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Revision 1.136 by root, Thu Mar 13 13:06:16 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.198 by root, Thu Oct 23 06:30:48 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<ev_loop *>. The library knows two
258	types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child	282	types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child
259	events, and dynamically created loops which do not.	283	events, and dynamically created loops which do not.
260
261	If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop
262	in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you
263	create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking
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		284
268	=over 4	285	=over 4
269		286
270	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)	287	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
271		288
…		…
275	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).	292	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
276		293
277	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this	294	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
278	function.	295	function.
279		296
		297	Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
		298	from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
		299	as loops cannot bes hared easily between threads anyway).
		300
280	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and	301	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
281	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler	302	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
282	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your app you can either	303	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
283	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you	304	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
284	can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling	305	can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
285	C<ev_default_init>.	306	C<ev_default_init>.
286		307
287	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific	308	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
…		…
296	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right	317	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
297	thing, believe me).	318	thing, believe me).
298		319
299	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>	320	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
300		321
301	If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid	322	If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
302	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable	323	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
303	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will	324	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
304	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is	325	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
305	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work	326	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
306	around bugs.	327	around bugs.
…		…
313		334
314	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,	335	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
315	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop	336	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
316	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my	337	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
317	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence	338	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
318	without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has	339	without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
319	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).	340	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
320		341
321	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and	342	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
322	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this	343	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
323	flag.	344	flag.
324		345
325	This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>	346	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
326	environment variable.	347	environment variable.
327		348
328	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)	349	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
329		350
330	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as	351	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
…		…
332	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when	353	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
333	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its	354	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
334	usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.	355	usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
335		356
336	To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of	357	To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
337	parallelity (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are	358	parallelism (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
338	writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many	359	writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
339	connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have	360	connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
340	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of	361	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
341	readyness notifications you get per iteration.	362	readiness notifications you get per iteration.
		363
		364	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to the C<readfds> set and C<EV_WRITE> to the
		365	C<writefds> set (and to work around Microsoft Windows bugs, also onto the
		366	C<exceptfds> set on that platform).
342		367
343	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)	368	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
344		369
345	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated	370	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
346	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial	371	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
347	limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down	372	limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
348	considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,	373	considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
349	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for	374	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
350	performance tips.	375	performance tips.
351		376
		377	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
		378	C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
		379
352	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)	380	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
353		381
354	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,	382	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
355	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale	383	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
356	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),	384	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
357	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number	385	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number
358	of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect	386	of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect
359	cases and rewiring a syscall per fd change, no fork support and bad	387	cases and requiring a system call per fd change, no fork support and bad
360	support for dup.	388	support for dup.
361		389
362	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration	390	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
363	will result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident	391	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such incident
364	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its	392	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its
365	best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work	393	best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work
366	very well if you register events for both fds.	394	very well if you register events for both fds.
367		395
368	Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you	396	Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
369	need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data	397	need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
370	(or space) is available.	398	(or space) is available.
371		399
372	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all	400	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
373	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible, i.e.	401	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
374	keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times.	402	i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
		403	starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
		404	extra overhead.
375		405
376	While nominally embeddeble in other event loops, this feature is broken in	406	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
377	all kernel versions tested so far.	407	all kernel versions tested so far.
378		408
		409	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		410	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
		411
379	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)	412	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
380		413
381	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it	414	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it was
382	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably	415	broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably with
383	with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course	416	anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course it's
384	it's completely useless). For this reason it's not being "autodetected"	417	completely useless). For this reason it's not being "auto-detected" unless
385	unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using	418	you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or
386	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)	419	libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough) system like NetBSD.
387	system like NetBSD.
388		420
389	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it	421	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
390	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on	422	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
391	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	423	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
392		424
393	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the	425	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
394	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of	426	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
395	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never	427	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
396	cause an extra syscall as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to	428	cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
397	two event changes per incident, support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it	429	two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it
398	drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.	430	drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.
399		431
400	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.	432	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
401		433
402	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work	434	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
403	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken	435	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
404	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets	436	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
405	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop	437	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
406	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and using it only for	438	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and, did I mention it,
407	sockets.	439	using it only for sockets.
		440
		441	This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
		442	C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
		443	C<NOTE_EOF>.
408		444
409	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)	445	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
410		446
411	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an	447	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
412	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets	448	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
…		…
416	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)	452	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
417		453
418	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,	454	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
419	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).	455	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
420		456
421	Please note that solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious	457	Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
422	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid	458	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
423	blocking when no data (or space) is available.	459	blocking when no data (or space) is available.
424		460
425	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active	461	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
426	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file	462	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
427	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend	463	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
428	might perform better.	464	might perform better.
429		465
430	On the positive side, ignoring the spurious readyness notifications, this	466	On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
431	backend actually performed to specification in all tests and is fully	467	notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
432	embeddable, which is a rare feat among the OS-specific backends.	468	in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
		469	OS-specific backends.
		470
		471	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		472	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
433		473
434	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>	474	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
435		475
436	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried	476	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
437	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as	477	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
…		…
439		479
440	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.	480	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
441		481
442	=back	482	=back
443		483
444	If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these	484	If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these
445	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are	485	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are
446	specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.	486	specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.
447		487
448	The most typical usage is like this:	488	Example: This is the most typical usage.
449		489
450	if (!ev_default_loop (0))	490	if (!ev_default_loop (0))
451	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");	491	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
452		492
453	Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow	493	Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
454	environment settings to be taken into account:	494	environment settings to be taken into account:
455		495
456	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);	496	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
457		497
458	Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if	498	Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
459	available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private	499	used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
460	event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):	500	private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
		501	fds):
461		502
462	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);	503	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
463		504
464	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)	505	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
465		506
466	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is	507	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
467	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot	508	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
468	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by	509	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
469	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).	510	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
470		511
		512	Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
		513	libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
		514	default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
		515
471	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.	516	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
472		517
473	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);	518	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
474	if (!epoller)	519	if (!epoller)
475	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");	520	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
476		521
477	=item ev_default_destroy ()	522	=item ev_default_destroy ()
478		523
479	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state	524	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
480	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal	525	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
481	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your	526	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
482	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before>	527	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
483	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually	528	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
484	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them	529	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
485	for example).	530	for example).
486		531
487	Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by	532	Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by
…		…
519		564
520	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)	565	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
521		566
522	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by	567	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
523	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop	568	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
524	after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.	569	after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is
		570	entirely your own problem.
525		571
526	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)	572	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
527		573
528	Returns true when the given loop actually is the default loop, false otherwise.	574	Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
		575	otherwise.
529		576
530	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)	577	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
531		578
532	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to	579	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
533	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and	580	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
…		…
548	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not	595	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
549	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base	596	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
550	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the	597	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
551	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).	598	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
552		599
		600	=item ev_now_update (loop)
		601
		602	Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
		603	returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
		604	is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>.
		605
		606	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
		607	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
		608	the current time is a good idea.
		609
		610	See also "The special problem of time updates" in the C<ev_timer> section.
		611
553	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)	612	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
554		613
555	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called	614	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
556	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling	615	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
557	events.	616	events.
…		…
559	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until	618	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until
560	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.	619	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.
561		620
562	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than	621	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than
563	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has	622	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
564	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that	623	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
565	automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of	624	that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
566	relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty.	625	of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
		626	beauty.
567		627
568	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle	628	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle
569	those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in	629	those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your
570	case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.	630	process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of
		631	the loop.
571		632
572	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if	633	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
573	neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block	634	necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
574	your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after	635	will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
575	one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some	636	be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarentee that a
576	external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other	637	user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
		638	iteration of the loop.
		639
		640	This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
		641	with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
577	libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is	642	own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
578	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.	643	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
579		644
580	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:	645	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
581		646
582	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.	647	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
583	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.	648	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
584	- If a fork was detected, queue and call all fork watchers.	649	- If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
585	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.	650	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.
586	- If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.	651	- If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
		652	as to not disturb the other process.
587	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.	653	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
588	- Update the "event loop time".	654	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
589	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all	655	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
590	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having	656	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
591	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).	657	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
592	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.	658	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
593	- Block the process, waiting for any events.	659	- Block the process, waiting for any events.
594	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.	660	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
595	- Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling.	661	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
596	- Queue all outstanding timers.	662	- Queue all expired timers.
597	- Queue all outstanding periodics.	663	- Queue all expired periodics.
598	- If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.	664	- Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
599	- Queue all check watchers.	665	- Queue all check watchers.
600	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).	666	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
601	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will	667	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
602	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.	668	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
603	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK	669	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
…		…
608	anymore.	674	anymore.
609		675
610	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long	676	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
611	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)	677	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
612	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);	678	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
613	... jobs done. yeah!	679	... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
614		680
615	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)	681	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
616		682
617	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it	683	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
618	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either	684	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
619	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or	685	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
620	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.	686	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
621		687
622	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.	688	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.
623		689
		690	It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls.
		691
624	=item ev_ref (loop)	692	=item ev_ref (loop)
625		693
626	=item ev_unref (loop)	694	=item ev_unref (loop)
627		695
628	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event	696	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
629	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference	697	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
630	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. If you have	698	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own.
		699
631	a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> from	700	If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop>
632	returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For	701	from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before
		702	stopping it.
		703
633	example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not	704	As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is
634	visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if	705	not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting
635	no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent	706	if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent
636	way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party	707	way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party
637	libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>	708	libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>
638	(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,	709	(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,
639	respectively).	710	respectively).
640		711
641	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>	712	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
642	running when nothing else is active.	713	running when nothing else is active.
643		714
644	struct ev_signal exitsig;	715	ev_signal exitsig;
645	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);	716	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
646	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);	717	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
647	evf_unref (loop);	718	evf_unref (loop);
648		719
649	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.	720	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
650		721
651	ev_ref (loop);	722	ev_ref (loop);
652	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);	723	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
653		724
654	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	725	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
655		726
656	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	727	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
657		728
658	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting	729	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
659	for events. Both are by default C<0>, meaning that libev will try to	730	for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
660	invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum latency.	731	will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
		732	latency.
661		733
662	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)	734	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
663	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks to	735	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
664	increase efficiency of loop iterations.	736	to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
		737	opportunities).
665		738
666	The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to	739	The idea is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to handle
667	handle one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes	740	one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes the
668	the program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new	741	program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
669	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high	742	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
670	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.	743	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
671		744
672	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more	745	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
673	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,	746	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
…		…
675	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will	748	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
676	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.	749	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.
677		750
678	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev	751	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
679	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased	752	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
680	latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers	753	latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
681	will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will not introduce	754	later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
682	any overhead in libev.	755	value will not introduce any overhead in libev.
683		756
684	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the io collect	757	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
685	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for	758	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
686	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It	759	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
687	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,	760	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
688	as this approsaches the timing granularity of most systems.	761	as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems.
		762
		763	Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
		764	saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
		765	are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
		766	times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
		767	reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
		768	they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
		769
		770	=item ev_loop_verify (loop)
		771
		772	This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
		773	compiled in. which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
		774	through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
		775	is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
		776	error and call C<abort ()>.
		777
		778	This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
		779	circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
		780	data structures consistent.
689		781
690	=back	782	=back
691		783
692		784
693	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER	785	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
694		786
695	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your	787	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
696	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to	788	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
697	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:	789	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
698		790
699	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	791	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
700	{	792	{
701	ev_io_stop (w);	793	ev_io_stop (w);
702	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	794	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
703	}	795	}
704		796
705	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	797	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
706	struct ev_io stdin_watcher;	798	ev_io stdin_watcher;
707	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);	799	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
708	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	800	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
709	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	801	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
710	ev_loop (loop, 0);	802	ev_loop (loop, 0);
711		803
712	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your	804	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
713	watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack,	805	watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack,
714	although this can sometimes be quite valid).	806	although this can sometimes be quite valid).
715		807
716	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init	808	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init
717	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This	809	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
718	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io	810	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O
719	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given	811	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
720	is readable and/or writable).	812	is readable and/or writable).
721		813
722	Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro	814	Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro
723	with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro	815	with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro
…		…
799		891
800	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).	892	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
801		893
802	=item C<EV_ERROR>	894	=item C<EV_ERROR>
803		895
804	An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might	896	An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
805	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev	897	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
806	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other	898	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
		899	problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
		900
807	problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping	901	You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
808	with the watcher being stopped.	902	watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
		903	an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
		904	bug in your program.
809		905
810	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error,	906	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
811	for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if	907	example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
812	your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope	908	callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
813	with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded	909	the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
814	programs, though, so beware.	910	programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
		911	thing, so beware.
815		912
816	=back	913	=back
817		914
818	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS	915	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
819		916
…		…
832	which rolls both calls into one.	929	which rolls both calls into one.
833		930
834	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped	931	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
835	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.	932	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
836		933
837	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,	934	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
838	int revents)>.	935	int revents)>.
		936
		937	Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
		938
		939	ev_io w;
		940	ev_init (&w, my_cb);
		941	ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
839		942
840	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])	943	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])
841		944
842	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to	945	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
843	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can	946	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
…		…
846	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).	949	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
847		950
848	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments	951	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
849	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.	952	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
850		953
		954	See C<ev_init>, above, for an example.
		955
851	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])	956	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
852		957
853	This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro	958	This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
854	calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise	959	calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
855	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.	960	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
		961
		962	Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
		963
		964	ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
856		965
857	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	966	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
858		967
859	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive	968	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
860	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.	969	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
861		970
		971	Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
		972	whole section.
		973
		974	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
		975
862	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	976	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
863		977
864	Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending	978	Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
		979	the watcher was active or not).
		980
865	status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example,	981	It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
866	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but	982	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending - but
867	C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If	983	calling C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor
868	you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a	984	pending. If you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is
869	good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.	985	therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
870		986
871	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)	987	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
872		988
873	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started	989	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
874	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify	990	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
…		…
922		1038
923	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)	1039	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
924		1040
925	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither	1041	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
926	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback	1042	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
927	can deal with that fact.	1043	can deal with that fact, as both are simply passed through to the
		1044	callback.
928		1045
929	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1046	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
930		1047
931	If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status	1048	If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
932	and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the	1049	returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
933	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.	1050	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
934		1051
		1052	Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
		1053	callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
		1054
935	=back	1055	=back
936		1056
937		1057
938	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER	1058	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
939		1059
940	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change	1060	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
941	and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used	1061	and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
942	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and	1062	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
943	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data	1063	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
944	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own	1064	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
945	data:	1065	data:
946		1066
947	struct my_io	1067	struct my_io
948	{	1068	{
949	struct ev_io io;	1069	ev_io io;
950	int otherfd;	1070	int otherfd;
951	void *somedata;	1071	void *somedata;
952	struct whatever *mostinteresting;	1072	struct whatever *mostinteresting;
953	}	1073	};
		1074
		1075	...
		1076	struct my_io w;
		1077	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
954		1078
955	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you	1079	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
956	can cast it back to your own type:	1080	can cast it back to your own type:
957		1081
958	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents)	1082	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
959	{	1083	{
960	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;	1084	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
961	...	1085	...
962	}	1086	}
963		1087
964	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type	1088	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
965	instead have been omitted.	1089	instead have been omitted.
966		1090
967	Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple	1091	Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
968	watchers:	1092	embedded watchers:
969		1093
970	struct my_biggy	1094	struct my_biggy
971	{	1095	{
972	int some_data;	1096	int some_data;
973	ev_timer t1;	1097	ev_timer t1;
974	ev_timer t2;	1098	ev_timer t2;
975	}	1099	}
976		1100
977	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,	1101	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
978	you need to use C<offsetof>:	1102	complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
		1103	in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
		1104	some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
		1105	programmers):
979		1106
980	#include <stddef.h>	1107	#include <stddef.h>
981		1108
982	static void	1109	static void
983	t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1110	t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
984	{	1111	{
985	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1112	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
986	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));	1113	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
987	}	1114	}
988		1115
989	static void	1116	static void
990	t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1117	t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
991	{	1118	{
992	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1119	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
993	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));	1120	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
994	}	1121	}
995		1122
996		1123
997	=head1 WATCHER TYPES	1124	=head1 WATCHER TYPES
998		1125
999	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat	1126	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
…		…
1023	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per	1150	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
1024	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file	1151	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
1025	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not	1152	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1026	required if you know what you are doing).	1153	required if you know what you are doing).
1027		1154
1028	If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend	1155	If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
1029	(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and	1156	known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
1030	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).	1157	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
1031		1158
1032	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to	1159	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1033	receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might	1160	receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
1034	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block	1161	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1035	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a	1162	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
1036	lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into	1163	lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
1037	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus	1164	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
1038	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning	1165	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1039	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.	1166	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1040		1167
1041	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not	1168	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
1042	play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test	1169	not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
1043	whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface	1170	re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
1044	such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on	1171	interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already
1045	its own, so its quite safe to use).	1172	does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
		1173	use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
		1174	indefinitely.
		1175
		1176	But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1046		1177
1047	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors	1178	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1048		1179
1049	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file	1180	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
1050	descriptor (either by calling C<close> explicitly or by any other means,	1181	descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means,
1051	such as C<dup>). The reason is that you register interest in some file	1182	such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
1052	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop	1183	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
1053	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is	1184	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
1054	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in	1185	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
1055	fact, a different file descriptor.	1186	fact, a different file descriptor.
1056		1187
…		…
1085	To support fork in your programs, you either have to call	1216	To support fork in your programs, you either have to call
1086	C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,	1217	C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,
1087	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or	1218	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1088	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	1219	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1089		1220
		1221	=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
		1222
		1223	While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
		1224	when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
		1225	sent a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
		1226	this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
		1227
		1228	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
		1229	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
		1230	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
		1231
1090		1232
1091	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions	1233	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1092		1234
1093	=over 4	1235	=over 4
1094		1236
1095	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)	1237	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
1096		1238
1097	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)	1239	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
1098		1240
1099	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to	1241	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
1100	rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or	1242	receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
1101	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.	1243	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.
1102		1244
1103	=item int fd [read-only]	1245	=item int fd [read-only]
1104		1246
1105	The file descriptor being watched.	1247	The file descriptor being watched.
1106		1248
…		…
1114		1256
1115	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well	1257	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
1116	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could	1258	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
1117	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.	1259	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
1118		1260
1119	static void	1261	static void
1120	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1262	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1121	{	1263	{
1122	ev_io_stop (loop, w);	1264	ev_io_stop (loop, w);
1123	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors	1265	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
1124	}	1266	}
1125		1267
1126	...	1268	...
1127	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	1269	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1128	struct ev_io stdin_readable;	1270	ev_io stdin_readable;
1129	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1271	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1130	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);	1272	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1131	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1273	ev_loop (loop, 0);
1132		1274
1133		1275
1134	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts	1276	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1135		1277
1136	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a	1278	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1137	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.	1279	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
1138		1280
1139	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that	1281	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
1140	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years	1282	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
1141	time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because	1283	year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
1142	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the	1284	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1143	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).	1285	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
		1286
		1287	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
		1288	passed, but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration
		1289	then order of execution is undefined.
		1290
		1291	=head3 Be smart about timeouts
		1292
		1293	Many real-world problems invole some kind of time-out, usually for error
		1294	recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
		1295	you want to raise some error after a while.
		1296
		1297	Here are some ways on how to handle this problem, from simple and
		1298	inefficient to very efficient.
		1299
		1300	In the following examples a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a
		1301	timeout that gets reset to 60 seconds each time some data ("a lifesign")
		1302	was received.
		1303
		1304	=over 4
		1305
		1306	=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise, start it on activity.
		1307
		1308	This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
		1309	start the watcher:
		1310
		1311	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
		1312	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1313
		1314	Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> the timer,
		1315	initialise it again, and start it:
		1316
		1317	ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
		1318	ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
		1319	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1320
		1321	This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there
		1322	is some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from it's
		1323	internal data strcuture and then add it again.
		1324
		1325	=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
		1326
		1327	This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
		1328	C<ev_timer_start>.
		1329
		1330	For this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and
		1331	then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you successfully read
		1332	or write some data. If you go into an idle state where you do not expect
		1333	data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and
		1334	C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
		1335
		1336	That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>
		1337	altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>.
		1338
		1339	At start:
		1340
		1341	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 60.);
		1342	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1343
		1344	Each time you receive some data:
		1345
		1346	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1347
		1348	It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly:
		1349
		1350	timer->repeat = 30.;
		1351	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1352
		1353	This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
		1354	you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
		1355	remove and re-insert the timer from/into it's internal data structure.
		1356
		1357	=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
		1358
		1359	This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
		1360	relatively long compared to the loop iteration time - in our example,
		1361	within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with associated
		1362	activity resets.
		1363
		1364	In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
		1365	but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
		1366	within the callback:
		1367
		1368	ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
		1369
		1370	static void
		1371	callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		1372	{
		1373	ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);
		1374	ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
		1375
		1376	// if last_activity is older than now - timeout, we did time out
		1377	if (timeout < now)
		1378	{
		1379	// timeout occured, take action
		1380	}
		1381	else
		1382	{
		1383	// callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
		1384	// to fire in last_activity + 60.
		1385	w->again = timeout - now;
		1386	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
		1387	}
		1388	}
		1389
		1390	To summarise the callback: first calculate the real time-out (defined as
		1391	"60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has been
		1392	reached, which means there was a real timeout. Otherwise the callback was
		1393	invoked too early (timeout is in the future), so re-schedule the timer to
		1394	fire at that future time.
		1395
		1396	Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the
		1397	C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.
		1398
		1399	This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds),
		1400	but virtually no calls to libev to change the timeout.
		1401
		1402	To start the timer, simply intiialise the watcher and C<last_activity>,
		1403	then call the callback:
		1404
		1405	ev_timer_init (timer, callback);
		1406	last_activity = ev_now (loop);
		1407	callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMEOUT);
		1408
		1409	And when there is some activity, simply remember the time in
		1410	C<last_activity>:
		1411
		1412	last_actiivty = ev_now (loop);
		1413
		1414	This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
		1415	time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
		1416
		1417	=back
		1418
		1419	=head3 The special problem of time updates
		1420
		1421	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
		1422	least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
		1423	time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a
		1424	growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
		1425	lots of events in one iteration.
1144		1426
1145	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>	1427	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1146	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time	1428	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1147	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If	1429	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
1148	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout	1430	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
1149	on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:	1431	timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
1150		1432
1151	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);	1433	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
1152		1434
1153	The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed,	1435	If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1154	but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then	1436	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1155	order of execution is undefined.	1437	()>.
1156		1438
1157	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1439	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1158		1440
1159	=over 4	1441	=over 4
1160		1442
1161	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1443	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1162		1444
1163	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1445	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1164		1446
1165	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is	1447	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
1166	C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the	1448	is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
1167	timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds	1449	reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
1168	later, again, and again, until stopped manually.	1450	configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
		1451	until stopped manually.
1169		1452
1170	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you	1453	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
1171	configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at	1454	you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
1172	exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with	1455	trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
1173	the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the	1456	keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1174	timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.	1457	do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1175		1458
1176	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)	1459	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1177		1460
1178	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is	1461	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
1179	repeating. The exact semantics are:	1462	repeating. The exact semantics are:
1180		1463
1181	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.	1464	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1182		1465
1183	If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out).	1466	If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
1184		1467
1185	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the	1468	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
1186	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.	1469	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1187		1470
1188	This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical	1471	This sounds a bit complicated, see "Be smart about timeouts", above, for a
1189	example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle	1472	usage example.
1190	timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
1191	seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
1192	configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
1193	C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
1194	you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
1195	socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
1196	automatically restart it if need be.
1197
1198	That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>
1199	altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
1200
1201	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);
1202	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1203	...
1204	timer->again = 17.;
1205	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1206	...
1207	timer->again = 10.;
1208	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1209
1210	This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
1211	you want to modify its timeout value.
1212		1473
1213	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]	1474	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1214		1475
1215	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out	1476	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1216	or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),	1477	or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1217	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.	1478	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
1218		1479
1219	=back	1480	=back
1220		1481
1221	=head3 Examples	1482	=head3 Examples
1222		1483
1223	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.	1484	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1224		1485
1225	static void	1486	static void
1226	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1487	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1227	{	1488	{
1228	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here	1489	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1229	}	1490	}
1230		1491
1231	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1492	ev_timer mytimer;
1232	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);	1493	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1233	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);	1494	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1234		1495
1235	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of	1496	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1236	inactivity.	1497	inactivity.
1237		1498
1238	static void	1499	static void
1239	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1500	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1240	{	1501	{
1241	.. ten seconds without any activity	1502	.. ten seconds without any activity
1242	}	1503	}
1243		1504
1244	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1505	ev_timer mytimer;
1245	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */	1506	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1246	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */	1507	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1247	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1508	ev_loop (loop, 0);
1248		1509
1249	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":	1510	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1250	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds	1511	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1251	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);	1512	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1252		1513
1253		1514
1254	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?	1515	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1255		1516
1256	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile	1517	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1257	(and unfortunately a bit complex).	1518	(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1258		1519
1259	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)	1520	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)
1260	but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher	1521	but on wall clock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher
1261	to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a	1522	to trigger after some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a
1262	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now ()	1523	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now ()
1263	+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will	1524	+ 10.>, that is, an absolute time not a delay) and then reset your system
		1525	clock to January of the previous year, then it will take more than year
1264	take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger	1526	to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger
1265	roughly 10 seconds later).	1527	roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
1266		1528
1267	They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as	1529	C<ev_periodic>s can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers,
1268	triggering an event on each midnight, local time or other, complicated,	1530	such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other
1269	rules.	1531	complicated rules.
1270		1532
1271	As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the	1533	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1272	time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready	1534	time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
1273	during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.	1535	during the same loop iteration, then order of execution is undefined.
1274		1536
1275	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1537	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1276		1538
1277	=over 4	1539	=over 4
1278		1540
1279	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)	1541	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1280		1542
1281	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)	1543	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)
1282		1544
1283	Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of	1545	Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1284	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:	1546	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1285		1547
1286	=over 4	1548	=over 4
1287		1549
1288	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)	1550	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)
1289		1551
1290	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time	1552	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1291	C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs,	1553	time C<at> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a time
1292	that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the	1554	jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will
1293	system time reaches or surpasses this time.	1555	only run when the system clock reaches or surpasses this time.
1294		1556
1295	=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)	1557	=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1296		1558
1297	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next	1559	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1298	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)	1560	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)
1299	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.	1561	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
1300		1562
1301	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system	1563	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1302	time:	1564	system clock, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
		1565	hour, on the hour:
1303		1566
1304	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);	1567	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1305		1568
1306	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,	1569	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1307	but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a	1570	but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1308	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible	1571	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1309	by 3600.	1572	by 3600.
1310		1573
1311	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that	1574	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1312	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible	1575	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1313	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.	1576	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1314		1577
1315	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near	1578	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near
1316	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for	1579	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1317	this value.	1580	this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
		1581
		1582	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
		1583	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
		1584	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
		1585	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
1318		1586
1319	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)	1587	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1320		1588
1321	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being	1589	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being
1322	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the	1590	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1323	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the	1591	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1324	current time as second argument.	1592	current time as second argument.
1325		1593
1326	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,	1594	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
1327	ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it,	1595	ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>.
1328	return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
1329	starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is legal).
1330		1596
		1597	If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
		1598	it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
		1599	only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
		1600
1331	Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,	1601	The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1332	ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:	1602	*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1333		1603
		1604	static ev_tstamp
1334	static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	1605	my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1335	{	1606	{
1336	return now + 60.;	1607	return now + 60.;
1337	}	1608	}
1338		1609
1339	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value	1610	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1340	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It	1611	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
1341	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but	1612	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1342	might be called at other times, too.	1613	might be called at other times, too.
1343		1614
1344	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the	1615	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1345	passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger.	1616	equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1346		1617
1347	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that	1618	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1348	triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the	1619	triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
1349	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How	1620	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
1350	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main	1621	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
1351	reason I omitted it as an example).	1622	reason I omitted it as an example).
1352		1623
1353	=back	1624	=back
…		…
1357	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful	1628	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1358	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return	1629	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1359	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like	1630	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1360	program when the crontabs have changed).	1631	program when the crontabs have changed).
1361		1632
		1633	=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
		1634
		1635	When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
		1636	trigger next.
		1637
1362	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]	1638	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1363		1639
1364	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the	1640	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1365	absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).	1641	absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).
1366		1642
…		…
1371		1647
1372	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only	1648	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1373	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being	1649	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1374	called.	1650	called.
1375		1651
1376	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]	1652	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1377		1653
1378	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is	1654	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1379	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when	1655	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1380	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	1656	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1381		1657
1382	=item ev_tstamp at [read-only]
1383
1384	When active, contains the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1385	trigger next.
1386
1387	=back	1658	=back
1388		1659
1389	=head3 Examples	1660	=head3 Examples
1390		1661
1391	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the	1662	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1392	system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have	1663	system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1393	potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.	1664	potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1394		1665
1395	static void	1666	static void
1396	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1667	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1397	{	1668	{
1398	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)	1669	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1399	}	1670	}
1400		1671
1401	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	1672	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1402	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);	1673	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1403	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	1674	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1404		1675
1405	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:	1676	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1406		1677
1407	#include <math.h>	1678	#include <math.h>
1408		1679
1409	static ev_tstamp	1680	static ev_tstamp
1410	my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	1681	my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1411	{	1682	{
1412	return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;	1683	return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1413	}	1684	}
1414		1685
1415	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);	1686	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1416		1687
1417	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:	1688	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1418		1689
1419	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	1690	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1420	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,	1691	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1421	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);	1692	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1422	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	1693	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1423		1694
1424		1695
1425	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!	1696	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1426		1697
1427	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific	1698	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1428	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev	1699	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1429	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the	1700	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1430	normal event processing, like any other event.	1701	normal event processing, like any other event.
1431		1702
		1703	If you want signals asynchronously, just use C<sigaction> as you would
		1704	do without libev and forget about sharing the signal. You can even use
		1705	C<ev_async> from a signal handler to synchronously wake up an event loop.
		1706
1432	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the	1707	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the
1433	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher	1708	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal handler
1434	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long	1709	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as
1435	as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal	1710	you don't register any with libev for the same signal). Similarly, when
1436	watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to	1711	the last signal watcher for a signal is stopped, libev will reset the
1437	SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).	1712	signal handler to SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1438		1713
1439	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with	1714	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1440	C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so syscalls should not be unduly	1715	C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so system calls should not be unduly
1441	interrupted. If you have a problem with syscalls getting interrupted by	1716	interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting interrupted by
1442	signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock	1717	signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock
1443	them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.	1718	them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
1444		1719
1445	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1720	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1446		1721
…		…
1459		1734
1460	=back	1735	=back
1461		1736
1462	=head3 Examples	1737	=head3 Examples
1463		1738
1464	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.	1739	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
1465		1740
1466	static void	1741	static void
1467	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)	1742	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
1468	{	1743	{
1469	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	1744	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
1470	}	1745	}
1471		1746
1472	struct ev_signal signal_watcher;	1747	ev_signal signal_watcher;
1473	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);	1748	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1474	ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);	1749	ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
1475		1750
1476		1751
1477	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes	1752	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1478		1753
1479	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to	1754	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1480	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). It	1755	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
1481	is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child has been	1756	exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
1482	forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long as the event	1757	has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
1483	loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher).	1758	as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
		1759	forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
		1760	but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later is
		1761	not.
1484		1762
1485	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore	1763	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1486	you can only rgeister child watchers in the default event loop.	1764	you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
1487		1765
1488	=head3 Process Interaction	1766	=head3 Process Interaction
1489		1767
1490	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is	1768	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1491	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if	1769	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if
1492	the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurance	1770	the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
1493	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done	1771	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1494	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all	1772	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1495	children, even ones not watched.	1773	children, even ones not watched.
1496		1774
1497	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing	1775	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
…		…
1501	handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for	1779	handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
1502	C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the	1780	C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
1503	default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an	1781	default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
1504	event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for	1782	event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
1505	that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.	1783	that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
		1784
		1785	=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
		1786
		1787	Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
		1788	child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
		1789	callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
		1790	when a child exit is detected.
1506		1791
1507	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1792	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1508		1793
1509	=over 4	1794	=over 4
1510		1795
…		…
1539	=head3 Examples	1824	=head3 Examples
1540		1825
1541	Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for	1826	Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
1542	its completion.	1827	its completion.
1543		1828
1544	ev_child cw;	1829	ev_child cw;
1545		1830
1546	static void	1831	static void
1547	child_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_child *w, int revents)	1832	child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1548	{	1833	{
1549	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);	1834	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
1550	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);	1835	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1551	}	1836	}
1552		1837
1553	pid_t pid = fork ();	1838	pid_t pid = fork ();
1554		1839
1555	if (pid < 0)	1840	if (pid < 0)
1556	// error	1841	// error
1557	else if (pid == 0)	1842	else if (pid == 0)
1558	{	1843	{
1559	// the forked child executes here	1844	// the forked child executes here
1560	exit (1);	1845	exit (1);
1561	}	1846	}
1562	else	1847	else
1563	{	1848	{
1564	ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);	1849	ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
1565	ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);	1850	ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
1566	}	1851	}
1567		1852
1568		1853
1569	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?	1854	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1570		1855
1571	This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls	1856	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1572	C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed	1857	C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed
1573	compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.	1858	compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.
1574		1859
1575	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does	1860	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1576	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does	1861	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does
…		…
1579	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.	1864	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.
1580		1865
1581	The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is	1866	The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is
1582	relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.	1867	relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.
1583		1868
1584	Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply	1869	Since there is no standard kernel interface to do this, the portable
1585	calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You	1870	implementation simply calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if
1586	can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify	1871	it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling interval for
1587	a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,	1872	this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!)
1588	unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around	1873	then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used (which
1589	five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also	1874	you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might change
1590	impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats	1875	dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is currently
1591	usually overkill.	1876	around C<0.1>, but thats usually overkill.
1592		1877
1593	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,	1878	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1594	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be	1879	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1595	resource-intensive.	1880	resource-intensive.
1596		1881
1597	At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is	1882	At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1598	implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the	1883	is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as
1599	reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the	1884	an exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way
1600	semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs	1885	of implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue).
1601	to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are
1602	usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no
1603	polling.
1604		1886
1605	=head3 Inotify	1887	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1606		1888
		1889	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
		1890	compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
		1891	support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
		1892	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
		1893	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
		1894	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
		1895	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
		1896	most noticeably disabled with ev_stat and large file support.
		1897
		1898	The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
		1899	file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
		1900	optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
		1901	to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
		1902	default compilation environment.
		1903
		1904	=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
		1905
1607	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only	1906	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally
		1907	only available with Linux 2.6.25 or above due to bugs in earlier
1608	available on Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up	1908	implementations) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up
1609	change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily	1909	change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created
1610	when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.	1910	lazily when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.
1611		1911
1612	Inotify presense does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers	1912	Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1613	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid	1913	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1614	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presense of inotify support	1914	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1615	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling.	1915	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
		1916	but as long as the path exists, libev usually gets away without polling.
1616		1917
1617	(There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to	1918	There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1618	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file	1919	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1619	descriptor open on the object at all times).	1920	descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
		1921	etc. is difficult.
1620		1922
1621	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution	1923	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1622		1924
1623	The C<stat ()> syscall only supports full-second resolution portably, and	1925	The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably, and
1624	even on systems where the resolution is higher, many filesystems still	1926	even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems still
1625	only support whole seconds.	1927	only support whole seconds.
1626		1928
1627	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you might	1929	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1628	miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and calls	1930	easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1629	your callback, which does something. When there is another update within	1931	calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1630	the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect it.	1932	within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
		1933	stat data does change in other ways (e.g. file size).
1631		1934
1632	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for a second (or till	1935	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
1633	the next second boundary), using a roughly one-second delay C<ev_timer>	1936	than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
1634	(C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.01); ev_timer_again (loop, w)>). The C<.01>	1937	a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
1635	is added to work around small timing inconsistencies of some operating	1938	ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
1636	systems.	1939
		1940	The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
		1941	of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
		1942	might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
		1943	C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
		1944	a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
		1945	update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
		1946	the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
		1947	the timer callback).
1637		1948
1638	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1949	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1639		1950
1640	=over 4	1951	=over 4
1641		1952
…		…
1647	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to	1958	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1648	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose	1959	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1649	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same	1960	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1650	path for as long as the watcher is active.	1961	path for as long as the watcher is active.
1651		1962
1652	The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected,	1963	The callback will receive an C<EV_STAT> event when a change was detected,
1653	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the	1964	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1654	last change was detected).	1965	last change was detected).
1655		1966
1656	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)	1967	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1657		1968
1658	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the	1969	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1659	watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid	1970	watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1660	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be	1971	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1661	useful simply to find out the new values.	1972	the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
		1973	new values.
1662		1974
1663	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]	1975	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1664		1976
1665	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of	1977	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
1666	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types	1978	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1667	suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there	1979	suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
		1980	members to be present. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there was
1668	was some error while C<stat>ing the file.	1981	some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1669		1982
1670	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]	1983	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1671		1984
1672	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever	1985	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1673	C<prev> != C<attr>.	1986	C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
		1987	differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
		1988	C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
1674		1989
1675	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]	1990	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1676		1991
1677	The specified interval.	1992	The specified interval.
1678		1993
1679	=item const char *path [read-only]	1994	=item const char *path [read-only]
1680		1995
1681	The filesystem path that is being watched.	1996	The file system path that is being watched.
1682		1997
1683	=back	1998	=back
1684		1999
1685	=head3 Examples	2000	=head3 Examples
1686		2001
1687	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.	2002	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1688		2003
1689	static void	2004	static void
1690	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)	2005	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1691	{	2006	{
1692	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */	2007	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1693	if (w->attr.st_nlink)	2008	if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1694	{	2009	{
1695	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);	2010	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1696	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2011	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1697	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2012	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1698	}	2013	}
1699	else	2014	else
1700	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */	2015	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1701	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "	2016	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1702	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");	2017	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1703	}	2018	}
1704		2019
1705	...	2020	...
1706	ev_stat passwd;	2021	ev_stat passwd;
1707		2022
1708	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);	2023	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1709	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	2024	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1710		2025
1711	Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not	2026	Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
1712	miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so	2027	miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
1713	one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on	2028	one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
1714	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).	2029	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
1715		2030
1716	static ev_stat passwd;	2031	static ev_stat passwd;
1717	static ev_timer timer;	2032	static ev_timer timer;
1718		2033
1719	static void	2034	static void
1720	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2035	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1721	{	2036	{
1722	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);	2037	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
1723		2038
1724	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */	2039	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
1725	}	2040	}
1726		2041
1727	static void	2042	static void
1728	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)	2043	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
1729	{	2044	{
1730	/* reset the one-second timer */	2045	/* reset the one-second timer */
1731	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);	2046	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
1732	}	2047	}
1733		2048
1734	...	2049	...
1735	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);	2050	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1736	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	2051	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1737	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.01);	2052	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1738		2053
1739		2054
1740	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...	2055	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1741		2056
1742	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher	2057	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1743	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not	2058	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count
1744	count).	2059	as receiving "events").
1745		2060
1746	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts	2061	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1747	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be	2062	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1748	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers	2063	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1749	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop	2064	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
…		…
1773	=head3 Examples	2088	=head3 Examples
1774		2089
1775	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the	2090	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1776	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.	2091	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1777		2092
1778	static void	2093	static void
1779	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)	2094	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1780	{	2095	{
1781	free (w);	2096	free (w);
1782	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has	2097	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1783	// no longer anything immediate to do.	2098	// no longer anything immediate to do.
1784	}	2099	}
1785		2100
1786	struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));	2101	ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1787	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);	2102	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1788	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);	2103	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1789		2104
1790		2105
1791	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!	2106	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1792		2107
1793	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:	2108	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
1794	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers	2109	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1795	afterwards.	2110	afterwards.
1796		2111
1797	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter	2112	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter
1798	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>	2113	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
…		…
1801	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,	2116	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1802	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be	2117	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1803	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.	2118	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1804		2119
1805	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and	2120	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1806	their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track	2121	their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
1807	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a	2122	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1808	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if	2123	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1809	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,	2124	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1810	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>	2125	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1811	watcher).	2126	watcher).
1812		2127
1813	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need	2128	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors
1814	to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for	2129	need to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers
1815	them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries	2130	for them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many
1816	provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for	2131	libraries provide exactly this functionality). Then, in the check watcher,
1817	any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers	2132	you check for any events that occurred (by checking the pending status
1818	and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer	2133	of all watchers and stopping them) and call back into the library. The
1819	callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,	2134	I/O and timer callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid
1820	because you never know, you know?).	2135	nevertheless, because you never know, you know?).
1821		2136
1822	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate	2137	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1823	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines	2138	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
1824	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines	2139	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
1825	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines	2140	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
…		…
1828	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping	2143	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1829	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).	2144	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1830		2145
1831	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)	2146	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
1832	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers	2147	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
		2148	after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).
		2149
1833	after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers,	2150	Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
1834	too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully	2151	activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
1835	supports this, they will be called before other C<ev_check> watchers	2152	might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
1836	did their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other	2153	C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
1837	(non-libev) event loops those other event loops might be in an unusable	2154	loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
1838	state until their C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to	2155	C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
1839	coexist peacefully with others).	2156	others).
1840		2157
1841	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2158	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1842		2159
1843	=over 4	2160	=over 4
1844		2161
…		…
1846		2163
1847	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)	2164	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1848		2165
1849	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no	2166	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
1850	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>	2167	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1851	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.	2168	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly, utterly and completely
		2169	pointless.
1852		2170
1853	=back	2171	=back
1854		2172
1855	=head3 Examples	2173	=head3 Examples
1856		2174
1857	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules	2175	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
1858	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev	2176	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
1859	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could	2177	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
1860	use for an actually working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib>	2178	use as a working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> embeds a
1861	embeds a Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV	2179	Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
1862	into the Glib event loop).	2180	Glib event loop).
1863		2181
1864	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,	2182	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1865	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows	2183	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1866	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low	2184	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
1867	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as	2185	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
1868	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.	2186	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1869		2187
1870	static ev_io iow [nfd];	2188	static ev_io iow [nfd];
1871	static ev_timer tw;	2189	static ev_timer tw;
1872		2190
1873	static void	2191	static void
1874	io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)	2192	io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1875	{	2193	{
1876	}	2194	}
1877		2195
1878	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking	2196	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1879	static void	2197	static void
1880	adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)	2198	adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1881	{	2199	{
1882	int timeout = 3600000;	2200	int timeout = 3600000;
1883	struct pollfd fds [nfd];	2201	struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1884	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.	2202	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1885	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));	2203	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1886		2204
1887	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */	2205	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1888	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);	2206	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1889	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);	2207	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1890		2208
1891	// create one ev_io per pollfd	2209	// create one ev_io per pollfd
1892	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2210	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1893	{	2211	{
1894	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,	2212	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1895	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)	2213	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1896	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));	2214	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1897		2215
1898	fds [i].revents = 0;	2216	fds [i].revents = 0;
1899	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);	2217	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1900	}	2218	}
1901	}	2219	}
1902		2220
1903	// stop all watchers after blocking	2221	// stop all watchers after blocking
1904	static void	2222	static void
1905	adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)	2223	adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1906	{	2224	{
1907	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);	2225	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1908		2226
1909	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2227	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1910	{	2228	{
1911	// set the relevant poll flags	2229	// set the relevant poll flags
1912	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here	2230	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1913	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;	2231	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
1914	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);	2232	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
1915	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;	2233	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1916	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;	2234	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1917		2235
1918	// now stop the watcher	2236	// now stop the watcher
1919	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);	2237	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1920	}	2238	}
1921		2239
1922	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));	2240	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1923	}	2241	}
1924		2242
1925	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>	2243	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
1926	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.	2244	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
1927		2245
1928	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event	2246	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
1929	notification (adns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher	2247	notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
1930	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.	2248	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
1931		2249
1932	static void	2250	static void
1933	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2251	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1934	{	2252	{
1935	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2253	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1936	update_now (EV_A);	2254	update_now (EV_A);
1937		2255
1938	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);	2256	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
1939	}	2257	}
1940		2258
1941	static void	2259	static void
1942	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)	2260	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1943	{	2261	{
1944	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2262	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1945	update_now (EV_A);	2263	update_now (EV_A);
1946		2264
1947	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2265	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1948	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2266	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1949	}	2267	}
1950		2268
1951	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll	2269	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll
1952		2270
1953	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you	2271	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
1954	want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, youc na override	2272	want to embed is not flexible enough to support it. Instead, you can
1955	their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main	2273	override their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the
1956	loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does	2274	main loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module uses
1957	this.	2275	this approach, effectively embedding EV as a client into the horrible
		2276	libglib event loop.
1958		2277
1959	static gint	2278	static gint
1960	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)	2279	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
1961	{	2280	{
1962	int got_events = 0;	2281	int got_events = 0;
1963		2282
1964	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2283	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1965	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events	2284	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
1966		2285
1967	if (timeout >= 0)	2286	if (timeout >= 0)
1968	// create/start timer	2287	// create/start timer
1969		2288
1970	// poll	2289	// poll
1971	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	2290	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1972		2291
1973	// stop timer again	2292	// stop timer again
1974	if (timeout >= 0)	2293	if (timeout >= 0)
1975	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);	2294	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
1976		2295
1977	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set	2296	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
1978	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2297	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1979	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);	2298	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
1980		2299
1981	return got_events;	2300	return got_events;
1982	}	2301	}
1983		2302
1984		2303
1985	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...	2304	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1986		2305
1987	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop	2306	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
…		…
1993	prioritise I/O.	2312	prioritise I/O.
1994		2313
1995	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support	2314	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
1996	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you	2315	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
1997	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales	2316	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
1998	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it	2317	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed
1999	into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will	2318	it into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation
2000	be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but	2319	will be a bit slower because first libev has to call C<poll> and then
2001	at least you can use both at what they are best.	2320	C<kevent>, but at least you can use both mechanisms for what they are
		2321	best: C<kqueue> for scalable sockets and C<poll> if you want it to work :)
2002		2322
2003	As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have	2323	As for prioritising I/O: under rare circumstances you have the case where
2004	to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even	2324	some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
2005	priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case	2325	and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
2006	you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in	2326	this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
2007	a second one, and embed the second one in the first.	2327	the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
2008		2328
2009	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time	2329	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time
2010	there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then	2330	there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then
2011	call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke	2331	call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke
2012	their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded	2332	their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded
…		…
2020	interested in that.	2340	interested in that.
2021		2341
2022	Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:	2342	Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:
2023	when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,	2343	when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,
2024	but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers	2344	but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers
2025	yourself.	2345	yourself - but you can use a fork watcher to handle this automatically,
		2346	and future versions of libev might do just that.
2026		2347
2027	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by	2348	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
2028	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any	2349	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
2029	portable one.	2350	portable one.
2030		2351
2031	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared	2352	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
2032	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around	2353	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
2033	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to	2354	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
2034	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.	2355	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
2035		2356
		2357	=head3 C<ev_embed> and fork
		2358
		2359	While the C<ev_embed> watcher is running, forks in the embedding loop will
		2360	automatically be applied to the embedded loop as well, so no special
		2361	fork handling is required in that case. When the watcher is not running,
		2362	however, it is still the task of the libev user to call C<ev_loop_fork ()>
		2363	as applicable.
		2364
2036	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2365	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2037		2366
2038	=over 4	2367	=over 4
2039		2368
2040	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)	2369	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
…		…
2043		2372
2044	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be	2373	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
2045	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be	2374	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
2046	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback	2375	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
2047	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,	2376	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
2048	if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).	2377	if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
2049		2378
2050	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)	2379	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
2051		2380
2052	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works	2381	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
2053	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most	2382	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
2054	apropriate way for embedded loops.	2383	appropriate way for embedded loops.
2055		2384
2056	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]	2385	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
2057		2386
2058	The embedded event loop.	2387	The embedded event loop.
2059		2388
…		…
2061		2390
2062	=head3 Examples	2391	=head3 Examples
2063		2392
2064	Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default	2393	Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
2065	event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default	2394	event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
2066	loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the mebeddable loop is stored in	2395	loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
2067	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the acse no embeddable loop can be	2396	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
2068	used).	2397	used).
2069		2398
2070	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);	2399	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2071	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;	2400	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2072	struct ev_embed embed;	2401	ev_embed embed;
2073		2402
2074	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works	2403	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2075	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)	2404	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2076	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()	2405	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2077	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())	2406	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
2078	: 0;	2407	: 0;
2079		2408
2080	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi	2409	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
2081	if (loop_lo)	2410	if (loop_lo)
2082	{	2411	{
2083	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);	2412	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
2084	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);	2413	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
2085	}	2414	}
2086	else	2415	else
2087	loop_lo = loop_hi;	2416	loop_lo = loop_hi;
2088		2417
2089	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create	2418	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
2090	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any	2419	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
2091	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in	2420	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
2092	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).	2421	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2093		2422
2094	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	2423	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2095	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;	2424	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2096	struct ev_embed embed;	2425	ev_embed embed;
2097		2426
2098	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)	2427	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2099	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))	2428	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2100	{	2429	{
2101	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);	2430	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2102	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);	2431	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2103	}	2432	}
2104		2433
2105	if (!loop_socket)	2434	if (!loop_socket)
2106	loop_socket = loop;	2435	loop_socket = loop;
2107		2436
2108	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else	2437	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
2109		2438
2110		2439
2111	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork	2440	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
2112		2441
2113	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because	2442	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
…		…
2157	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a	2486	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2158	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't	2487	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2159	need elaborate support such as pthreads.	2488	need elaborate support such as pthreads.
2160		2489
2161	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own	2490	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2162	queue. But at least I can tell you would implement locking around your	2491	queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2163	queue:	2492	queue:
2164		2493
2165	=over 4	2494	=over 4
2166		2495
2167	=item queueing from a signal handler context	2496	=item queueing from a signal handler context
2168		2497
2169	To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal	2498	To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
2170	handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is an example that does that for	2499	handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is
2171	some fictitiuous SIGUSR1 handler:	2500	an example that does that for some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
2172		2501
2173	static ev_async mysig;	2502	static ev_async mysig;
2174		2503
2175	static void	2504	static void
2176	sigusr1_handler (void)	2505	sigusr1_handler (void)
…		…
2243		2572
2244	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)	2573	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2245		2574
2246	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any	2575	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2247	kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	2576	kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2248	believe me.	2577	trust me.
2249		2578
2250	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)	2579	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2251		2580
2252	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds	2581	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2253	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike	2582	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
2254	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do in other threads, signal or	2583	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or
2255	similar contexts (see the dicusssion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding	2584	similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
2256	section below on what exactly this means).	2585	section below on what exactly this means).
2257		2586
2258	This call incurs the overhead of a syscall only once per loop iteration,	2587	This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per loop iteration,
2259	so while the overhead might be noticable, it doesn't apply to repeated	2588	so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to repeated
2260	calls to C<ev_async_send>.	2589	calls to C<ev_async_send>.
2261		2590
		2591	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
		2592
		2593	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
		2594	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
		2595	event loop.
		2596
		2597	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
		2598	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
		2599	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
		2600	quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
		2601
		2602	Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending, only
		2603	whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending.
		2604
2262	=back	2605	=back
2263		2606
2264		2607
2265	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS	2608	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
2266		2609
…		…
2269	=over 4	2612	=over 4
2270		2613
2271	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)	2614	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
2272		2615
2273	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your	2616	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
2274	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both	2617	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
2275	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd	2618	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
2276	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or	2619	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
2277	more watchers yourself.	2620	more watchers yourself.
2278		2621
2279	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events	2622	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and the
2280	is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and	2623	C<events> argument is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for
2281	C<events> set will be craeted and started.	2624	the given C<fd> and C<events> set will be created and started.
2282		2625
2283	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be	2626	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
2284	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and	2627	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
2285	repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of	2628	repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
2286	dubious value.
2287		2629
2288	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets	2630	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
2289	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of	2631	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
2290	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>	2632	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
2291	value passed to C<ev_once>:	2633	value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
		2634	a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
		2635	events precedence.
2292		2636
		2637	Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
		2638
2293	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)	2639	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
2294	{	2640	{
2295	if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
2296	/* doh, nothing entered */;
2297	else if (revents & EV_READ)	2641	if (revents & EV_READ)
2298	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;	2642	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
		2643	else if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
		2644	/* doh, nothing entered */;
2299	}	2645	}
2300		2646
2301	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);	2647	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
2302		2648
2303	=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)	2649	=item ev_feed_event (struct ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
2304		2650
2305	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event	2651	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
2306	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an	2652	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
2307	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).	2653	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
2308		2654
2309	=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)	2655	=item ev_feed_fd_event (struct ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)
2310		2656
2311	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected	2657	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
2312	the given events it.	2658	the given events it.
2313		2659
2314	=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)	2660	=item ev_feed_signal_event (struct ev_loop *loop, int signum)
2315		2661
2316	Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default	2662	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
2317	loop!).	2663	loop!).
2318		2664
2319	=back	2665	=back
2320		2666
2321		2667
…		…
2337		2683
2338	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities	2684	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
2339	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there	2685	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
2340	is an ev_pri field.	2686	is an ev_pri field.
2341		2687
		2688	=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
		2689	first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.
		2690
2342	=item * Other members are not supported.	2691	=item * Other members are not supported.
2343		2692
2344	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need	2693	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
2345	to use the libev header file and library.	2694	to use the libev header file and library.
2346		2695
2347	=back	2696	=back
2348		2697
2349	=head1 C++ SUPPORT	2698	=head1 C++ SUPPORT
2350		2699
2351	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow	2700	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
2352	you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change	2701	you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
2353	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.	2702	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
2354		2703
2355	To use it,	2704	To use it,
2356		2705
2357	#include <ev++.h>	2706	#include <ev++.h>
2358		2707
2359	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many	2708	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
2360	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are	2709	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
2361	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding	2710	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
2362	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.	2711	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
…		…
2429	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the	2778	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
2430	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.	2779	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
2431		2780
2432	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation	2781	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
2433		2782
2434	struct myclass	2783	struct myclass
2435	{	2784	{
2436	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	2785	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2437	}	2786	}
2438		2787
2439	myclass obj;	2788	myclass obj;
2440	ev::io iow;	2789	ev::io iow;
2441	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);	2790	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2442		2791
2443	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)	2792	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2444		2793
2445	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as	2794	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2446	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's	2795	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
…		…
2448		2797
2449	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.	2798	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
2450		2799
2451	See the method-C<set> above for more details.	2800	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2452		2801
2453	Example:	2802	Example: Use a plain function as callback.
2454		2803
2455	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	2804	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2456	iow.set <io_cb> ();	2805	iow.set <io_cb> ();
2457		2806
2458	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)	2807	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
2459		2808
2460	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only	2809	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
2461	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).	2810	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
2462		2811
2463	=item w->set ([args])	2812	=item w->set ([arguments])
2464		2813
2465	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be	2814	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be
2466	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets	2815	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
2467	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this	2816	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
2468	method.	2817	method.
2469		2818
2470	=item w->start ()	2819	=item w->start ()
…		…
2494	=back	2843	=back
2495		2844
2496	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in	2845	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
2497	the constructor.	2846	the constructor.
2498		2847
2499	class myclass	2848	class myclass
2500	{	2849	{
2501	ev::io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);	2850	ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2502	ev:idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);	2851	ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2503		2852
2504	myclass (int fd)	2853	myclass (int fd)
2505	{	2854	{
2506	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);	2855	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
2507	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);	2856	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2508		2857
2509	io.start (fd, ev::READ);	2858	io.start (fd, ev::READ);
2510	}	2859	}
2511	};	2860	};
2512		2861
2513		2862
2514	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS	2863	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
2515		2864
2516	Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a	2865	Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
2517	numbe rof languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know	2866	number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
2518	any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop	2867	any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
2519	me a note.	2868	me a note.
2520		2869
2521	=over 4	2870	=over 4
2522		2871
2523	=item Perl	2872	=item Perl
2524		2873
2525	The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test	2874	The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
2526	libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,	2875	libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
2527	there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces	2876	there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
2528	to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>), C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the	2877	to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>, but C<AnyEvent::DNS> is preferred nowadays),
2529	C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV> and C<EV::Glib>).	2878	C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV>
		2879	and C<EV::Glib>).
2530		2880
2531	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is found at	2881	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
2532	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.	2882	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2533		2883
		2884	=item Python
		2885
		2886	Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
		2887	seems to be quite complete and well-documented. Note, however, that the
		2888	patch they require for libev is outright dangerous as it breaks the ABI
		2889	for everybody else, and therefore, should never be applied in an installed
		2890	libev (if python requires an incompatible ABI then it needs to embed
		2891	libev).
		2892
2534	=item Ruby	2893	=item Ruby
2535		2894
2536	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset	2895	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2537	of the libev API and adds filehandle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and	2896	of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2538	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at	2897	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2539	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.	2898	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2540		2899
2541	=item D	2900	=item D
2542		2901
2543	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to	2902	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2544	be found at L<http://git.llucax.com.ar/?p=software/ev.d.git;a=summary>.	2903	be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
2545		2904
2546	=back	2905	=back
2547		2906
2548		2907
2549	=head1 MACRO MAGIC	2908	=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2550		2909
2551	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal	2910	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
2552	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)	2911	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
2553	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.	2912	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
2554		2913
2555	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the	2914	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
2556	following macros are defined:	2915	following macros are defined:
…		…
2561		2920
2562	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev	2921	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2563	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,	2922	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2564	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:	2923	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2565		2924
2566	ev_unref (EV_A);	2925	ev_unref (EV_A);
2567	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);	2926	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2568	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	2927	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
2569		2928
2570	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,	2929	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2571	which is often provided by the following macro.	2930	which is often provided by the following macro.
2572		2931
2573	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>	2932	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
2574		2933
2575	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev	2934	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2576	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,	2935	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
2577	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:	2936	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
2578		2937
2579	// this is how ev_unref is being declared	2938	// this is how ev_unref is being declared
2580	static void ev_unref (EV_P);	2939	static void ev_unref (EV_P);
2581		2940
2582	// this is how you can declare your typical callback	2941	// this is how you can declare your typical callback
2583	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2942	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2584		2943
2585	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite	2944	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
2586	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.	2945	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
2587		2946
2588	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>	2947	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
2589		2948
2590	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default	2949	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
2591	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").	2950	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
		2951
		2952	=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
		2953
		2954	Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
		2955	default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
		2956	is undefined when the default loop has not been initialised by a previous
		2957	execution of C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> or C<ev_default_init (...)>.
		2958
		2959	It is often prudent to use C<EV_DEFAULT> when initialising the first
		2960	watcher in a function but use C<EV_DEFAULT_UC> afterwards.
2592		2961
2593	=back	2962	=back
2594		2963
2595	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above	2964	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
2596	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported	2965	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2597	or not.	2966	or not.
2598		2967
2599	static void	2968	static void
2600	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2969	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2601	{	2970	{
2602	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);	2971	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
2603	}	2972	}
2604		2973
2605	ev_check check;	2974	ev_check check;
2606	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);	2975	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
2607	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);	2976	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
2608	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);	2977	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
2609		2978
2610	=head1 EMBEDDING	2979	=head1 EMBEDDING
2611		2980
2612	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host	2981	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
2613	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra	2982	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
…		…
2620	libev somewhere in your source tree).	2989	libev somewhere in your source tree).
2621		2990
2622	=head2 FILESETS	2991	=head2 FILESETS
2623		2992
2624	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files	2993	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
2625	in your app.	2994	in your application.
2626		2995
2627	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP	2996	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
2628		2997
2629	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual	2998	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
2630	configuration (no autoconf):	2999	configuration (no autoconf):
2631		3000
2632	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3001	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2633	#include "ev.c"	3002	#include "ev.c"
2634		3003
2635	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a	3004	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
2636	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use	3005	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
2637	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best	3006	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
2638	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and	3007	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
2639	where you can put other configuration options):	3008	where you can put other configuration options):
2640		3009
2641	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3010	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2642	#include "ev.h"	3011	#include "ev.h"
2643		3012
2644	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++	3013	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
2645	compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated	3014	compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2646	as a bug).	3015	as a bug).
2647		3016
2648	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory	3017	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
2649	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):	3018	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2650		3019
2651	ev.h	3020	ev.h
2652	ev.c	3021	ev.c
2653	ev_vars.h	3022	ev_vars.h
2654	ev_wrap.h	3023	ev_wrap.h
2655		3024
2656	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only	3025	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
2657		3026
2658	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)	3027	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
2659	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3028	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2660	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3029	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2661	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3030	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2662	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3031	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2663		3032
2664	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need	3033	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
2665	to compile this single file.	3034	to compile this single file.
2666		3035
2667	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API	3036	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
2668		3037
2669	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:	3038	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
2670		3039
2671	#include "event.c"	3040	#include "event.c"
2672		3041
2673	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:	3042	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
2674		3043
2675	#include "event.h"	3044	#include "event.h"
2676		3045
2677	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.	3046	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
2678		3047
2679	You need the following additional files for this:	3048	You need the following additional files for this:
2680		3049
2681	event.h	3050	event.h
2682	event.c	3051	event.c
2683		3052
2684	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT	3053	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
2685		3054
2686	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in	3055	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
2687	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your	3056	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
2688	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then	3057	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
2689	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.	3058	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
2690		3059
2691	For this of course you need the m4 file:	3060	For this of course you need the m4 file:
2692		3061
2693	libev.m4	3062	libev.m4
2694		3063
2695	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS	3064	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2696		3065
2697	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define	3066	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
2698	before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity	3067	define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of
2699	and only include the select backend.	3068	autoconf is documented for every option.
2700		3069
2701	=over 4	3070	=over 4
2702		3071
2703	=item EV_STANDALONE	3072	=item EV_STANDALONE
2704		3073
…		…
2709	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.	3078	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2710		3079
2711	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC	3080	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2712		3081
2713	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3082	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2714	monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use	3083	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use
2715	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you	3084	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you
2716	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when	3085	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when
2717	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have	3086	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2718	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>	3087	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2719	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).	3088	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).
2720		3089
2721	=item EV_USE_REALTIME	3090	=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2722		3091
2723	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3092	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2724	realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at	3093	real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at
2725	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will	3094	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will
2726	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get	3095	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
2727	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the	3096	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the
2728	note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.	3097	note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
2729		3098
2730	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP	3099	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
2731		3100
2732	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available	3101	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
2733	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.	3102	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
2734		3103
		3104	=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
		3105
		3106	If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
		3107	available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
		3108	C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
		3109	If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
		3110	2.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
		3111
2735	=item EV_USE_SELECT	3112	=item EV_USE_SELECT
2736		3113
2737	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the	3114	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
2738	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no	3115	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
2739	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend	3116	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
2740	will not be compiled in.	3117	will not be compiled in.
2741		3118
2742	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET	3119	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2743		3120
2744	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>	3121	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
2745	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing	3122	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
2746	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on	3123	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on
2747	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some	3124	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some
2748	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only	3125	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only
2749	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might	3126	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might
2750	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.	3127	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.
2751		3128
…		…
2775		3152
2776	=item EV_USE_EPOLL	3153	=item EV_USE_EPOLL
2777		3154
2778	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux	3155	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
2779	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,	3156	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2780	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the	3157	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2781	preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems.	3158	backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
		3159	headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2782		3160
2783	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE	3161	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2784		3162
2785	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style	3163	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
2786	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,	3164	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
…		…
2799	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred	3177	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2800	backend for Solaris 10 systems.	3178	backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2801		3179
2802	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL	3180	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2803		3181
2804	reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.	3182	Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2805		3183
2806	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY	3184	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2807		3185
2808	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify	3186	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2809	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will	3187	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2810	be detected at runtime.	3188	be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
		3189	indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2811		3190
2812	=item EV_ATOMIC_T	3191	=item EV_ATOMIC_T
2813		3192
2814	Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose	3193	Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
2815	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such	3194	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
2816	type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type	3195	type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
2817	that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"	3196	that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
2818	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.	3197	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
2819		3198
2820	In the absense of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>	3199	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
2821	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.	3200	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2822		3201
2823	=item EV_H	3202	=item EV_H
2824		3203
2825	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if	3204	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
…		…
2864	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search	3243	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
2865	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space	3244	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
2866	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually	3245	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
2867	fine.	3246	fine.
2868		3247
2869	If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to	3248	If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
2870	C<0> will save some memory and cpu.	3249	both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
2871		3250
2872	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE	3251	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
2873		3252
2874	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If	3253	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
2875	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of	3254	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
…		…
2882	code.	3261	code.
2883		3262
2884	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE	3263	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2885		3264
2886	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If	3265	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2887	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3266	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Embed watchers rely on most other
		3267	watcher types, which therefore must not be disabled.
2888		3268
2889	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE	3269	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
2890		3270
2891	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If	3271	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
2892	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3272	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
…		…
2902	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3282	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2903		3283
2904	=item EV_MINIMAL	3284	=item EV_MINIMAL
2905		3285
2906	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some	3286	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2907	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override	3287	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some
2908	some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64.	3288	inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size on amd64. It also selects a
		3289	much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap.
2909		3290
2910	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE	3291	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2911		3292
2912	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	3293	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2913	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more	3294	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
…		…
2920	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),	3301	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
2921	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>	3302	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
2922	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of	3303	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
2923	two).	3304	two).
2924		3305
		3306	=item EV_USE_4HEAP
		3307
		3308	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		3309	timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
		3310	to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
		3311	faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
		3312
		3313	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
		3314	(disabled).
		3315
		3316	=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
		3317
		3318	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		3319	timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
		3320	the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
		3321	which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
		3322	but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
		3323	noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
		3324
		3325	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
		3326	(disabled).
		3327
		3328	=item EV_VERIFY
		3329
		3330	Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will
		3331	be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
		3332	in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
		3333	called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
		3334	called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
		3335	verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
		3336	libev considerably.
		3337
		3338	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be
		3339	C<0>.
		3340
2925	=item EV_COMMON	3341	=item EV_COMMON
2926		3342
2927	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining	3343	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2928	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of	3344	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2929	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,	3345	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2930	though, and it must be identical each time.	3346	though, and it must be identical each time.
2931		3347
2932	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:	3348	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2933		3349
2934	#define EV_COMMON \	3350	#define EV_COMMON \
2935	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \	3351	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2936	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */	3352	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2937		3353
2938	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)	3354	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2939		3355
2940	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)	3356	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2941		3357
…		…
2946	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for	3362	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
2947	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to	3363	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
2948	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use	3364	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2949	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.	3365	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
2950		3366
		3367	=back
		3368
2951	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS	3369	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
2952		3370
2953	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a dll) and you need a list of	3371	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
2954	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list	3372	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
2955	all public symbols, one per line:	3373	all public symbols, one per line:
2956		3374
2957	Symbols.ev for libev proper	3375	Symbols.ev for libev proper
2958	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation	3376	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
2959		3377
2960	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with	3378	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
2961	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in	3379	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
2962	itself, but sometimes it is inconvinient to avoid this).	3380	itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
2963		3381
2964	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to	3382	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
2965	include before including F<ev.h>:	3383	include before including F<ev.h>:
2966		3384
2967	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h	3385	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
…		…
2984	file.	3402	file.
2985		3403
2986	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file	3404	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
2987	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:	3405	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2988		3406
2989	#define EV_MINIMAL 1	3407	#define EV_MINIMAL 1
2990	#define EV_USE_POLL 0	3408	#define EV_USE_POLL 0
2991	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0	3409	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2992	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0	3410	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
2993	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0	3411	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
2994	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0	3412	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
2995	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>	3413	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
2996	#define EV_MINPRI 0	3414	#define EV_MINPRI 0
2997	#define EV_MAXPRI 0	3415	#define EV_MAXPRI 0
2998		3416
2999	#include "ev++.h"	3417	#include "ev++.h"
3000		3418
3001	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:	3419	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
3002		3420
3003	#include "ev_cpp.h"	3421	#include "ev_cpp.h"
3004	#include "ev.c"	3422	#include "ev.c"
3005		3423
		3424	=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES
3006		3425
3007	=head1 COMPLEXITIES	3426	=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
3008		3427
3009	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside	3428	=head3 THREADS
3010	libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the
3011	documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
3012		3429
3013	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be	3430	All libev functions are reentrant and thread-safe unless explicitly
3014	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this	3431	documented otherwise, but libev implements no locking itself. This means
3015	happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might	3432	that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as there
3016	mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average	3433	are no concurrent calls into any libev function with the same loop
3017	it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.	3434	parameter (C<ev_default_*> calls have an implicit default loop parameter,
		3435	of course): libev guarantees that different event loops share no data
		3436	structures that need any locking.
		3437
		3438	Or to put it differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done
		3439	concurrently from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter
		3440	must be done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as
		3441	only one thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using
		3442	a mutex per loop).
		3443
		3444	Specifically to support threads (and signal handlers), libev implements
		3445	so-called C<ev_async> watchers, which allow some limited form of
		3446	concurrency on the same event loop, namely waking it up "from the
		3447	outside".
		3448
		3449	If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
		3450	without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
		3451	help you, but here is some generic advice:
3018		3452
3019	=over 4	3453	=over 4
3020		3454
3021	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)	3455	=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
		3456	in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
3022		3457
3023	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and	3458	This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
3024	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will	3459	themselves and don't care/know about threading.
3025	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
3026		3460
3027	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)	3461	=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
3028		3462
3029	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them	3463	Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
3030	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.	3464	exists, but it is always a good start.
3031		3465
3032	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)	3466	=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
		3467	loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
3033		3468
3034	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.	3469	Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
		3470	better than you currently do :-)
3035		3471
3036	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)	3472	=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
		3473	event loop.
3037		3474
3038	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))	3475	C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other threads safely
		3476	(or from signal contexts...).
3039		3477
3040	These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the	3478	An example use would be to communicate signals or other events that only
3041	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually	3479	work in the default loop by registering the signal watcher with the
3042	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).	3480	default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
3043		3481	watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
3044	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
3045
3046	By virtue of using a binary heap, the next timer is always found at the
3047	beginning of the storage array.
3048
3049	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
3050
3051	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
3052	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
3053	on backend and wether C<ev_io_set> was used).
3054
3055	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
3056
3057	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
3058
3059	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
3060	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
3061	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
3062	watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. priority handling.
3063
3064	=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
3065
3066	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
3067
3068	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
3069
3070	Sending involves a syscall I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
3071	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
3072	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
3073		3482
3074	=back	3483	=back
3075		3484
		3485	=head3 COROUTINES
3076		3486
3077	=head1 Win32 platform limitations and workarounds	3487	Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
		3488	libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
		3489	coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two
		3490	different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running the
		3491	loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that
		3492	you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
		3493
		3494	Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
		3495	C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
		3496	they do not clal any callbacks.
		3497
		3498	=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
		3499
		3500	Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
		3501	lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
		3502	scared by this.
		3503
		3504	However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
		3505	has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
		3506	warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
		3507	targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
		3508
		3509	Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
		3510	workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
		3511	maintainable.
		3512
		3513	And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
		3514	wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
		3515	seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
		3516	warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have
		3517	been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
		3518	such buggy versions.
		3519
		3520	While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
		3521	"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
		3522	with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
		3523	them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
		3524	warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
		3525
		3526
		3527	=head2 VALGRIND
		3528
		3529	Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
		3530	highly useful. Unfortunately, valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
		3531
		3532	If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
		3533	in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
		3534
		3535	==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		3536	==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		3537	==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
		3538
		3539	Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
		3540	is not a memleak - the memory is still being refernced, and didn't leak.
		3541
		3542	Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
		3543	as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
		3544	although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
		3545	confused.
		3546
		3547	Keep in mind that valgrind is a very good tool, but only a tool. Don't
		3548	make it into some kind of religion.
		3549
		3550	If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
		3551	with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this
		3552	is a bug in libev (best check the archives, too :). However, don't be
		3553	annoyed when you get a brisk "this is no bug" answer and take the chance
		3554	of learning how to interpret valgrind properly.
		3555
		3556	If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
		3557	I suggest using suppression lists.
		3558
		3559
		3560	=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
		3561
		3562	=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
3078		3563
3079	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev	3564	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
3080	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX	3565	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
3081	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in	3566	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
3082	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket	3567	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
3083	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using	3568	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
3084	e.g. cygwin.	3569	e.g. cygwin.
3085		3570
		3571	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
		3572	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of
		3573	things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable
		3574	way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
		3575
3086	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except	3576	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
3087	embedding it into other applications.	3577	embedding it into other applications.
3088		3578
		3579	Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
		3580	accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
		3581	either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
		3582	so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
		3583	megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
		3584	available).
		3585
3089	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and the	3586	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
3090	abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets is not	3587	the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
3091	recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use more than	3588	is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
3092	a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally different	3589	more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
3093	implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX model, which cannot	3590	different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
3094	be implemented efficiently on windows (microsoft monopoly games).	3591	notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
		3592	(Microsoft monopoly games).
		3593
		3594	A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
		3595	section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
		3596	of F<ev.h>:
		3597
		3598	#define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
		3599	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
		3600
		3601	#include "ev.h"
		3602
		3603	And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
		3604	you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
		3605
		3606	#include "evwrap.h"
		3607	#include "ev.c"
3095		3608
3096	=over 4	3609	=over 4
3097		3610
3098	=item The winsocket select function	3611	=item The winsocket select function
3099		3612
3100	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it requires	3613	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
3101	socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors>. This makes select	3614	requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
3102	very inefficient, and also requires a mapping from file descriptors	3615	also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
3103	to socket handles. See the discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>,	3616	requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
3104	C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor	3617	C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
3105	symbols for more info.	3618	discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
		3619	C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
3106		3620
3107	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the microsoft runtime	3621	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
3108	libraries and raw winsocket select is:	3622	libraries and raw winsocket select is:
3109		3623
3110	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1	3624	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3111	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */	3625	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
3112		3626
3113	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a	3627	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
3114	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.	3628	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
3115		3629
3116	=item Limited number of file descriptors	3630	=item Limited number of file descriptors
3117		3631
3118	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things. Early versions	3632	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
3119	of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a max. of C<64> handles	3633
		3634	Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
3120	(probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels can only wait for	3635	of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
3121	C<64> things at the same time internally; microsoft recommends spawning a	3636	can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
3122	chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the previous thread in each).	3637	recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
		3638	previous thread in each. Great).
3123		3639
3124	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>	3640	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
3125	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select	3641	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
3126	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own	3642	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own
3127	select emulation on windows).	3643	select emulation on windows).
3128		3644
3129	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the microsoft runtime	3645	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
3130	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish	3646	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish
3131	or something like this inside microsoft). You can increase this by calling	3647	or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this by calling
3132	C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another	3648	C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another
3133	arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the microsoft runtime	3649	arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft runtime
3134	libraries.	3650	libraries.
3135		3651
3136	This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on	3652	This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on
3137	windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to	3653	windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to
3138	wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of	3654	wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of
3139	calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.	3655	calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
3140		3656
3141	=back	3657	=back
3142		3658
		3659	=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
		3660
		3661	In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
		3662	backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
		3663
		3664	=over 4
		3665
		3666	=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
		3667	calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
		3668
		3669	Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
		3670	structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
		3671	assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
		3672	callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
		3673	calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
		3674
		3675	=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
		3676
		3677	The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
		3678	C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
		3679	threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
		3680	believed to be sufficiently portable.
		3681
		3682	=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
		3683
		3684	Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
		3685	allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
		3686	pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
		3687	thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
		3688	be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
		3689	C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
		3690
		3691	The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
		3692	except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
		3693	well.
		3694
		3695	=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
		3696
		3697	To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
		3698	instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
		3699	systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but is still at
		3700	least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of millions of
		3701	watchers.
		3702
		3703	=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
		3704
		3705	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
		3706	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good
		3707	enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by
		3708	implementations implementing IEEE 754 (basically all existing ones).
		3709
		3710	=back
		3711
		3712	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
		3713
		3714
		3715	=head1 ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITIES
		3716
		3717	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
		3718	libev will be documented. For complexity discussions about backends see
		3719	the documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
		3720
		3721	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
		3722	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
		3723	happens asymptotically rarer with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
		3724	mean that libev does a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on
		3725	average it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
		3726
		3727	=over 4
		3728
		3729	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
		3730
		3731	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
		3732	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that, then inserting will
		3733	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
		3734
		3735	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
		3736
		3737	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them,
		3738	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
		3739
		3740	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
		3741
		3742	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
		3743
		3744	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
		3745
		3746	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
		3747
		3748	These watchers are stored in lists, so they need to be walked to find the
		3749	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
		3750	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal: one is typical, two
		3751	is rare).
		3752
		3753	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
		3754
		3755	By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
		3756	fixed position in the storage array.
		3757
		3758	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
		3759
		3760	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
		3761	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
		3762	on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
		3763
		3764	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
		3765
		3766	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
		3767
		3768	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
		3769	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
		3770	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
		3771	watchers becomes O(1) with respect to priority handling.
		3772
		3773	=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
		3774
		3775	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
		3776
		3777	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
		3778
		3779	Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
		3780	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
		3781	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
		3782
		3783	=back
		3784
3143		3785
3144	=head1 AUTHOR	3786	=head1 AUTHOR
3145		3787
3146	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.	3788	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.
3147		3789

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