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Revision 1.113 by root, Mon Dec 31 01:30:53 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.208 by root, Wed Oct 29 10:24:23 2008 UTC

…		…
2		2
3	libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C	3	libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C
4		4
5	=head1 SYNOPSIS	5	=head1 SYNOPSIS
6		6
7	#include <ev.h>	7	#include <ev.h>
8		8
9	=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM	9	=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10		10
		11	// a single header file is required
11	#include <ev.h>	12	#include <ev.h>
12		13
		14	// every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
		15	// with the name ev_TYPE
13	ev_io stdin_watcher;	16	ev_io stdin_watcher;
14	ev_timer timeout_watcher;	17	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
15		18
16	/* called when data readable on stdin */	19	// all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
		20	// this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
17	static void	21	static void
18	stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents)	22	stdin_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
19	{	23	{
20	/* puts ("stdin ready"); */	24	puts ("stdin ready");
21	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); /* just a syntax example */	25	// for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
22	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); /* leave all loop calls */	26	// with its corresponding stop function.
		27	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
		28
		29	// this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating
		30	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);
23	}	31	}
24		32
		33	// another callback, this time for a time-out
25	static void	34	static void
26	timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	35	timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
27	{	36	{
28	/* puts ("timeout"); */	37	puts ("timeout");
29	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); /* leave one loop call */	38	// this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating
		39	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);
30	}	40	}
31		41
32	int	42	int
33	main (void)	43	main (void)
34	{	44	{
		45	// use the default event loop unless you have special needs
35	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	46	ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
36		47
37	/* initialise an io watcher, then start it */	48	// initialise an io watcher, then start it
		49	// this one will watch for stdin to become readable
38	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);	50	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
39	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	51	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
40		52
		53	// initialise a timer watcher, then start it
41	/* simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout */	54	// simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
42	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);	55	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
43	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);	56	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
44		57
45	/* loop till timeout or data ready */	58	// now wait for events to arrive
46	ev_loop (loop, 0);	59	ev_loop (loop, 0);
47		60
		61	// unloop was called, so exit
48	return 0;	62	return 0;
49	}	63	}
50		64
51	=head1 DESCRIPTION	65	=head1 DESCRIPTION
52		66
53	The newest version of this document is also available as a html-formatted	67	The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted
54	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first	68	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
55	time: L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>.	69	time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
56		70
57	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a	71	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
58	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage	72	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
59	these event sources and provide your program with events.	73	these event sources and provide your program with events.
60		74
…		…
84	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent	98	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
85	for example).	99	for example).
86		100
87	=head2 CONVENTIONS	101	=head2 CONVENTIONS
88		102
89	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will	103	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
90	be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about	104	configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
91	various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in	105	more info about various configuration options please have a look at
92	this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event	106	B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
93	loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of name C<loop>	107	for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
94	(which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have this argument.	108	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<ev_loop *>) will not have
		109	this argument.
95		110
96	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION	111	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
97		112
98	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the	113	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
99	(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near	114	(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
100	the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is	115	the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is
101	called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases	116	called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases
102	to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on	117	to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on
103	it, you should treat it as some floatingpoint value. Unlike the name	118	it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name
104	component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences	119	component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences
105	throughout libev.	120	throughout libev.
		121
		122	=head1 ERROR HANDLING
		123
		124	Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
		125	and internal errors (bugs).
		126
		127	When libev catches an operating system error it cannot handle (for example
		128	a system call indicating a condition libev cannot fix), it calls the callback
		129	set via C<ev_set_syserr_cb>, which is supposed to fix the problem or
		130	abort. The default is to print a diagnostic message and to call C<abort
		131	()>.
		132
		133	When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
		134	it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
		135	so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
		136	the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
		137
		138	Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has
		139	extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
		140	circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse.
		141
106		142
107	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS	143	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
108		144
109	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the	145	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
110	library in any way.	146	library in any way.
…		…
119		155
120	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)	156	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
121		157
122	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until	158	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
123	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically	159	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
124	this is a subsecond-resolution C<sleep ()>.	160	this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
125		161
126	=item int ev_version_major ()	162	=item int ev_version_major ()
127		163
128	=item int ev_version_minor ()	164	=item int ev_version_minor ()
129		165
…		…
142	not a problem.	178	not a problem.
143		179
144	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong	180	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
145	version.	181	version.
146		182
147	assert (("libev version mismatch",	183	assert (("libev version mismatch",
148	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR	184	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
149	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));	185	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
150		186
151	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()	187	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
152		188
153	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>	189	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>
154	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their	190	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
…		…
156	a description of the set values.	192	a description of the set values.
157		193
158	Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and	194	Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and
159	a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11	195	a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11
160		196
161	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",	197	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
162	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));	198	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
163		199
164	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()	200	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
165		201
166	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also	202	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also
167	recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one	203	recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one
168	returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on	204	returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on
169	most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it	205	most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it
170	(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that	206	(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that
171	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.	207	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
172		208
173	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()	209	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
174		210
…		…
178	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for	214	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for
179	recommended ones.	215	recommended ones.
180		216
181	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	217	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
182		218
183	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))	219	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT]
184		220
185	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the	221	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
186	semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to	222	semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
187	allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when	223	used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
188	memory needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some	224	when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
189	potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc	225	or take some potentially destructive action.
190	function.	226
		227	Since some systems (at least OpenBSD and Darwin) fail to implement
		228	correct C<realloc> semantics, libev will use a wrapper around the system
		229	C<realloc> and C<free> functions by default.
191		230
192	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,	231	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
193	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,	232	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
194	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.	233	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
195		234
196	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then	235	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
197	retries).	236	retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
198		237
199	static void *	238	static void *
200	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)	239	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
201	{	240	{
202	for (;;)	241	for (;;)
…		…
211	}	250	}
212		251
213	...	252	...
214	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);	253	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
215		254
216	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));	255	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT]
217		256
218	Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such	257	Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
219	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string	258	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
220	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this	259	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
221	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no	260	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
222	matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the	261	matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
223	requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff	262	requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
224	(such as abort).	263	(such as abort).
225		264
226	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.	265	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
…		…
237		276
238	=back	277	=back
239		278
240	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP	279	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
241		280
242	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two	281	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct>
243	types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child	282	is I<not> optional in this case, as there is also an C<ev_loop>
244	events, and dynamically created loops which do not.	283	I<function>).
245		284
246	If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop	285	The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
247	in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you	286	supports signals and child events, and dynamically created loops which do
248	create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking	287	not.
249	whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different
250	threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if
251	done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient).
252		288
253	=over 4	289	=over 4
254		290
255	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)	291	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
256		292
…		…
260	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).	296	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
261		297
262	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this	298	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
263	function.	299	function.
264		300
		301	Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
		302	from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
		303	as loops cannot be shared easily between threads anyway).
		304
		305	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
		306	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
		307	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
		308	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
		309	can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
		310	C<ev_default_init>.
		311
265	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific	312	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
266	backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).	313	backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
267		314
268	The following flags are supported:	315	The following flags are supported:
269		316
…		…
274	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right	321	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
275	thing, believe me).	322	thing, believe me).
276		323
277	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>	324	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
278		325
279	If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid	326	If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
280	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable	327	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
281	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will	328	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
282	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is	329	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
283	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work	330	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
284	around bugs.	331	around bugs.
…		…
290	enabling this flag.	337	enabling this flag.
291		338
292	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,	339	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
293	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop	340	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
294	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my	341	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
295	Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence	342	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
296	without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my Linux system also has	343	without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
297	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).	344	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
298		345
299	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and	346	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
300	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this	347	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
301	flag.	348	flag.
302		349
303	This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>	350	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
304	environment variable.	351	environment variable.
305		352
306	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)	353	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
307		354
308	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as	355	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
…		…
310	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when	357	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
311	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its	358	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
312	usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.	359	usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
313		360
314	To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of	361	To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
315	parallelity (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are	362	parallelism (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
316	writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many	363	writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
317	connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have	364	connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
318	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of	365	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
319	readyness notifications you get per iteration.	366	readiness notifications you get per iteration.
		367
		368	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to the C<readfds> set and C<EV_WRITE> to the
		369	C<writefds> set (and to work around Microsoft Windows bugs, also onto the
		370	C<exceptfds> set on that platform).
320		371
321	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)	372	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
322		373
323	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated	374	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
324	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial	375	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
325	limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down	376	limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
326	considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,	377	considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
327	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for	378	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
328	performance tips.	379	performance tips.
329		380
		381	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
		382	C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
		383
330	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)	384	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
331		385
332	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,	386	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
333	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale	387	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
334	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),	388	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
335	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number	389	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
336	of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect	390
337	cases and rewiring a syscall per fd change, no fork support and bad	391	The epoll syscalls are the most misdesigned of the more advanced event
338	support for dup.	392	mechanisms: problems include silently dropping fds, requiring a system
		393	call per change per fd (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems
		394	with dup and so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a
		395	program forks then I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the
		396	epoll set, which can take considerable time (one syscall per fd) and is of
		397	course hard to detect.
		398
		399	Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds should work, but
		400	of course doesn't, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
		401	I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
		402	even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
		403	on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
		404	employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
		405	events to filter out spurious ones.
339		406
340	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration	407	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
341	will result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident	408	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such incident
342	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its	409	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its
343	best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work	410	best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work
344	very well if you register events for both fds.	411	very well if you register events for both fds.
345		412
346	Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
347	need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
348	(or space) is available.
349
350	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all	413	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
351	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible, i.e.	414	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
352	keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times.	415	i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
		416	starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
		417	extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
		418	as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
		419	take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
353		420
354	While nominally embeddeble in other event loops, this feature is broken in	421	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
355	all kernel versions tested so far.	422	all kernel versions tested so far.
356		423
		424	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		425	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
		426
357	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)	427	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
358		428
359	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it	429	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it was
360	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably	430	broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably with
361	with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course	431	anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course it's
362	it's completely useless). For this reason it's not being "autodetected"	432	completely useless). For this reason it's not being "auto-detected" unless
363	unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using	433	you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or
364	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)	434	libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough) system like NetBSD.
365	system like NetBSD.
366		435
367	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it	436	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
368	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on	437	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
369	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	438	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
370		439
371	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the	440	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
372	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of	441	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
373	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never	442	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
374	cause an extra syscall as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to	443	cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
375	two event changes per incident, support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it	444	two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but
376	drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.	445	sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect
		446	cases
377		447
378	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.	448	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
379		449
380	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work	450	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
381	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken	451	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
382	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets	452	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
383	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop	453	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
384	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and using it only for	454	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and, did I mention it,
385	sockets.	455	using it only for sockets.
		456
		457	This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
		458	C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
		459	C<NOTE_EOF>.
386		460
387	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)	461	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
388		462
389	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an	463	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
390	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets	464	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
…		…
394	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)	468	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
395		469
396	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,	470	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
397	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).	471	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
398		472
399	Please note that solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious	473	Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
400	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid	474	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
401	blocking when no data (or space) is available.	475	blocking when no data (or space) is available.
402		476
403	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active	477	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
404	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file	478	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
405	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend	479	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
406	might perform better.	480	might perform better.
407		481
		482	On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
		483	notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
		484	in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
		485	OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks).
		486
		487	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		488	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
		489
408	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>	490	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
409		491
410	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried	492	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
411	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as	493	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
412	C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.	494	C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
413		495
414	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.	496	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
415		497
416	=back	498	=back
417		499
418	If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these	500	If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these
419	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If none are	501	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are
420	specified, most compiled-in backend will be tried, usually in reverse	502	specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.
421	order of their flag values :)
422		503
423	The most typical usage is like this:	504	Example: This is the most typical usage.
424		505
425	if (!ev_default_loop (0))	506	if (!ev_default_loop (0))
426	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");	507	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
427		508
428	Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow	509	Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
429	environment settings to be taken into account:	510	environment settings to be taken into account:
430		511
431	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);	512	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
432		513
433	Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if	514	Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
434	available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private	515	used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
435	event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):	516	private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
		517	fds):
436		518
437	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);	519	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
438		520
439	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)	521	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
440		522
441	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is	523	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
442	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot	524	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
443	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by	525	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
444	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).	526	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
445		527
		528	Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
		529	libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
		530	default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
		531
446	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.	532	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
447		533
448	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);	534	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
449	if (!epoller)	535	if (!epoller)
450	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");	536	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
451		537
452	=item ev_default_destroy ()	538	=item ev_default_destroy ()
453		539
454	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state	540	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
455	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal	541	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
456	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your	542	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
457	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before>	543	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
458	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually	544	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
459	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them	545	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
460	for example).	546	for example).
461		547
462	Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by	548	Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
463	this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers)	549	handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
464	would need to be stopped manually.	550	as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
465		551
466	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the	552	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
467	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling	553	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
468	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use	554	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
469	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).	555	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).
…		…
473	Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an	559	Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
474	earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.	560	earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
475		561
476	=item ev_default_fork ()	562	=item ev_default_fork ()
477		563
		564	This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations
478	This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have	565	to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
479	one. Despite the name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense	566	name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in
480	after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that	567	the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little
481	again makes little sense).	568	sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev
		569	functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration.
482		570
483	You I<must> call this function in the child process after forking if and	571	On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
484	only if you want to use the event library in both processes. If you just	572	process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If
485	fork+exec, you don't have to call it.	573	you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all.
486		574
487	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call	575	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
488	it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in	576	it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in
489	quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:	577	quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
490		578
491	pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);	579	pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
492		580
493	At the moment, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL> are safe to use
494	without calling this function, so if you force one of those backends you
495	do not need to care.
496
497	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)	581	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
498		582
499	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by	583	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
500	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop	584	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
501	after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.	585	after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is
		586	entirely your own problem.
		587
		588	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
		589
		590	Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
		591	otherwise.
502		592
503	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)	593	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
504		594
505	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to	595	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
506	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and	596	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
…		…
521	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not	611	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
522	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base	612	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
523	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the	613	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
524	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).	614	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
525		615
		616	=item ev_now_update (loop)
		617
		618	Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
		619	returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
		620	is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>.
		621
		622	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
		623	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
		624	the current time is a good idea.
		625
		626	See also "The special problem of time updates" in the C<ev_timer> section.
		627
526	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)	628	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
527		629
528	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called	630	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
529	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling	631	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
530	events.	632	events.
…		…
532	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until	634	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until
533	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.	635	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.
534		636
535	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than	637	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than
536	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has	638	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
537	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that	639	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
538	automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of	640	that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
539	relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty.	641	of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
		642	beauty.
540		643
541	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle	644	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle
542	those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in	645	those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your
543	case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.	646	process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of
		647	the loop.
544		648
545	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if	649	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
546	neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block	650	necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
547	your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after	651	will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
548	one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some	652	be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
549	external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other	653	user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
		654	iteration of the loop.
		655
		656	This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
		657	with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
550	libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is	658	own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
551	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.	659	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
552		660
553	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:	661	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
554		662
555	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.	663	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
556	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.	664	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
557	- If a fork was detected, queue and call all fork watchers.	665	- If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
558	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.	666	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.
559	- If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.	667	- If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
		668	as to not disturb the other process.
560	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.	669	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
561	- Update the "event loop time".	670	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
562	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all	671	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
563	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having	672	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
564	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).	673	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
565	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.	674	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
566	- Block the process, waiting for any events.	675	- Block the process, waiting for any events.
567	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.	676	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
568	- Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling.	677	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
569	- Queue all outstanding timers.	678	- Queue all expired timers.
570	- Queue all outstanding periodics.	679	- Queue all expired periodics.
571	- If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.	680	- Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
572	- Queue all check watchers.	681	- Queue all check watchers.
573	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).	682	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
574	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will	683	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
575	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.	684	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
576	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK	685	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
577	were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise	686	were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise
578	continue with step *.	687	continue with step *.
579		688
580	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding	689	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
581	anymore.	690	anymore.
582		691
583	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long	692	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
584	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)	693	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
585	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);	694	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
586	... jobs done. yeah!	695	... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
587		696
588	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)	697	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
589		698
590	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it	699	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
591	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either	700	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
592	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or	701	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
593	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.	702	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
594		703
		704	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.
		705
		706	It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls.
		707
595	=item ev_ref (loop)	708	=item ev_ref (loop)
596		709
597	=item ev_unref (loop)	710	=item ev_unref (loop)
598		711
599	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event	712	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
600	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference	713	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
601	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. If you have	714	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own.
		715
602	a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> from	716	If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop>
603	returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For	717	from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before
		718	stopping it.
		719
604	example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not	720	As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is
605	visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if	721	not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting
606	no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent	722	if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent
607	way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party	723	way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party
608	libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>.	724	libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>
		725	(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,
		726	respectively).
609		727
610	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>	728	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
611	running when nothing else is active.	729	running when nothing else is active.
612		730
613	struct ev_signal exitsig;	731	ev_signal exitsig;
614	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);	732	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
615	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);	733	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
616	evf_unref (loop);	734	evf_unref (loop);
617		735
618	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.	736	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
619		737
620	ev_ref (loop);	738	ev_ref (loop);
621	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);	739	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
622		740
623	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	741	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
624		742
625	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	743	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
626		744
627	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting	745	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
628	for events. Both are by default C<0>, meaning that libev will try to	746	for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
629	invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum latency.	747	will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
		748	latency.
630		749
631	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)	750	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
632	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks to	751	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
633	increase efficiency of loop iterations.	752	to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
		753	opportunities).
634		754
635	The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to	755	The idea is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to handle
636	handle one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes	756	one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes the
637	the program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new	757	program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
638	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high	758	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
639	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.	759	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
640		760
641	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more	761	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
642	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,	762	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
…		…
644	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will	764	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
645	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.	765	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.
646		766
647	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev	767	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
648	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased	768	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
649	latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers	769	latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
650	will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will not introduce	770	later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
651	any overhead in libev.	771	value will not introduce any overhead in libev.
652		772
653	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the io collect	773	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
654	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for	774	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
655	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It	775	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
656	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,	776	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
657	as this approsaches the timing granularity of most systems.	777	as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems.
		778
		779	Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
		780	saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
		781	are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
		782	times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
		783	reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
		784	they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
		785
		786	=item ev_loop_verify (loop)
		787
		788	This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
		789	compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
		790	through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
		791	is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
		792	error and call C<abort ()>.
		793
		794	This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
		795	circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
		796	data structures consistent.
658		797
659	=back	798	=back
660		799
661		800
662	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER	801	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
		802
		803	In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
		804	watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
		805	watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
663		806
664	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your	807	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
665	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to	808	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
666	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:	809	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
667		810
668	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	811	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
669	{	812	{
670	ev_io_stop (w);	813	ev_io_stop (w);
671	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	814	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
672	}	815	}
673		816
674	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	817	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
		818
675	struct ev_io stdin_watcher;	819	ev_io stdin_watcher;
		820
676	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);	821	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
677	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	822	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
678	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	823	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
		824
679	ev_loop (loop, 0);	825	ev_loop (loop, 0);
680		826
681	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your	827	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
682	watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack,	828	watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
683	although this can sometimes be quite valid).	829	stack).
		830
		831	Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
		832	or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
684		833
685	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init	834	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init
686	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This	835	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
687	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io	836	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O
688	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given	837	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
689	is readable and/or writable).	838	is readable and/or writable).
690		839
691	Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro	840	Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
692	with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro	841	macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
693	to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< ev_<type>_init	842	is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
694	(watcher *, callback, ...) >>.	843	ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
695		844
696	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it	845	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it
697	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_<type>_start (loop, watcher	846	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
698	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the	847	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
699	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.	848	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
700		849
701	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you	850	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
702	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never	851	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
703	reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro.	852	reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
704		853
705	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the	854	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
706	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as	855	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
707	third argument.	856	third argument.
708		857
…		…
762	=item C<EV_FORK>	911	=item C<EV_FORK>
763		912
764	The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see	913	The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
765	C<ev_fork>).	914	C<ev_fork>).
766		915
		916	=item C<EV_ASYNC>
		917
		918	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
		919
767	=item C<EV_ERROR>	920	=item C<EV_ERROR>
768		921
769	An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might	922	An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
770	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev	923	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
771	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other	924	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
		925	problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
		926
772	problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping	927	You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
773	with the watcher being stopped.	928	watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
		929	an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
		930	bug in your program.
774		931
775	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error,	932	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
776	for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if	933	example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
777	your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope	934	callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
778	with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded	935	the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
779	programs, though, so beware.	936	programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
		937	thing, so beware.
780		938
781	=back	939	=back
782		940
783	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS	941	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
784
785	In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
786	e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
787		942
788	=over 4	943	=over 4
789		944
790	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	945	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
791		946
…		…
797	which rolls both calls into one.	952	which rolls both calls into one.
798		953
799	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped	954	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
800	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.	955	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
801		956
802	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,	957	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
803	int revents)>.	958	int revents)>.
		959
		960	Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
		961
		962	ev_io w;
		963	ev_init (&w, my_cb);
		964	ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
804		965
805	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])	966	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])
806		967
807	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to	968	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
808	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can	969	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
…		…
811	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).	972	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
812		973
813	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments	974	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
814	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.	975	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
815		976
		977	See C<ev_init>, above, for an example.
		978
816	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])	979	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
817		980
818	This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro	981	This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
819	calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise	982	calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
820	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.	983	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
		984
		985	Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
		986
		987	ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
821		988
822	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	989	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
823		990
824	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive	991	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
825	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.	992	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
826		993
		994	Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
		995	whole section.
		996
		997	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
		998
827	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	999	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
828		1000
829	Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending	1001	Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
		1002	the watcher was active or not).
		1003
830	status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example,	1004	It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
831	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but	1005	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending - but
832	C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If	1006	calling C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor
833	you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a	1007	pending. If you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is
834	good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.	1008	therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
835		1009
836	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1010	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
837		1011
838	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started	1012	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
839	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify	1013	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
…		…
881	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is	1055	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
882	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).	1056	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
883		1057
884	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is	1058	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
885	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might	1059	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
886	or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.	1060	or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
887		1061
888	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)	1062	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
889		1063
890	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither	1064	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
891	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback	1065	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
892	can deal with that fact.	1066	can deal with that fact, as both are simply passed through to the
		1067	callback.
893		1068
894	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1069	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
895		1070
896	If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status	1071	If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
897	and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the	1072	returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
898	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.	1073	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
899		1074
		1075	Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
		1076	callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
		1077
900	=back	1078	=back
901		1079
902		1080
903	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER	1081	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
904		1082
905	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change	1083	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
906	and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used	1084	and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
907	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and	1085	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
908	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data	1086	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
909	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own	1087	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
910	data:	1088	data:
911		1089
912	struct my_io	1090	struct my_io
913	{	1091	{
914	struct ev_io io;	1092	ev_io io;
915	int otherfd;	1093	int otherfd;
916	void *somedata;	1094	void *somedata;
917	struct whatever *mostinteresting;	1095	struct whatever *mostinteresting;
918	}	1096	};
		1097
		1098	...
		1099	struct my_io w;
		1100	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
919		1101
920	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you	1102	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
921	can cast it back to your own type:	1103	can cast it back to your own type:
922		1104
923	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents)	1105	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
924	{	1106	{
925	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;	1107	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
926	...	1108	...
927	}	1109	}
928		1110
929	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type	1111	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
930	instead have been omitted.	1112	instead have been omitted.
931		1113
932	Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple	1114	Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
933	watchers:	1115	embedded watchers:
934		1116
935	struct my_biggy	1117	struct my_biggy
936	{	1118	{
937	int some_data;	1119	int some_data;
938	ev_timer t1;	1120	ev_timer t1;
939	ev_timer t2;	1121	ev_timer t2;
940	}	1122	}
941		1123
942	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,	1124	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
943	you need to use C<offsetof>:	1125	complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
		1126	in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
		1127	some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
		1128	programmers):
944		1129
945	#include <stddef.h>	1130	#include <stddef.h>
946		1131
947	static void	1132	static void
948	t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1133	t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
949	{	1134	{
950	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1135	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
951	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));	1136	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
952	}	1137	}
953		1138
954	static void	1139	static void
955	t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1140	t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
956	{	1141	{
957	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1142	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
958	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));	1143	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
959	}	1144	}
960		1145
961		1146
962	=head1 WATCHER TYPES	1147	=head1 WATCHER TYPES
963		1148
964	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat	1149	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
…		…
988	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per	1173	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
989	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file	1174	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
990	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not	1175	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
991	required if you know what you are doing).	1176	required if you know what you are doing).
992		1177
993	If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend	1178	If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
994	(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and	1179	known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
995	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).	1180	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
996		1181
997	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to	1182	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
998	receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might	1183	receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
999	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block	1184	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1000	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a	1185	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
1001	lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into	1186	lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
1002	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus	1187	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
1003	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning	1188	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1004	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.	1189	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1005		1190
1006	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not	1191	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
1007	play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test	1192	not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
1008	whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface	1193	re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
1009	such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on	1194	interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already
1010	its own, so its quite safe to use).	1195	does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
		1196	use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
		1197	indefinitely.
		1198
		1199	But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1011		1200
1012	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors	1201	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1013		1202
1014	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file	1203	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
1015	descriptor (either by calling C<close> explicitly or by any other means,	1204	descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means,
1016	such as C<dup>). The reason is that you register interest in some file	1205	such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
1017	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop	1206	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
1018	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is	1207	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
1019	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in	1208	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
1020	fact, a different file descriptor.	1209	fact, a different file descriptor.
1021		1210
…		…
1050	To support fork in your programs, you either have to call	1239	To support fork in your programs, you either have to call
1051	C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,	1240	C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,
1052	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or	1241	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1053	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	1242	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1054		1243
		1244	=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
		1245
		1246	While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
		1247	when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
		1248	sent a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
		1249	this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
		1250
		1251	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
		1252	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
		1253	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
		1254
1055		1255
1056	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions	1256	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1057		1257
1058	=over 4	1258	=over 4
1059		1259
1060	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)	1260	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
1061		1261
1062	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)	1262	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
1063		1263
1064	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to	1264	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
1065	rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or	1265	receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
1066	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.	1266	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.
1067		1267
1068	=item int fd [read-only]	1268	=item int fd [read-only]
1069		1269
1070	The file descriptor being watched.	1270	The file descriptor being watched.
1071		1271
…		…
1079		1279
1080	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well	1280	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
1081	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could	1281	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
1082	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.	1282	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
1083		1283
1084	static void	1284	static void
1085	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1285	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1086	{	1286	{
1087	ev_io_stop (loop, w);	1287	ev_io_stop (loop, w);
1088	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors	1288	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
1089	}	1289	}
1090		1290
1091	...	1291	...
1092	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	1292	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1093	struct ev_io stdin_readable;	1293	ev_io stdin_readable;
1094	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1294	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1095	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);	1295	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1096	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1296	ev_loop (loop, 0);
1097		1297
1098		1298
1099	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts	1299	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1100		1300
1101	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a	1301	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1102	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.	1302	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
1103		1303
1104	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that	1304	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
1105	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years	1305	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
1106	time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because	1306	year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
1107	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the	1307	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1108	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).	1308	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
		1309
		1310	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
		1311	passed, but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration
		1312	then order of execution is undefined.
		1313
		1314	=head3 Be smart about timeouts
		1315
		1316	Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
		1317	recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
		1318	you want to raise some error after a while.
		1319
		1320	What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
		1321	inefficient to smart and efficient.
		1322
		1323	In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
		1324	gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
		1325	data or other life sign was received).
		1326
		1327	=over 4
		1328
		1329	=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
		1330
		1331	This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
		1332	start the watcher:
		1333
		1334	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
		1335	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1336
		1337	Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
		1338	and start it again:
		1339
		1340	ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
		1341	ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
		1342	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1343
		1344	This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
		1345	some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
		1346	data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
		1347	still not a constant-time operation.
		1348
		1349	=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
		1350
		1351	This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
		1352	C<ev_timer_start>.
		1353
		1354	To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
		1355	of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
		1356	successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
		1357	you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
		1358	the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
		1359
		1360	That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
		1361	C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
		1362	member and C<ev_timer_again>.
		1363
		1364	At start:
		1365
		1366	ev_timer_init (timer, callback);
		1367	timer->repeat = 60.;
		1368	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1369
		1370	Each time there is some activity:
		1371
		1372	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1373
		1374	It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
		1375	whether the watcher is active or not:
		1376
		1377	timer->repeat = 30.;
		1378	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1379
		1380	This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
		1381	you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
		1382	remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
		1383
		1384	It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
		1385
		1386	=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
		1387
		1388	This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
		1389	relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
		1390	our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
		1391	associated activity resets.
		1392
		1393	In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
		1394	but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
		1395	within the callback:
		1396
		1397	ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
		1398
		1399	static void
		1400	callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		1401	{
		1402	ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);
		1403	ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
		1404
		1405	// if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
		1406	if (timeout < now)
		1407	{
		1408	// timeout occured, take action
		1409	}
		1410	else
		1411	{
		1412	// callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
		1413	// the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
		1414	// guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
		1415	w->again = timeout - now;
		1416	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
		1417	}
		1418	}
		1419
		1420	To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
		1421	as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has
		1422	been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise
		1423	the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so
		1424	re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
		1425	a timeout then.
		1426
		1427	Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the
		1428	C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.
		1429
		1430	This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
		1431	minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
		1432	libev to change the timeout.
		1433
		1434	To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
		1435	to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
		1436	callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
		1437
		1438	ev_timer_init (timer, callback);
		1439	last_activity = ev_now (loop);
		1440	callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMEOUT);
		1441
		1442	And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
		1443	C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
		1444
		1445	last_actiivty = ev_now (loop);
		1446
		1447	This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
		1448	time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
		1449
		1450	Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
		1451	callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
		1452	fix things for you.
		1453
		1454	=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
		1455
		1456	If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
		1457	employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
		1458	do even better:
		1459
		1460	When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
		1461	at the I<end> of the list.
		1462
		1463	Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
		1464	the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
		1465
		1466	When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
		1467	the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
		1468	update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
		1469
		1470	This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
		1471	starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
		1472	complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
		1473	ensures that the list stays sorted.
		1474
		1475	=back
		1476
		1477	So which method the best?
		1478
		1479	Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
		1480	situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
		1481	better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
		1482	one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
		1483
		1484	Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
		1485	rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
		1486	off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
		1487	overkill :)
		1488
		1489	=head3 The special problem of time updates
		1490
		1491	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
		1492	least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
		1493	time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a
		1494	growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
		1495	lots of events in one iteration.
1109		1496
1110	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>	1497	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1111	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time	1498	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1112	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If	1499	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
1113	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout	1500	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
1114	on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:	1501	timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
1115		1502
1116	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);	1503	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
1117		1504
1118	The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed,	1505	If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1119	but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then	1506	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1120	order of execution is undefined.	1507	()>.
1121		1508
1122	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1509	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1123		1510
1124	=over 4	1511	=over 4
1125		1512
1126	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1513	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1127		1514
1128	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1515	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1129		1516
1130	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is	1517	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
1131	C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the	1518	is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
1132	timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds	1519	reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
1133	later, again, and again, until stopped manually.	1520	configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
		1521	until stopped manually.
1134		1522
1135	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you	1523	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
1136	configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at	1524	you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
1137	exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with	1525	trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
1138	the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the	1526	keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1139	timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.	1527	do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1140		1528
1141	=item ev_timer_again (loop)	1529	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1142		1530
1143	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is	1531	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
1144	repeating. The exact semantics are:	1532	repeating. The exact semantics are:
1145		1533
1146	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.	1534	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1147		1535
1148	If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out).	1536	If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
1149		1537
1150	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the	1538	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
1151	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.	1539	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1152		1540
1153	This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical	1541	This sounds a bit complicated, see "Be smart about timeouts", above, for a
1154	example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle	1542	usage example.
1155	timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
1156	seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
1157	configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
1158	C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
1159	you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
1160	socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
1161	automatically restart it if need be.
1162
1163	That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>
1164	altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
1165
1166	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);
1167	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1168	...
1169	timer->again = 17.;
1170	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1171	...
1172	timer->again = 10.;
1173	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1174
1175	This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
1176	you want to modify its timeout value.
1177		1543
1178	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]	1544	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1179		1545
1180	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out	1546	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1181	or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),	1547	or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1182	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.	1548	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
1183		1549
1184	=back	1550	=back
1185		1551
1186	=head3 Examples	1552	=head3 Examples
1187		1553
1188	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.	1554	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1189		1555
1190	static void	1556	static void
1191	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1557	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1192	{	1558	{
1193	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here	1559	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1194	}	1560	}
1195		1561
1196	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1562	ev_timer mytimer;
1197	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);	1563	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1198	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);	1564	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1199		1565
1200	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of	1566	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1201	inactivity.	1567	inactivity.
1202		1568
1203	static void	1569	static void
1204	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1570	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1205	{	1571	{
1206	.. ten seconds without any activity	1572	.. ten seconds without any activity
1207	}	1573	}
1208		1574
1209	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1575	ev_timer mytimer;
1210	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */	1576	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1211	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */	1577	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1212	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1578	ev_loop (loop, 0);
1213		1579
1214	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":	1580	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1215	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds	1581	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1216	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);	1582	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1217		1583
1218		1584
1219	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?	1585	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1220		1586
1221	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile	1587	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1222	(and unfortunately a bit complex).	1588	(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1223		1589
1224	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)	1590	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)
1225	but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher	1591	but on wall clock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher
1226	to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a	1592	to trigger after some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a
1227	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now ()	1593	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now ()
1228	+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will	1594	+ 10.>, that is, an absolute time not a delay) and then reset your system
		1595	clock to January of the previous year, then it will take more than year
1229	take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger	1596	to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger
1230	roughly 10 seconds later).	1597	roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
1231		1598
1232	They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as	1599	C<ev_periodic>s can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers,
1233	triggering an event on each midnight, local time or other, complicated,	1600	such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other
1234	rules.	1601	complicated rules.
1235		1602
1236	As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the	1603	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1237	time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready	1604	time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
1238	during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.	1605	during the same loop iteration, then order of execution is undefined.
1239		1606
1240	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1607	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1241		1608
1242	=over 4	1609	=over 4
1243		1610
1244	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)	1611	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1245		1612
1246	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)	1613	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)
1247		1614
1248	Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of	1615	Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1249	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:	1616	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1250		1617
1251	=over 4	1618	=over 4
1252		1619
1253	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)	1620	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)
1254		1621
1255	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time	1622	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1256	C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs,	1623	time C<at> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a time
1257	that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the	1624	jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will
1258	system time reaches or surpasses this time.	1625	only run when the system clock reaches or surpasses this time.
1259		1626
1260	=item * non-repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)	1627	=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1261		1628
1262	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next	1629	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1263	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)	1630	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)
1264	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.	1631	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
1265		1632
1266	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system	1633	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1267	time:	1634	system clock, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
		1635	hour, on the hour:
1268		1636
1269	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);	1637	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1270		1638
1271	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,	1639	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1272	but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a	1640	but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1273	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible	1641	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1274	by 3600.	1642	by 3600.
1275		1643
1276	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that	1644	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1277	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible	1645	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1278	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.	1646	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1279		1647
1280	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near	1648	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near
1281	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for	1649	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1282	this value.	1650	this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
		1651
		1652	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
		1653	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
		1654	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
		1655	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
1283		1656
1284	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)	1657	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1285		1658
1286	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being	1659	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being
1287	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the	1660	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1288	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the	1661	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1289	current time as second argument.	1662	current time as second argument.
1290		1663
1291	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,	1664	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
1292	ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it,	1665	ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>.
1293	return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
1294	starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is legal).
1295		1666
		1667	If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
		1668	it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
		1669	only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
		1670
1296	Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,	1671	The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1297	ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:	1672	*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1298		1673
		1674	static ev_tstamp
1299	static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	1675	my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1300	{	1676	{
1301	return now + 60.;	1677	return now + 60.;
1302	}	1678	}
1303		1679
1304	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value	1680	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1305	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It	1681	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
1306	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but	1682	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1307	might be called at other times, too.	1683	might be called at other times, too.
1308		1684
1309	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the	1685	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1310	passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger.	1686	equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1311		1687
1312	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that	1688	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1313	triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the	1689	triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
1314	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How	1690	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
1315	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main	1691	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
1316	reason I omitted it as an example).	1692	reason I omitted it as an example).
1317		1693
1318	=back	1694	=back
…		…
1322	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful	1698	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1323	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return	1699	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1324	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like	1700	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1325	program when the crontabs have changed).	1701	program when the crontabs have changed).
1326		1702
		1703	=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
		1704
		1705	When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
		1706	trigger next.
		1707
1327	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]	1708	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1328		1709
1329	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the	1710	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1330	absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).	1711	absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).
1331		1712
…		…
1336		1717
1337	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only	1718	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1338	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being	1719	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1339	called.	1720	called.
1340		1721
1341	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]	1722	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1342		1723
1343	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is	1724	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1344	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when	1725	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1345	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	1726	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1346		1727
1347	=item ev_tstamp at [read-only]
1348
1349	When active, contains the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1350	trigger next.
1351
1352	=back	1728	=back
1353		1729
1354	=head3 Examples	1730	=head3 Examples
1355		1731
1356	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the	1732	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1357	system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have	1733	system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1358	potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.	1734	potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1359		1735
1360	static void	1736	static void
1361	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1737	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1362	{	1738	{
1363	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)	1739	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1364	}	1740	}
1365		1741
1366	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	1742	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1367	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);	1743	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1368	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	1744	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1369		1745
1370	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:	1746	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1371		1747
1372	#include <math.h>	1748	#include <math.h>
1373		1749
1374	static ev_tstamp	1750	static ev_tstamp
1375	my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	1751	my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1376	{	1752	{
1377	return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;	1753	return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1378	}	1754	}
1379		1755
1380	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);	1756	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1381		1757
1382	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:	1758	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1383		1759
1384	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	1760	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1385	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,	1761	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1386	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);	1762	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1387	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	1763	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1388		1764
1389		1765
1390	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!	1766	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1391		1767
1392	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific	1768	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1393	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev	1769	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1394	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the	1770	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1395	normal event processing, like any other event.	1771	normal event processing, like any other event.
1396		1772
		1773	If you want signals asynchronously, just use C<sigaction> as you would
		1774	do without libev and forget about sharing the signal. You can even use
		1775	C<ev_async> from a signal handler to synchronously wake up an event loop.
		1776
1397	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the	1777	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the
1398	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher	1778	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal handler
1399	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long	1779	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as
1400	as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal	1780	you don't register any with libev for the same signal). Similarly, when
1401	watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to	1781	the last signal watcher for a signal is stopped, libev will reset the
1402	SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).	1782	signal handler to SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
		1783
		1784	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
		1785	C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so system calls should not be unduly
		1786	interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting interrupted by
		1787	signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock
		1788	them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
1403		1789
1404	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1790	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1405		1791
1406	=over 4	1792	=over 4
1407		1793
…		…
1416		1802
1417	The signal the watcher watches out for.	1803	The signal the watcher watches out for.
1418		1804
1419	=back	1805	=back
1420		1806
		1807	=head3 Examples
		1808
		1809	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
		1810
		1811	static void
		1812	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
		1813	{
		1814	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
		1815	}
		1816
		1817	ev_signal signal_watcher;
		1818	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
		1819	ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
		1820
1421		1821
1422	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes	1822	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1423		1823
1424	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to	1824	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1425	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies).	1825	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
		1826	exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
		1827	has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
		1828	as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
		1829	forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
		1830	but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later is
		1831	not.
		1832
		1833	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
		1834	you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
		1835
		1836	=head3 Process Interaction
		1837
		1838	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
		1839	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if
		1840	the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
		1841	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
		1842	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
		1843	children, even ones not watched.
		1844
		1845	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
		1846
		1847	Libev offers no special support for overriding the built-in child
		1848	processing, but if your application collides with libev's default child
		1849	handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
		1850	C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
		1851	default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
		1852	event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
		1853	that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
		1854
		1855	=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
		1856
		1857	Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
		1858	child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
		1859	callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
		1860	when a child exit is detected.
1426		1861
1427	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1862	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1428		1863
1429	=over 4	1864	=over 4
1430		1865
1431	=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid)	1866	=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid, int trace)
1432		1867
1433	=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid)	1868	=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid, int trace)
1434		1869
1435	Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or	1870	Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or
1436	I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look	1871	I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look
1437	at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see	1872	at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see
1438	the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems	1873	the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems
1439	C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the	1874	C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the
1440	process causing the status change.	1875	process causing the status change. C<trace> must be either C<0> (only
		1876	activate the watcher when the process terminates) or C<1> (additionally
		1877	activate the watcher when the process is stopped or continued).
1441		1878
1442	=item int pid [read-only]	1879	=item int pid [read-only]
1443		1880
1444	The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.	1881	The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.
1445		1882
…		…
1454		1891
1455	=back	1892	=back
1456		1893
1457	=head3 Examples	1894	=head3 Examples
1458		1895
1459	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.	1896	Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
		1897	its completion.
1460		1898
		1899	ev_child cw;
		1900
1461	static void	1901	static void
1462	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)	1902	child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1463	{	1903	{
1464	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	1904	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
		1905	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1465	}	1906	}
1466		1907
1467	struct ev_signal signal_watcher;	1908	pid_t pid = fork ();
1468	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);	1909
1469	ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);	1910	if (pid < 0)
		1911	// error
		1912	else if (pid == 0)
		1913	{
		1914	// the forked child executes here
		1915	exit (1);
		1916	}
		1917	else
		1918	{
		1919	ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
		1920	ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
		1921	}
1470		1922
1471		1923
1472	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?	1924	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1473		1925
1474	This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls	1926	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1475	C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed	1927	C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
1476	compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.	1928	and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if
		1929	it did.
1477		1930
1478	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does	1931	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1479	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does	1932	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does
1480	not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is	1933	not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is
1481	otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of	1934	otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of
1482	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.	1935	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.
1483		1936
1484	The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is	1937	The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
		1938	C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
1485	relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.	1939	your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
1486		1940
1487	Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply	1941	Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
1488	calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You	1942	portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
1489	can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify	1943	to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
1490	a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,	1944	interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
1491	unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around	1945	recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
1492	five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also	1946	(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
1493	impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats	1947	change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
1494	usually overkill.	1948	currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
1495		1949
1496	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,	1950	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1497	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be	1951	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1498	resource-intensive.	1952	resource-intensive.
1499		1953
1500	At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is	1954	At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1501	implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the	1955	is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as
1502	reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the	1956	an exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way
1503	semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs	1957	of implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue).
1504	to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are
1505	usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no
1506	polling.
1507		1958
1508	=head3 Inotify	1959	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1509		1960
		1961	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
		1962	compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
		1963	support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
		1964	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
		1965	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
		1966	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
		1967	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
		1968	most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
		1969
		1970	The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
		1971	file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
		1972	optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
		1973	to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
		1974	default compilation environment.
		1975
		1976	=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
		1977
1510	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only	1978	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally
		1979	only available with Linux 2.6.25 or above due to bugs in earlier
1511	available on Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up	1980	implementations) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up
1512	change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily	1981	change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created
1513	when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.	1982	lazily when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.
1514		1983
1515	Inotify presense does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers	1984	Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1516	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid	1985	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1517	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presense of inotify support	1986	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1518	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling.	1987	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
		1988	but as long as the path exists, libev usually gets away without polling.
1519		1989
1520	(There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to	1990	There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1521	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file	1991	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1522	descriptor open on the object at all times).	1992	descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
		1993	etc. is difficult.
1523		1994
1524	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution	1995	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1525		1996
1526	The C<stat ()> syscall only supports full-second resolution portably, and	1997	The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
1527	even on systems where the resolution is higher, many filesystems still	1998	and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
1528	only support whole seconds.	1999	still only support whole seconds.
1529		2000
1530	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you might	2001	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1531	miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and calls	2002	easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1532	your callback, which does something. When there is another update within	2003	calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1533	the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect it.	2004	within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
		2005	stat data does change in other ways (e.g. file size).
1534		2006
1535	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for a second (or till	2007	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
1536	the next second boundary), using a roughly one-second delay C<ev_timer>	2008	than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
1537	(C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.01); ev_timer_again (loop, w)>). The C<.01>	2009	a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
1538	is added to work around small timing inconsistencies of some operating	2010	ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
1539	systems.	2011
		2012	The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
		2013	of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
		2014	might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
		2015	C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
		2016	a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
		2017	update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
		2018	the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
		2019	the timer callback).
1540		2020
1541	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2021	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1542		2022
1543	=over 4	2023	=over 4
1544		2024
…		…
1550	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to	2030	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1551	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose	2031	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1552	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same	2032	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1553	path for as long as the watcher is active.	2033	path for as long as the watcher is active.
1554		2034
1555	The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected,	2035	The callback will receive an C<EV_STAT> event when a change was detected,
1556	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the	2036	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1557	last change was detected).	2037	last change was detected).
1558		2038
1559	=item ev_stat_stat (ev_stat *)	2039	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1560		2040
1561	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the	2041	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1562	watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid	2042	watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1563	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be	2043	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1564	useful simply to find out the new values.	2044	the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
		2045	new values.
1565		2046
1566	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]	2047	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1567		2048
1568	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of	2049	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
1569	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types	2050	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1570	suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there	2051	suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
		2052	members to be present. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there was
1571	was some error while C<stat>ing the file.	2053	some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1572		2054
1573	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]	2055	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1574		2056
1575	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever	2057	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1576	C<prev> != C<attr>.	2058	C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
		2059	differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
		2060	C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
1577		2061
1578	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]	2062	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1579		2063
1580	The specified interval.	2064	The specified interval.
1581		2065
1582	=item const char *path [read-only]	2066	=item const char *path [read-only]
1583		2067
1584	The filesystem path that is being watched.	2068	The file system path that is being watched.
1585		2069
1586	=back	2070	=back
1587		2071
1588	=head3 Examples	2072	=head3 Examples
1589		2073
1590	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.	2074	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1591		2075
1592	static void	2076	static void
1593	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)	2077	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1594	{	2078	{
1595	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */	2079	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1596	if (w->attr.st_nlink)	2080	if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1597	{	2081	{
1598	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);	2082	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1599	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2083	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1600	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2084	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1601	}	2085	}
1602	else	2086	else
1603	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */	2087	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1604	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "	2088	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1605	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");	2089	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1606	}	2090	}
1607		2091
1608	...	2092	...
1609	ev_stat passwd;	2093	ev_stat passwd;
1610		2094
1611	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);	2095	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1612	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	2096	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1613		2097
1614	Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not	2098	Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
1615	miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so	2099	miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
1616	one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on	2100	one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
1617	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).	2101	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
1618		2102
1619	static ev_stat passwd;	2103	static ev_stat passwd;
1620	static ev_timer timer;	2104	static ev_timer timer;
1621		2105
1622	static void	2106	static void
1623	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2107	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1624	{	2108	{
1625	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);	2109	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
1626		2110
1627	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */	2111	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
1628	}	2112	}
1629		2113
1630	static void	2114	static void
1631	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)	2115	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
1632	{	2116	{
1633	/* reset the one-second timer */	2117	/* reset the one-second timer */
1634	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);	2118	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
1635	}	2119	}
1636		2120
1637	...	2121	...
1638	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);	2122	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1639	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	2123	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1640	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.01);	2124	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1641		2125
1642		2126
1643	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...	2127	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1644		2128
1645	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher	2129	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1646	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not	2130	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count
1647	count).	2131	as receiving "events").
1648		2132
1649	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts	2133	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1650	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be	2134	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1651	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers	2135	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1652	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop	2136	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
…		…
1676	=head3 Examples	2160	=head3 Examples
1677		2161
1678	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the	2162	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1679	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.	2163	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1680		2164
1681	static void	2165	static void
1682	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)	2166	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1683	{	2167	{
1684	free (w);	2168	free (w);
1685	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has	2169	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1686	// no longer asnything immediate to do.	2170	// no longer anything immediate to do.
1687	}	2171	}
1688		2172
1689	struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));	2173	ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1690	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);	2174	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1691	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);	2175	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1692		2176
1693		2177
1694	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!	2178	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1695		2179
1696	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:	2180	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
1697	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers	2181	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1698	afterwards.	2182	afterwards.
1699		2183
1700	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter	2184	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter
1701	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>	2185	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
…		…
1704	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,	2188	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1705	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be	2189	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1706	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.	2190	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1707		2191
1708	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and	2192	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1709	their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track	2193	their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
1710	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a	2194	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1711	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if	2195	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1712	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,	2196	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1713	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>	2197	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1714	watcher).	2198	watcher).
1715		2199
1716	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need	2200	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors
1717	to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for	2201	need to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers
1718	them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries	2202	for them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many
1719	provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for	2203	libraries provide exactly this functionality). Then, in the check watcher,
1720	any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers	2204	you check for any events that occurred (by checking the pending status
1721	and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer	2205	of all watchers and stopping them) and call back into the library. The
1722	callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,	2206	I/O and timer callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid
1723	because you never know, you know?).	2207	nevertheless, because you never know, you know?).
1724		2208
1725	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate	2209	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1726	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines	2210	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
1727	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines	2211	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
1728	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines	2212	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
…		…
1731	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping	2215	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1732	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).	2216	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1733		2217
1734	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)	2218	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
1735	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers	2219	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
		2220	after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).
		2221
1736	after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers,	2222	Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
1737	too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully	2223	activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
1738	supports this, they will be called before other C<ev_check> watchers	2224	might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
1739	did their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other	2225	C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
1740	(non-libev) event loops those other event loops might be in an unusable	2226	loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
1741	state until their C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to	2227	C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
1742	coexist peacefully with others).	2228	others).
1743		2229
1744	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2230	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1745		2231
1746	=over 4	2232	=over 4
1747		2233
…		…
1749		2235
1750	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)	2236	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1751		2237
1752	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no	2238	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
1753	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>	2239	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1754	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.	2240	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly, utterly and completely
		2241	pointless.
1755		2242
1756	=back	2243	=back
1757		2244
1758	=head3 Examples	2245	=head3 Examples
1759		2246
1760	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules	2247	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
1761	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev	2248	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
1762	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could	2249	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
1763	use for an actually working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib>	2250	use as a working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> embeds a
1764	embeds a Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV	2251	Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
1765	into the Glib event loop).	2252	Glib event loop).
1766		2253
1767	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,	2254	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1768	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows	2255	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1769	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low	2256	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
1770	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as	2257	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
1771	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.	2258	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1772		2259
1773	static ev_io iow [nfd];	2260	static ev_io iow [nfd];
1774	static ev_timer tw;	2261	static ev_timer tw;
1775		2262
1776	static void	2263	static void
1777	io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)	2264	io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1778	{	2265	{
1779	}	2266	}
1780		2267
1781	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking	2268	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1782	static void	2269	static void
1783	adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)	2270	adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1784	{	2271	{
1785	int timeout = 3600000;	2272	int timeout = 3600000;
1786	struct pollfd fds [nfd];	2273	struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1787	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.	2274	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1788	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));	2275	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1789		2276
1790	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */	2277	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1791	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);	2278	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1792	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);	2279	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1793		2280
1794	// create one ev_io per pollfd	2281	// create one ev_io per pollfd
1795	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2282	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1796	{	2283	{
1797	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,	2284	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1798	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)	2285	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1799	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));	2286	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1800		2287
1801	fds [i].revents = 0;	2288	fds [i].revents = 0;
1802	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);	2289	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1803	}	2290	}
1804	}	2291	}
1805		2292
1806	// stop all watchers after blocking	2293	// stop all watchers after blocking
1807	static void	2294	static void
1808	adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)	2295	adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1809	{	2296	{
1810	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);	2297	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1811		2298
1812	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2299	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1813	{	2300	{
1814	// set the relevant poll flags	2301	// set the relevant poll flags
1815	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here	2302	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1816	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;	2303	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
1817	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);	2304	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
1818	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;	2305	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1819	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;	2306	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1820		2307
1821	// now stop the watcher	2308	// now stop the watcher
1822	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);	2309	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1823	}	2310	}
1824		2311
1825	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));	2312	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1826	}	2313	}
1827		2314
1828	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>	2315	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
1829	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.	2316	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
1830		2317
1831	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event	2318	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
1832	notification (adns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher	2319	notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
1833	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.	2320	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
1834		2321
1835	static void	2322	static void
1836	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2323	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1837	{	2324	{
1838	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2325	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1839	update_now (EV_A);	2326	update_now (EV_A);
1840		2327
1841	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);	2328	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
1842	}	2329	}
1843		2330
1844	static void	2331	static void
1845	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)	2332	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1846	{	2333	{
1847	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2334	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1848	update_now (EV_A);	2335	update_now (EV_A);
1849		2336
1850	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2337	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1851	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2338	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1852	}	2339	}
1853		2340
1854	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll	2341	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll
1855		2342
1856	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you	2343	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
1857	want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, youc na override	2344	want to embed is not flexible enough to support it. Instead, you can
1858	their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main	2345	override their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the
1859	loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does	2346	main loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module uses
1860	this.	2347	this approach, effectively embedding EV as a client into the horrible
		2348	libglib event loop.
1861		2349
1862	static gint	2350	static gint
1863	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)	2351	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
1864	{	2352	{
1865	int got_events = 0;	2353	int got_events = 0;
1866		2354
1867	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2355	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1868	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events	2356	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
1869		2357
1870	if (timeout >= 0)	2358	if (timeout >= 0)
1871	// create/start timer	2359	// create/start timer
1872		2360
1873	// poll	2361	// poll
1874	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	2362	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1875		2363
1876	// stop timer again	2364	// stop timer again
1877	if (timeout >= 0)	2365	if (timeout >= 0)
1878	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);	2366	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
1879		2367
1880	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set	2368	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
1881	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2369	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1882	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);	2370	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
1883		2371
1884	return got_events;	2372	return got_events;
1885	}	2373	}
1886		2374
1887		2375
1888	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...	2376	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1889		2377
1890	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop	2378	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
…		…
1896	prioritise I/O.	2384	prioritise I/O.
1897		2385
1898	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support	2386	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
1899	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you	2387	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
1900	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales	2388	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
1901	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it	2389	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed
1902	into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will	2390	it into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation
1903	be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but	2391	will be a bit slower because first libev has to call C<poll> and then
1904	at least you can use both at what they are best.	2392	C<kevent>, but at least you can use both mechanisms for what they are
		2393	best: C<kqueue> for scalable sockets and C<poll> if you want it to work :)
1905		2394
1906	As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have	2395	As for prioritising I/O: under rare circumstances you have the case where
1907	to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even	2396	some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
1908	priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case	2397	and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
1909	you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in	2398	this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
1910	a second one, and embed the second one in the first.	2399	the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
1911		2400
1912	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time	2401	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time
1913	there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then	2402	there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then
1914	call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke	2403	call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke
1915	their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded	2404	their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded
…		…
1923	interested in that.	2412	interested in that.
1924		2413
1925	Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:	2414	Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:
1926	when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,	2415	when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,
1927	but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers	2416	but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers
1928	yourself.	2417	yourself - but you can use a fork watcher to handle this automatically,
		2418	and future versions of libev might do just that.
1929		2419
1930	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by	2420	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
1931	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any	2421	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
1932	portable one.	2422	portable one.
1933		2423
1934	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared	2424	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
1935	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around	2425	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
1936	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to	2426	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
1937	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.	2427	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
1938		2428
		2429	=head3 C<ev_embed> and fork
		2430
		2431	While the C<ev_embed> watcher is running, forks in the embedding loop will
		2432	automatically be applied to the embedded loop as well, so no special
		2433	fork handling is required in that case. When the watcher is not running,
		2434	however, it is still the task of the libev user to call C<ev_loop_fork ()>
		2435	as applicable.
		2436
1939	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2437	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1940		2438
1941	=over 4	2439	=over 4
1942		2440
1943	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)	2441	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
…		…
1946		2444
1947	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be	2445	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1948	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be	2446	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
1949	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback	2447	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1950	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,	2448	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
1951	if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).	2449	if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
1952		2450
1953	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)	2451	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
1954		2452
1955	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works	2453	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1956	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most	2454	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
1957	apropriate way for embedded loops.	2455	appropriate way for embedded loops.
1958		2456
1959	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]	2457	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
1960		2458
1961	The embedded event loop.	2459	The embedded event loop.
1962		2460
…		…
1964		2462
1965	=head3 Examples	2463	=head3 Examples
1966		2464
1967	Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default	2465	Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
1968	event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default	2466	event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
1969	loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the mebeddable loop is stored in	2467	loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
1970	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the acse no embeddable loop can be	2468	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
1971	used).	2469	used).
1972		2470
1973	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);	2471	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
1974	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;	2472	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
1975	struct ev_embed embed;	2473	ev_embed embed;
1976		2474
1977	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works	2475	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
1978	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)	2476	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
1979	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()	2477	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
1980	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())	2478	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
1981	: 0;	2479	: 0;
1982		2480
1983	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi	2481	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
1984	if (loop_lo)	2482	if (loop_lo)
1985	{	2483	{
1986	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);	2484	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
1987	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);	2485	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
1988	}	2486	}
1989	else	2487	else
1990	loop_lo = loop_hi;	2488	loop_lo = loop_hi;
1991		2489
1992	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create	2490	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
1993	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any	2491	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
1994	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in	2492	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
1995	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).	2493	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
1996		2494
1997	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	2495	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1998	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;	2496	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
1999	struct ev_embed embed;	2497	ev_embed embed;
2000		2498
2001	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)	2499	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2002	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))	2500	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2003	{	2501	{
2004	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);	2502	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2005	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);	2503	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2006	}	2504	}
2007		2505
2008	if (!loop_socket)	2506	if (!loop_socket)
2009	loop_socket = loop;	2507	loop_socket = loop;
2010		2508
2011	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else	2509	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
2012		2510
2013		2511
2014	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork	2512	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
2015		2513
2016	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because	2514	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
…		…
2032	believe me.	2530	believe me.
2033		2531
2034	=back	2532	=back
2035		2533
2036		2534
		2535	=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop
		2536
		2537	In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
		2538	asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
		2539	loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
		2540
		2541	Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not
		2542	control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what
		2543	C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you
		2544	can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal
		2545	safe.
		2546
		2547	This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
		2548	too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
		2549	(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
		2550	C<ev_async_sent> calls).
		2551
		2552	Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
		2553	just the default loop.
		2554
		2555	=head3 Queueing
		2556
		2557	C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
		2558	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
		2559	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
		2560	need elaborate support such as pthreads.
		2561
		2562	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
		2563	queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
		2564	queue:
		2565
		2566	=over 4
		2567
		2568	=item queueing from a signal handler context
		2569
		2570	To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
		2571	handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is
		2572	an example that does that for some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
		2573
		2574	static ev_async mysig;
		2575
		2576	static void
		2577	sigusr1_handler (void)
		2578	{
		2579	sometype data;
		2580
		2581	// no locking etc.
		2582	queue_put (data);
		2583	ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
		2584	}
		2585
		2586	static void
		2587	mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		2588	{
		2589	sometype data;
		2590	sigset_t block, prev;
		2591
		2592	sigemptyset (&block);
		2593	sigaddset (&block, SIGUSR1);
		2594	sigprocmask (SIG_BLOCK, &block, &prev);
		2595
		2596	while (queue_get (&data))
		2597	process (data);
		2598
		2599	if (sigismember (&prev, SIGUSR1)
		2600	sigprocmask (SIG_UNBLOCK, &block, 0);
		2601	}
		2602
		2603	(Note: pthreads in theory requires you to use C<pthread_setmask>
		2604	instead of C<sigprocmask> when you use threads, but libev doesn't do it
		2605	either...).
		2606
		2607	=item queueing from a thread context
		2608
		2609	The strategy for threads is different, as you cannot (easily) block
		2610	threads but you can easily preempt them, so to queue safely you need to
		2611	employ a traditional mutex lock, such as in this pthread example:
		2612
		2613	static ev_async mysig;
		2614	static pthread_mutex_t mymutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
		2615
		2616	static void
		2617	otherthread (void)
		2618	{
		2619	// only need to lock the actual queueing operation
		2620	pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
		2621	queue_put (data);
		2622	pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
		2623
		2624	ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
		2625	}
		2626
		2627	static void
		2628	mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		2629	{
		2630	pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
		2631
		2632	while (queue_get (&data))
		2633	process (data);
		2634
		2635	pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
		2636	}
		2637
		2638	=back
		2639
		2640
		2641	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
		2642
		2643	=over 4
		2644
		2645	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
		2646
		2647	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
		2648	kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
		2649	trust me.
		2650
		2651	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
		2652
		2653	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
		2654	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
		2655	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or
		2656	similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
		2657	section below on what exactly this means).
		2658
		2659	This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per loop iteration,
		2660	so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to repeated
		2661	calls to C<ev_async_send>.
		2662
		2663	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
		2664
		2665	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
		2666	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
		2667	event loop.
		2668
		2669	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
		2670	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
		2671	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
		2672	quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
		2673
		2674	Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending, only
		2675	whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending.
		2676
		2677	=back
		2678
		2679
2037	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS	2680	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
2038		2681
2039	There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.	2682	There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
2040		2683
2041	=over 4	2684	=over 4
2042		2685
2043	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)	2686	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
2044		2687
2045	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your	2688	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
2046	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both	2689	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
2047	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd	2690	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
2048	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or	2691	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
2049	more watchers yourself.	2692	more watchers yourself.
2050		2693
2051	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events	2694	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and the
2052	is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and	2695	C<events> argument is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for
2053	C<events> set will be craeted and started.	2696	the given C<fd> and C<events> set will be created and started.
2054		2697
2055	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be	2698	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
2056	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and	2699	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
2057	repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of	2700	repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
2058	dubious value.
2059		2701
2060	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets	2702	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
2061	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of	2703	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
2062	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>	2704	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
2063	value passed to C<ev_once>:	2705	value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
		2706	a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
		2707	events precedence.
2064		2708
		2709	Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
		2710
2065	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)	2711	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
2066	{	2712	{
2067	if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
2068	/* doh, nothing entered */;
2069	else if (revents & EV_READ)	2713	if (revents & EV_READ)
2070	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;	2714	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
		2715	else if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
		2716	/* doh, nothing entered */;
2071	}	2717	}
2072		2718
2073	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);	2719	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
2074		2720
2075	=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)	2721	=item ev_feed_event (struct ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
2076		2722
2077	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event	2723	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
2078	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an	2724	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
2079	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).	2725	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
2080		2726
2081	=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)	2727	=item ev_feed_fd_event (struct ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)
2082		2728
2083	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected	2729	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
2084	the given events it.	2730	the given events it.
2085		2731
2086	=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)	2732	=item ev_feed_signal_event (struct ev_loop *loop, int signum)
2087		2733
2088	Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default	2734	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
2089	loop!).	2735	loop!).
2090		2736
2091	=back	2737	=back
2092		2738
2093		2739
…		…
2109		2755
2110	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities	2756	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
2111	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there	2757	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
2112	is an ev_pri field.	2758	is an ev_pri field.
2113		2759
		2760	=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
		2761	first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.
		2762
2114	=item * Other members are not supported.	2763	=item * Other members are not supported.
2115		2764
2116	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need	2765	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
2117	to use the libev header file and library.	2766	to use the libev header file and library.
2118		2767
2119	=back	2768	=back
2120		2769
2121	=head1 C++ SUPPORT	2770	=head1 C++ SUPPORT
2122		2771
2123	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow	2772	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
2124	you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change	2773	you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
2125	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.	2774	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
2126		2775
2127	To use it,	2776	To use it,
2128		2777
2129	#include <ev++.h>	2778	#include <ev++.h>
2130		2779
2131	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many	2780	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
2132	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are	2781	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
2133	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding	2782	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
2134	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.	2783	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
…		…
2201	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the	2850	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
2202	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.	2851	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
2203		2852
2204	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation	2853	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
2205		2854
2206	struct myclass	2855	struct myclass
2207	{	2856	{
2208	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	2857	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2209	}	2858	}
2210		2859
2211	myclass obj;	2860	myclass obj;
2212	ev::io iow;	2861	ev::io iow;
2213	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);	2862	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2214		2863
2215	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)	2864	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2216		2865
2217	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as	2866	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2218	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's	2867	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
…		…
2220		2869
2221	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.	2870	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
2222		2871
2223	See the method-C<set> above for more details.	2872	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2224		2873
2225	Example:	2874	Example: Use a plain function as callback.
2226		2875
2227	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	2876	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2228	iow.set <io_cb> ();	2877	iow.set <io_cb> ();
2229		2878
2230	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)	2879	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
2231		2880
2232	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only	2881	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
2233	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).	2882	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
2234		2883
2235	=item w->set ([args])	2884	=item w->set ([arguments])
2236		2885
2237	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be	2886	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be
2238	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets	2887	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
2239	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this	2888	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
2240	method.	2889	method.
2241		2890
2242	=item w->start ()	2891	=item w->start ()
…		…
2266	=back	2915	=back
2267		2916
2268	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in	2917	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
2269	the constructor.	2918	the constructor.
2270		2919
2271	class myclass	2920	class myclass
2272	{	2921	{
2273	ev_io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);	2922	ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2274	ev_idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);	2923	ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2275		2924
2276	myclass ();	2925	myclass (int fd)
2277	}	2926	{
2278
2279	myclass::myclass (int fd)
2280	{
2281	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);	2927	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
2282	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);	2928	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2283		2929
2284	io.start (fd, ev::READ);	2930	io.start (fd, ev::READ);
		2931	}
2285	}	2932	};
		2933
		2934
		2935	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
		2936
		2937	Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
		2938	number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
		2939	any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
		2940	me a note.
		2941
		2942	=over 4
		2943
		2944	=item Perl
		2945
		2946	The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
		2947	libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
		2948	there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
		2949	to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>, but C<AnyEvent::DNS> is preferred nowadays),
		2950	C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV>
		2951	and C<EV::Glib>).
		2952
		2953	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
		2954	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
		2955
		2956	=item Python
		2957
		2958	Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
		2959	seems to be quite complete and well-documented. Note, however, that the
		2960	patch they require for libev is outright dangerous as it breaks the ABI
		2961	for everybody else, and therefore, should never be applied in an installed
		2962	libev (if python requires an incompatible ABI then it needs to embed
		2963	libev).
		2964
		2965	=item Ruby
		2966
		2967	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
		2968	of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
		2969	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
		2970	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
		2971
		2972	=item D
		2973
		2974	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
		2975	be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
		2976
		2977	=item Ocaml
		2978
		2979	Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
		2980	L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
		2981
		2982	=back
2286		2983
2287		2984
2288	=head1 MACRO MAGIC	2985	=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2289		2986
2290	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal	2987	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
2291	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)	2988	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
2292	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.	2989	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
2293		2990
2294	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the	2991	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
2295	following macros are defined:	2992	following macros are defined:
…		…
2300		2997
2301	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev	2998	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2302	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,	2999	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2303	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:	3000	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2304		3001
2305	ev_unref (EV_A);	3002	ev_unref (EV_A);
2306	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);	3003	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2307	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	3004	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
2308		3005
2309	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,	3006	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2310	which is often provided by the following macro.	3007	which is often provided by the following macro.
2311		3008
2312	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>	3009	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
2313		3010
2314	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev	3011	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2315	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,	3012	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
2316	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:	3013	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
2317		3014
2318	// this is how ev_unref is being declared	3015	// this is how ev_unref is being declared
2319	static void ev_unref (EV_P);	3016	static void ev_unref (EV_P);
2320		3017
2321	// this is how you can declare your typical callback	3018	// this is how you can declare your typical callback
2322	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	3019	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2323		3020
2324	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite	3021	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
2325	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.	3022	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
2326		3023
2327	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>	3024	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
2328		3025
2329	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default	3026	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
2330	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").	3027	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
		3028
		3029	=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
		3030
		3031	Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
		3032	default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
		3033	is undefined when the default loop has not been initialised by a previous
		3034	execution of C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> or C<ev_default_init (...)>.
		3035
		3036	It is often prudent to use C<EV_DEFAULT> when initialising the first
		3037	watcher in a function but use C<EV_DEFAULT_UC> afterwards.
2331		3038
2332	=back	3039	=back
2333		3040
2334	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above	3041	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
2335	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported	3042	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2336	or not.	3043	or not.
2337		3044
2338	static void	3045	static void
2339	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	3046	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2340	{	3047	{
2341	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);	3048	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
2342	}	3049	}
2343		3050
2344	ev_check check;	3051	ev_check check;
2345	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);	3052	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
2346	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);	3053	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
2347	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);	3054	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
2348		3055
2349	=head1 EMBEDDING	3056	=head1 EMBEDDING
2350		3057
2351	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host	3058	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
2352	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra	3059	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
…		…
2359	libev somewhere in your source tree).	3066	libev somewhere in your source tree).
2360		3067
2361	=head2 FILESETS	3068	=head2 FILESETS
2362		3069
2363	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files	3070	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
2364	in your app.	3071	in your application.
2365		3072
2366	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP	3073	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
2367		3074
2368	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual	3075	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
2369	configuration (no autoconf):	3076	configuration (no autoconf):
2370		3077
2371	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3078	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2372	#include "ev.c"	3079	#include "ev.c"
2373		3080
2374	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a	3081	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
2375	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use	3082	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
2376	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best	3083	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
2377	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and	3084	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
2378	where you can put other configuration options):	3085	where you can put other configuration options):
2379		3086
2380	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3087	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2381	#include "ev.h"	3088	#include "ev.h"
2382		3089
2383	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++	3090	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
2384	compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated	3091	compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2385	as a bug).	3092	as a bug).
2386		3093
2387	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory	3094	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
2388	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):	3095	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2389		3096
2390	ev.h	3097	ev.h
2391	ev.c	3098	ev.c
2392	ev_vars.h	3099	ev_vars.h
2393	ev_wrap.h	3100	ev_wrap.h
2394		3101
2395	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only	3102	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
2396		3103
2397	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)	3104	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
2398	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3105	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2399	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3106	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2400	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3107	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2401	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3108	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2402		3109
2403	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need	3110	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
2404	to compile this single file.	3111	to compile this single file.
2405		3112
2406	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API	3113	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
2407		3114
2408	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:	3115	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
2409		3116
2410	#include "event.c"	3117	#include "event.c"
2411		3118
2412	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:	3119	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
2413		3120
2414	#include "event.h"	3121	#include "event.h"
2415		3122
2416	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.	3123	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
2417		3124
2418	You need the following additional files for this:	3125	You need the following additional files for this:
2419		3126
2420	event.h	3127	event.h
2421	event.c	3128	event.c
2422		3129
2423	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT	3130	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
2424		3131
2425	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in	3132	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
2426	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your	3133	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
2427	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then	3134	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
2428	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.	3135	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
2429		3136
2430	For this of course you need the m4 file:	3137	For this of course you need the m4 file:
2431		3138
2432	libev.m4	3139	libev.m4
2433		3140
2434	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS	3141	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2435		3142
2436	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define	3143	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
2437	before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity	3144	define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of
2438	and only include the select backend.	3145	autoconf is documented for every option.
2439		3146
2440	=over 4	3147	=over 4
2441		3148
2442	=item EV_STANDALONE	3149	=item EV_STANDALONE
2443		3150
…		…
2448	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.	3155	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2449		3156
2450	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC	3157	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2451		3158
2452	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3159	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2453	monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use	3160	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use
2454	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you	3161	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you
2455	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when	3162	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when
2456	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have	3163	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2457	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>	3164	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2458	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).	3165	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).
2459		3166
2460	=item EV_USE_REALTIME	3167	=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2461		3168
2462	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3169	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2463	realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at	3170	real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at
2464	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will	3171	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will
2465	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get	3172	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
2466	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the	3173	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the
2467	note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.	3174	note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
2468		3175
2469	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP	3176	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
2470		3177
2471	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available	3178	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
2472	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.	3179	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
2473		3180
		3181	=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
		3182
		3183	If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
		3184	available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
		3185	C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
		3186	If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
		3187	2.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
		3188
2474	=item EV_USE_SELECT	3189	=item EV_USE_SELECT
2475		3190
2476	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the	3191	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
2477	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no	3192	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
2478	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend	3193	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
2479	will not be compiled in.	3194	will not be compiled in.
2480		3195
2481	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET	3196	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2482		3197
2483	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>	3198	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
2484	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing	3199	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
2485	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on	3200	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on
2486	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some	3201	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some
2487	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only	3202	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only
2488	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might	3203	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might
2489	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.	3204	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.
2490		3205
…		…
2514		3229
2515	=item EV_USE_EPOLL	3230	=item EV_USE_EPOLL
2516		3231
2517	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux	3232	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
2518	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,	3233	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2519	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the	3234	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2520	preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems.	3235	backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
		3236	headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2521		3237
2522	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE	3238	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2523		3239
2524	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style	3240	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
2525	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,	3241	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
…		…
2538	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred	3254	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2539	backend for Solaris 10 systems.	3255	backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2540		3256
2541	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL	3257	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2542		3258
2543	reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.	3259	Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2544		3260
2545	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY	3261	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2546		3262
2547	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify	3263	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2548	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will	3264	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2549	be detected at runtime.	3265	be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
		3266	indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
		3267
		3268	=item EV_ATOMIC_T
		3269
		3270	Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
		3271	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
		3272	type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
		3273	that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
		3274	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
		3275
		3276	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
		3277	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2550		3278
2551	=item EV_H	3279	=item EV_H
2552		3280
2553	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if	3281	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2554	undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h> and F<ev.c>. This can be used to	3282	undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
2555	virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.	3283	used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2556		3284
2557	=item EV_CONFIG_H	3285	=item EV_CONFIG_H
2558		3286
2559	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override	3287	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
2560	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to	3288	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2561	C<EV_H>, above.	3289	C<EV_H>, above.
2562		3290
2563	=item EV_EVENT_H	3291	=item EV_EVENT_H
2564		3292
2565	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea	3293	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
2566	of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the dfeault is C<"event.h">.	3294	of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
2567		3295
2568	=item EV_PROTOTYPES	3296	=item EV_PROTOTYPES
2569		3297
2570	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function	3298	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
2571	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is	3299	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
…		…
2592	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search	3320	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
2593	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space	3321	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
2594	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually	3322	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
2595	fine.	3323	fine.
2596		3324
2597	If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to	3325	If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
2598	C<0> will save some memory and cpu.	3326	both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
2599		3327
2600	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE	3328	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
2601		3329
2602	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If	3330	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
2603	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of	3331	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
…		…
2610	code.	3338	code.
2611		3339
2612	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE	3340	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2613		3341
2614	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If	3342	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2615	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3343	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Embed watchers rely on most other
		3344	watcher types, which therefore must not be disabled.
2616		3345
2617	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE	3346	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
2618		3347
2619	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If	3348	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
2620	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3349	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
…		…
2622	=item EV_FORK_ENABLE	3351	=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2623		3352
2624	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If	3353	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2625	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3354	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2626		3355
		3356	=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
		3357
		3358	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
		3359	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
		3360
2627	=item EV_MINIMAL	3361	=item EV_MINIMAL
2628		3362
2629	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some	3363	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2630	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override	3364	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some
2631	some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64.	3365	inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size on amd64. It also selects a
		3366	much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap.
2632		3367
2633	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE	3368	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2634		3369
2635	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	3370	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2636	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more	3371	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
…		…
2643	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),	3378	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
2644	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>	3379	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
2645	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of	3380	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
2646	two).	3381	two).
2647		3382
		3383	=item EV_USE_4HEAP
		3384
		3385	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		3386	timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
		3387	to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
		3388	faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
		3389
		3390	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
		3391	(disabled).
		3392
		3393	=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
		3394
		3395	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		3396	timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
		3397	the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
		3398	which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
		3399	but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
		3400	noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
		3401
		3402	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
		3403	(disabled).
		3404
		3405	=item EV_VERIFY
		3406
		3407	Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will
		3408	be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
		3409	in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
		3410	called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
		3411	called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
		3412	verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
		3413	libev considerably.
		3414
		3415	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be
		3416	C<0>.
		3417
2648	=item EV_COMMON	3418	=item EV_COMMON
2649		3419
2650	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining	3420	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2651	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of	3421	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2652	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,	3422	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2653	though, and it must be identical each time.	3423	though, and it must be identical each time.
2654		3424
2655	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:	3425	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2656		3426
2657	#define EV_COMMON \	3427	#define EV_COMMON \
2658	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \	3428	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2659	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */	3429	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2660		3430
2661	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)	3431	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2662		3432
2663	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)	3433	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2664		3434
…		…
2669	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for	3439	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
2670	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to	3440	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
2671	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use	3441	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2672	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.	3442	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
2673		3443
		3444	=back
		3445
2674	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS	3446	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
2675		3447
2676	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a dll) and you need a list of	3448	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
2677	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list	3449	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
2678	all public symbols, one per line:	3450	all public symbols, one per line:
2679		3451
2680	Symbols.ev for libev proper	3452	Symbols.ev for libev proper
2681	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation	3453	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
2682		3454
2683	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with	3455	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
2684	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in	3456	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
2685	itself, but sometimes it is inconvinient to avoid this).	3457	itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
2686		3458
2687	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to	3459	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
2688	include before including F<ev.h>:	3460	include before including F<ev.h>:
2689		3461
2690	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h	3462	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
…		…
2707	file.	3479	file.
2708		3480
2709	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file	3481	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
2710	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:	3482	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2711		3483
2712	#define EV_MINIMAL 1	3484	#define EV_MINIMAL 1
2713	#define EV_USE_POLL 0	3485	#define EV_USE_POLL 0
2714	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0	3486	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2715	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0	3487	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
2716	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0	3488	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
2717	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0	3489	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
2718	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>	3490	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
2719	#define EV_MINPRI 0	3491	#define EV_MINPRI 0
2720	#define EV_MAXPRI 0	3492	#define EV_MAXPRI 0
2721		3493
2722	#include "ev++.h"	3494	#include "ev++.h"
2723		3495
2724	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:	3496	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
2725		3497
2726	#include "ev_cpp.h"	3498	#include "ev_cpp.h"
2727	#include "ev.c"	3499	#include "ev.c"
2728		3500
		3501	=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES
2729		3502
2730	=head1 COMPLEXITIES	3503	=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
2731		3504
2732	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside	3505	=head3 THREADS
2733	libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the
2734	documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
2735		3506
2736	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be	3507	All libev functions are reentrant and thread-safe unless explicitly
2737	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this	3508	documented otherwise, but libev implements no locking itself. This means
2738	happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might	3509	that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as there
2739	mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average	3510	are no concurrent calls into any libev function with the same loop
2740	it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.	3511	parameter (C<ev_default_*> calls have an implicit default loop parameter,
		3512	of course): libev guarantees that different event loops share no data
		3513	structures that need any locking.
		3514
		3515	Or to put it differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done
		3516	concurrently from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter
		3517	must be done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as
		3518	only one thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using
		3519	a mutex per loop).
		3520
		3521	Specifically to support threads (and signal handlers), libev implements
		3522	so-called C<ev_async> watchers, which allow some limited form of
		3523	concurrency on the same event loop, namely waking it up "from the
		3524	outside".
		3525
		3526	If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
		3527	without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
		3528	help you, but here is some generic advice:
2741		3529
2742	=over 4	3530	=over 4
2743		3531
2744	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)	3532	=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
		3533	in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
2745		3534
2746	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and	3535	This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
2747	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will	3536	themselves and don't care/know about threading.
2748	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
2749		3537
2750	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)	3538	=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
2751		3539
2752	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them	3540	Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
2753	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.	3541	exists, but it is always a good start.
2754		3542
2755	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1)	3543	=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
		3544	loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
2756		3545
2757	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.	3546	Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
		3547	better than you currently do :-)
2758		3548
2759	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1)	3549	=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
		3550	event loop.
2760		3551
2761	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))	3552	C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other threads safely
		3553	(or from signal contexts...).
2762		3554
2763	These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the	3555	An example use would be to communicate signals or other events that only
2764	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually	3556	work in the default loop by registering the signal watcher with the
2765	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).	3557	default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
2766		3558	watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
2767	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
2768
2769	By virtue of using a binary heap, the next timer is always found at the
2770	beginning of the storage array.
2771
2772	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
2773
2774	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
2775	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
2776	on backend and wether C<ev_io_set> was used).
2777
2778	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
2779
2780	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
2781
2782	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
2783	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
2784	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
2785	watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. prioritiy handling.
2786		3559
2787	=back	3560	=back
2788		3561
		3562	=head3 COROUTINES
2789		3563
2790	=head1 Win32 platform limitations and workarounds	3564	Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
		3565	libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
		3566	coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two
		3567	different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running the
		3568	loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that
		3569	you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
		3570
		3571	Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
		3572	C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
		3573	they do not call any callbacks.
		3574
		3575	=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
		3576
		3577	Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
		3578	lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
		3579	scared by this.
		3580
		3581	However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
		3582	has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
		3583	warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
		3584	targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
		3585
		3586	Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
		3587	workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
		3588	maintainable.
		3589
		3590	And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
		3591	wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
		3592	seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
		3593	warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have
		3594	been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
		3595	such buggy versions.
		3596
		3597	While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
		3598	"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
		3599	with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
		3600	them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
		3601	warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
		3602
		3603
		3604	=head2 VALGRIND
		3605
		3606	Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
		3607	highly useful. Unfortunately, valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
		3608
		3609	If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
		3610	in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
		3611
		3612	==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		3613	==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		3614	==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
		3615
		3616	Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
		3617	is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
		3618
		3619	Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
		3620	as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
		3621	although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
		3622	confused.
		3623
		3624	Keep in mind that valgrind is a very good tool, but only a tool. Don't
		3625	make it into some kind of religion.
		3626
		3627	If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
		3628	with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this
		3629	is a bug in libev (best check the archives, too :). However, don't be
		3630	annoyed when you get a brisk "this is no bug" answer and take the chance
		3631	of learning how to interpret valgrind properly.
		3632
		3633	If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
		3634	I suggest using suppression lists.
		3635
		3636
		3637	=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
		3638
		3639	=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
2791		3640
2792	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev	3641	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
2793	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX	3642	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
2794	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in	3643	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
2795	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket	3644	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
2796	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using	3645	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
2797	e.g. cygwin.	3646	e.g. cygwin.
2798		3647
		3648	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
		3649	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of
		3650	things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable
		3651	way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
		3652
2799	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except	3653	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
2800	embedding it into other applications.	3654	embedding it into other applications.
2801		3655
		3656	Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
		3657	accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
		3658	either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
		3659	so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
		3660	megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
		3661	available).
		3662
2802	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and the	3663	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
2803	abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets is not	3664	the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
2804	recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use more than	3665	is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
2805	a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally different	3666	more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
2806	implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX model, which cannot	3667	different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
2807	be implemented efficiently on windows (microsoft monopoly games).	3668	notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
		3669	(Microsoft monopoly games).
		3670
		3671	A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
		3672	section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
		3673	of F<ev.h>:
		3674
		3675	#define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
		3676	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
		3677
		3678	#include "ev.h"
		3679
		3680	And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
		3681	you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
		3682
		3683	#include "evwrap.h"
		3684	#include "ev.c"
2808		3685
2809	=over 4	3686	=over 4
2810		3687
2811	=item The winsocket select function	3688	=item The winsocket select function
2812		3689
2813	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it requires	3690	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
2814	socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors>. This makes select	3691	requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
2815	very inefficient, and also requires a mapping from file descriptors	3692	also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
2816	to socket handles. See the discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>,	3693	requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
2817	C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor	3694	C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
2818	symbols for more info.	3695	discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
		3696	C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
2819		3697
2820	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the microsoft runtime	3698	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
2821	libraries and raw winsocket select is:	3699	libraries and raw winsocket select is:
2822		3700
2823	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1	3701	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1
2824	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */	3702	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
2825		3703
2826	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a	3704	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
2827	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.	3705	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
2828		3706
2829	=item Limited number of file descriptors	3707	=item Limited number of file descriptors
2830		3708
2831	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things. Early versions	3709	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
2832	of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a max. of C<64> handles	3710
		3711	Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
2833	(probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels can only wait for	3712	of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
2834	C<64> things at the same time internally; microsoft recommends spawning a	3713	can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
2835	chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the previous thread in each).	3714	recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
		3715	previous thread in each. Great).
2836		3716
2837	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>	3717	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
2838	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select	3718	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
2839	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own	3719	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own
2840	select emulation on windows).	3720	select emulation on windows).
2841		3721
2842	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the microsoft runtime	3722	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
2843	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish	3723	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish
2844	or something like this inside microsoft). You can increase this by calling	3724	or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this by calling
2845	C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another	3725	C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another
2846	arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the microsoft runtime	3726	arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft runtime
2847	libraries.	3727	libraries.
2848		3728
2849	This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on	3729	This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on
2850	windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to	3730	windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to
2851	wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of	3731	wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of
2852	calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.	3732	calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
2853		3733
2854	=back	3734	=back
2855		3735
		3736	=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
		3737
		3738	In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
		3739	backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
		3740
		3741	=over 4
		3742
		3743	=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
		3744	calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
		3745
		3746	Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
		3747	structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
		3748	assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
		3749	callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
		3750	calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
		3751
		3752	=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
		3753
		3754	The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
		3755	C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
		3756	threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
		3757	believed to be sufficiently portable.
		3758
		3759	=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
		3760
		3761	Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
		3762	allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
		3763	pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
		3764	thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
		3765	be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
		3766	C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
		3767
		3768	The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
		3769	except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
		3770	well.
		3771
		3772	=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
		3773
		3774	To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
		3775	instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
		3776	systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but is still at
		3777	least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of millions of
		3778	watchers.
		3779
		3780	=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
		3781
		3782	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
		3783	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good
		3784	enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by
		3785	implementations implementing IEEE 754 (basically all existing ones).
		3786
		3787	=back
		3788
		3789	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
		3790
		3791
		3792	=head1 ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITIES
		3793
		3794	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
		3795	libev will be documented. For complexity discussions about backends see
		3796	the documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
		3797
		3798	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
		3799	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
		3800	happens asymptotically rarer with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
		3801	mean that libev does a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on
		3802	average it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
		3803
		3804	=over 4
		3805
		3806	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
		3807
		3808	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
		3809	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that, then inserting will
		3810	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
		3811
		3812	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
		3813
		3814	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them,
		3815	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
		3816
		3817	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
		3818
		3819	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
		3820
		3821	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
		3822
		3823	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
		3824
		3825	These watchers are stored in lists, so they need to be walked to find the
		3826	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
		3827	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal: one is typical, two
		3828	is rare).
		3829
		3830	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
		3831
		3832	By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
		3833	fixed position in the storage array.
		3834
		3835	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
		3836
		3837	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
		3838	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
		3839	on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
		3840
		3841	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
		3842
		3843	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
		3844
		3845	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
		3846	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
		3847	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
		3848	watchers becomes O(1) with respect to priority handling.
		3849
		3850	=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
		3851
		3852	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
		3853
		3854	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
		3855
		3856	Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
		3857	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
		3858	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
		3859
		3860	=back
		3861
2856		3862
2857	=head1 AUTHOR	3863	=head1 AUTHOR
2858		3864
2859	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.	3865	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.
2860		3866

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