
		3381
		3382	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
		3383
		3384	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
		3385	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
		3386	event loop.
		3387
		3388	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
		3389	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
		3390	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
		3391	quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
		3392
		3393	Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending,
		3394	only whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending: there
		3395	is a time window between the event loop checking and resetting the async
		3396	notification, and the callback being invoked.
2261		3397
2262	=back	3398	=back
2263		3399
2264		3400
2265	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS	3401	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
…		…
2269	=over 4	3405	=over 4
2270		3406
2271	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)	3407	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
2272		3408
2273	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your	3409	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
2274	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both	3410	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	3411	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	3412	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
2277	more watchers yourself.	3413	more watchers yourself.
2278		3414
2279	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events	3415	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	3416	C<events> argument is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for
2281	C<events> set will be craeted and started.	3417	the given C<fd> and C<events> set will be created and started.
2282		3418
2283	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be	3419	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	3420	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	3421	repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
2286	dubious value.
2287		3422
2288	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets	3423	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and is
2289	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of	3424	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>	3425	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMER>) and the C<arg>
2291	value passed to C<ev_once>:	3426	value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
		3427	a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
		3428	events precedence.
2292		3429
		3430	Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
		3431
2293	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)	3432	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
2294	{	3433	{
2295	if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
2296	/* doh, nothing entered */;
2297	else if (revents & EV_READ)	3434	if (revents & EV_READ)
2298	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;	3435	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
		3436	else if (revents & EV_TIMER)
		3437	/* doh, nothing entered */;
2299	}	3438	}
2300		3439
2301	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);	3440	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
2302		3441
2303	=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
2304
2305	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
2307	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
2308
2309	=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)	3442	=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
2310		3443
2311	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected	3444	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
2312	the given events it.	3445	the given events it.
2313		3446
2314	=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)	3447	=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
2315		3448
2316	Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default	3449	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred. See also C<ev_feed_signal>,
2317	loop!).	3450	which is async-safe.
		3451
		3452	=back
		3453
		3454
		3455	=head1 COMMON OR USEFUL IDIOMS (OR BOTH)
		3456
		3457	This section explains some common idioms that are not immediately
		3458	obvious. Note that examples are sprinkled over the whole manual, and this
		3459	section only contains stuff that wouldn't fit anywhere else.
		3460
		3461	=over 4
		3462
		3463	=item Model/nested event loop invocations and exit conditions.
		3464
		3465	Often (especially in GUI toolkits) there are places where you have
		3466	I<modal> interaction, which is most easily implemented by recursively
		3467	invoking C<ev_run>.
		3468
		3469	This brings the problem of exiting - a callback might want to finish the
		3470	main C<ev_run> call, but not the nested one (e.g. user clicked "Quit", but
		3471	a modal "Are you sure?" dialog is still waiting), or just the nested one
		3472	and not the main one (e.g. user clocked "Ok" in a modal dialog), or some
		3473	other combination: In these cases, C<ev_break> will not work alone.
		3474
		3475	The solution is to maintain "break this loop" variable for each C<ev_run>
		3476	invocation, and use a loop around C<ev_run> until the condition is
		3477	triggered, using C<EVRUN_ONCE>:
		3478
		3479	// main loop
		3480	int exit_main_loop = 0;
		3481
		3482	while (!exit_main_loop)
		3483	ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ EVRUN_ONCE);
		3484
		3485	// in a model watcher
		3486	int exit_nested_loop = 0;
		3487
		3488	while (!exit_nested_loop)
		3489	ev_run (EV_A_ EVRUN_ONCE);
		3490
		3491	To exit from any of these loops, just set the corresponding exit variable:
		3492
		3493	// exit modal loop
		3494	exit_nested_loop = 1;
		3495
		3496	// exit main program, after modal loop is finished
		3497	exit_main_loop = 1;
		3498
		3499	// exit both
		3500	exit_main_loop = exit_nested_loop = 1;
		3501
		3502	=item Thread locking example
		3503
		3504	Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
		3505	thread than where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
		3506	created/added/removed.
		3507
		3508	For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
		3509	which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
		3510	languages).
		3511
		3512	The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
		3513	variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
		3514	event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
		3515
		3516	First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
		3517
		3518	typedef struct {
		3519	mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
		3520	ev_async async_w;
		3521	thread_t tid;
		3522	cond_t invoke_cv;
		3523	} userdata;
		3524
		3525	void prepare_loop (EV_P)
		3526	{
		3527	// for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
		3528	static userdata u;
		3529
		3530	ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
		3531	ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
		3532
		3533	pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
		3534	pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
		3535
		3536	// now associate this with the loop
		3537	ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
		3538	ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
		3539	ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
		3540
		3541	// then create the thread running ev_loop
		3542	pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
		3543	}
		3544
		3545	The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
		3546	solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
		3547	that might have been added:
		3548
		3549	static void
		3550	async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		3551	{
		3552	// just used for the side effects
		3553	}
		3554
		3555	The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
		3556	protecting the loop data, respectively.
		3557
		3558	static void
		3559	l_release (EV_P)
		3560	{
		3561	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		3562	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		3563	}
		3564
		3565	static void
		3566	l_acquire (EV_P)
		3567	{
		3568	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		3569	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		3570	}
		3571
		3572	The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
		3573	into C<ev_run>:
		3574
		3575	void *
		3576	l_run (void *thr_arg)
		3577	{
		3578	struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
		3579
		3580	l_acquire (EV_A);
		3581	pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
		3582	ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
		3583	l_release (EV_A);
		3584
		3585	return 0;
		3586	}
		3587
		3588	Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
		3589	signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
		3590	writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
		3591	have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
		3592	and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
		3593	watchers is very beneficial):
		3594
		3595	static void
		3596	l_invoke (EV_P)
		3597	{
		3598	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		3599
		3600	while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
		3601	{
		3602	wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
		3603	pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
		3604	}
		3605	}
		3606
		3607	Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
		3608	will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
		3609	thread to continue:
		3610
		3611	static void
		3612	real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
		3613	{
		3614	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		3615
		3616	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		3617	ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
		3618	pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
		3619	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		3620	}
		3621
		3622	Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
		3623	event loop, you will now have to lock:
		3624
		3625	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
		3626	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		3627
		3628	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
		3629
		3630	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		3631	ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
		3632	ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
		3633	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		3634
		3635	Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
		3636	an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
		3637	about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
		3638	watchers in the next event loop iteration.
2318		3639
2319	=back	3640	=back
2320		3641
2321		3642
2322	=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION	3643	=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION
2323		3644
2324	Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot	3645	Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot
2325	emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints:	3646	emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints:
2326		3647
2327	=over 4	3648	=over 4
		3649
		3650	=item * Only the libevent-1.4.1-beta API is being emulated.
		3651
		3652	This was the newest libevent version available when libev was implemented,
		3653	and is still mostly unchanged in 2010.
2328		3654
2329	=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual.	3655	=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual.
2330		3656
2331	=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback,	3657	=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback,
2332	ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events.	3658	ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events.
…		…
2337		3663
2338	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities	3664	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
2339	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there	3665	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
2340	is an ev_pri field.	3666	is an ev_pri field.
2341		3667
		3668	=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
		3669	base that registered the signal gets the signals.
		3670
2342	=item * Other members are not supported.	3671	=item * Other members are not supported.
2343		3672
2344	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need	3673	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
2345	to use the libev header file and library.	3674	to use the libev header file and library.
2346		3675
2347	=back	3676	=back
2348		3677
2349	=head1 C++ SUPPORT	3678	=head1 C++ SUPPORT
2350		3679
2351	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow	3680	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	3681	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.	3682	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
2354		3683
2355	To use it,	3684	To use it,
2356		3685
2357	#include <ev++.h>	3686	#include <ev++.h>
2358		3687
2359	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many	3688	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	3689	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	3690	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
2362	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.	3691	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
…		…
2364	Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++	3693	Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++
2365	classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer	3694	classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer
2366	that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if	3695	that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if
2367	you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).	3696	you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).
2368		3697
2369	Currently, functions, and static and non-static member functions can be	3698	Currently, functions, static and non-static member functions and classes
2370	used as callbacks. Other types should be easy to add as long as they only	3699	with C<operator ()> can be used as callbacks. Other types should be easy
2371	need one additional pointer for context. If you need support for other	3700	to add as long as they only need one additional pointer for context. If
2372	types of functors please contact the author (preferably after implementing	3701	you need support for other types of functors please contact the author
2373	it).	3702	(preferably after implementing it).
2374		3703
2375	Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:	3704	Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
2376		3705
2377	=over 4	3706	=over 4
2378		3707
…		…
2396		3725
2397	=over 4	3726	=over 4
2398		3727
2399	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()	3728	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
2400		3729
2401	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *)	3730	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (loop)
2402		3731
2403	=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE	3732	=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
2404		3733
2405	The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher	3734	The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
2406	with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.	3735	with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
…		…
2429	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the	3758	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.	3759	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
2431		3760
2432	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation	3761	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
2433		3762
2434	struct myclass	3763	struct myclass
2435	{	3764	{
2436	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	3765	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2437	}	3766	}
2438		3767
2439	myclass obj;	3768	myclass obj;
2440	ev::io iow;	3769	ev::io iow;
2441	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);	3770	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
		3771
		3772	=item w->set (object *)
		3773
		3774	This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
		3775	will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
		3776	functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
		3777	the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
		3778	list.
		3779
		3780	The C<operator ()> method prototype must be C<void operator ()(watcher &w,
		3781	int revents)>.
		3782
		3783	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
		3784
		3785	Example: use a functor object as callback.
		3786
		3787	struct myfunctor
		3788	{
		3789	void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
		3790	{
		3791	...
		3792	}
		3793	}
		3794
		3795	myfunctor f;
		3796
		3797	ev::io w;
		3798	w.set (&f);
2442		3799
2443	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)	3800	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2444		3801
2445	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as	3802	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	3803	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
…		…
2448		3805
2449	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.	3806	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
2450		3807
2451	See the method-C<set> above for more details.	3808	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2452		3809
2453	Example:	3810	Example: Use a plain function as callback.
2454		3811
2455	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	3812	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2456	iow.set <io_cb> ();	3813	iow.set <io_cb> ();
2457		3814
2458	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)	3815	=item w->set (loop)
2459		3816
2460	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only	3817	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).	3818	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
2462		3819
2463	=item w->set ([args])	3820	=item w->set ([arguments])
2464		3821
2465	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be	3822	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Either this
2466	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets	3823	method or a suitable start method must be called at least once. Unlike the
2467	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this	3824	C counterpart, an active watcher gets automatically stopped and restarted
2468	method.	3825	when reconfiguring it with this method.
2469		3826
2470	=item w->start ()	3827	=item w->start ()
2471		3828
2472	Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the	3829	Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
2473	constructor already stores the event loop.	3830	constructor already stores the event loop.
2474		3831
		3832	=item w->start ([arguments])
		3833
		3834	Instead of calling C<set> and C<start> methods separately, it is often
		3835	convenient to wrap them in one call. Uses the same type of arguments as
		3836	the configure C<set> method of the watcher.
		3837
2475	=item w->stop ()	3838	=item w->stop ()
2476		3839
2477	Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.	3840	Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
2478		3841
2479	=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)	3842	=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
…		…
2491		3854
2492	=back	3855	=back
2493		3856
2494	=back	3857	=back
2495		3858
2496	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in	3859	Example: Define a class with two I/O and idle watchers, start the I/O
2497	the constructor.	3860	watchers in the constructor.
2498		3861
2499	class myclass	3862	class myclass
2500	{	3863	{
2501	ev::io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);	3864	ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
		3865	ev::io2 io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2502	ev:idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);	3866	ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2503		3867
2504	myclass (int fd)	3868	myclass (int fd)
2505	{	3869	{
2506	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);	3870	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
		3871	io2 .set <myclass, &myclass::io2_cb > (this);
2507	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);	3872	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2508		3873
2509	io.start (fd, ev::READ);	3874	io.set (fd, ev::WRITE); // configure the watcher
		3875	io.start (); // start it whenever convenient
		3876
		3877	io2.start (fd, ev::READ); // set + start in one call
2510	}	3878	}
2511	};	3879	};
2512		3880
2513		3881
2514	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS	3882	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
2515		3883
2516	Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a	3884	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	3885	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	3886	any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
2519	me a note.	3887	me a note.
2520		3888
2521	=over 4	3889	=over 4
2522		3890
2523	=item Perl	3891	=item Perl
2524		3892
2525	The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test	3893	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,	3894	libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
2527	there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces	3895	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	3896	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>).	3897	C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV>
		3898	and C<EV::Glib>).
2530		3899
2531	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is found at	3900	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
2532	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.	3901	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2533		3902
		3903	=item Python
		3904
		3905	Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
		3906	seems to be quite complete and well-documented.
		3907
2534	=item Ruby	3908	=item Ruby
2535		3909
2536	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset	3910	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	3911	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	3912	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2539	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.	3913	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2540		3914
		3915	Roger Pack reports that using the link order C<-lws2_32 -lmsvcrt-ruby-190>
		3916	makes rev work even on mingw.
		3917
		3918	=item Haskell
		3919
		3920	A haskell binding to libev is available at
		3921	L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
		3922
2541	=item D	3923	=item D
2542		3924
2543	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to	3925	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>.	3926	be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
		3927
		3928	=item Ocaml
		3929
		3930	Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
		3931	L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
		3932
		3933	=item Lua
		3934
		3935	Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the
		3936	time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at
		3937	L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>.
2545		3938
2546	=back	3939	=back
2547		3940
2548		3941
2549	=head1 MACRO MAGIC	3942	=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2550		3943
2551	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal	3944	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
2552	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)	3945	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
2553	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.	3946	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
2554		3947
2555	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the	3948	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
2556	following macros are defined:	3949	following macros are defined:
…		…
2561		3954
2562	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev	3955	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,	3956	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:	3957	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2565		3958
2566	ev_unref (EV_A);	3959	ev_unref (EV_A);
2567	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);	3960	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2568	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	3961	ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
2569		3962
2570	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,	3963	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2571	which is often provided by the following macro.	3964	which is often provided by the following macro.
2572		3965
2573	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>	3966	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
2574		3967
2575	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev	3968	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,	3969	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:	3970	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
2578		3971
2579	// this is how ev_unref is being declared	3972	// this is how ev_unref is being declared
2580	static void ev_unref (EV_P);	3973	static void ev_unref (EV_P);
2581		3974
2582	// this is how you can declare your typical callback	3975	// this is how you can declare your typical callback
2583	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	3976	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2584		3977
2585	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite	3978	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
2586	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.	3979	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
2587		3980
2588	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>	3981	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
2589		3982
2590	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default	3983	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
2591	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").	3984	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
		3985
		3986	=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
		3987
		3988	Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
		3989	default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
		3990	is undefined when the default loop has not been initialised by a previous
		3991	execution of C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> or C<ev_default_init (...)>.
		3992
		3993	It is often prudent to use C<EV_DEFAULT> when initialising the first
		3994	watcher in a function but use C<EV_DEFAULT_UC> afterwards.
2592		3995
2593	=back	3996	=back
2594		3997
2595	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above	3998	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
2596	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported	3999	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2597	or not.	4000	or not.
2598		4001
2599	static void	4002	static void
2600	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	4003	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2601	{	4004	{
2602	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);	4005	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
2603	}	4006	}
2604		4007
2605	ev_check check;	4008	ev_check check;
2606	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);	4009	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
2607	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);	4010	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
2608	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);	4011	ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
2609		4012
2610	=head1 EMBEDDING	4013	=head1 EMBEDDING
2611		4014
2612	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host	4015	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
2613	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra	4016	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
…		…
2620	libev somewhere in your source tree).	4023	libev somewhere in your source tree).
2621		4024
2622	=head2 FILESETS	4025	=head2 FILESETS
2623		4026
2624	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files	4027	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
2625	in your app.	4028	in your application.
2626		4029
2627	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP	4030	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
2628		4031
2629	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual	4032	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
2630	configuration (no autoconf):	4033	configuration (no autoconf):
2631		4034
2632	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	4035	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2633	#include "ev.c"	4036	#include "ev.c"
2634		4037
2635	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a	4038	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	4039	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	4040	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	4041	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
2639	where you can put other configuration options):	4042	where you can put other configuration options):
2640		4043
2641	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	4044	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2642	#include "ev.h"	4045	#include "ev.h"
2643		4046
2644	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++	4047	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	4048	compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2646	as a bug).	4049	as a bug).
2647		4050
2648	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory	4051	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):	4052	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2650		4053
2651	ev.h	4054	ev.h
2652	ev.c	4055	ev.c
2653	ev_vars.h	4056	ev_vars.h
2654	ev_wrap.h	4057	ev_wrap.h
2655		4058
2656	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only	4059	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
2657		4060
2658	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)	4061	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)	4062	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)	4063	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)	4064	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)	4065	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2663		4066
2664	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need	4067	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
2665	to compile this single file.	4068	to compile this single file.
2666		4069
2667	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API	4070	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
2668		4071
2669	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:	4072	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
2670		4073
2671	#include "event.c"	4074	#include "event.c"
2672		4075
2673	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:	4076	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
2674		4077
2675	#include "event.h"	4078	#include "event.h"
2676		4079
2677	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.	4080	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
2678		4081
2679	You need the following additional files for this:	4082	You need the following additional files for this:
2680		4083
2681	event.h	4084	event.h
2682	event.c	4085	event.c
2683		4086
2684	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT	4087	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
2685		4088
2686	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in	4089	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	4090	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	4091	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
2689	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.	4092	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
2690		4093
2691	For this of course you need the m4 file:	4094	For this of course you need the m4 file:
2692		4095
2693	libev.m4	4096	libev.m4
2694		4097
2695	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS	4098	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2696		4099
2697	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define	4100	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	4101	define before including (or compiling) any of its files. The default in
2699	and only include the select backend.	4102	the absence of autoconf is documented for every option.
		4103
		4104	Symbols marked with "(h)" do not change the ABI, and can have different
		4105	values when compiling libev vs. including F<ev.h>, so it is permissible
		4106	to redefine them before including F<ev.h> without breaking compatibility
		4107	to a compiled library. All other symbols change the ABI, which means all
		4108	users of libev and the libev code itself must be compiled with compatible
		4109	settings.
2700		4110
2701	=over 4	4111	=over 4
2702		4112
		4113	=item EV_COMPAT3 (h)
		4114
		4115	Backwards compatibility is a major concern for libev. This is why this
		4116	release of libev comes with wrappers for the functions and symbols that
		4117	have been renamed between libev version 3 and 4.
		4118
		4119	You can disable these wrappers (to test compatibility with future
		4120	versions) by defining C<EV_COMPAT3> to C<0> when compiling your
		4121	sources. This has the additional advantage that you can drop the C<struct>
		4122	from C<struct ev_loop> declarations, as libev will provide an C<ev_loop>
		4123	typedef in that case.
		4124
		4125	In some future version, the default for C<EV_COMPAT3> will become C<0>,
		4126	and in some even more future version the compatibility code will be
		4127	removed completely.
		4128
2703	=item EV_STANDALONE	4129	=item EV_STANDALONE (h)
2704		4130
2705	Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which	4131	Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which
2706	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy	4132	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
2707	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not	4133	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
2708	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in	4134	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
2709	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.	4135	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2710		4136
		4137	In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
		4138	configuration, but has to be more conservative.
		4139
2711	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC	4140	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2712		4141
2713	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	4142	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	4143	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
2715	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you	4144	use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this,
2716	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when	4145	you usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it
2717	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have	4146	when 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>	4147	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2719	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).	4148	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). See also C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
2720		4149
2721	=item EV_USE_REALTIME	4150	=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2722		4151
2723	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	4152	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	4153	real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability
2725	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will	4154	at runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock
2726	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get	4155	option will be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday>
2727	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the	4156	by C<clock_get (CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect
2728	note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.	4157	correctness. See the note about libraries in the description of
		4158	C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. Defaults to the opposite value of
		4159	C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
		4160
		4161	=item EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL
		4162
		4163	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to use a direct syscall instead
		4164	of calling the system-provided C<clock_gettime> function. This option
		4165	exists because on GNU/Linux, C<clock_gettime> is in C<librt>, but C<librt>
		4166	unconditionally pulls in C<libpthread>, slowing down single-threaded
		4167	programs needlessly. Using a direct syscall is slightly slower (in
		4168	theory), because no optimised vdso implementation can be used, but avoids
		4169	the pthread dependency. Defaults to C<1> on GNU/Linux with glibc 2.x or
		4170	higher, as it simplifies linking (no need for C<-lrt>).
2729		4171
2730	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP	4172	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
2731		4173
2732	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available	4174	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 ()>.	4175	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
2734		4176
		4177	=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
		4178
		4179	If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
		4180	available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
		4181	C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
		4182	If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
		4183	2.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
		4184
2735	=item EV_USE_SELECT	4185	=item EV_USE_SELECT
2736		4186
2737	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the	4187	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	4188	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	4189	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
2740	will not be compiled in.	4190	will not be compiled in.
2741		4191
2742	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET	4192	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2743		4193
2744	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>	4194	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	4195	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	4196	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout
2747	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some	4197	on exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to
2748	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only	4198	some low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket
2749	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might	4199	only allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation,
2750	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.	4200	configures the maximum size of the C<fd_set>.
2751		4201
2752	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET	4202	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
2753		4203
2754	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that	4204	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
2755	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but	4205	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
…		…
2757	be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call	4207	be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
2758	C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,	4208	C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
2759	it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even	4209	it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
2760	on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.	4210	on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
2761		4211
2762	=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE	4212	=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE(fd)
2763		4213
2764	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map	4214	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
2765	file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the	4215	file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
2766	default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually	4216	default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
2767	correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,	4217	correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
2768	in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.	4218	in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
2769		4219
		4220	=item EV_WIN32_HANDLE_TO_FD(handle)
		4221
		4222	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> then libev maps handles to file descriptors
		4223	using the standard C<_open_osfhandle> function. For programs implementing
		4224	their own fd to handle mapping, overwriting this function makes it easier
		4225	to do so. This can be done by defining this macro to an appropriate value.
		4226
		4227	=item EV_WIN32_CLOSE_FD(fd)
		4228
		4229	If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this
		4230	macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister
		4231	file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close
		4232	the underlying OS handle.
		4233
2770	=item EV_USE_POLL	4234	=item EV_USE_POLL
2771		4235
2772	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)	4236	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
2773	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It	4237	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
2774	takes precedence over select.	4238	takes precedence over select.
2775		4239
2776	=item EV_USE_EPOLL	4240	=item EV_USE_EPOLL
2777		4241
2778	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux	4242	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,	4243	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2780	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the	4244	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2781	preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems.	4245	backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
		4246	headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2782		4247
2783	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE	4248	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2784		4249
2785	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style	4250	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,	4251	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	4264	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2800	backend for Solaris 10 systems.	4265	backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2801		4266
2802	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL	4267	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2803		4268
2804	reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.	4269	Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2805		4270
2806	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY	4271	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2807		4272
2808	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify	4273	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	4274	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2810	be detected at runtime.	4275	be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
		4276	indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2811		4277
2812	=item EV_ATOMIC_T	4278	=item EV_ATOMIC_T
2813		4279
2814	Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose	4280	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	4281	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	4282	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"	4283	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.	4284	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
2819		4285
2820	In the absense of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>	4286	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.	4287	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2822		4288
2823	=item EV_H	4289	=item EV_H (h)
2824		4290
2825	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if	4291	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2826	undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be	4292	undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
2827	used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.	4293	used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2828		4294
2829	=item EV_CONFIG_H	4295	=item EV_CONFIG_H (h)
2830		4296
2831	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override	4297	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
2832	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to	4298	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2833	C<EV_H>, above.	4299	C<EV_H>, above.
2834		4300
2835	=item EV_EVENT_H	4301	=item EV_EVENT_H (h)
2836		4302
2837	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea	4303	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
2838	of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.	4304	of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
2839		4305
2840	=item EV_PROTOTYPES	4306	=item EV_PROTOTYPES (h)
2841		4307
2842	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function	4308	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
2843	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is	4309	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
2844	occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions	4310	occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions
2845	around libev functions.	4311	around libev functions.
…		…
2864	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search	4330	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	4331	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	4332	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
2867	fine.	4333	fine.
2868		4334
2869	If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to	4335	If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
2870	C<0> will save some memory and cpu.	4336	both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
2871		4337
2872	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE	4338	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE, EV_IDLE_ENABLE, EV_EMBED_ENABLE, EV_STAT_ENABLE,
		4339	EV_PREPARE_ENABLE, EV_CHECK_ENABLE, EV_FORK_ENABLE, EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE,
		4340	EV_ASYNC_ENABLE, EV_CHILD_ENABLE.
2873		4341
2874	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If	4342	If undefined or defined to be C<1> (and the platform supports it), then
2875	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of	4343	the respective watcher type is supported. If defined to be C<0>, then it
2876	code.	4344	is not. Disabling watcher types mainly saves code size.
2877		4345
2878	=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE	4346	=item EV_FEATURES
2879
2880	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
2881	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
2882	code.
2883
2884	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2885
2886	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2887	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2888
2889	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
2890
2891	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
2892	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2893
2894	=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2895
2896	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2897	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2898
2899	=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
2900
2901	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
2902	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2903
2904	=item EV_MINIMAL
2905		4347
2906	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some	4348	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	4349	speed (but with the full API), you can define this symbol to request
2908	some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64.	4350	certain subsets of functionality. The default is to enable all features
		4351	that can be enabled on the platform.
		4352
		4353	A typical way to use this symbol is to define it to C<0> (or to a bitset
		4354	with some broad features you want) and then selectively re-enable
		4355	additional parts you want, for example if you want everything minimal,
		4356	but multiple event loop support, async and child watchers and the poll
		4357	backend, use this:
		4358
		4359	#define EV_FEATURES 0
		4360	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 1
		4361	#define EV_USE_POLL 1
		4362	#define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
		4363	#define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
		4364
		4365	The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
		4366	values:
		4367
		4368	=over 4
		4369
		4370	=item C<1> - faster/larger code
		4371
		4372	Use larger code to speed up some operations.
		4373
		4374	Currently this is used to override some inlining decisions (enlarging the
		4375	code size by roughly 30% on amd64).
		4376
		4377	When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with
		4378	gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
		4379	assertions.
		4380
		4381	=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
		4382
		4383	Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger
		4384	hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size
		4385	and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
		4386	runtime.
		4387
		4388	=item C<4> - full API configuration
		4389
		4390	This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
		4391	enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).
		4392
		4393	=item C<8> - full API
		4394
		4395	This enables a lot of the "lesser used" API functions. See C<ev.h> for
		4396	details on which parts of the API are still available without this
		4397	feature, and do not complain if this subset changes over time.
		4398
		4399	=item C<16> - enable all optional watcher types
		4400
		4401	Enables all optional watcher types. If you want to selectively enable
		4402	only some watcher types other than I/O and timers (e.g. prepare,
		4403	embed, async, child...) you can enable them manually by defining
		4404	C<EV_watchertype_ENABLE> to C<1> instead.
		4405
		4406	=item C<32> - enable all backends
		4407
		4408	This enables all backends - without this feature, you need to enable at
		4409	least one backend manually (C<EV_USE_SELECT> is a good choice).
		4410
		4411	=item C<64> - enable OS-specific "helper" APIs
		4412
		4413	Enable inotify, eventfd, signalfd and similar OS-specific helper APIs by
		4414	default.
		4415
		4416	=back
		4417
		4418	Compiling with C<gcc -Os -DEV_STANDALONE -DEV_USE_EPOLL=1 -DEV_FEATURES=0>
		4419	reduces the compiled size of libev from 24.7Kb code/2.8Kb data to 6.5Kb
		4420	code/0.3Kb data on my GNU/Linux amd64 system, while still giving you I/O
		4421	watchers, timers and monotonic clock support.
		4422
		4423	With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough
		4424	when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by
		4425	your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an
		4426	I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb.
		4427
		4428	=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
		4429
		4430	If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio
		4431	functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size
		4432	somewhat, but if your program doesn't otherwise depend on stdio and your
		4433	libc allows it, this avoids linking in the stdio library which is quite
		4434	big.
		4435
		4436	Note that error messages might become less precise when this option is
		4437	enabled.
		4438
		4439	=item EV_NSIG
		4440
		4441	The highest supported signal number, +1 (or, the number of
		4442	signals): Normally, libev tries to deduce the maximum number of signals
		4443	automatically, but sometimes this fails, in which case it can be
		4444	specified. Also, using a lower number than detected (C<32> should be
		4445	good for about any system in existence) can save some memory, as libev
		4446	statically allocates some 12-24 bytes per signal number.
2909		4447
2910	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE	4448	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2911		4449
2912	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	4450	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	4451	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES> disabled),
2914	than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to	4452	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you
2915	increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).	4453	might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
2916		4454
2917	=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE	4455	=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
2918		4456
2919	C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	4457	C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2920	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),	4458	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES>
2921	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>	4459	disabled), usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of
2922	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of	4460	C<ev_stat> watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a
2923	two).	4461	power of two).
		4462
		4463	=item EV_USE_4HEAP
		4464
		4465	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		4466	timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
		4467	to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
		4468	faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
		4469
		4470	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
		4471	will be C<0>.
		4472
		4473	=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
		4474
		4475	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		4476	timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
		4477	the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
		4478	which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
		4479	but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
		4480	noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
		4481
		4482	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
		4483	will be C<0>.
		4484
		4485	=item EV_VERIFY
		4486
		4487	Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_verify ()>) will
		4488	be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
		4489	in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
		4490	called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
		4491	called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
		4492	verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
		4493	libev considerably.
		4494
		4495	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
		4496	will be C<0>.
2924		4497
2925	=item EV_COMMON	4498	=item EV_COMMON
2926		4499
2927	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining	4500	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	4501	this macro to 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,	4502	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2930	though, and it must be identical each time.	4503	though, and it must be identical each time.
2931		4504
2932	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:	4505	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2933		4506
2934	#define EV_COMMON \	4507	#define EV_COMMON \
2935	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \	4508	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2936	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */	4509	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2937		4510
2938	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)	4511	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2939		4512
2940	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)	4513	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2941		4514
…		…
2946	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for	4519	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	4520	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	4521	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++.	4522	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
2950		4523
		4524	=back
		4525
2951	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS	4526	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
2952		4527
2953	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a dll) and you need a list of	4528	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	4529	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
2955	all public symbols, one per line:	4530	all public symbols, one per line:
2956		4531
2957	Symbols.ev for libev proper	4532	Symbols.ev for libev proper
2958	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation	4533	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
2959		4534
2960	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with	4535	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	4536	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
2962	itself, but sometimes it is inconvinient to avoid this).	4537	itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
2963		4538
2964	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to	4539	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
2965	include before including F<ev.h>:	4540	include before including F<ev.h>:
2966		4541
2967	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h	4542	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
…		…
2984	file.	4559	file.
2985		4560
2986	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file	4561	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:	4562	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2988		4563
2989	#define EV_MINIMAL 1	4564	#define EV_FEATURES 8
2990	#define EV_USE_POLL 0	4565	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1
2991	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2992	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0	4566	#define EV_PREPARE_ENABLE 1
		4567	#define EV_IDLE_ENABLE 1
2993	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0	4568	#define EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE 1
2994	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0	4569	#define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
		4570	#define EV_USE_STDEXCEPT 0
2995	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>	4571	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
2996	#define EV_MINPRI 0
2997	#define EV_MAXPRI 0
2998		4572
2999	#include "ev++.h"	4573	#include "ev++.h"
3000		4574
3001	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:	4575	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
3002		4576
3003	#include "ev_cpp.h"	4577	#include "ev_cpp.h"
3004	#include "ev.c"	4578	#include "ev.c"
3005		4579
		4580	=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES
3006		4581
3007	=head1 COMPLEXITIES	4582	=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
3008		4583
3009	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside	4584	=head3 THREADS
3010	libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the
3011	documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
3012		4585
3013	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be	4586	All libev functions are reentrant and thread-safe unless explicitly
3014	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this	4587	documented otherwise, but libev implements no locking itself. This means
3015	happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might	4588	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	4589	are no concurrent calls into any libev function with the same loop
3017	it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.	4590	parameter (C<ev_default_*> calls have an implicit default loop parameter,
		4591	of course): libev guarantees that different event loops share no data
		4592	structures that need any locking.
		4593
		4594	Or to put it differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done
		4595	concurrently from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter
		4596	must be done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as
		4597	only one thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using
		4598	a mutex per loop).
		4599
		4600	Specifically to support threads (and signal handlers), libev implements
		4601	so-called C<ev_async> watchers, which allow some limited form of
		4602	concurrency on the same event loop, namely waking it up "from the
		4603	outside".
		4604
		4605	If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
		4606	without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
		4607	help you, but here is some generic advice:
3018		4608
3019	=over 4	4609	=over 4
3020		4610
3021	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)	4611	=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
		4612	in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
3022		4613
3023	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and	4614	This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
3024	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will	4615	themselves and don't care/know about threading.
3025	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
3026		4616
3027	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)	4617	=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
3028		4618
3029	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them	4619	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.	4620	exists, but it is always a good start.
3031		4621
3032	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)	4622	=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
		4623	loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
3033		4624
3034	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.	4625	Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
		4626	better than you currently do :-)
3035		4627
3036	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)	4628	=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
		4629	event loop.
3037		4630
3038	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))	4631	C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other threads safely
		4632	(or from signal contexts...).
3039		4633
3040	These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the	4634	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	4635	work in the default loop by registering the signal watcher with the
3042	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).	4636	default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
3043		4637	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		4638
3074	=back	4639	=back
3075		4640
		4641	See also L<Thread locking example>.
3076		4642
3077	=head1 Win32 platform limitations and workarounds	4643	=head3 COROUTINES
		4644
		4645	Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
		4646	libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
		4647	coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_run> on the same loop from two
		4648	different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running
		4649	the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is
		4650	that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
		4651
		4652	Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
		4653	C<ev_run>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
		4654	they do not call any callbacks.
		4655
		4656	=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
		4657
		4658	Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
		4659	lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
		4660	scared by this.
		4661
		4662	However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
		4663	has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
		4664	warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
		4665	targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
		4666
		4667	Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
		4668	workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
		4669	maintainable.
		4670
		4671	And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
		4672	wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
		4673	seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
		4674	warnings that resulted in an extreme number of false positives. These have
		4675	been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
		4676	such buggy versions.
		4677
		4678	While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
		4679	"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
		4680	with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
		4681	them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
		4682	warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
		4683
		4684
		4685	=head2 VALGRIND
		4686
		4687	Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
		4688	highly useful. Unfortunately, valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
		4689
		4690	If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
		4691	in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
		4692
		4693	==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		4694	==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		4695	==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
		4696
		4697	Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
		4698	is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
		4699
		4700	Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
		4701	as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
		4702	although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
		4703	confused.
		4704
		4705	Keep in mind that valgrind is a very good tool, but only a tool. Don't
		4706	make it into some kind of religion.
		4707
		4708	If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
		4709	with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this
		4710	is a bug in libev (best check the archives, too :). However, don't be
		4711	annoyed when you get a brisk "this is no bug" answer and take the chance
		4712	of learning how to interpret valgrind properly.
		4713
		4714	If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
		4715	I suggest using suppression lists.
		4716
		4717
		4718	=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
		4719
		4720	=head2 GNU/LINUX 32 BIT LIMITATIONS
		4721
		4722	GNU/Linux is the only common platform that supports 64 bit file/large file
		4723	interfaces but I<disables> them by default.
		4724
		4725	That means that libev compiled in the default environment doesn't support
		4726	files larger than 2GiB or so, which mainly affects C<ev_stat> watchers.
		4727
		4728	Unfortunately, many programs try to work around this GNU/Linux issue
		4729	by enabling the large file API, which makes them incompatible with the
		4730	standard libev compiled for their system.
		4731
		4732	Likewise, libev cannot enable the large file API itself as this would
		4733	suddenly make it incompatible to the default compile time environment,
		4734	i.e. all programs not using special compile switches.
		4735
		4736	=head2 OS/X AND DARWIN BUGS
		4737
		4738	The whole thing is a bug if you ask me - basically any system interface
		4739	you touch is broken, whether it is locales, poll, kqueue or even the
		4740	OpenGL drivers.
		4741
		4742	=head3 C<kqueue> is buggy
		4743
		4744	The kqueue syscall is broken in all known versions - most versions support
		4745	only sockets, many support pipes.
		4746
		4747	Libev tries to work around this by not using C<kqueue> by default on this
		4748	rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating a
		4749	loop - embedding a socket-only kqueue loop into a select-based one is
		4750	probably going to work well.
		4751
		4752	=head3 C<poll> is buggy
		4753
		4754	Instead of fixing C<kqueue>, Apple replaced their (working) C<poll>
		4755	implementation by something calling C<kqueue> internally around the 10.5.6
		4756	release, so now C<kqueue> I<and> C<poll> are broken.
		4757
		4758	Libev tries to work around this by not using C<poll> by default on
		4759	this rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating
		4760	a loop.
		4761
		4762	=head3 C<select> is buggy
		4763
		4764	All that's left is C<select>, and of course Apple found a way to fuck this
		4765	one up as well: On OS/X, C<select> actively limits the number of file
		4766	descriptors you can pass in to 1024 - your program suddenly crashes when
		4767	you use more.
		4768
		4769	There is an undocumented "workaround" for this - defining
		4770	C<_DARWIN_UNLIMITED_SELECT>, which libev tries to use, so select I<should>
		4771	work on OS/X.
		4772
		4773	=head2 SOLARIS PROBLEMS AND WORKAROUNDS
		4774
		4775	=head3 C<errno> reentrancy
		4776
		4777	The default compile environment on Solaris is unfortunately so
		4778	thread-unsafe that you can't even use components/libraries compiled
		4779	without C<-D_REENTRANT> in a threaded program, which, of course, isn't
		4780	defined by default. A valid, if stupid, implementation choice.
		4781
		4782	If you want to use libev in threaded environments you have to make sure
		4783	it's compiled with C<_REENTRANT> defined.
		4784
		4785	=head3 Event port backend
		4786
		4787	The scalable event interface for Solaris is called "event
		4788	ports". Unfortunately, this mechanism is very buggy in all major
		4789	releases. If you run into high CPU usage, your program freezes or you get
		4790	a large number of spurious wakeups, make sure you have all the relevant
		4791	and latest kernel patches applied. No, I don't know which ones, but there
		4792	are multiple ones to apply, and afterwards, event ports actually work
		4793	great.
		4794
		4795	If you can't get it to work, you can try running the program by setting
		4796	the environment variable C<LIBEV_FLAGS=3> to only allow C<poll> and
		4797	C<select> backends.
		4798
		4799	=head2 AIX POLL BUG
		4800
		4801	AIX unfortunately has a broken C<poll.h> header. Libev works around
		4802	this by trying to avoid the poll backend altogether (i.e. it's not even
		4803	compiled in), which normally isn't a big problem as C<select> works fine
		4804	with large bitsets on AIX, and AIX is dead anyway.
		4805
		4806	=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
		4807
		4808	=head3 General issues
3078		4809
3079	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev	4810	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	4811	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
3081	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in	4812	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
3082	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket	4813	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
3083	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using	4814	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
3084	e.g. cygwin.	4815	e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers,
		4816	as every compielr comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible
		4817	environment.
		4818
		4819	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
		4820	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing,
		4821	then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note
		4822	also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
3085		4823
3086	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except	4824	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
3087	embedding it into other applications.	4825	embedding it into other applications.
3088		4826
		4827	Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev
		4828	tries its best, but under most conditions, signals will simply not work.
		4829
		4830	Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
		4831	accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
		4832	either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
		4833	so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
		4834	megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
		4835	available).
		4836
3089	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and the	4837	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	4838	the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
3091	recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use more than	4839	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	4840	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	4841	different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
3094	be implemented efficiently on windows (microsoft monopoly games).	4842	notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
		4843	(due to Microsoft monopoly games).
3095		4844
3096	=over 4	4845	A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
		4846	section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
		4847	of F<ev.h>:
3097		4848
		4849	#define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
		4850	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
		4851
		4852	#include "ev.h"
		4853
		4854	And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
		4855	you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
		4856
		4857	#include "evwrap.h"
		4858	#include "ev.c"
		4859
3098	=item The winsocket select function	4860	=head3 The winsocket C<select> function
3099		4861
3100	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it requires	4862	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	4863	requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
3102	very inefficient, and also requires a mapping from file descriptors	4864	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>,	4865	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	4866	C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
3105	symbols for more info.	4867	discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
		4868	C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
3106		4869
3107	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the microsoft runtime	4870	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
3108	libraries and raw winsocket select is:	4871	libraries and raw winsocket select is:
3109		4872
3110	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1	4873	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3111	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */	4874	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
3112		4875
3113	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a	4876	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.	4877	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
3115		4878
3116	=item Limited number of file descriptors	4879	=head3 Limited number of file descriptors
3117		4880
3118	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things. Early versions	4881	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
3119	of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a max. of C<64> handles	4882
		4883	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	4884	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	4885	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).	4886	recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
		4887	previous thread in each. Sounds great!).
3123		4888
3124	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>	4889	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	4890	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	4891	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl and many
3127	select emulation on windows).	4892	other interpreters do their own select emulation on windows).
3128		4893
3129	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the microsoft runtime	4894	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	4895	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64>
3131	or something like this inside microsoft). You can increase this by calling	4896	fetish or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this
3132	C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another	4897	by calling C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048>
3133	arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the microsoft runtime	4898	(another arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft
3134	libraries.
3135
3136	This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on	4899	runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets
3137	windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to	4900	(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more,
3138	wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of	4901	you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but
3139	calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.	4902	the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
		4903
		4904	=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
		4905
		4906	In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
		4907	backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
		4908
		4909	=over 4
		4910
		4911	=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
		4912	calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
		4913
		4914	Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
		4915	structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
		4916	assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
		4917	callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
		4918	calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
		4919
		4920	=item pointer accesses must be thread-atomic
		4921
		4922	Accessing a pointer value must be atomic, it must both be readable and
		4923	writable in one piece - this is the case on all current architectures.
		4924
		4925	=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
		4926
		4927	The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
		4928	C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
		4929	threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
		4930	believed to be sufficiently portable.
		4931
		4932	=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
		4933
		4934	Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
		4935	allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
		4936	pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
		4937	thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
		4938	be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
		4939	C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
		4940
		4941	The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
		4942	except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
		4943	well.
		4944
		4945	=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
		4946
		4947	To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
		4948	instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
		4949	systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but is still at
		4950	least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of millions of
		4951	watchers.
		4952
		4953	=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
		4954
		4955	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
		4956	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is
		4957	good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy
		4958	(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by
		4959	implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones. With
		4960	IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least 2200.
3140		4961
3141	=back	4962	=back
3142		4963
		4964	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
		4965
		4966
		4967	=head1 ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITIES
		4968
		4969	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
		4970	libev will be documented. For complexity discussions about backends see
		4971	the documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
		4972
		4973	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
		4974	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
		4975	happens asymptotically rarer with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
		4976	mean that libev does a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on
		4977	average it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
		4978
		4979	=over 4
		4980
		4981	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
		4982
		4983	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
		4984	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that, then inserting will
		4985	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
		4986
		4987	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
		4988
		4989	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them,
		4990	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
		4991
		4992	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
		4993
		4994	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
		4995
		4996	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
		4997
		4998	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
		4999
		5000	These watchers are stored in lists, so they need to be walked to find the
		5001	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
		5002	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal: one is typical, two
		5003	is rare).
		5004
		5005	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
		5006
		5007	By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
		5008	fixed position in the storage array.
		5009
		5010	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
		5011
		5012	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
		5013	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
		5014	on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
		5015
		5016	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
		5017
		5018	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
		5019
		5020	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
		5021	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
		5022	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
		5023	watchers becomes O(1) with respect to priority handling.
		5024
		5025	=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
		5026
		5027	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
		5028
		5029	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
		5030
		5031	Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
		5032	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
		5033	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
		5034
		5035	=back
		5036
		5037
		5038	=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X
		5039
		5040	The major version 4 introduced some incompatible changes to the API.
		5041
		5042	At the moment, the C<ev.h> header file provides compatibility definitions
		5043	for all changes, so most programs should still compile. The compatibility
		5044	layer might be removed in later versions of libev, so better update to the
		5045	new API early than late.
		5046
		5047	=over 4
		5048
		5049	=item C<EV_COMPAT3> backwards compatibility mechanism
		5050
		5051	The backward compatibility mechanism can be controlled by
		5052	C<EV_COMPAT3>. See L<PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS> in the L<EMBEDDING>
		5053	section.
		5054
		5055	=item C<ev_default_destroy> and C<ev_default_fork> have been removed
		5056
		5057	These calls can be replaced easily by their C<ev_loop_xxx> counterparts:
		5058
		5059	ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT_UC);
		5060	ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
		5061
		5062	=item function/symbol renames
		5063
		5064	A number of functions and symbols have been renamed:
		5065
		5066	ev_loop => ev_run
		5067	EVLOOP_NONBLOCK => EVRUN_NOWAIT
		5068	EVLOOP_ONESHOT => EVRUN_ONCE
		5069
		5070	ev_unloop => ev_break
		5071	EVUNLOOP_CANCEL => EVBREAK_CANCEL
		5072	EVUNLOOP_ONE => EVBREAK_ONE
		5073	EVUNLOOP_ALL => EVBREAK_ALL
		5074
		5075	EV_TIMEOUT => EV_TIMER
		5076
		5077	ev_loop_count => ev_iteration
		5078	ev_loop_depth => ev_depth
		5079	ev_loop_verify => ev_verify
		5080
		5081	Most functions working on C<struct ev_loop> objects don't have an
		5082	C<ev_loop_> prefix, so it was removed; C<ev_loop>, C<ev_unloop> and
		5083	associated constants have been renamed to not collide with the C<struct
		5084	ev_loop> anymore and C<EV_TIMER> now follows the same naming scheme
		5085	as all other watcher types. Note that C<ev_loop_fork> is still called
		5086	C<ev_loop_fork> because it would otherwise clash with the C<ev_fork>
		5087	typedef.
		5088
		5089	=item C<EV_MINIMAL> mechanism replaced by C<EV_FEATURES>
		5090
		5091	The preprocessor symbol C<EV_MINIMAL> has been replaced by a different
		5092	mechanism, C<EV_FEATURES>. Programs using C<EV_MINIMAL> usually compile
		5093	and work, but the library code will of course be larger.
		5094
		5095	=back
		5096
		5097
		5098	=head1 GLOSSARY
		5099
		5100	=over 4
		5101
		5102	=item active
		5103
		5104	A watcher is active as long as it has been started and not yet stopped.
		5105	See L<WATCHER STATES> for details.
		5106
		5107	=item application
		5108
		5109	In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
		5110
		5111	=item backend
		5112
		5113	The part of the code dealing with the operating system interfaces.
		5114
		5115	=item callback
		5116
		5117	The address of a function that is called when some event has been
		5118	detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that
		5119	received the event, and the actual event bitset.
		5120
		5121	=item callback/watcher invocation
		5122
		5123	The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
		5124
		5125	=item event
		5126
		5127	A change of state of some external event, such as data now being available
		5128	for reading on a file descriptor, time having passed or simply not having
		5129	any other events happening anymore.
		5130
		5131	In libev, events are represented as single bits (such as C<EV_READ> or
		5132	C<EV_TIMER>).
		5133
		5134	=item event library
		5135
		5136	A software package implementing an event model and loop.
		5137
		5138	=item event loop
		5139
		5140	An entity that handles and processes external events and converts them
		5141	into callback invocations.
		5142
		5143	=item event model
		5144
		5145	The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes
		5146	watchers and events.
		5147
		5148	=item pending
		5149
		5150	A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been
		5151	detected. See L<WATCHER STATES> for details.
		5152
		5153	=item real time
		5154
		5155	The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
		5156
		5157	=item wall-clock time
		5158
		5159	The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
		5160	be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when the you adjust your
		5161	clock.
		5162
		5163	=item watcher
		5164
		5165	A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
		5166	to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events.
		5167
		5168	=back
3143		5169
3144	=head1 AUTHOR	5170	=head1 AUTHOR
3145		5171
3146	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.	5172	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael
		5173	Magnusson and Emanuele Giaquinta.
3147		5174

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