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Revision 1.143 by root, Sun Apr 6 14:34:52 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.212 by root, Mon Nov 3 15:13:53 2008 UTC

…		…
2		2
3	libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C	3	libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C
4		4
5	=head1 SYNOPSIS	5	=head1 SYNOPSIS
6		6
7	#include <ev.h>	7	#include <ev.h>
8		8
9	=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM	9	=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10		10
11	// a single header file is required	11	// a single header file is required
12	#include <ev.h>	12	#include <ev.h>
13		13
14	// every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct	14	// every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
15	// with the name ev_<type>	15	// with the name ev_TYPE
16	ev_io stdin_watcher;	16	ev_io stdin_watcher;
17	ev_timer timeout_watcher;	17	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
18		18
19	// all watcher callbacks have a similar signature	19	// all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
20	// this callback is called when data is readable on stdin	20	// this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
21	static void	21	static void
22	stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents)	22	stdin_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
23	{	23	{
24	puts ("stdin ready");	24	puts ("stdin ready");
25	// for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher	25	// for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
26	// with its corresponding stop function.	26	// with its corresponding stop function.
27	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);	27	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
28		28
29	// this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating	29	// this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating
30	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);	30	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);
31	}	31	}
32		32
33	// another callback, this time for a time-out	33	// another callback, this time for a time-out
34	static void	34	static void
35	timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	35	timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
36	{	36	{
37	puts ("timeout");	37	puts ("timeout");
38	// this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating	38	// this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating
39	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);	39	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);
40	}	40	}
41		41
42	int	42	int
43	main (void)	43	main (void)
44	{	44	{
45	// use the default event loop unless you have special needs	45	// use the default event loop unless you have special needs
46	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	46	ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
47		47
48	// initialise an io watcher, then start it	48	// initialise an io watcher, then start it
49	// this one will watch for stdin to become readable	49	// this one will watch for stdin to become readable
50	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);	50	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
51	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	51	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
52		52
53	// initialise a timer watcher, then start it	53	// initialise a timer watcher, then start it
54	// simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout	54	// simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
55	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);	55	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
56	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);	56	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
57		57
58	// now wait for events to arrive	58	// now wait for events to arrive
59	ev_loop (loop, 0);	59	ev_loop (loop, 0);
60		60
61	// unloop was called, so exit	61	// unloop was called, so exit
62	return 0;	62	return 0;
63	}	63	}
64		64
65	=head1 DESCRIPTION	65	=head1 DESCRIPTION
66		66
67	The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted	67	The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted
68	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first	68	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
69	time: L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>.	69	time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
70		70
71	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a	71	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
72	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage	72	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
73	these event sources and provide your program with events.	73	these event sources and provide your program with events.
74		74
…		…
103	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)	103	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
104	configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For	104	configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
105	more info about various configuration options please have a look at	105	more info about various configuration options please have a look at
106	B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support	106	B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
107	for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of	107	for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
108	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have	108	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<ev_loop *>) will not have
109	this argument.	109	this argument.
110		110
111	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION	111	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
112		112
113	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the	113	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
114	(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near	114	(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
115	the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is	115	the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is
116	called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases	116	called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases
117	to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on	117	to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on
118	it, you should treat it as some floatingpoint value. Unlike the name	118	it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name
119	component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences	119	component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences
120	throughout libev.	120	throughout libev.
		121
		122	=head1 ERROR HANDLING
		123
		124	Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
		125	and internal errors (bugs).
		126
		127	When libev catches an operating system error it cannot handle (for example
		128	a system call indicating a condition libev cannot fix), it calls the callback
		129	set via C<ev_set_syserr_cb>, which is supposed to fix the problem or
		130	abort. The default is to print a diagnostic message and to call C<abort
		131	()>.
		132
		133	When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
		134	it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
		135	so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
		136	the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
		137
		138	Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has
		139	extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
		140	circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse.
		141
121		142
122	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS	143	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
123		144
124	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the	145	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
125	library in any way.	146	library in any way.
…		…
134		155
135	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)	156	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
136		157
137	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until	158	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
138	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically	159	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
139	this is a subsecond-resolution C<sleep ()>.	160	this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
140		161
141	=item int ev_version_major ()	162	=item int ev_version_major ()
142		163
143	=item int ev_version_minor ()	164	=item int ev_version_minor ()
144		165
…		…
157	not a problem.	178	not a problem.
158		179
159	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong	180	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
160	version.	181	version.
161		182
162	assert (("libev version mismatch",	183	assert (("libev version mismatch",
163	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR	184	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
164	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));	185	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
165		186
166	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()	187	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
167		188
168	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>	189	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>
169	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their	190	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
…		…
171	a description of the set values.	192	a description of the set values.
172		193
173	Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and	194	Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and
174	a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11	195	a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11
175		196
176	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",	197	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
177	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));	198	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
178		199
179	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()	200	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
180		201
181	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also	202	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also
182	recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one	203	recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one
183	returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on	204	returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on
184	most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it	205	most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it
185	(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that	206	(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that
186	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.	207	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
187		208
188	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()	209	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
189		210
…		…
193	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for	214	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for
194	recommended ones.	215	recommended ones.
195		216
196	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	217	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
197		218
198	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))	219	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT]
199		220
200	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the	221	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
201	semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to	222	semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
202	allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when	223	used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
203	memory needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some	224	when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
204	potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc	225	or take some potentially destructive action.
205	function.	226
		227	Since some systems (at least OpenBSD and Darwin) fail to implement
		228	correct C<realloc> semantics, libev will use a wrapper around the system
		229	C<realloc> and C<free> functions by default.
206		230
207	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,	231	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
208	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,	232	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
209	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.	233	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
210		234
211	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then	235	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
212	retries).	236	retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
213		237
214	static void *	238	static void *
215	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)	239	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
216	{	240	{
217	for (;;)	241	for (;;)
…		…
226	}	250	}
227		251
228	...	252	...
229	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);	253	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
230		254
231	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));	255	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT]
232		256
233	Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such	257	Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
234	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string	258	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
235	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this	259	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
236	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no	260	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
237	matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the	261	matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
238	requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff	262	requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
239	(such as abort).	263	(such as abort).
240		264
241	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.	265	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
…		…
252		276
253	=back	277	=back
254		278
255	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP	279	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
256		280
257	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two	281	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct>
258	types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child	282	is I<not> optional in this case, as there is also an C<ev_loop>
259	events, and dynamically created loops which do not.	283	I<function>).
260		284
261	If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop	285	The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
262	in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you	286	supports signals and child events, and dynamically created loops which do
263	create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking	287	not.
264	whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different
265	threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if
266	done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient).
267		288
268	=over 4	289	=over 4
269		290
270	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)	291	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
271		292
…		…
277	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this	298	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
278	function.	299	function.
279		300
280	Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it	301	Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
281	from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,	302	from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
282	as loops cannot bes hared easily between threads anyway).	303	as loops cannot be shared easily between threads anyway).
283		304
284	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and	305	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
285	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler	306	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
286	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your app you can either	307	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
287	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you	308	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
288	can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling	309	can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
289	C<ev_default_init>.	310	C<ev_default_init>.
290		311
291	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific	312	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
…		…
300	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right	321	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
301	thing, believe me).	322	thing, believe me).
302		323
303	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>	324	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
304		325
305	If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid	326	If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
306	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable	327	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
307	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will	328	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
308	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is	329	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
309	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work	330	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
310	around bugs.	331	around bugs.
…		…
317		338
318	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,	339	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
319	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop	340	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
320	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my	341	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
321	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence	342	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
322	without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has	343	without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
323	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).	344	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
324		345
325	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and	346	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
326	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this	347	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
327	flag.	348	flag.
328		349
329	This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>	350	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
330	environment variable.	351	environment variable.
331		352
332	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)	353	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
333		354
334	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as	355	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
…		…
336	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when	357	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
337	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its	358	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
338	usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.	359	usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
339		360
340	To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of	361	To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
341	parallelity (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are	362	parallelism (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
342	writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many	363	writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
343	connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have	364	connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
344	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of	365	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
345	readyness notifications you get per iteration.	366	readiness notifications you get per iteration.
		367
		368	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to the C<readfds> set and C<EV_WRITE> to the
		369	C<writefds> set (and to work around Microsoft Windows bugs, also onto the
		370	C<exceptfds> set on that platform).
346		371
347	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)	372	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
348		373
349	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated	374	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
350	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial	375	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
351	limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down	376	limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
352	considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,	377	considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
353	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for	378	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
354	performance tips.	379	performance tips.
355		380
		381	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
		382	C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
		383
356	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)	384	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
357		385
358	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,	386	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
359	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale	387	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
360	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),	388	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
361	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number	389	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
362	of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect	390
363	cases and requiring a syscall per fd change, no fork support and bad	391	The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
364	support for dup.	392	of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
		393	dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
		394	descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup and
		395	so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program forks then
		396	I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll set, which can
		397	take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course
		398	hard to detect.
		399
		400	Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but
		401	of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
		402	I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
		403	even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
		404	on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
		405	employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
		406	events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required.
365		407
366	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration	408	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
367	will result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident	409	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
368	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its	410	incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
369	best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work	411	I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
370	very well if you register events for both fds.	412	file descriptors might not work very well if you register events for both
371		413	file descriptors.
372	Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
373	need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
374	(or space) is available.
375		414
376	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all	415	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
377	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible, i.e.	416	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
378	keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times.	417	i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
		418	starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
		419	extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
		420	as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
		421	take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
379		422
380	While nominally embeddeble in other event loops, this feature is broken in	423	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
381	all kernel versions tested so far.	424	all kernel versions tested so far.
		425
		426	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		427	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
382		428
383	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)	429	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
384		430
385	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it	431	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
386	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably	432	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
387	with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course	433	with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
388	it's completely useless). For this reason it's not being "autodetected"	434	it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose brokenness
		435	is by design, these kqueue bugs can (and eventually will) be fixed
		436	without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not being
389	unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using	437	"auto-detected" unless you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using
390	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)	438	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
391	system like NetBSD.	439	system like NetBSD.
392		440
393	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it	441	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
394	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on	442	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
395	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	443	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
396		444
397	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the	445	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
398	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of	446	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
399	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never	447	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
400	cause an extra syscall as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to	448	cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
401	two event changes per incident, support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it	449	two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but
402	drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.	450	sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect
		451	cases
403		452
404	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.	453	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
405		454
406	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work	455	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
407	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken	456	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
408	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets	457	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
409	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop	458	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
410	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and using it only for	459	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and, did I mention it,
411	sockets.	460	using it only for sockets.
		461
		462	This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
		463	C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
		464	C<NOTE_EOF>.
412		465
413	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)	466	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
414		467
415	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an	468	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
416	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets	469	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
…		…
420	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)	473	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
421		474
422	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,	475	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
423	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).	476	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
424		477
425	Please note that solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious	478	Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
426	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid	479	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
427	blocking when no data (or space) is available.	480	blocking when no data (or space) is available.
428		481
429	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active	482	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
430	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file	483	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
431	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend	484	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
432	might perform better.	485	might perform better.
433		486
434	On the positive side, ignoring the spurious readyness notifications, this	487	On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
435	backend actually performed to specification in all tests and is fully	488	notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
436	embeddable, which is a rare feat among the OS-specific backends.	489	in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
		490	OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks).
		491
		492	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		493	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
437		494
438	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>	495	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
439		496
440	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried	497	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
441	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as	498	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
…		…
443		500
444	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.	501	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
445		502
446	=back	503	=back
447		504
448	If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these	505	If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these
449	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are	506	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are
450	specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.	507	specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.
451		508
452	The most typical usage is like this:	509	Example: This is the most typical usage.
453		510
454	if (!ev_default_loop (0))	511	if (!ev_default_loop (0))
455	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");	512	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
456		513
457	Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow	514	Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
458	environment settings to be taken into account:	515	environment settings to be taken into account:
459		516
460	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);	517	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
461		518
462	Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if	519	Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
463	available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private	520	used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
464	event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):	521	private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
		522	fds):
465		523
466	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);	524	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
467		525
468	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)	526	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
469		527
470	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is	528	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
471	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot	529	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
…		…
476	libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the	534	libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
477	default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.	535	default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
478		536
479	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.	537	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
480		538
481	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);	539	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
482	if (!epoller)	540	if (!epoller)
483	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");	541	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
484		542
485	=item ev_default_destroy ()	543	=item ev_default_destroy ()
486		544
487	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state	545	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
488	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal	546	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
489	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your	547	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
490	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before>	548	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
491	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually	549	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
492	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them	550	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
493	for example).	551	for example).
494		552
495	Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by	553	Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
496	this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers)	554	handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
497	would need to be stopped manually.	555	as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
498		556
499	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the	557	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
500	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling	558	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
501	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use	559	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
502	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).	560	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).
…		…
527		585
528	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)	586	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
529		587
530	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by	588	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
531	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop	589	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
532	after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.	590	after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is
		591	entirely your own problem.
533		592
534	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)	593	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
535		594
536	Returns true when the given loop actually is the default loop, false otherwise.	595	Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
		596	otherwise.
537		597
538	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)	598	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
539		599
540	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to	600	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
541	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and	601	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
…		…
556	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not	616	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
557	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base	617	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
558	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the	618	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
559	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).	619	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
560		620
		621	=item ev_now_update (loop)
		622
		623	Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
		624	returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
		625	is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>.
		626
		627	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
		628	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
		629	the current time is a good idea.
		630
		631	See also "The special problem of time updates" in the C<ev_timer> section.
		632
561	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)	633	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
562		634
563	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called	635	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
564	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling	636	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
565	events.	637	events.
…		…
567	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until	639	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until
568	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.	640	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.
569		641
570	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than	642	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than
571	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has	643	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
572	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that	644	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
573	automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of	645	that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
574	relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty.	646	of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
		647	beauty.
575		648
576	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle	649	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle
577	those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in	650	those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your
578	case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.	651	process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of
		652	the loop.
579		653
580	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if	654	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
581	neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block	655	necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
582	your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after	656	will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
583	one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some	657	be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
584	external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other	658	user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
		659	iteration of the loop.
		660
		661	This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
		662	with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
585	libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is	663	own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
586	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.	664	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
587		665
588	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:	666	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
589		667
590	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.	668	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
591	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.	669	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
592	- If a fork was detected, queue and call all fork watchers.	670	- If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
593	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.	671	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.
594	- If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.	672	- If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
		673	as to not disturb the other process.
595	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.	674	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
596	- Update the "event loop time".	675	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
597	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all	676	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
598	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having	677	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
599	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).	678	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
600	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.	679	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
601	- Block the process, waiting for any events.	680	- Block the process, waiting for any events.
602	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.	681	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
603	- Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling.	682	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
604	- Queue all outstanding timers.	683	- Queue all expired timers.
605	- Queue all outstanding periodics.	684	- Queue all expired periodics.
606	- If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.	685	- Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
607	- Queue all check watchers.	686	- Queue all check watchers.
608	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).	687	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
609	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will	688	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
610	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.	689	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
611	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK	690	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
…		…
616	anymore.	695	anymore.
617		696
618	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long	697	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
619	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)	698	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
620	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);	699	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
621	... jobs done. yeah!	700	... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
622		701
623	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)	702	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
624		703
625	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it	704	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
626	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either	705	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
627	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or	706	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
628	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.	707	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
629		708
630	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.	709	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.
631		710
		711	It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls.
		712
632	=item ev_ref (loop)	713	=item ev_ref (loop)
633		714
634	=item ev_unref (loop)	715	=item ev_unref (loop)
635		716
636	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event	717	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
637	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference	718	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
638	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. If you have	719	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own.
		720
639	a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> from	721	If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop>
640	returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For	722	from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before
		723	stopping it.
		724
641	example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not	725	As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is
642	visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if	726	not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting
643	no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent	727	if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent
644	way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party	728	way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party
645	libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>	729	libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>
646	(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,	730	(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,
647	respectively).	731	respectively).
648		732
649	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>	733	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
650	running when nothing else is active.	734	running when nothing else is active.
651		735
652	struct ev_signal exitsig;	736	ev_signal exitsig;
653	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);	737	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
654	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);	738	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
655	evf_unref (loop);	739	evf_unref (loop);
656		740
657	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.	741	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
658		742
659	ev_ref (loop);	743	ev_ref (loop);
660	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);	744	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
661		745
662	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	746	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
663		747
664	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	748	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
665		749
666	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting	750	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
667	for events. Both are by default C<0>, meaning that libev will try to	751	for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
668	invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum latency.	752	will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
		753	latency.
669		754
670	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)	755	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
671	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks to	756	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
672	increase efficiency of loop iterations.	757	to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
		758	opportunities).
673		759
674	The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to	760	The idea is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to handle
675	handle one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes	761	one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes the
676	the program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new	762	program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
677	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high	763	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
678	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.	764	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
679		765
680	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more	766	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
681	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,	767	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
…		…
683	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will	769	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
684	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.	770	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.
685		771
686	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev	772	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
687	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased	773	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
688	latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers	774	latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
689	will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will not introduce	775	later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
690	any overhead in libev.	776	value will not introduce any overhead in libev.
691		777
692	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the io collect	778	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
693	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for	779	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
694	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It	780	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
695	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,	781	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
696	as this approsaches the timing granularity of most systems.	782	as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems.
		783
		784	Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
		785	saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
		786	are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
		787	times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
		788	reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
		789	they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
		790
		791	=item ev_loop_verify (loop)
		792
		793	This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
		794	compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
		795	through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
		796	is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
		797	error and call C<abort ()>.
		798
		799	This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
		800	circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
		801	data structures consistent.
697		802
698	=back	803	=back
699		804
700		805
701	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER	806	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
		807
		808	In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
		809	watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
		810	watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
702		811
703	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your	812	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
704	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to	813	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
705	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:	814	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
706		815
707	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	816	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
708	{	817	{
709	ev_io_stop (w);	818	ev_io_stop (w);
710	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	819	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
711	}	820	}
712		821
713	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	822	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
		823
714	struct ev_io stdin_watcher;	824	ev_io stdin_watcher;
		825
715	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);	826	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
716	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	827	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
717	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	828	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
		829
718	ev_loop (loop, 0);	830	ev_loop (loop, 0);
719		831
720	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your	832	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
721	watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack,	833	watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
722	although this can sometimes be quite valid).	834	stack).
		835
		836	Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
		837	or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
723		838
724	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init	839	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init
725	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This	840	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
726	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io	841	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O
727	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given	842	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
728	is readable and/or writable).	843	is readable and/or writable).
729		844
730	Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro	845	Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
731	with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro	846	macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
732	to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< ev_<type>_init	847	is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
733	(watcher *, callback, ...) >>.	848	ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
734		849
735	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it	850	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it
736	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_<type>_start (loop, watcher	851	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
737	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the	852	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
738	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.	853	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
739		854
740	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you	855	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
741	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never	856	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
742	reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro.	857	reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
743		858
744	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the	859	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
745	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as	860	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
746	third argument.	861	third argument.
747		862
…		…
807		922
808	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).	923	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
809		924
810	=item C<EV_ERROR>	925	=item C<EV_ERROR>
811		926
812	An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might	927	An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
813	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev	928	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
814	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other	929	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
		930	problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
		931
815	problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping	932	You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
816	with the watcher being stopped.	933	watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
		934	an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
		935	bug in your program.
817		936
818	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error,	937	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
819	for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if	938	example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
820	your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope	939	callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
821	with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded	940	the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
822	programs, though, so beware.	941	programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
		942	thing, so beware.
823		943
824	=back	944	=back
825		945
826	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS	946	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
827
828	In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
829	e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
830		947
831	=over 4	948	=over 4
832		949
833	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	950	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
834		951
…		…
840	which rolls both calls into one.	957	which rolls both calls into one.
841		958
842	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped	959	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
843	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.	960	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
844		961
845	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,	962	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
846	int revents)>.	963	int revents)>.
		964
		965	Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
		966
		967	ev_io w;
		968	ev_init (&w, my_cb);
		969	ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
847		970
848	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])	971	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])
849		972
850	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to	973	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
851	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can	974	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
…		…
854	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).	977	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
855		978
856	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments	979	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
857	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.	980	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
858		981
		982	See C<ev_init>, above, for an example.
		983
859	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])	984	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
860		985
861	This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro	986	This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
862	calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise	987	calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
863	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.	988	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
		989
		990	Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
		991
		992	ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
864		993
865	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	994	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
866		995
867	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive	996	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
868	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.	997	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
869		998
		999	Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
		1000	whole section.
		1001
		1002	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
		1003
870	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1004	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
871		1005
872	Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending	1006	Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
		1007	the watcher was active or not).
		1008
873	status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example,	1009	It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
874	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but	1010	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending - but
875	C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If	1011	calling C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor
876	you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a	1012	pending. If you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is
877	good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.	1013	therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
878		1014
879	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1015	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
880		1016
881	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started	1017	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
882	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify	1018	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
…		…
924	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is	1060	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
925	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).	1061	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
926		1062
927	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is	1063	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
928	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might	1064	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
929	or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.	1065	or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
930		1066
931	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)	1067	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
932		1068
933	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither	1069	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
934	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback	1070	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
935	can deal with that fact.	1071	can deal with that fact, as both are simply passed through to the
		1072	callback.
936		1073
937	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1074	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
938		1075
939	If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status	1076	If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
940	and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the	1077	returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
941	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.	1078	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
942		1079
		1080	Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
		1081	callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
		1082
943	=back	1083	=back
944		1084
945		1085
946	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER	1086	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
947		1087
948	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change	1088	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
949	and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used	1089	and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
950	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and	1090	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
951	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data	1091	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
952	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own	1092	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
953	data:	1093	data:
954		1094
955	struct my_io	1095	struct my_io
956	{	1096	{
957	struct ev_io io;	1097	ev_io io;
958	int otherfd;	1098	int otherfd;
959	void *somedata;	1099	void *somedata;
960	struct whatever *mostinteresting;	1100	struct whatever *mostinteresting;
961	}	1101	};
		1102
		1103	...
		1104	struct my_io w;
		1105	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
962		1106
963	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you	1107	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
964	can cast it back to your own type:	1108	can cast it back to your own type:
965		1109
966	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents)	1110	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
967	{	1111	{
968	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;	1112	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
969	...	1113	...
970	}	1114	}
971		1115
972	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type	1116	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
973	instead have been omitted.	1117	instead have been omitted.
974		1118
975	Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple	1119	Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
976	watchers:	1120	embedded watchers:
977		1121
978	struct my_biggy	1122	struct my_biggy
979	{	1123	{
980	int some_data;	1124	int some_data;
981	ev_timer t1;	1125	ev_timer t1;
982	ev_timer t2;	1126	ev_timer t2;
983	}	1127	}
984		1128
985	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,	1129	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
986	you need to use C<offsetof>:	1130	complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
		1131	in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
		1132	some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
		1133	programmers):
987		1134
988	#include <stddef.h>	1135	#include <stddef.h>
989		1136
990	static void	1137	static void
991	t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1138	t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
992	{	1139	{
993	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1140	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
994	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));	1141	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
995	}	1142	}
996		1143
997	static void	1144	static void
998	t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1145	t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
999	{	1146	{
1000	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1147	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
1001	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));	1148	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
1002	}	1149	}
1003		1150
1004		1151
1005	=head1 WATCHER TYPES	1152	=head1 WATCHER TYPES
1006		1153
1007	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat	1154	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
…		…
1031	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per	1178	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
1032	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file	1179	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
1033	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not	1180	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1034	required if you know what you are doing).	1181	required if you know what you are doing).
1035		1182
1036	If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend	1183	If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
1037	(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and	1184	known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
1038	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).	1185	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
1039		1186
1040	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to	1187	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1041	receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might	1188	receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
1042	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block	1189	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1043	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a	1190	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
1044	lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into	1191	lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
1045	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus	1192	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
1046	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning	1193	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1047	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.	1194	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1048		1195
1049	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not	1196	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
1050	play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test	1197	not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
1051	whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface	1198	re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
1052	such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on	1199	interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already
1053	its own, so its quite safe to use).	1200	does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
		1201	use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
		1202	indefinitely.
		1203
		1204	But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1054		1205
1055	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors	1206	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1056		1207
1057	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file	1208	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
1058	descriptor (either by calling C<close> explicitly or by any other means,	1209	descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means,
1059	such as C<dup>). The reason is that you register interest in some file	1210	such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
1060	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop	1211	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
1061	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is	1212	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
1062	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in	1213	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
1063	fact, a different file descriptor.	1214	fact, a different file descriptor.
1064		1215
…		…
1095	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or	1246	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1096	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	1247	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1097		1248
1098	=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE	1249	=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1099		1250
1100	While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about SIGPIPE:	1251	While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
1101	when reading from a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program	1252	when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
1102	gets send a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most	1253	sent a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
1103	programs this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually	1254	this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
1104	undesirable.
1105		1255
1106	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you	1256	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1107	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon	1257	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1108	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).	1258	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1109		1259
…		…
1115	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)	1265	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
1116		1266
1117	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)	1267	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
1118		1268
1119	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to	1269	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
1120	rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or	1270	receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
1121	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.	1271	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.
1122		1272
1123	=item int fd [read-only]	1273	=item int fd [read-only]
1124		1274
1125	The file descriptor being watched.	1275	The file descriptor being watched.
1126		1276
…		…
1134		1284
1135	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well	1285	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
1136	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could	1286	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
1137	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.	1287	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
1138		1288
1139	static void	1289	static void
1140	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1290	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1141	{	1291	{
1142	ev_io_stop (loop, w);	1292	ev_io_stop (loop, w);
1143	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors	1293	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
1144	}	1294	}
1145		1295
1146	...	1296	...
1147	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	1297	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1148	struct ev_io stdin_readable;	1298	ev_io stdin_readable;
1149	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1299	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1150	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);	1300	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1151	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1301	ev_loop (loop, 0);
1152		1302
1153		1303
1154	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts	1304	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1155		1305
1156	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a	1306	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1157	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.	1307	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
1158		1308
1159	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that	1309	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
1160	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years	1310	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
1161	time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because	1311	year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
1162	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the	1312	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1163	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).	1313	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
		1314
		1315	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
		1316	passed, but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration
		1317	then order of execution is undefined.
		1318
		1319	=head3 Be smart about timeouts
		1320
		1321	Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
		1322	recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
		1323	you want to raise some error after a while.
		1324
		1325	What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
		1326	inefficient to smart and efficient.
		1327
		1328	In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
		1329	gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
		1330	data or other life sign was received).
		1331
		1332	=over 4
		1333
		1334	=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
		1335
		1336	This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
		1337	start the watcher:
		1338
		1339	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
		1340	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1341
		1342	Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
		1343	and start it again:
		1344
		1345	ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
		1346	ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
		1347	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1348
		1349	This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
		1350	some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
		1351	data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
		1352	still not a constant-time operation.
		1353
		1354	=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
		1355
		1356	This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
		1357	C<ev_timer_start>.
		1358
		1359	To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
		1360	of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
		1361	successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
		1362	you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
		1363	the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
		1364
		1365	That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
		1366	C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
		1367	member and C<ev_timer_again>.
		1368
		1369	At start:
		1370
		1371	ev_timer_init (timer, callback);
		1372	timer->repeat = 60.;
		1373	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1374
		1375	Each time there is some activity:
		1376
		1377	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1378
		1379	It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
		1380	whether the watcher is active or not:
		1381
		1382	timer->repeat = 30.;
		1383	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1384
		1385	This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
		1386	you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
		1387	remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
		1388
		1389	It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
		1390
		1391	=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
		1392
		1393	This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
		1394	relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
		1395	our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
		1396	associated activity resets.
		1397
		1398	In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
		1399	but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
		1400	within the callback:
		1401
		1402	ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
		1403
		1404	static void
		1405	callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		1406	{
		1407	ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);
		1408	ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
		1409
		1410	// if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
		1411	if (timeout < now)
		1412	{
		1413	// timeout occured, take action
		1414	}
		1415	else
		1416	{
		1417	// callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
		1418	// the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
		1419	// guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
		1420	w->again = timeout - now;
		1421	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
		1422	}
		1423	}
		1424
		1425	To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
		1426	as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has
		1427	been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise
		1428	the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so
		1429	re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
		1430	a timeout then.
		1431
		1432	Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the
		1433	C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.
		1434
		1435	This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
		1436	minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
		1437	libev to change the timeout.
		1438
		1439	To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
		1440	to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
		1441	callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
		1442
		1443	ev_timer_init (timer, callback);
		1444	last_activity = ev_now (loop);
		1445	callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMEOUT);
		1446
		1447	And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
		1448	C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
		1449
		1450	last_actiivty = ev_now (loop);
		1451
		1452	This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
		1453	time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
		1454
		1455	Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
		1456	callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
		1457	fix things for you.
		1458
		1459	=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
		1460
		1461	If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
		1462	employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
		1463	do even better:
		1464
		1465	When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
		1466	at the I<end> of the list.
		1467
		1468	Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
		1469	the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
		1470
		1471	When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
		1472	the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
		1473	update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
		1474
		1475	This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
		1476	starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
		1477	complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
		1478	ensures that the list stays sorted.
		1479
		1480	=back
		1481
		1482	So which method the best?
		1483
		1484	Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
		1485	situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
		1486	better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
		1487	one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
		1488
		1489	Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
		1490	rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
		1491	off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
		1492	overkill :)
		1493
		1494	=head3 The special problem of time updates
		1495
		1496	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
		1497	least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
		1498	time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a
		1499	growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
		1500	lots of events in one iteration.
1164		1501
1165	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>	1502	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1166	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time	1503	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1167	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If	1504	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
1168	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout	1505	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
1169	on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:	1506	timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
1170		1507
1171	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);	1508	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
1172		1509
1173	The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed,	1510	If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1174	but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then	1511	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1175	order of execution is undefined.	1512	()>.
1176		1513
1177	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1514	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1178		1515
1179	=over 4	1516	=over 4
1180		1517
1181	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1518	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1182		1519
1183	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1520	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1184		1521
1185	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is	1522	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
1186	C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the	1523	is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
1187	timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds	1524	reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
1188	later, again, and again, until stopped manually.	1525	configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
		1526	until stopped manually.
1189		1527
1190	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you	1528	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
1191	configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at	1529	you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
1192	exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with	1530	trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
1193	the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the	1531	keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1194	timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.	1532	do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1195		1533
1196	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)	1534	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1197		1535
1198	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is	1536	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
1199	repeating. The exact semantics are:	1537	repeating. The exact semantics are:
1200		1538
1201	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.	1539	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1202		1540
1203	If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out).	1541	If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
1204		1542
1205	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the	1543	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
1206	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.	1544	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1207		1545
1208	This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical	1546	This sounds a bit complicated, see "Be smart about timeouts", above, for a
1209	example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle	1547	usage example.
1210	timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
1211	seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
1212	configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
1213	C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
1214	you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
1215	socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
1216	automatically restart it if need be.
1217
1218	That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>
1219	altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
1220
1221	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);
1222	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1223	...
1224	timer->again = 17.;
1225	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1226	...
1227	timer->again = 10.;
1228	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1229
1230	This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
1231	you want to modify its timeout value.
1232		1548
1233	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]	1549	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1234		1550
1235	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out	1551	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1236	or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),	1552	or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1237	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.	1553	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
1238		1554
1239	=back	1555	=back
1240		1556
1241	=head3 Examples	1557	=head3 Examples
1242		1558
1243	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.	1559	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1244		1560
1245	static void	1561	static void
1246	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1562	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1247	{	1563	{
1248	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here	1564	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1249	}	1565	}
1250		1566
1251	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1567	ev_timer mytimer;
1252	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);	1568	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1253	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);	1569	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1254		1570
1255	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of	1571	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1256	inactivity.	1572	inactivity.
1257		1573
1258	static void	1574	static void
1259	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1575	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1260	{	1576	{
1261	.. ten seconds without any activity	1577	.. ten seconds without any activity
1262	}	1578	}
1263		1579
1264	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1580	ev_timer mytimer;
1265	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */	1581	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1266	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */	1582	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1267	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1583	ev_loop (loop, 0);
1268		1584
1269	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":	1585	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1270	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds	1586	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1271	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);	1587	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1272		1588
1273		1589
1274	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?	1590	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1275		1591
1276	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile	1592	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1277	(and unfortunately a bit complex).	1593	(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1278		1594
1279	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)	1595	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)
1280	but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher	1596	but on wall clock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher
1281	to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a	1597	to trigger after some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a
1282	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now ()	1598	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now ()
1283	+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will	1599	+ 10.>, that is, an absolute time not a delay) and then reset your system
		1600	clock to January of the previous year, then it will take more than year
1284	take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger	1601	to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger
1285	roughly 10 seconds later).	1602	roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
1286		1603
1287	They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as	1604	C<ev_periodic>s can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers,
1288	triggering an event on each midnight, local time or other, complicated,	1605	such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other
1289	rules.	1606	complicated rules.
1290		1607
1291	As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the	1608	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1292	time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready	1609	time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
1293	during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.	1610	during the same loop iteration, then order of execution is undefined.
1294		1611
1295	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1612	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1296		1613
1297	=over 4	1614	=over 4
1298		1615
1299	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)	1616	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1300		1617
1301	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)	1618	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)
1302		1619
1303	Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of	1620	Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1304	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:	1621	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1305		1622
1306	=over 4	1623	=over 4
1307		1624
1308	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)	1625	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)
1309		1626
1310	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time	1627	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1311	C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs,	1628	time C<at> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a time
1312	that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the	1629	jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will
1313	system time reaches or surpasses this time.	1630	only run when the system clock reaches or surpasses this time.
1314		1631
1315	=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)	1632	=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1316		1633
1317	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next	1634	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1318	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)	1635	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)
1319	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.	1636	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
1320		1637
1321	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system	1638	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1322	time:	1639	system clock, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
		1640	hour, on the hour:
1323		1641
1324	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);	1642	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1325		1643
1326	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,	1644	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1327	but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a	1645	but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1328	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible	1646	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1329	by 3600.	1647	by 3600.
1330		1648
1331	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that	1649	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1332	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible	1650	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1333	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.	1651	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1334		1652
1335	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near	1653	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near
1336	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for	1654	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1337	this value.	1655	this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
		1656
		1657	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
		1658	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
		1659	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
		1660	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
1338		1661
1339	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)	1662	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1340		1663
1341	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being	1664	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being
1342	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the	1665	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1343	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the	1666	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1344	current time as second argument.	1667	current time as second argument.
1345		1668
1346	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,	1669	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
1347	ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it,	1670	ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>.
1348	return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
1349	starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is legal).
1350		1671
		1672	If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
		1673	it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
		1674	only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
		1675
1351	Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,	1676	The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1352	ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:	1677	*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1353		1678
		1679	static ev_tstamp
1354	static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	1680	my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1355	{	1681	{
1356	return now + 60.;	1682	return now + 60.;
1357	}	1683	}
1358		1684
1359	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value	1685	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1360	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It	1686	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
1361	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but	1687	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1362	might be called at other times, too.	1688	might be called at other times, too.
1363		1689
1364	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the	1690	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1365	passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger.	1691	equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1366		1692
1367	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that	1693	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1368	triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the	1694	triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
1369	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How	1695	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
1370	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main	1696	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
1371	reason I omitted it as an example).	1697	reason I omitted it as an example).
1372		1698
1373	=back	1699	=back
…		…
1377	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful	1703	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1378	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return	1704	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1379	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like	1705	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1380	program when the crontabs have changed).	1706	program when the crontabs have changed).
1381		1707
		1708	=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
		1709
		1710	When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
		1711	trigger next.
		1712
1382	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]	1713	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1383		1714
1384	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the	1715	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1385	absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).	1716	absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).
1386		1717
…		…
1391		1722
1392	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only	1723	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1393	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being	1724	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1394	called.	1725	called.
1395		1726
1396	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]	1727	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1397		1728
1398	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is	1729	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1399	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when	1730	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1400	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	1731	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1401		1732
1402	=item ev_tstamp at [read-only]
1403
1404	When active, contains the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1405	trigger next.
1406
1407	=back	1733	=back
1408		1734
1409	=head3 Examples	1735	=head3 Examples
1410		1736
1411	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the	1737	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1412	system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have	1738	system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1413	potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.	1739	potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1414		1740
1415	static void	1741	static void
1416	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1742	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1417	{	1743	{
1418	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)	1744	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1419	}	1745	}
1420		1746
1421	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	1747	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1422	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);	1748	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1423	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	1749	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1424		1750
1425	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:	1751	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1426		1752
1427	#include <math.h>	1753	#include <math.h>
1428		1754
1429	static ev_tstamp	1755	static ev_tstamp
1430	my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	1756	my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1431	{	1757	{
1432	return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;	1758	return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1433	}	1759	}
1434		1760
1435	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);	1761	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1436		1762
1437	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:	1763	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1438		1764
1439	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	1765	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1440	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,	1766	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1441	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);	1767	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1442	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	1768	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1443		1769
1444		1770
1445	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!	1771	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1446		1772
1447	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific	1773	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1448	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev	1774	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1449	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the	1775	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1450	normal event processing, like any other event.	1776	normal event processing, like any other event.
1451		1777
		1778	If you want signals asynchronously, just use C<sigaction> as you would
		1779	do without libev and forget about sharing the signal. You can even use
		1780	C<ev_async> from a signal handler to synchronously wake up an event loop.
		1781
1452	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the	1782	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the
1453	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher	1783	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal handler
1454	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long	1784	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as
1455	as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal	1785	you don't register any with libev for the same signal). Similarly, when
1456	watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to	1786	the last signal watcher for a signal is stopped, libev will reset the
1457	SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).	1787	signal handler to SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1458		1788
1459	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with	1789	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1460	C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so syscalls should not be unduly	1790	C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so system calls should not be unduly
1461	interrupted. If you have a problem with syscalls getting interrupted by	1791	interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting interrupted by
1462	signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock	1792	signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock
1463	them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.	1793	them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
1464		1794
1465	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1795	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1466		1796
…		…
1479		1809
1480	=back	1810	=back
1481		1811
1482	=head3 Examples	1812	=head3 Examples
1483		1813
1484	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.	1814	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
1485		1815
1486	static void	1816	static void
1487	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)	1817	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
1488	{	1818	{
1489	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	1819	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
1490	}	1820	}
1491		1821
1492	struct ev_signal signal_watcher;	1822	ev_signal signal_watcher;
1493	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);	1823	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1494	ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);	1824	ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
1495		1825
1496		1826
1497	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes	1827	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1498		1828
1499	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to	1829	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1500	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). It	1830	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
1501	is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child has been	1831	exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
1502	forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long as the event	1832	has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
1503	loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher).	1833	as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
		1834	forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
		1835	but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later is
		1836	not.
1504		1837
1505	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore	1838	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1506	you can only rgeister child watchers in the default event loop.	1839	you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
1507		1840
1508	=head3 Process Interaction	1841	=head3 Process Interaction
1509		1842
1510	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is	1843	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1511	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if	1844	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if
1512	the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurance	1845	the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
1513	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done	1846	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1514	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all	1847	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1515	children, even ones not watched.	1848	children, even ones not watched.
1516		1849
1517	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing	1850	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
…		…
1521	handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for	1854	handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
1522	C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the	1855	C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
1523	default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an	1856	default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
1524	event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for	1857	event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
1525	that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.	1858	that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
		1859
		1860	=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
		1861
		1862	Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
		1863	child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
		1864	callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
		1865	when a child exit is detected.
1526		1866
1527	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1867	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1528		1868
1529	=over 4	1869	=over 4
1530		1870
…		…
1559	=head3 Examples	1899	=head3 Examples
1560		1900
1561	Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for	1901	Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
1562	its completion.	1902	its completion.
1563		1903
1564	ev_child cw;	1904	ev_child cw;
1565		1905
1566	static void	1906	static void
1567	child_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_child *w, int revents)	1907	child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1568	{	1908	{
1569	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);	1909	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
1570	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);	1910	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1571	}	1911	}
1572		1912
1573	pid_t pid = fork ();	1913	pid_t pid = fork ();
1574		1914
1575	if (pid < 0)	1915	if (pid < 0)
1576	// error	1916	// error
1577	else if (pid == 0)	1917	else if (pid == 0)
1578	{	1918	{
1579	// the forked child executes here	1919	// the forked child executes here
1580	exit (1);	1920	exit (1);
1581	}	1921	}
1582	else	1922	else
1583	{	1923	{
1584	ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);	1924	ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
1585	ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);	1925	ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
1586	}	1926	}
1587		1927
1588		1928
1589	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?	1929	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1590		1930
1591	This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls	1931	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1592	C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed	1932	C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
1593	compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.	1933	and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if
		1934	it did.
1594		1935
1595	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does	1936	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1596	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does	1937	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
1597	not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is	1938	exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
1598	otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of	1939	C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
1599	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.	1940	least one) and all the other fields of the stat buffer having unspecified
		1941	contents.
1600		1942
1601	The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is	1943	The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
		1944	C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
1602	relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.	1945	your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
1603		1946
1604	Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply	1947	Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
1605	calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You	1948	portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
1606	can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify	1949	to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
1607	a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,	1950	interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
1608	unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around	1951	recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
1609	five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also	1952	(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
1610	impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats	1953	change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
1611	usually overkill.	1954	currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
1612		1955
1613	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,	1956	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1614	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be	1957	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1615	resource-intensive.	1958	resource-intensive.
1616		1959
1617	At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is	1960	At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1618	implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the	1961	is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as an
1619	reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the	1962	exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way of
1620	semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs	1963	implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue, except as a hint).
1621	to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are
1622	usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no
1623	polling.
1624		1964
1625	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)	1965	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1626		1966
1627	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default	1967	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
1628	compilation environment, which means that on systems with optionally	1968	compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
1629	disabled large file support, you get the 32 bit version of the stat	1969	support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
1630	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to	1970	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
1631	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to	1971	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
1632	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is	1972	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
1633	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is	1973	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
1634	most noticably with ev_stat and largefile support.	1974	most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
1635		1975
1636	=head3 Inotify	1976	The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
		1977	file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
		1978	optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
		1979	to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
		1980	default compilation environment.
1637		1981
		1982	=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
		1983
1638	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only	1984	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev and present at
1639	available on Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up	1985	runtime, it will be used to speed up change detection where possible. The
1640	change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily	1986	inotify descriptor will be created lazily when the first C<ev_stat>
1641	when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.	1987	watcher is being started.
1642		1988
1643	Inotify presense does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers	1989	Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1644	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid	1990	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1645	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presense of inotify support	1991	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1646	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling.	1992	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
		1993	but as long as kernel 2.6.25 or newer is used (2.6.24 and older have too
		1994	many bugs), the path exists (i.e. stat succeeds), and the path resides on
		1995	a local filesystem (libev currently assumes only ext2/3, jfs, reiserfs and
		1996	xfs are fully working) libev usually gets away without polling.
1647		1997
1648	(There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to	1998	There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1649	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file	1999	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1650	descriptor open on the object at all times).	2000	descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
		2001	etc. is difficult.
		2002
		2003	=head3 C<stat ()> is a synchronous operation
		2004
		2005	Libev doesn't normally do any kind of I/O itself, and so is not blocking
		2006	the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat
		2007	()>, which is a synchronous operation.
		2008
		2009	For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very
		2010	busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast,
		2011	as the path data is suually in memory already (except when starting the
		2012	watcher).
		2013
		2014	For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
		2015	time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call
		2016	often takes multiple milliseconds.
		2017
		2018	Therefore, it is best to avoid using C<ev_stat> watchers on networked
		2019	paths, although this is fully supported by libev.
1651		2020
1652	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution	2021	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1653		2022
1654	The C<stat ()> syscall only supports full-second resolution portably, and	2023	The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
1655	even on systems where the resolution is higher, many filesystems still	2024	and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
1656	only support whole seconds.	2025	still only support whole seconds.
1657		2026
1658	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you might	2027	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1659	miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and calls	2028	easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1660	your callback, which does something. When there is another update within	2029	calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1661	the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect it.	2030	within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
		2031	stat data does change in other ways (e.g. file size).
1662		2032
1663	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for a second (or till	2033	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
1664	the next second boundary), using a roughly one-second delay C<ev_timer>	2034	than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
1665	(C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.01); ev_timer_again (loop, w)>). The C<.01>	2035	a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
1666	is added to work around small timing inconsistencies of some operating	2036	ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
1667	systems.	2037
		2038	The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
		2039	of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
		2040	might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
		2041	C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
		2042	a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
		2043	update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
		2044	the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
		2045	the timer callback).
1668		2046
1669	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2047	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1670		2048
1671	=over 4	2049	=over 4
1672		2050
…		…
1678	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to	2056	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1679	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose	2057	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1680	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same	2058	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1681	path for as long as the watcher is active.	2059	path for as long as the watcher is active.
1682		2060
1683	The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected,	2061	The callback will receive an C<EV_STAT> event when a change was detected,
1684	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the	2062	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1685	last change was detected).	2063	last change was detected).
1686		2064
1687	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)	2065	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1688		2066
1689	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the	2067	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1690	watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid	2068	watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1691	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be	2069	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1692	useful simply to find out the new values.	2070	the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
		2071	new values.
1693		2072
1694	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]	2073	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1695		2074
1696	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of	2075	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
1697	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types	2076	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1698	suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there	2077	suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
		2078	members to be present. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there was
1699	was some error while C<stat>ing the file.	2079	some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1700		2080
1701	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]	2081	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1702		2082
1703	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever	2083	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1704	C<prev> != C<attr>.	2084	C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
		2085	differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
		2086	C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
1705		2087
1706	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]	2088	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1707		2089
1708	The specified interval.	2090	The specified interval.
1709		2091
1710	=item const char *path [read-only]	2092	=item const char *path [read-only]
1711		2093
1712	The filesystem path that is being watched.	2094	The file system path that is being watched.
1713		2095
1714	=back	2096	=back
1715		2097
1716	=head3 Examples	2098	=head3 Examples
1717		2099
1718	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.	2100	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1719		2101
1720	static void	2102	static void
1721	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)	2103	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1722	{	2104	{
1723	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */	2105	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1724	if (w->attr.st_nlink)	2106	if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1725	{	2107	{
1726	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);	2108	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1727	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2109	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1728	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2110	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1729	}	2111	}
1730	else	2112	else
1731	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */	2113	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1732	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "	2114	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1733	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");	2115	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1734	}	2116	}
1735		2117
1736	...	2118	...
1737	ev_stat passwd;	2119	ev_stat passwd;
1738		2120
1739	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);	2121	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1740	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	2122	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1741		2123
1742	Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not	2124	Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
1743	miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so	2125	miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
1744	one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on	2126	one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
1745	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).	2127	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
1746		2128
1747	static ev_stat passwd;	2129	static ev_stat passwd;
1748	static ev_timer timer;	2130	static ev_timer timer;
1749		2131
1750	static void	2132	static void
1751	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2133	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1752	{	2134	{
1753	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);	2135	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
1754		2136
1755	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */	2137	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
1756	}	2138	}
1757		2139
1758	static void	2140	static void
1759	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)	2141	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
1760	{	2142	{
1761	/* reset the one-second timer */	2143	/* reset the one-second timer */
1762	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);	2144	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
1763	}	2145	}
1764		2146
1765	...	2147	...
1766	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);	2148	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1767	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	2149	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1768	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.01);	2150	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1769		2151
1770		2152
1771	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...	2153	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1772		2154
1773	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher	2155	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1774	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not	2156	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count
1775	count).	2157	as receiving "events").
1776		2158
1777	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts	2159	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1778	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be	2160	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1779	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers	2161	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1780	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop	2162	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
…		…
1804	=head3 Examples	2186	=head3 Examples
1805		2187
1806	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the	2188	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1807	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.	2189	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1808		2190
1809	static void	2191	static void
1810	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)	2192	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1811	{	2193	{
1812	free (w);	2194	free (w);
1813	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has	2195	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1814	// no longer anything immediate to do.	2196	// no longer anything immediate to do.
1815	}	2197	}
1816		2198
1817	struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));	2199	ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1818	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);	2200	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1819	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);	2201	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1820		2202
1821		2203
1822	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!	2204	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1823		2205
1824	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:	2206	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
1825	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers	2207	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1826	afterwards.	2208	afterwards.
1827		2209
1828	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter	2210	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter
1829	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>	2211	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
…		…
1832	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,	2214	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1833	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be	2215	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1834	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.	2216	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1835		2217
1836	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and	2218	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1837	their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track	2219	their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
1838	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a	2220	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1839	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if	2221	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1840	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,	2222	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1841	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>	2223	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1842	watcher).	2224	watcher).
1843		2225
1844	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need	2226	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors
1845	to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for	2227	need to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers
1846	them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries	2228	for them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many
1847	provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for	2229	libraries provide exactly this functionality). Then, in the check watcher,
1848	any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers	2230	you check for any events that occurred (by checking the pending status
1849	and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer	2231	of all watchers and stopping them) and call back into the library. The
1850	callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,	2232	I/O and timer callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid
1851	because you never know, you know?).	2233	nevertheless, because you never know, you know?).
1852		2234
1853	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate	2235	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1854	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines	2236	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
1855	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines	2237	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
1856	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines	2238	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
…		…
1859	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping	2241	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1860	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).	2242	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1861		2243
1862	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)	2244	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
1863	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers	2245	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
		2246	after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).
		2247
1864	after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers,	2248	Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
1865	too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully	2249	activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
1866	supports this, they will be called before other C<ev_check> watchers	2250	might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
1867	did their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other	2251	C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
1868	(non-libev) event loops those other event loops might be in an unusable	2252	loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
1869	state until their C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to	2253	C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
1870	coexist peacefully with others).	2254	others).
1871		2255
1872	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2256	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1873		2257
1874	=over 4	2258	=over 4
1875		2259
…		…
1877		2261
1878	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)	2262	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1879		2263
1880	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no	2264	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
1881	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>	2265	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1882	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.	2266	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly, utterly and completely
		2267	pointless.
1883		2268
1884	=back	2269	=back
1885		2270
1886	=head3 Examples	2271	=head3 Examples
1887		2272
1888	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules	2273	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
1889	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev	2274	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
1890	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could	2275	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
1891	use for an actually working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib>	2276	use as a working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> embeds a
1892	embeds a Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV	2277	Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
1893	into the Glib event loop).	2278	Glib event loop).
1894		2279
1895	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,	2280	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1896	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows	2281	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1897	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low	2282	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
1898	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as	2283	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
1899	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.	2284	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1900		2285
1901	static ev_io iow [nfd];	2286	static ev_io iow [nfd];
1902	static ev_timer tw;	2287	static ev_timer tw;
1903		2288
1904	static void	2289	static void
1905	io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)	2290	io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1906	{	2291	{
1907	}	2292	}
1908		2293
1909	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking	2294	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1910	static void	2295	static void
1911	adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)	2296	adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1912	{	2297	{
1913	int timeout = 3600000;	2298	int timeout = 3600000;
1914	struct pollfd fds [nfd];	2299	struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1915	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.	2300	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1916	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));	2301	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1917		2302
1918	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */	2303	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1919	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);	2304	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1920	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);	2305	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1921		2306
1922	// create one ev_io per pollfd	2307	// create one ev_io per pollfd
1923	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2308	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1924	{	2309	{
1925	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,	2310	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1926	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)	2311	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1927	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));	2312	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1928		2313
1929	fds [i].revents = 0;	2314	fds [i].revents = 0;
1930	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);	2315	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1931	}	2316	}
1932	}	2317	}
1933		2318
1934	// stop all watchers after blocking	2319	// stop all watchers after blocking
1935	static void	2320	static void
1936	adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)	2321	adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1937	{	2322	{
1938	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);	2323	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1939		2324
1940	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2325	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1941	{	2326	{
1942	// set the relevant poll flags	2327	// set the relevant poll flags
1943	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here	2328	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1944	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;	2329	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
1945	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);	2330	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
1946	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;	2331	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1947	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;	2332	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1948		2333
1949	// now stop the watcher	2334	// now stop the watcher
1950	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);	2335	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1951	}	2336	}
1952		2337
1953	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));	2338	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1954	}	2339	}
1955		2340
1956	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>	2341	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
1957	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.	2342	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
1958		2343
1959	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event	2344	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
1960	notification (adns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher	2345	notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
1961	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.	2346	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
1962		2347
1963	static void	2348	static void
1964	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2349	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1965	{	2350	{
1966	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2351	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1967	update_now (EV_A);	2352	update_now (EV_A);
1968		2353
1969	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);	2354	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
1970	}	2355	}
1971		2356
1972	static void	2357	static void
1973	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)	2358	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1974	{	2359	{
1975	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2360	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1976	update_now (EV_A);	2361	update_now (EV_A);
1977		2362
1978	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2363	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1979	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2364	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1980	}	2365	}
1981		2366
1982	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll	2367	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll
1983		2368
1984	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you	2369	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
1985	want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, youc na override	2370	want to embed is not flexible enough to support it. Instead, you can
1986	their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main	2371	override their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the
1987	loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does	2372	main loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module uses
1988	this.	2373	this approach, effectively embedding EV as a client into the horrible
		2374	libglib event loop.
1989		2375
1990	static gint	2376	static gint
1991	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)	2377	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
1992	{	2378	{
1993	int got_events = 0;	2379	int got_events = 0;
1994		2380
1995	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2381	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1996	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events	2382	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
1997		2383
1998	if (timeout >= 0)	2384	if (timeout >= 0)
1999	// create/start timer	2385	// create/start timer
2000		2386
2001	// poll	2387	// poll
2002	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	2388	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
2003		2389
2004	// stop timer again	2390	// stop timer again
2005	if (timeout >= 0)	2391	if (timeout >= 0)
2006	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);	2392	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
2007		2393
2008	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set	2394	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
2009	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2395	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
2010	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);	2396	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
2011		2397
2012	return got_events;	2398	return got_events;
2013	}	2399	}
2014		2400
2015		2401
2016	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...	2402	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
2017		2403
2018	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop	2404	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
…		…
2024	prioritise I/O.	2410	prioritise I/O.
2025		2411
2026	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support	2412	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
2027	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you	2413	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
2028	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales	2414	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
2029	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it	2415	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed
2030	into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will	2416	it into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation
2031	be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but	2417	will be a bit slower because first libev has to call C<poll> and then
2032	at least you can use both at what they are best.	2418	C<kevent>, but at least you can use both mechanisms for what they are
		2419	best: C<kqueue> for scalable sockets and C<poll> if you want it to work :)
2033		2420
2034	As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have	2421	As for prioritising I/O: under rare circumstances you have the case where
2035	to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even	2422	some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
2036	priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case	2423	and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
2037	you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in	2424	this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
2038	a second one, and embed the second one in the first.	2425	the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
2039		2426
2040	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time	2427	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time
2041	there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then	2428	there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then
2042	call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke	2429	call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke
2043	their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded	2430	their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded
…		…
2051	interested in that.	2438	interested in that.
2052		2439
2053	Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:	2440	Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:
2054	when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,	2441	when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,
2055	but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers	2442	but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers
2056	yourself.	2443	yourself - but you can use a fork watcher to handle this automatically,
		2444	and future versions of libev might do just that.
2057		2445
2058	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by	2446	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
2059	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any	2447	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
2060	portable one.	2448	portable one.
2061		2449
2062	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared	2450	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
2063	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around	2451	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
2064	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to	2452	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
2065	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.	2453	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
2066		2454
		2455	=head3 C<ev_embed> and fork
		2456
		2457	While the C<ev_embed> watcher is running, forks in the embedding loop will
		2458	automatically be applied to the embedded loop as well, so no special
		2459	fork handling is required in that case. When the watcher is not running,
		2460	however, it is still the task of the libev user to call C<ev_loop_fork ()>
		2461	as applicable.
		2462
2067	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2463	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2068		2464
2069	=over 4	2465	=over 4
2070		2466
2071	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)	2467	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
…		…
2074		2470
2075	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be	2471	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
2076	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be	2472	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
2077	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback	2473	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
2078	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,	2474	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
2079	if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).	2475	if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
2080		2476
2081	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)	2477	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
2082		2478
2083	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works	2479	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
2084	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most	2480	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
2085	apropriate way for embedded loops.	2481	appropriate way for embedded loops.
2086		2482
2087	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]	2483	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
2088		2484
2089	The embedded event loop.	2485	The embedded event loop.
2090		2486
…		…
2092		2488
2093	=head3 Examples	2489	=head3 Examples
2094		2490
2095	Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default	2491	Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
2096	event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default	2492	event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
2097	loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the mebeddable loop is stored in	2493	loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
2098	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the acse no embeddable loop can be	2494	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
2099	used).	2495	used).
2100		2496
2101	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);	2497	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2102	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;	2498	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2103	struct ev_embed embed;	2499	ev_embed embed;
2104		2500
2105	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works	2501	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2106	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)	2502	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2107	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()	2503	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2108	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())	2504	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
2109	: 0;	2505	: 0;
2110		2506
2111	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi	2507	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
2112	if (loop_lo)	2508	if (loop_lo)
2113	{	2509	{
2114	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);	2510	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
2115	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);	2511	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
2116	}	2512	}
2117	else	2513	else
2118	loop_lo = loop_hi;	2514	loop_lo = loop_hi;
2119		2515
2120	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create	2516	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
2121	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any	2517	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
2122	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in	2518	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
2123	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).	2519	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2124		2520
2125	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	2521	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2126	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;	2522	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2127	struct ev_embed embed;	2523	ev_embed embed;
2128		2524
2129	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)	2525	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2130	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))	2526	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2131	{	2527	{
2132	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);	2528	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2133	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);	2529	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2134	}	2530	}
2135		2531
2136	if (!loop_socket)	2532	if (!loop_socket)
2137	loop_socket = loop;	2533	loop_socket = loop;
2138		2534
2139	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else	2535	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
2140		2536
2141		2537
2142	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork	2538	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
2143		2539
2144	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because	2540	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
…		…
2188	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a	2584	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2189	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't	2585	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2190	need elaborate support such as pthreads.	2586	need elaborate support such as pthreads.
2191		2587
2192	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own	2588	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2193	queue. But at least I can tell you would implement locking around your	2589	queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2194	queue:	2590	queue:
2195		2591
2196	=over 4	2592	=over 4
2197		2593
2198	=item queueing from a signal handler context	2594	=item queueing from a signal handler context
2199		2595
2200	To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal	2596	To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
2201	handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is an example that does that for	2597	handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is
2202	some fictitiuous SIGUSR1 handler:	2598	an example that does that for some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
2203		2599
2204	static ev_async mysig;	2600	static ev_async mysig;
2205		2601
2206	static void	2602	static void
2207	sigusr1_handler (void)	2603	sigusr1_handler (void)
…		…
2273	=over 4	2669	=over 4
2274		2670
2275	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)	2671	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2276		2672
2277	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any	2673	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2278	kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	2674	kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2279	believe me.	2675	trust me.
2280		2676
2281	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)	2677	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2282		2678
2283	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds	2679	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2284	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike	2680	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
2285	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do in other threads, signal or	2681	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or
2286	similar contexts (see the dicusssion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding	2682	similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
2287	section below on what exactly this means).	2683	section below on what exactly this means).
2288		2684
2289	This call incurs the overhead of a syscall only once per loop iteration,	2685	This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per loop iteration,
2290	so while the overhead might be noticable, it doesn't apply to repeated	2686	so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to repeated
2291	calls to C<ev_async_send>.	2687	calls to C<ev_async_send>.
2292		2688
2293	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)	2689	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
2294		2690
2295	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the	2691	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
…		…
2297	event loop.	2693	event loop.
2298		2694
2299	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When	2695	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
2300	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,	2696	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
2301	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very	2697	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
2302	quickly check wether invoking the loop might be a good idea.	2698	quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
2303		2699
2304	Not that this does I<not> check wether the watcher itself is pending, only	2700	Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending, only
2305	wether it has been requested to make this watcher pending.	2701	whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending.
2306		2702
2307	=back	2703	=back
2308		2704
2309		2705
2310	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS	2706	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
…		…
2314	=over 4	2710	=over 4
2315		2711
2316	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)	2712	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
2317		2713
2318	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your	2714	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
2319	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both	2715	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
2320	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd	2716	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
2321	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or	2717	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
2322	more watchers yourself.	2718	more watchers yourself.
2323		2719
2324	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events	2720	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and the
2325	is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and	2721	C<events> argument is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for
2326	C<events> set will be craeted and started.	2722	the given C<fd> and C<events> set will be created and started.
2327		2723
2328	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be	2724	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
2329	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and	2725	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
2330	repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of	2726	repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
2331	dubious value.
2332		2727
2333	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets	2728	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
2334	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of	2729	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
2335	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>	2730	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
2336	value passed to C<ev_once>:	2731	value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
		2732	a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
		2733	events precedence.
2337		2734
		2735	Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
		2736
2338	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)	2737	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
2339	{	2738	{
2340	if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
2341	/* doh, nothing entered */;
2342	else if (revents & EV_READ)	2739	if (revents & EV_READ)
2343	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;	2740	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
		2741	else if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
		2742	/* doh, nothing entered */;
2344	}	2743	}
2345		2744
2346	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);	2745	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
2347		2746
2348	=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)	2747	=item ev_feed_event (struct ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
2349		2748
2350	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event	2749	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
2351	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an	2750	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
2352	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).	2751	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
2353		2752
2354	=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)	2753	=item ev_feed_fd_event (struct ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)
2355		2754
2356	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected	2755	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
2357	the given events it.	2756	the given events it.
2358		2757
2359	=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)	2758	=item ev_feed_signal_event (struct ev_loop *loop, int signum)
2360		2759
2361	Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default	2760	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
2362	loop!).	2761	loop!).
2363		2762
2364	=back	2763	=back
2365		2764
2366		2765
…		…
2382		2781
2383	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities	2782	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
2384	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there	2783	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
2385	is an ev_pri field.	2784	is an ev_pri field.
2386		2785
		2786	=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
		2787	first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.
		2788
2387	=item * Other members are not supported.	2789	=item * Other members are not supported.
2388		2790
2389	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need	2791	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
2390	to use the libev header file and library.	2792	to use the libev header file and library.
2391		2793
2392	=back	2794	=back
2393		2795
2394	=head1 C++ SUPPORT	2796	=head1 C++ SUPPORT
2395		2797
2396	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow	2798	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
2397	you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change	2799	you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
2398	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.	2800	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
2399		2801
2400	To use it,	2802	To use it,
2401		2803
2402	#include <ev++.h>	2804	#include <ev++.h>
2403		2805
2404	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many	2806	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
2405	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are	2807	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
2406	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding	2808	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
2407	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.	2809	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
…		…
2474	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the	2876	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
2475	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.	2877	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
2476		2878
2477	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation	2879	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
2478		2880
2479	struct myclass	2881	struct myclass
2480	{	2882	{
2481	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	2883	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2482	}	2884	}
2483		2885
2484	myclass obj;	2886	myclass obj;
2485	ev::io iow;	2887	ev::io iow;
2486	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);	2888	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2487		2889
2488	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)	2890	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2489		2891
2490	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as	2892	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2491	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's	2893	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
…		…
2493		2895
2494	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.	2896	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
2495		2897
2496	See the method-C<set> above for more details.	2898	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2497		2899
2498	Example:	2900	Example: Use a plain function as callback.
2499		2901
2500	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	2902	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2501	iow.set <io_cb> ();	2903	iow.set <io_cb> ();
2502		2904
2503	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)	2905	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
2504		2906
2505	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only	2907	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
2506	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).	2908	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
2507		2909
2508	=item w->set ([args])	2910	=item w->set ([arguments])
2509		2911
2510	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be	2912	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be
2511	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets	2913	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
2512	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this	2914	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
2513	method.	2915	method.
2514		2916
2515	=item w->start ()	2917	=item w->start ()
…		…
2539	=back	2941	=back
2540		2942
2541	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in	2943	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
2542	the constructor.	2944	the constructor.
2543		2945
2544	class myclass	2946	class myclass
2545	{	2947	{
2546	ev::io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);	2948	ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2547	ev:idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);	2949	ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2548		2950
2549	myclass (int fd)	2951	myclass (int fd)
2550	{	2952	{
2551	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);	2953	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
2552	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);	2954	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2553		2955
2554	io.start (fd, ev::READ);	2956	io.start (fd, ev::READ);
2555	}	2957	}
2556	};	2958	};
2557		2959
2558		2960
2559	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS	2961	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
2560		2962
2561	Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a	2963	Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
2562	numbe rof languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know	2964	number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
2563	any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop	2965	any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
2564	me a note.	2966	me a note.
2565		2967
2566	=over 4	2968	=over 4
2567		2969
2568	=item Perl	2970	=item Perl
2569		2971
2570	The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test	2972	The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
2571	libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,	2973	libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
2572	there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces	2974	there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
2573	to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>), C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the	2975	to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>, but C<AnyEvent::DNS> is preferred nowadays),
2574	C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV> and C<EV::Glib>).	2976	C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV>
		2977	and C<EV::Glib>).
2575		2978
2576	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is found at	2979	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
2577	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.	2980	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2578		2981
		2982	=item Python
		2983
		2984	Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
		2985	seems to be quite complete and well-documented. Note, however, that the
		2986	patch they require for libev is outright dangerous as it breaks the ABI
		2987	for everybody else, and therefore, should never be applied in an installed
		2988	libev (if python requires an incompatible ABI then it needs to embed
		2989	libev).
		2990
2579	=item Ruby	2991	=item Ruby
2580		2992
2581	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset	2993	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2582	of the libev API and adds filehandle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and	2994	of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2583	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at	2995	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2584	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.	2996	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2585		2997
2586	=item D	2998	=item D
2587		2999
2588	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to	3000	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2589	be found at L<http://git.llucax.com.ar/?p=software/ev.d.git;a=summary>.	3001	be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
		3002
		3003	=item Ocaml
		3004
		3005	Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
		3006	L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
2590		3007
2591	=back	3008	=back
2592		3009
2593		3010
2594	=head1 MACRO MAGIC	3011	=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2595		3012
2596	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal	3013	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
2597	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)	3014	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
2598	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.	3015	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
2599		3016
2600	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the	3017	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
2601	following macros are defined:	3018	following macros are defined:
…		…
2606		3023
2607	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev	3024	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2608	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,	3025	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2609	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:	3026	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2610		3027
2611	ev_unref (EV_A);	3028	ev_unref (EV_A);
2612	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);	3029	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2613	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	3030	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
2614		3031
2615	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,	3032	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2616	which is often provided by the following macro.	3033	which is often provided by the following macro.
2617		3034
2618	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>	3035	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
2619		3036
2620	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev	3037	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2621	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,	3038	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
2622	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:	3039	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
2623		3040
2624	// this is how ev_unref is being declared	3041	// this is how ev_unref is being declared
2625	static void ev_unref (EV_P);	3042	static void ev_unref (EV_P);
2626		3043
2627	// this is how you can declare your typical callback	3044	// this is how you can declare your typical callback
2628	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	3045	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2629		3046
2630	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite	3047	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
2631	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.	3048	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
2632		3049
2633	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>	3050	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
…		…
2649		3066
2650	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above	3067	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
2651	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported	3068	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2652	or not.	3069	or not.
2653		3070
2654	static void	3071	static void
2655	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	3072	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2656	{	3073	{
2657	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);	3074	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
2658	}	3075	}
2659		3076
2660	ev_check check;	3077	ev_check check;
2661	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);	3078	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
2662	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);	3079	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
2663	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);	3080	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
2664		3081
2665	=head1 EMBEDDING	3082	=head1 EMBEDDING
2666		3083
2667	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host	3084	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
2668	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra	3085	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
…		…
2675	libev somewhere in your source tree).	3092	libev somewhere in your source tree).
2676		3093
2677	=head2 FILESETS	3094	=head2 FILESETS
2678		3095
2679	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files	3096	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
2680	in your app.	3097	in your application.
2681		3098
2682	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP	3099	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
2683		3100
2684	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual	3101	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
2685	configuration (no autoconf):	3102	configuration (no autoconf):
2686		3103
2687	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3104	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2688	#include "ev.c"	3105	#include "ev.c"
2689		3106
2690	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a	3107	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
2691	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use	3108	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
2692	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best	3109	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
2693	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and	3110	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
2694	where you can put other configuration options):	3111	where you can put other configuration options):
2695		3112
2696	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3113	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2697	#include "ev.h"	3114	#include "ev.h"
2698		3115
2699	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++	3116	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
2700	compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated	3117	compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2701	as a bug).	3118	as a bug).
2702		3119
2703	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory	3120	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
2704	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):	3121	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2705		3122
2706	ev.h	3123	ev.h
2707	ev.c	3124	ev.c
2708	ev_vars.h	3125	ev_vars.h
2709	ev_wrap.h	3126	ev_wrap.h
2710		3127
2711	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only	3128	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
2712		3129
2713	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)	3130	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
2714	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3131	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2715	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3132	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2716	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3133	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2717	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3134	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2718		3135
2719	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need	3136	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
2720	to compile this single file.	3137	to compile this single file.
2721		3138
2722	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API	3139	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
2723		3140
2724	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:	3141	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
2725		3142
2726	#include "event.c"	3143	#include "event.c"
2727		3144
2728	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:	3145	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
2729		3146
2730	#include "event.h"	3147	#include "event.h"
2731		3148
2732	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.	3149	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
2733		3150
2734	You need the following additional files for this:	3151	You need the following additional files for this:
2735		3152
2736	event.h	3153	event.h
2737	event.c	3154	event.c
2738		3155
2739	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT	3156	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
2740		3157
2741	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in	3158	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
2742	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your	3159	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
2743	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then	3160	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
2744	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.	3161	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
2745		3162
2746	For this of course you need the m4 file:	3163	For this of course you need the m4 file:
2747		3164
2748	libev.m4	3165	libev.m4
2749		3166
2750	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS	3167	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2751		3168
2752	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to	3169	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
2753	define before including any of its files. The default in the absense of	3170	define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of
2754	autoconf is noted for every option.	3171	autoconf is documented for every option.
2755		3172
2756	=over 4	3173	=over 4
2757		3174
2758	=item EV_STANDALONE	3175	=item EV_STANDALONE
2759		3176
…		…
2764	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.	3181	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2765		3182
2766	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC	3183	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2767		3184
2768	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3185	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2769	monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use	3186	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use
2770	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you	3187	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you
2771	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when	3188	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when
2772	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have	3189	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2773	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>	3190	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2774	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).	3191	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).
2775		3192
2776	=item EV_USE_REALTIME	3193	=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2777		3194
2778	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3195	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2779	realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at	3196	real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at
2780	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will	3197	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will
2781	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get	3198	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
2782	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the	3199	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the
2783	note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.	3200	note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
2784		3201
2785	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP	3202	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
…		…
2796	2.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.	3213	2.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2797		3214
2798	=item EV_USE_SELECT	3215	=item EV_USE_SELECT
2799		3216
2800	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the	3217	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
2801	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no	3218	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
2802	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend	3219	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
2803	will not be compiled in.	3220	will not be compiled in.
2804		3221
2805	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET	3222	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2806		3223
2807	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>	3224	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
2808	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing	3225	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
2809	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on	3226	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on
2810	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some	3227	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some
2811	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only	3228	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only
2812	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might	3229	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might
2813	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.	3230	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.
2814		3231
…		…
2863	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred	3280	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2864	backend for Solaris 10 systems.	3281	backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2865		3282
2866	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL	3283	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2867		3284
2868	reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.	3285	Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2869		3286
2870	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY	3287	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2871		3288
2872	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify	3289	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2873	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will	3290	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
…		…
2880	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such	3297	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
2881	type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type	3298	type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
2882	that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"	3299	that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
2883	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.	3300	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
2884		3301
2885	In the absense of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>	3302	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
2886	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.	3303	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2887		3304
2888	=item EV_H	3305	=item EV_H
2889		3306
2890	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if	3307	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
…		…
2929	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search	3346	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
2930	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space	3347	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
2931	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually	3348	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
2932	fine.	3349	fine.
2933		3350
2934	If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to	3351	If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
2935	C<0> will save some memory and cpu.	3352	both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
2936		3353
2937	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE	3354	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
2938		3355
2939	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If	3356	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
2940	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of	3357	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
…		…
2947	code.	3364	code.
2948		3365
2949	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE	3366	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2950		3367
2951	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If	3368	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2952	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3369	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Embed watchers rely on most other
		3370	watcher types, which therefore must not be disabled.
2953		3371
2954	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE	3372	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
2955		3373
2956	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If	3374	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
2957	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3375	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
…		…
2967	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3385	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2968		3386
2969	=item EV_MINIMAL	3387	=item EV_MINIMAL
2970		3388
2971	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some	3389	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2972	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override	3390	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some
2973	some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64.	3391	inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size on amd64. It also selects a
		3392	much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap.
2974		3393
2975	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE	3394	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2976		3395
2977	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	3396	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2978	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more	3397	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
…		…
2985	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),	3404	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
2986	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>	3405	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
2987	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of	3406	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
2988	two).	3407	two).
2989		3408
		3409	=item EV_USE_4HEAP
		3410
		3411	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		3412	timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
		3413	to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
		3414	faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
		3415
		3416	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
		3417	(disabled).
		3418
		3419	=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
		3420
		3421	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		3422	timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
		3423	the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
		3424	which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
		3425	but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
		3426	noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
		3427
		3428	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
		3429	(disabled).
		3430
		3431	=item EV_VERIFY
		3432
		3433	Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will
		3434	be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
		3435	in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
		3436	called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
		3437	called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
		3438	verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
		3439	libev considerably.
		3440
		3441	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be
		3442	C<0>.
		3443
2990	=item EV_COMMON	3444	=item EV_COMMON
2991		3445
2992	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining	3446	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2993	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of	3447	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2994	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,	3448	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2995	though, and it must be identical each time.	3449	though, and it must be identical each time.
2996		3450
2997	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:	3451	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2998		3452
2999	#define EV_COMMON \	3453	#define EV_COMMON \
3000	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \	3454	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
3001	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */	3455	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
3002		3456
3003	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)	3457	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
3004		3458
3005	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)	3459	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
3006		3460
…		…
3011	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for	3465	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
3012	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to	3466	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
3013	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use	3467	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
3014	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.	3468	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
3015		3469
		3470	=back
		3471
3016	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS	3472	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
3017		3473
3018	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a dll) and you need a list of	3474	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
3019	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list	3475	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
3020	all public symbols, one per line:	3476	all public symbols, one per line:
3021		3477
3022	Symbols.ev for libev proper	3478	Symbols.ev for libev proper
3023	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation	3479	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
3024		3480
3025	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with	3481	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
3026	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in	3482	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
3027	itself, but sometimes it is inconvinient to avoid this).	3483	itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
3028		3484
3029	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to	3485	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
3030	include before including F<ev.h>:	3486	include before including F<ev.h>:
3031		3487
3032	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h	3488	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
…		…
3049	file.	3505	file.
3050		3506
3051	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file	3507	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
3052	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:	3508	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
3053		3509
3054	#define EV_MINIMAL 1	3510	#define EV_MINIMAL 1
3055	#define EV_USE_POLL 0	3511	#define EV_USE_POLL 0
3056	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0	3512	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
3057	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0	3513	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
3058	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0	3514	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
3059	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0	3515	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
3060	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>	3516	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
3061	#define EV_MINPRI 0	3517	#define EV_MINPRI 0
3062	#define EV_MAXPRI 0	3518	#define EV_MAXPRI 0
3063		3519
3064	#include "ev++.h"	3520	#include "ev++.h"
3065		3521
3066	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:	3522	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
3067		3523
3068	#include "ev_cpp.h"	3524	#include "ev_cpp.h"
3069	#include "ev.c"	3525	#include "ev.c"
3070		3526
		3527	=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES
3071		3528
3072	=head1 COMPLEXITIES	3529	=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
3073		3530
3074	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside	3531	=head3 THREADS
3075	libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the
3076	documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
3077		3532
3078	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be	3533	All libev functions are reentrant and thread-safe unless explicitly
3079	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this	3534	documented otherwise, but libev implements no locking itself. This means
3080	happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might	3535	that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as there
3081	mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average	3536	are no concurrent calls into any libev function with the same loop
3082	it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.	3537	parameter (C<ev_default_*> calls have an implicit default loop parameter,
		3538	of course): libev guarantees that different event loops share no data
		3539	structures that need any locking.
		3540
		3541	Or to put it differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done
		3542	concurrently from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter
		3543	must be done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as
		3544	only one thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using
		3545	a mutex per loop).
		3546
		3547	Specifically to support threads (and signal handlers), libev implements
		3548	so-called C<ev_async> watchers, which allow some limited form of
		3549	concurrency on the same event loop, namely waking it up "from the
		3550	outside".
		3551
		3552	If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
		3553	without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
		3554	help you, but here is some generic advice:
3083		3555
3084	=over 4	3556	=over 4
3085		3557
3086	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)	3558	=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
		3559	in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
3087		3560
3088	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and	3561	This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
3089	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will	3562	themselves and don't care/know about threading.
3090	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
3091		3563
3092	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)	3564	=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
3093		3565
3094	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them	3566	Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
3095	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.	3567	exists, but it is always a good start.
3096		3568
3097	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)	3569	=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
		3570	loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
3098		3571
3099	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.	3572	Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
		3573	better than you currently do :-)
3100		3574
3101	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)	3575	=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
		3576	event loop.
3102		3577
3103	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))	3578	C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other threads safely
		3579	(or from signal contexts...).
3104		3580
3105	These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the	3581	An example use would be to communicate signals or other events that only
3106	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually	3582	work in the default loop by registering the signal watcher with the
3107	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).	3583	default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
3108		3584	watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
3109	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
3110
3111	By virtue of using a binary heap, the next timer is always found at the
3112	beginning of the storage array.
3113
3114	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
3115
3116	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
3117	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
3118	on backend and wether C<ev_io_set> was used).
3119
3120	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
3121
3122	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
3123
3124	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
3125	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
3126	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
3127	watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. priority handling.
3128
3129	=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
3130
3131	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
3132
3133	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
3134
3135	Sending involves a syscall I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
3136	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
3137	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
3138		3585
3139	=back	3586	=back
3140		3587
		3588	=head3 COROUTINES
3141		3589
3142	=head1 Win32 platform limitations and workarounds	3590	Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
		3591	libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
		3592	coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two
		3593	different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running the
		3594	loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that
		3595	you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
		3596
		3597	Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
		3598	C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
		3599	they do not call any callbacks.
		3600
		3601	=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
		3602
		3603	Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
		3604	lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
		3605	scared by this.
		3606
		3607	However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
		3608	has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
		3609	warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
		3610	targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
		3611
		3612	Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
		3613	workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
		3614	maintainable.
		3615
		3616	And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
		3617	wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
		3618	seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
		3619	warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have
		3620	been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
		3621	such buggy versions.
		3622
		3623	While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
		3624	"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
		3625	with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
		3626	them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
		3627	warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
		3628
		3629
		3630	=head2 VALGRIND
		3631
		3632	Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
		3633	highly useful. Unfortunately, valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
		3634
		3635	If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
		3636	in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
		3637
		3638	==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		3639	==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		3640	==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
		3641
		3642	Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
		3643	is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
		3644
		3645	Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
		3646	as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
		3647	although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
		3648	confused.
		3649
		3650	Keep in mind that valgrind is a very good tool, but only a tool. Don't
		3651	make it into some kind of religion.
		3652
		3653	If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
		3654	with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this
		3655	is a bug in libev (best check the archives, too :). However, don't be
		3656	annoyed when you get a brisk "this is no bug" answer and take the chance
		3657	of learning how to interpret valgrind properly.
		3658
		3659	If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
		3660	I suggest using suppression lists.
		3661
		3662
		3663	=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
		3664
		3665	=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
3143		3666
3144	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev	3667	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
3145	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX	3668	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
3146	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in	3669	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
3147	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket	3670	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
3148	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using	3671	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
3149	e.g. cygwin.	3672	e.g. cygwin.
3150		3673
		3674	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
		3675	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of
		3676	things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable
		3677	way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
		3678
3151	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except	3679	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
3152	embedding it into other applications.	3680	embedding it into other applications.
3153		3681
		3682	Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
		3683	accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
		3684	either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
		3685	so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
		3686	megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
		3687	available).
		3688
3154	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and the	3689	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
3155	abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets is not	3690	the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
3156	recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use more than	3691	is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
3157	a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally different	3692	more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
3158	implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX model, which cannot	3693	different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
3159	be implemented efficiently on windows (microsoft monopoly games).	3694	notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
		3695	(Microsoft monopoly games).
		3696
		3697	A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
		3698	section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
		3699	of F<ev.h>:
		3700
		3701	#define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
		3702	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
		3703
		3704	#include "ev.h"
		3705
		3706	And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
		3707	you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
		3708
		3709	#include "evwrap.h"
		3710	#include "ev.c"
3160		3711
3161	=over 4	3712	=over 4
3162		3713
3163	=item The winsocket select function	3714	=item The winsocket select function
3164		3715
3165	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it requires	3716	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
3166	socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors>. This makes select	3717	requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
3167	very inefficient, and also requires a mapping from file descriptors	3718	also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
3168	to socket handles. See the discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>,	3719	requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
3169	C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor	3720	C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
3170	symbols for more info.	3721	discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
		3722	C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
3171		3723
3172	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the microsoft runtime	3724	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
3173	libraries and raw winsocket select is:	3725	libraries and raw winsocket select is:
3174		3726
3175	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1	3727	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3176	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */	3728	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
3177		3729
3178	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a	3730	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
3179	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.	3731	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
3180		3732
3181	=item Limited number of file descriptors	3733	=item Limited number of file descriptors
3182		3734
3183	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things. Early versions	3735	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
3184	of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a max. of C<64> handles	3736
		3737	Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
3185	(probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels can only wait for	3738	of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
3186	C<64> things at the same time internally; microsoft recommends spawning a	3739	can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
3187	chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the previous thread in each).	3740	recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
		3741	previous thread in each. Great).
3188		3742
3189	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>	3743	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
3190	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select	3744	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
3191	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own	3745	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own
3192	select emulation on windows).	3746	select emulation on windows).
3193		3747
3194	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the microsoft runtime	3748	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
3195	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish	3749	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish
3196	or something like this inside microsoft). You can increase this by calling	3750	or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this by calling
3197	C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another	3751	C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another
3198	arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the microsoft runtime	3752	arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft runtime
3199	libraries.	3753	libraries.
3200		3754
3201	This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on	3755	This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on
3202	windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to	3756	windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to
3203	wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of	3757	wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of
3204	calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.	3758	calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
3205		3759
3206	=back	3760	=back
3207		3761
		3762	=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
		3763
		3764	In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
		3765	backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
		3766
		3767	=over 4
		3768
		3769	=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
		3770	calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
		3771
		3772	Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
		3773	structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
		3774	assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
		3775	callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
		3776	calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
		3777
		3778	=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
		3779
		3780	The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
		3781	C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
		3782	threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
		3783	believed to be sufficiently portable.
		3784
		3785	=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
		3786
		3787	Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
		3788	allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
		3789	pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
		3790	thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
		3791	be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
		3792	C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
		3793
		3794	The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
		3795	except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
		3796	well.
		3797
		3798	=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
		3799
		3800	To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
		3801	instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
		3802	systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but is still at
		3803	least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of millions of
		3804	watchers.
		3805
		3806	=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
		3807
		3808	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
		3809	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good
		3810	enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by
		3811	implementations implementing IEEE 754 (basically all existing ones).
		3812
		3813	=back
		3814
		3815	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
		3816
		3817
		3818	=head1 ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITIES
		3819
		3820	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
		3821	libev will be documented. For complexity discussions about backends see
		3822	the documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
		3823
		3824	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
		3825	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
		3826	happens asymptotically rarer with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
		3827	mean that libev does a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on
		3828	average it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
		3829
		3830	=over 4
		3831
		3832	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
		3833
		3834	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
		3835	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that, then inserting will
		3836	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
		3837
		3838	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
		3839
		3840	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them,
		3841	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
		3842
		3843	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
		3844
		3845	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
		3846
		3847	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
		3848
		3849	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
		3850
		3851	These watchers are stored in lists, so they need to be walked to find the
		3852	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
		3853	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal: one is typical, two
		3854	is rare).
		3855
		3856	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
		3857
		3858	By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
		3859	fixed position in the storage array.
		3860
		3861	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
		3862
		3863	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
		3864	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
		3865	on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
		3866
		3867	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
		3868
		3869	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
		3870
		3871	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
		3872	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
		3873	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
		3874	watchers becomes O(1) with respect to priority handling.
		3875
		3876	=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
		3877
		3878	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
		3879
		3880	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
		3881
		3882	Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
		3883	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
		3884	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
		3885
		3886	=back
		3887
3208		3888
3209	=head1 AUTHOR	3889	=head1 AUTHOR
3210		3890
3211	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.	3891	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael Magnusson.
3212		3892

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