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Revision 1.138 by root, Mon Mar 31 01:14:12 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.232 by root, Thu Apr 16 06:17:26 2009 UTC

…		…
2		2
3	libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C	3	libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C
4		4
5	=head1 SYNOPSIS	5	=head1 SYNOPSIS
6		6
7	#include <ev.h>	7	#include <ev.h>
8		8
9	=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM	9	=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10		10
11	// a single header file is required	11	// a single header file is required
12	#include <ev.h>	12	#include <ev.h>
13		13
		14	#include <stdio.h> // for puts
		15
14	// every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct	16	// every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
15	// with the name ev_<type>	17	// with the name ev_TYPE
16	ev_io stdin_watcher;	18	ev_io stdin_watcher;
17	ev_timer timeout_watcher;	19	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
18		20
19	// all watcher callbacks have a similar signature	21	// all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
20	// this callback is called when data is readable on stdin	22	// this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
21	static void	23	static void
22	stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents)	24	stdin_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
23	{	25	{
24	puts ("stdin ready");	26	puts ("stdin ready");
25	// for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher	27	// for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
26	// with its corresponding stop function.	28	// with its corresponding stop function.
27	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);	29	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
28		30
29	// this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating	31	// this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating
30	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);	32	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);
31	}	33	}
32		34
33	// another callback, this time for a time-out	35	// another callback, this time for a time-out
34	static void	36	static void
35	timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	37	timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
36	{	38	{
37	puts ("timeout");	39	puts ("timeout");
38	// this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating	40	// this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating
39	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);	41	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);
40	}	42	}
41		43
42	int	44	int
43	main (void)	45	main (void)
44	{	46	{
45	// use the default event loop unless you have special needs	47	// use the default event loop unless you have special needs
46	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	48	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
47		49
48	// initialise an io watcher, then start it	50	// initialise an io watcher, then start it
49	// this one will watch for stdin to become readable	51	// this one will watch for stdin to become readable
50	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);	52	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
51	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	53	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
52		54
53	// initialise a timer watcher, then start it	55	// initialise a timer watcher, then start it
54	// simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout	56	// simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
55	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);	57	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
56	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);	58	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
57		59
58	// now wait for events to arrive	60	// now wait for events to arrive
59	ev_loop (loop, 0);	61	ev_loop (loop, 0);
60		62
61	// unloop was called, so exit	63	// unloop was called, so exit
62	return 0;	64	return 0;
63	}	65	}
64		66
65	=head1 DESCRIPTION	67	=head1 DESCRIPTION
66		68
67	The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted	69	The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted
68	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first	70	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
69	time: L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>.	71	time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
70		72
71	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a	73	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
72	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage	74	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
73	these event sources and provide your program with events.	75	these event sources and provide your program with events.
74		76
…		…
103	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)	105	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
104	configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For	106	configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
105	more info about various configuration options please have a look at	107	more info about various configuration options please have a look at
106	B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support	108	B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
107	for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of	109	for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
108	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have	110	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<ev_loop *>) will not have
109	this argument.	111	this argument.
110		112
111	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION	113	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
112		114
113	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the	115	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
114	(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near	116	(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
115	the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is	117	the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is
116	called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases	118	called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases
117	to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on	119	to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on
118	it, you should treat it as some floatingpoint value. Unlike the name	120	it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name
119	component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences	121	component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences
120	throughout libev.	122	throughout libev.
		123
		124	=head1 ERROR HANDLING
		125
		126	Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
		127	and internal errors (bugs).
		128
		129	When libev catches an operating system error it cannot handle (for example
		130	a system call indicating a condition libev cannot fix), it calls the callback
		131	set via C<ev_set_syserr_cb>, which is supposed to fix the problem or
		132	abort. The default is to print a diagnostic message and to call C<abort
		133	()>.
		134
		135	When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
		136	it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
		137	so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
		138	the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
		139
		140	Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has
		141	extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
		142	circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse.
		143
121		144
122	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS	145	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
123		146
124	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the	147	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
125	library in any way.	148	library in any way.
…		…
134		157
135	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)	158	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
136		159
137	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until	160	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
138	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically	161	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
139	this is a subsecond-resolution C<sleep ()>.	162	this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
140		163
141	=item int ev_version_major ()	164	=item int ev_version_major ()
142		165
143	=item int ev_version_minor ()	166	=item int ev_version_minor ()
144		167
…		…
157	not a problem.	180	not a problem.
158		181
159	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong	182	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
160	version.	183	version.
161		184
162	assert (("libev version mismatch",	185	assert (("libev version mismatch",
163	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR	186	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
164	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));	187	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
165		188
166	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()	189	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
167		190
168	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>	191	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>
169	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their	192	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
…		…
171	a description of the set values.	194	a description of the set values.
172		195
173	Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and	196	Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and
174	a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11	197	a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11
175		198
176	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",	199	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
177	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));	200	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
178		201
179	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()	202	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
180		203
181	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also	204	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also
182	recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one	205	recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one
183	returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on	206	returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on
184	most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it	207	most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it
185	(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that	208	(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that
186	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.	209	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
187		210
188	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()	211	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
189		212
…		…
193	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for	216	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for
194	recommended ones.	217	recommended ones.
195		218
196	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	219	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
197		220
198	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))	221	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT]
199		222
200	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the	223	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
201	semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to	224	semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
202	allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when	225	used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
203	memory needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some	226	when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
204	potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc	227	or take some potentially destructive action.
205	function.	228
		229	Since some systems (at least OpenBSD and Darwin) fail to implement
		230	correct C<realloc> semantics, libev will use a wrapper around the system
		231	C<realloc> and C<free> functions by default.
206		232
207	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,	233	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
208	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,	234	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
209	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.	235	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
210		236
211	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then	237	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
212	retries).	238	retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
213		239
214	static void *	240	static void *
215	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)	241	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
216	{	242	{
217	for (;;)	243	for (;;)
…		…
226	}	252	}
227		253
228	...	254	...
229	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);	255	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
230		256
231	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));	257	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT]
232		258
233	Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such	259	Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
234	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string	260	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
235	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this	261	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
236	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no	262	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
237	matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the	263	matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
238	requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff	264	requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
239	(such as abort).	265	(such as abort).
240		266
241	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.	267	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
…		…
252		278
253	=back	279	=back
254		280
255	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP	281	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
256		282
257	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two	283	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct>
258	types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child	284	is I<not> optional in this case, as there is also an C<ev_loop>
259	events, and dynamically created loops which do not.	285	I<function>).
260		286
261	If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop	287	The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
262	in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you	288	supports signals and child events, and dynamically created loops which do
263	create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking	289	not.
264	whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different
265	threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if
266	done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient).
267		290
268	=over 4	291	=over 4
269		292
270	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)	293	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
271		294
…		…
275	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).	298	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
276		299
277	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this	300	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
278	function.	301	function.
279		302
		303	Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
		304	from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
		305	as loops cannot be shared easily between threads anyway).
		306
280	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and	307	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
281	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler	308	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
282	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your app you can either	309	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
283	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you	310	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
284	can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling	311	can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
285	C<ev_default_init>.	312	C<ev_default_init>.
286		313
287	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific	314	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
…		…
296	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right	323	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
297	thing, believe me).	324	thing, believe me).
298		325
299	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>	326	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
300		327
301	If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid	328	If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
302	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable	329	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
303	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will	330	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
304	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is	331	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
305	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work	332	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
306	around bugs.	333	around bugs.
…		…
313		340
314	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,	341	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
315	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop	342	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
316	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my	343	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
317	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence	344	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
318	without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has	345	without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
319	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).	346	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
320		347
321	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and	348	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
322	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this	349	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
323	flag.	350	flag.
324		351
325	This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>	352	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
326	environment variable.	353	environment variable.
327		354
328	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)	355	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
329		356
330	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as	357	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
…		…
332	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when	359	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
333	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its	360	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
334	usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.	361	usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
335		362
336	To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of	363	To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
337	parallelity (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are	364	parallelism (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
338	writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many	365	writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
339	connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have	366	connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
340	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of	367	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
341	readyness notifications you get per iteration.	368	readiness notifications you get per iteration.
		369
		370	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to the C<readfds> set and C<EV_WRITE> to the
		371	C<writefds> set (and to work around Microsoft Windows bugs, also onto the
		372	C<exceptfds> set on that platform).
342		373
343	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)	374	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
344		375
345	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated	376	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
346	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial	377	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
347	limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down	378	limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
348	considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,	379	considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
349	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for	380	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
350	performance tips.	381	performance tips.
351		382
		383	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
		384	C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
		385
352	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)	386	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
353		387
354	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,	388	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
355	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale	389	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
356	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),	390	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
357	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number	391	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
358	of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect	392
359	cases and rewiring a syscall per fd change, no fork support and bad	393	The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
360	support for dup.	394	of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
		395	dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
		396	descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup and
		397	so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program forks then
		398	I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll set, which can
		399	take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course
		400	hard to detect.
		401
		402	Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but
		403	of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
		404	I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
		405	even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
		406	on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
		407	employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
		408	events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required.
361		409
362	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration	410	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
363	will result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident	411	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
364	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its	412	incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
365	best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work	413	I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
366	very well if you register events for both fds.	414	file descriptors might not work very well if you register events for both
367		415	file descriptors.
368	Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
369	need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
370	(or space) is available.
371		416
372	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all	417	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
373	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible, i.e.	418	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
374	keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times.	419	i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
		420	starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
		421	extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
		422	as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
		423	take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
375		424
		425	All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
		426	faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
		427	the usage. So sad.
		428
376	While nominally embeddeble in other event loops, this feature is broken in	429	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
377	all kernel versions tested so far.	430	all kernel versions tested so far.
		431
		432	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		433	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
378		434
379	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)	435	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
380		436
381	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it	437	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
382	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably	438	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
383	with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course	439	with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
384	it's completely useless). For this reason it's not being "autodetected"	440	it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose brokenness
		441	is by design, these kqueue bugs can (and eventually will) be fixed
		442	without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not being
385	unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using	443	"auto-detected" unless you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using
386	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)	444	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
387	system like NetBSD.	445	system like NetBSD.
388		446
389	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it	447	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
390	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on	448	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
391	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	449	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
392		450
393	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the	451	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
394	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of	452	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
395	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never	453	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
396	cause an extra syscall as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to	454	cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
397	two event changes per incident, support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it	455	two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but
398	drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.	456	sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect
		457	cases
399		458
400	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.	459	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
401		460
402	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work	461	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
403	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken	462	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
404	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets	463	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
405	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop	464	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
406	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and using it only for	465	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (but C<poll> is of course
407	sockets.	466	also broken on OS X)) and, did I mention it, using it only for sockets.
		467
		468	This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
		469	C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
		470	C<NOTE_EOF>.
408		471
409	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)	472	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
410		473
411	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an	474	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
412	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets	475	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
…		…
416	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)	479	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
417		480
418	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,	481	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
419	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).	482	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
420		483
421	Please note that solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious	484	Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
422	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid	485	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
423	blocking when no data (or space) is available.	486	blocking when no data (or space) is available.
424		487
425	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active	488	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
426	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file	489	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
427	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend	490	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
428	might perform better.	491	might perform better.
429		492
430	On the positive side, ignoring the spurious readyness notifications, this	493	On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
431	backend actually performed to specification in all tests and is fully	494	notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
432	embeddable, which is a rare feat among the OS-specific backends.	495	in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
		496	OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks).
		497
		498	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		499	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
433		500
434	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>	501	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
435		502
436	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried	503	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
437	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as	504	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
…		…
439		506
440	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.	507	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
441		508
442	=back	509	=back
443		510
444	If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these	511	If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these
445	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are	512	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are
446	specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.	513	specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.
447		514
448	The most typical usage is like this:	515	Example: This is the most typical usage.
449		516
450	if (!ev_default_loop (0))	517	if (!ev_default_loop (0))
451	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");	518	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
452		519
453	Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow	520	Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
454	environment settings to be taken into account:	521	environment settings to be taken into account:
455		522
456	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);	523	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
457		524
458	Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if	525	Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
459	available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private	526	used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
460	event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):	527	private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
		528	fds):
461		529
462	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);	530	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
463		531
464	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)	532	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
465		533
466	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is	534	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
467	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot	535	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
468	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by	536	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
469	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).	537	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
470		538
		539	Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
		540	libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
		541	default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
		542
471	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.	543	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
472		544
473	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);	545	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
474	if (!epoller)	546	if (!epoller)
475	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");	547	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
476		548
477	=item ev_default_destroy ()	549	=item ev_default_destroy ()
478		550
479	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state	551	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
480	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal	552	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
481	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your	553	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
482	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before>	554	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
483	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually	555	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
484	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them	556	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
485	for example).	557	for example).
486		558
487	Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by	559	Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
488	this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers)	560	handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
489	would need to be stopped manually.	561	as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
490		562
491	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the	563	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
492	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling	564	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
493	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use	565	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
494	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).	566	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).
…		…
519		591
520	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)	592	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
521		593
522	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by	594	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
523	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop	595	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
524	after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.	596	after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is
		597	entirely your own problem.
525		598
526	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)	599	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
527		600
528	Returns true when the given loop actually is the default loop, false otherwise.	601	Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
		602	otherwise.
529		603
530	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)	604	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
531		605
532	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to	606	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
533	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and	607	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
…		…
548	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not	622	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
549	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base	623	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
550	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the	624	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
551	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).	625	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
552		626
		627	=item ev_now_update (loop)
		628
		629	Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
		630	returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
		631	is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>.
		632
		633	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
		634	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
		635	the current time is a good idea.
		636
		637	See also "The special problem of time updates" in the C<ev_timer> section.
		638
		639	=item ev_suspend (loop)
		640
		641	=item ev_resume (loop)
		642
		643	These two functions suspend and resume a loop, for use when the loop is
		644	not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
		645
		646	A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
		647	the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
		648	would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
		649	the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend>
		650	in your C<SIGTSTP> handler, sending yourself a C<SIGSTOP> and calling
		651	C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing.
		652
		653	Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend
		654	between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers
		655	will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
		656	occured while suspended).
		657
		658	After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the
		659	given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume>
		660	without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
		661
		662	Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
		663	event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
		664
553	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)	665	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
554		666
555	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called	667	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
556	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling	668	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
557	events.	669	events.
…		…
559	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until	671	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until
560	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.	672	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.
561		673
562	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than	674	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than
563	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has	675	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
564	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that	676	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
565	automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of	677	that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
566	relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty.	678	of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
		679	beauty.
567		680
568	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle	681	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle
569	those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in	682	those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your
570	case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.	683	process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of
		684	the loop.
571		685
572	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if	686	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
573	neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block	687	necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
574	your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after	688	will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
575	one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some	689	be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
576	external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other	690	user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
		691	iteration of the loop.
		692
		693	This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
		694	with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
577	libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is	695	own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
578	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.	696	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
579		697
580	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:	698	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
581		699
582	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.	700	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
583	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.	701	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
584	- If a fork was detected, queue and call all fork watchers.	702	- If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
585	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.	703	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.
586	- If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.	704	- If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
		705	as to not disturb the other process.
587	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.	706	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
588	- Update the "event loop time".	707	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
589	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all	708	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
590	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having	709	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
591	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).	710	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
592	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.	711	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
593	- Block the process, waiting for any events.	712	- Block the process, waiting for any events.
594	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.	713	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
595	- Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling.	714	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
596	- Queue all outstanding timers.	715	- Queue all expired timers.
597	- Queue all outstanding periodics.	716	- Queue all expired periodics.
598	- If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.	717	- Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
599	- Queue all check watchers.	718	- Queue all check watchers.
600	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).	719	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
601	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will	720	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
602	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.	721	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
603	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK	722	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
…		…
608	anymore.	727	anymore.
609		728
610	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long	729	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
611	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)	730	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
612	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);	731	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
613	... jobs done. yeah!	732	... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
614		733
615	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)	734	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
616		735
617	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it	736	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
618	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either	737	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
619	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or	738	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
620	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.	739	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
621		740
622	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.	741	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.
623		742
		743	It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls.
		744
624	=item ev_ref (loop)	745	=item ev_ref (loop)
625		746
626	=item ev_unref (loop)	747	=item ev_unref (loop)
627		748
628	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event	749	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
629	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference	750	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
630	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. If you have	751	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own.
		752
631	a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> from	753	If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop>
632	returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For	754	from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before
		755	stopping it.
		756
633	example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not	757	As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
634	visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if	758	is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from
635	no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent	759	exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
636	way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party	760	excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
637	libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>	761	third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref
638	(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,	762	before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active
639	respectively).	763	before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself
		764	(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref>
		765	in the callback).
640		766
641	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>	767	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
642	running when nothing else is active.	768	running when nothing else is active.
643		769
644	struct ev_signal exitsig;	770	ev_signal exitsig;
645	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);	771	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
646	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);	772	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
647	evf_unref (loop);	773	evf_unref (loop);
648		774
649	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.	775	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
650		776
651	ev_ref (loop);	777	ev_ref (loop);
652	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);	778	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
653		779
654	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	780	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
655		781
656	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	782	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
657		783
658	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting	784	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
659	for events. Both are by default C<0>, meaning that libev will try to	785	for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
660	invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum latency.	786	will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
		787	latency.
661		788
662	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)	789	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
663	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks to	790	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
664	increase efficiency of loop iterations.	791	to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
		792	opportunities).
665		793
666	The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to	794	The idea is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to handle
667	handle one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes	795	one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes the
668	the program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new	796	program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
669	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high	797	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
670	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.	798	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
671		799
672	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more	800	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
673	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,	801	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
…		…
675	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will	803	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
676	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.	804	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.
677		805
678	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev	806	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
679	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased	807	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
680	latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers	808	latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
681	will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will not introduce	809	later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
682	any overhead in libev.	810	value will not introduce any overhead in libev.
683		811
684	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the io collect	812	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
685	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for	813	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
686	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It	814	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
687	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,	815	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
688	as this approsaches the timing granularity of most systems.	816	as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems.
		817
		818	Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
		819	saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
		820	are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
		821	times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
		822	reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
		823	they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
		824
		825	=item ev_loop_verify (loop)
		826
		827	This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
		828	compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
		829	through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
		830	is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
		831	error and call C<abort ()>.
		832
		833	This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
		834	circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
		835	data structures consistent.
689		836
690	=back	837	=back
691		838
692		839
693	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER	840	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
		841
		842	In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
		843	watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
		844	watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
694		845
695	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your	846	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
696	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to	847	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
697	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:	848	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
698		849
699	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	850	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
700	{	851	{
701	ev_io_stop (w);	852	ev_io_stop (w);
702	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	853	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
703	}	854	}
704		855
705	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	856	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
		857
706	struct ev_io stdin_watcher;	858	ev_io stdin_watcher;
		859
707	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);	860	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
708	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	861	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
709	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	862	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
		863
710	ev_loop (loop, 0);	864	ev_loop (loop, 0);
711		865
712	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your	866	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
713	watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack,	867	watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
714	although this can sometimes be quite valid).	868	stack).
		869
		870	Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
		871	or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
715		872
716	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init	873	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init
717	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This	874	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
718	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io	875	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O
719	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given	876	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
720	is readable and/or writable).	877	is readable and/or writable).
721		878
722	Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro	879	Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
723	with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro	880	macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
724	to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< ev_<type>_init	881	is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
725	(watcher *, callback, ...) >>.	882	ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
726		883
727	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it	884	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it
728	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_<type>_start (loop, watcher	885	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
729	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the	886	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
730	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.	887	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
731		888
732	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you	889	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
733	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never	890	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
734	reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro.	891	reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
735		892
736	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the	893	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
737	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as	894	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
738	third argument.	895	third argument.
739		896
…		…
797		954
798	=item C<EV_ASYNC>	955	=item C<EV_ASYNC>
799		956
800	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).	957	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
801		958
		959	=item C<EV_CUSTOM>
		960
		961	Not ever sent (or otherwise used) by libev itself, but can be freely used
		962	by libev users to signal watchers (e.g. via C<ev_feed_event>).
		963
802	=item C<EV_ERROR>	964	=item C<EV_ERROR>
803		965
804	An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might	966	An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
805	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev	967	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
806	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other	968	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
		969	problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
		970
807	problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping	971	You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
808	with the watcher being stopped.	972	watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
		973	an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
		974	bug in your program.
809		975
810	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error,	976	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
811	for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if	977	example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
812	your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope	978	callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
813	with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded	979	the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
814	programs, though, so beware.	980	programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
		981	thing, so beware.
815		982
816	=back	983	=back
817		984
818	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS	985	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
819
820	In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
821	e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
822		986
823	=over 4	987	=over 4
824		988
825	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	989	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
826		990
…		…
832	which rolls both calls into one.	996	which rolls both calls into one.
833		997
834	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped	998	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
835	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.	999	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
836		1000
837	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,	1001	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
838	int revents)>.	1002	int revents)>.
		1003
		1004	Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
		1005
		1006	ev_io w;
		1007	ev_init (&w, my_cb);
		1008	ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
839		1009
840	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])	1010	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])
841		1011
842	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to	1012	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
843	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can	1013	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
…		…
846	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).	1016	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
847		1017
848	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments	1018	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
849	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.	1019	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
850		1020
		1021	See C<ev_init>, above, for an example.
		1022
851	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])	1023	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
852		1024
853	This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro	1025	This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
854	calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise	1026	calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
855	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.	1027	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
		1028
		1029	Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
		1030
		1031	ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
856		1032
857	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1033	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
858		1034
859	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive	1035	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
860	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.	1036	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
861		1037
		1038	Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
		1039	whole section.
		1040
		1041	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
		1042
862	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1043	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
863		1044
864	Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending	1045	Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
		1046	the watcher was active or not).
		1047
865	status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example,	1048	It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
866	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but	1049	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending - but
867	C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If	1050	calling C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor
868	you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a	1051	pending. If you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is
869	good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.	1052	therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
870		1053
871	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1054	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
872		1055
873	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started	1056	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
874	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify	1057	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
…		…
900	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>	1083	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
901	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked	1084	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
902	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers	1085	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
903	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).	1086	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
904		1087
		1088	See L<
		1089
905	This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback	1090	This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
906	invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for	1091	invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
907	example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two	1092	example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
908	watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.	1093	watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
909		1094
…		…
916	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is	1101	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
917	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).	1102	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
918		1103
919	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is	1104	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
920	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might	1105	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
921	or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.	1106	or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
922		1107
923	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)	1108	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
924		1109
925	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither	1110	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
926	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback	1111	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
927	can deal with that fact.	1112	can deal with that fact, as both are simply passed through to the
		1113	callback.
928		1114
929	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1115	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
930		1116
931	If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status	1117	If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
932	and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the	1118	returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
933	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.	1119	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
934		1120
		1121	Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
		1122	callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
		1123
935	=back	1124	=back
936		1125
937		1126
938	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER	1127	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
939		1128
940	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change	1129	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
941	and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used	1130	and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
942	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and	1131	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
943	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data	1132	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
944	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own	1133	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
945	data:	1134	data:
946		1135
947	struct my_io	1136	struct my_io
948	{	1137	{
949	struct ev_io io;	1138	ev_io io;
950	int otherfd;	1139	int otherfd;
951	void *somedata;	1140	void *somedata;
952	struct whatever *mostinteresting;	1141	struct whatever *mostinteresting;
953	}	1142	};
		1143
		1144	...
		1145	struct my_io w;
		1146	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
954		1147
955	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you	1148	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
956	can cast it back to your own type:	1149	can cast it back to your own type:
957		1150
958	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents)	1151	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
959	{	1152	{
960	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;	1153	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
961	...	1154	...
962	}	1155	}
963		1156
964	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type	1157	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
965	instead have been omitted.	1158	instead have been omitted.
966		1159
967	Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple	1160	Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
968	watchers:	1161	embedded watchers:
969		1162
970	struct my_biggy	1163	struct my_biggy
971	{	1164	{
972	int some_data;	1165	int some_data;
973	ev_timer t1;	1166	ev_timer t1;
974	ev_timer t2;	1167	ev_timer t2;
975	}	1168	}
976		1169
977	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,	1170	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
978	you need to use C<offsetof>:	1171	complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
		1172	in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
		1173	some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
		1174	programmers):
979		1175
980	#include <stddef.h>	1176	#include <stddef.h>
981		1177
982	static void	1178	static void
983	t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1179	t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
984	{	1180	{
985	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1181	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
986	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));	1182	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
987	}	1183	}
988		1184
989	static void	1185	static void
990	t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1186	t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
991	{	1187	{
992	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1188	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
993	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));	1189	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
994	}	1190	}
995		1191
996		1192
997	=head1 WATCHER TYPES	1193	=head1 WATCHER TYPES
998		1194
999	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat	1195	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
…		…
1023	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per	1219	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
1024	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file	1220	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
1025	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not	1221	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1026	required if you know what you are doing).	1222	required if you know what you are doing).
1027		1223
1028	If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend	1224	If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
1029	(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and	1225	known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
1030	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).	1226	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
1031		1227
1032	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to	1228	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1033	receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might	1229	receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
1034	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block	1230	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1035	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a	1231	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
1036	lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into	1232	lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
1037	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus	1233	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
1038	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning	1234	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1039	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.	1235	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1040		1236
1041	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not	1237	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
1042	play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test	1238	not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
1043	whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface	1239	re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
1044	such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on	1240	interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already
1045	its own, so its quite safe to use).	1241	does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
		1242	use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
		1243	indefinitely.
		1244
		1245	But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1046		1246
1047	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors	1247	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1048		1248
1049	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file	1249	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
1050	descriptor (either by calling C<close> explicitly or by any other means,	1250	descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means,
1051	such as C<dup>). The reason is that you register interest in some file	1251	such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
1052	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop	1252	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
1053	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is	1253	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
1054	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in	1254	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
1055	fact, a different file descriptor.	1255	fact, a different file descriptor.
1056		1256
…		…
1087	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or	1287	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1088	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	1288	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1089		1289
1090	=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE	1290	=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1091		1291
1092	While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about SIGPIPE:	1292	While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
1093	when reading from a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program	1293	when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
1094	gets send a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most	1294	sent a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
1095	programs this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually	1295	this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
1096	undesirable.
1097		1296
1098	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you	1297	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1099	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon	1298	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1100	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).	1299	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1101		1300
…		…
1107	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)	1306	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
1108		1307
1109	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)	1308	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
1110		1309
1111	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to	1310	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
1112	rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or	1311	receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
1113	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.	1312	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.
1114		1313
1115	=item int fd [read-only]	1314	=item int fd [read-only]
1116		1315
1117	The file descriptor being watched.	1316	The file descriptor being watched.
1118		1317
…		…
1126		1325
1127	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well	1326	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
1128	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could	1327	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
1129	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.	1328	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
1130		1329
1131	static void	1330	static void
1132	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1331	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1133	{	1332	{
1134	ev_io_stop (loop, w);	1333	ev_io_stop (loop, w);
1135	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors	1334	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
1136	}	1335	}
1137		1336
1138	...	1337	...
1139	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	1338	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1140	struct ev_io stdin_readable;	1339	ev_io stdin_readable;
1141	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1340	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1142	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);	1341	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1143	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1342	ev_loop (loop, 0);
1144		1343
1145		1344
1146	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts	1345	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1147		1346
1148	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a	1347	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1149	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.	1348	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
1150		1349
1151	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that	1350	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
1152	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years	1351	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
1153	time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because	1352	year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
1154	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the	1353	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1155	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).	1354	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
		1355
		1356	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
		1357	passed. If multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration
		1358	then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with
		1359	later time-out values (but this is no longer true when a callback calls
		1360	C<ev_loop> recursively).
		1361
		1362	=head3 Be smart about timeouts
		1363
		1364	Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
		1365	recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
		1366	you want to raise some error after a while.
		1367
		1368	What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
		1369	inefficient to smart and efficient.
		1370
		1371	In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
		1372	gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
		1373	data or other life sign was received).
		1374
		1375	=over 4
		1376
		1377	=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
		1378
		1379	This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
		1380	start the watcher:
		1381
		1382	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
		1383	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1384
		1385	Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
		1386	and start it again:
		1387
		1388	ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
		1389	ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
		1390	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1391
		1392	This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
		1393	some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
		1394	data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
		1395	still not a constant-time operation.
		1396
		1397	=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
		1398
		1399	This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
		1400	C<ev_timer_start>.
		1401
		1402	To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
		1403	of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
		1404	successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
		1405	you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
		1406	the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
		1407
		1408	That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
		1409	C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
		1410	member and C<ev_timer_again>.
		1411
		1412	At start:
		1413
		1414	ev_timer_init (timer, callback);
		1415	timer->repeat = 60.;
		1416	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1417
		1418	Each time there is some activity:
		1419
		1420	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1421
		1422	It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
		1423	whether the watcher is active or not:
		1424
		1425	timer->repeat = 30.;
		1426	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1427
		1428	This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
		1429	you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
		1430	remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
		1431
		1432	It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
		1433
		1434	=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
		1435
		1436	This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
		1437	relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
		1438	our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
		1439	associated activity resets.
		1440
		1441	In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
		1442	but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
		1443	within the callback:
		1444
		1445	ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
		1446
		1447	static void
		1448	callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		1449	{
		1450	ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);
		1451	ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
		1452
		1453	// if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
		1454	if (timeout < now)
		1455	{
		1456	// timeout occured, take action
		1457	}
		1458	else
		1459	{
		1460	// callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
		1461	// the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
		1462	// guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
		1463	w->repeat = timeout - now;
		1464	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
		1465	}
		1466	}
		1467
		1468	To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
		1469	as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has
		1470	been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise
		1471	the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so
		1472	re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
		1473	a timeout then.
		1474
		1475	Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the
		1476	C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.
		1477
		1478	This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
		1479	minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
		1480	libev to change the timeout.
		1481
		1482	To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
		1483	to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
		1484	callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
		1485
		1486	ev_timer_init (timer, callback);
		1487	last_activity = ev_now (loop);
		1488	callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMEOUT);
		1489
		1490	And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
		1491	C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
		1492
		1493	last_actiivty = ev_now (loop);
		1494
		1495	This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
		1496	time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
		1497
		1498	Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
		1499	callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
		1500	fix things for you.
		1501
		1502	=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
		1503
		1504	If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
		1505	employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
		1506	do even better:
		1507
		1508	When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
		1509	at the I<end> of the list.
		1510
		1511	Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
		1512	the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
		1513
		1514	When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
		1515	the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
		1516	update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
		1517
		1518	This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
		1519	starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
		1520	complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
		1521	ensures that the list stays sorted.
		1522
		1523	=back
		1524
		1525	So which method the best?
		1526
		1527	Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
		1528	situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
		1529	better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
		1530	one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
		1531
		1532	Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
		1533	rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
		1534	off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
		1535	overkill :)
		1536
		1537	=head3 The special problem of time updates
		1538
		1539	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
		1540	least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
		1541	time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a
		1542	growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
		1543	lots of events in one iteration.
1156		1544
1157	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>	1545	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1158	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time	1546	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1159	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If	1547	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
1160	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout	1548	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
1161	on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:	1549	timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
1162		1550
1163	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);	1551	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
1164		1552
1165	The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed,	1553	If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1166	but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then	1554	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1167	order of execution is undefined.	1555	()>.
1168		1556
1169	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1557	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1170		1558
1171	=over 4	1559	=over 4
1172		1560
1173	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1561	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1174		1562
1175	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1563	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1176		1564
1177	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is	1565	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
1178	C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the	1566	is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
1179	timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds	1567	reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
1180	later, again, and again, until stopped manually.	1568	configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
		1569	until stopped manually.
1181		1570
1182	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you	1571	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
1183	configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at	1572	you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
1184	exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with	1573	trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
1185	the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the	1574	keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1186	timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.	1575	do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1187		1576
1188	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)	1577	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1189		1578
1190	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is	1579	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
1191	repeating. The exact semantics are:	1580	repeating. The exact semantics are:
1192		1581
1193	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.	1582	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1194		1583
1195	If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out).	1584	If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
1196		1585
1197	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the	1586	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
1198	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.	1587	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1199		1588
1200	This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical	1589	This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
1201	example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle	1590	usage example.
1202	timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
1203	seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
1204	configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
1205	C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
1206	you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
1207	socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
1208	automatically restart it if need be.
1209
1210	That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>
1211	altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
1212
1213	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);
1214	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1215	...
1216	timer->again = 17.;
1217	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1218	...
1219	timer->again = 10.;
1220	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1221
1222	This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
1223	you want to modify its timeout value.
1224		1591
1225	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]	1592	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1226		1593
1227	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out	1594	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1228	or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),	1595	or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1229	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.	1596	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
1230		1597
1231	=back	1598	=back
1232		1599
1233	=head3 Examples	1600	=head3 Examples
1234		1601
1235	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.	1602	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1236		1603
1237	static void	1604	static void
1238	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1605	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1239	{	1606	{
1240	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here	1607	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1241	}	1608	}
1242		1609
1243	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1610	ev_timer mytimer;
1244	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);	1611	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1245	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);	1612	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1246		1613
1247	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of	1614	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1248	inactivity.	1615	inactivity.
1249		1616
1250	static void	1617	static void
1251	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1618	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1252	{	1619	{
1253	.. ten seconds without any activity	1620	.. ten seconds without any activity
1254	}	1621	}
1255		1622
1256	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1623	ev_timer mytimer;
1257	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */	1624	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1258	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */	1625	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1259	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1626	ev_loop (loop, 0);
1260		1627
1261	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":	1628	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1262	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds	1629	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1263	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);	1630	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1264		1631
1265		1632
1266	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?	1633	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1267		1634
1268	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile	1635	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1269	(and unfortunately a bit complex).	1636	(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1270		1637
1271	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)	1638	Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
1272	but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher	1639	relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
1273	to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a	1640	(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calender or clock). The
1274	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now ()	1641	difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
1275	+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will	1642	time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
1276	take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger	1643	wrist-watch).
1277	roughly 10 seconds later).
1278		1644
1279	They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as	1645	You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
1280	triggering an event on each midnight, local time or other, complicated,	1646	in time: for example, if you tell a periodic watcher to trigger "in 10
1281	rules.	1647	seconds" (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now () + 10.>, that is, an absolute time
		1648	not a delay) and then reset your system clock to January of the previous
		1649	year, then it will take a year or more to trigger the event (unlike an
		1650	C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting
		1651	it, as it uses a relative timeout).
1282		1652
		1653	C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex
		1654	timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or
		1655	other complicated rules. This cannot be done with C<ev_timer> watchers, as
		1656	those cannot react to time jumps.
		1657
1283	As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the	1658	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1284	time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready	1659	point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
1285	during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.	1660	timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
		1661	earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
		1662	(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively).
1286		1663
1287	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1664	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1288		1665
1289	=over 4	1666	=over 4
1290		1667
1291	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)	1668	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1292		1669
1293	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)	1670	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1294		1671
1295	Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of	1672	Lots of arguments, let's sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1296	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:	1673	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1297		1674
1298	=over 4	1675	=over 4
1299		1676
1300	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)	1677	=item * absolute timer (offset = absolute time, interval = 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1301		1678
1302	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time	1679	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1303	C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs,	1680	time C<offset> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a
1304	that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the	1681	time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it
1305	system time reaches or surpasses this time.	1682	will be stopped and invoked when the system clock reaches or surpasses
		1683	this point in time.
1306		1684
1307	=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)	1685	=item * repeating interval timer (offset = offset within interval, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1308		1686
1309	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next	1687	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1310	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)	1688	C<offset + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be
1311	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.	1689	negative) and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. The C<offset>
		1690	argument is merely an offset into the C<interval> periods.
1312		1691
1313	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system	1692	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1314	time:	1693	system clock, for example, here is an C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
		1694	hour, on the hour (with respect to UTC):
1315		1695
1316	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);	1696	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1317		1697
1318	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,	1698	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1319	but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a	1699	but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1320	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible	1700	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1321	by 3600.	1701	by 3600.
1322		1702
1323	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that	1703	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1324	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible	1704	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1325	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.	1705	time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1326		1706
1327	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near	1707	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<offset> value is near
1328	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for	1708	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1329	this value.	1709	this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
1330		1710
		1711	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
		1712	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
		1713	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
		1714	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
		1715
1331	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)	1716	=item * manual reschedule mode (offset ignored, interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1332		1717
1333	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being	1718	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<offset> are both being
1334	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the	1719	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1335	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the	1720	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1336	current time as second argument.	1721	current time as second argument.
1337		1722
1338	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,	1723	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, ever,
1339	ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it,	1724	or make ANY other event loop modifications whatsoever, unless explicitly
1340	return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by	1725	allowed by documentation here>.
1341	starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is legal).
1342		1726
		1727	If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
		1728	it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
		1729	only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
		1730
1343	Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,	1731	The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1344	ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:	1732	*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1345		1733
		1734	static ev_tstamp
1346	static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	1735	my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1347	{	1736	{
1348	return now + 60.;	1737	return now + 60.;
1349	}	1738	}
1350		1739
1351	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value	1740	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1352	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It	1741	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
1353	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but	1742	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1354	might be called at other times, too.	1743	might be called at other times, too.
1355		1744
1356	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the	1745	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1357	passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger.	1746	equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1358		1747
1359	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that	1748	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1360	triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the	1749	triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
1361	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How	1750	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
1362	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main	1751	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
1363	reason I omitted it as an example).	1752	reason I omitted it as an example).
1364		1753
1365	=back	1754	=back
…		…
1369	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful	1758	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1370	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return	1759	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1371	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like	1760	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1372	program when the crontabs have changed).	1761	program when the crontabs have changed).
1373		1762
		1763	=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
		1764
		1765	When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed
		1766	to trigger next. This is not the same as the C<offset> argument to
		1767	C<ev_periodic_set>, but indeed works even in interval and manual
		1768	rescheduling modes.
		1769
1374	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]	1770	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1375		1771
1376	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the	1772	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1377	absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).	1773	absolute point in time (the C<offset> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>,
		1774	although libev might modify this value for better numerical stability).
1378		1775
1379	Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic	1776	Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
1380	timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	1777	timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1381		1778
1382	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]	1779	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1383		1780
1384	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only	1781	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1385	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being	1782	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1386	called.	1783	called.
1387		1784
1388	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]	1785	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1389		1786
1390	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is	1787	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1391	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when	1788	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1392	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	1789	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1393		1790
1394	=item ev_tstamp at [read-only]
1395
1396	When active, contains the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1397	trigger next.
1398
1399	=back	1791	=back
1400		1792
1401	=head3 Examples	1793	=head3 Examples
1402		1794
1403	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the	1795	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1404	system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have	1796	system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1405	potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.	1797	potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1406		1798
1407	static void	1799	static void
1408	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1800	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1409	{	1801	{
1410	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)	1802	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1411	}	1803	}
1412		1804
1413	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	1805	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1414	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);	1806	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1415	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	1807	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1416		1808
1417	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:	1809	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1418		1810
1419	#include <math.h>	1811	#include <math.h>
1420		1812
1421	static ev_tstamp	1813	static ev_tstamp
1422	my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	1814	my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1423	{	1815	{
1424	return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;	1816	return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1425	}	1817	}
1426		1818
1427	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);	1819	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1428		1820
1429	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:	1821	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1430		1822
1431	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	1823	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1432	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,	1824	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1433	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);	1825	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1434	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	1826	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1435		1827
1436		1828
1437	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!	1829	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1438		1830
1439	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific	1831	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1440	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev	1832	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1441	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the	1833	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1442	normal event processing, like any other event.	1834	normal event processing, like any other event.
1443		1835
		1836	If you want signals asynchronously, just use C<sigaction> as you would
		1837	do without libev and forget about sharing the signal. You can even use
		1838	C<ev_async> from a signal handler to synchronously wake up an event loop.
		1839
1444	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the	1840	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the
1445	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher	1841	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal handler
1446	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long	1842	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as
1447	as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal	1843	you don't register any with libev for the same signal). Similarly, when
1448	watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to	1844	the last signal watcher for a signal is stopped, libev will reset the
1449	SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).	1845	signal handler to SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1450		1846
1451	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with	1847	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1452	C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so syscalls should not be unduly	1848	C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so system calls should not be unduly
1453	interrupted. If you have a problem with syscalls getting interrupted by	1849	interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting interrupted by
1454	signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock	1850	signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock
1455	them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.	1851	them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
1456		1852
1457	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1853	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1458		1854
…		…
1471		1867
1472	=back	1868	=back
1473		1869
1474	=head3 Examples	1870	=head3 Examples
1475		1871
1476	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.	1872	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
1477		1873
1478	static void	1874	static void
1479	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)	1875	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
1480	{	1876	{
1481	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	1877	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
1482	}	1878	}
1483		1879
1484	struct ev_signal signal_watcher;	1880	ev_signal signal_watcher;
1485	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);	1881	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1486	ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);	1882	ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
1487		1883
1488		1884
1489	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes	1885	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1490		1886
1491	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to	1887	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1492	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). It	1888	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
1493	is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child has been	1889	exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
1494	forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long as the event	1890	has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
1495	loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher).	1891	as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
		1892	forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
		1893	but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later is
		1894	not.
1496		1895
1497	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore	1896	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1498	you can only rgeister child watchers in the default event loop.	1897	you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
1499		1898
1500	=head3 Process Interaction	1899	=head3 Process Interaction
1501		1900
1502	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is	1901	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1503	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if	1902	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if
1504	the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurance	1903	the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
1505	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done	1904	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1506	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all	1905	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1507	children, even ones not watched.	1906	children, even ones not watched.
1508		1907
1509	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing	1908	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
…		…
1513	handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for	1912	handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
1514	C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the	1913	C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
1515	default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an	1914	default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
1516	event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for	1915	event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
1517	that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.	1916	that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
		1917
		1918	=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
		1919
		1920	Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
		1921	child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
		1922	callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
		1923	when a child exit is detected.
1518		1924
1519	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1925	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1520		1926
1521	=over 4	1927	=over 4
1522		1928
…		…
1551	=head3 Examples	1957	=head3 Examples
1552		1958
1553	Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for	1959	Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
1554	its completion.	1960	its completion.
1555		1961
1556	ev_child cw;	1962	ev_child cw;
1557		1963
1558	static void	1964	static void
1559	child_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_child *w, int revents)	1965	child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1560	{	1966	{
1561	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);	1967	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
1562	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);	1968	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1563	}	1969	}
1564		1970
1565	pid_t pid = fork ();	1971	pid_t pid = fork ();
1566		1972
1567	if (pid < 0)	1973	if (pid < 0)
1568	// error	1974	// error
1569	else if (pid == 0)	1975	else if (pid == 0)
1570	{	1976	{
1571	// the forked child executes here	1977	// the forked child executes here
1572	exit (1);	1978	exit (1);
1573	}	1979	}
1574	else	1980	else
1575	{	1981	{
1576	ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);	1982	ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
1577	ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);	1983	ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
1578	}	1984	}
1579		1985
1580		1986
1581	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?	1987	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1582		1988
1583	This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls	1989	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1584	C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed	1990	C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
1585	compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.	1991	and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if
		1992	it did.
1586		1993
1587	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does	1994	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1588	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does	1995	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
1589	not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is	1996	exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
1590	otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of	1997	C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
1591	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.	1998	least one) and all the other fields of the stat buffer having unspecified
		1999	contents.
1592		2000
1593	The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is	2001	The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
		2002	C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
1594	relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.	2003	your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
1595		2004
1596	Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply	2005	Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
1597	calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You	2006	portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
1598	can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify	2007	to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
1599	a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,	2008	interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
1600	unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around	2009	recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
1601	five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also	2010	(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
1602	impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats	2011	change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
1603	usually overkill.	2012	currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
1604		2013
1605	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,	2014	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1606	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be	2015	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1607	resource-intensive.	2016	resource-intensive.
1608		2017
1609	At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is	2018	At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1610	implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the	2019	is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as an
1611	reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the	2020	exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way of
1612	semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs	2021	implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue, except as a hint).
1613	to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are
1614	usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no
1615	polling.
1616		2022
1617	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)	2023	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1618		2024
1619	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default	2025	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
1620	compilation environment, which means that on systems with optionally	2026	compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
1621	disabled large file support, you get the 32 bit version of the stat	2027	support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
1622	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to	2028	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
1623	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to	2029	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
1624	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is	2030	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
1625	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is	2031	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
1626	most noticably with ev_stat and largefile support.	2032	most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
1627		2033
1628	=head3 Inotify	2034	The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
		2035	file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
		2036	optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
		2037	to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
		2038	default compilation environment.
1629		2039
		2040	=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
		2041
1630	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only	2042	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev and present at
1631	available on Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up	2043	runtime, it will be used to speed up change detection where possible. The
1632	change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily	2044	inotify descriptor will be created lazily when the first C<ev_stat>
1633	when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.	2045	watcher is being started.
1634		2046
1635	Inotify presense does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers	2047	Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1636	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid	2048	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1637	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presense of inotify support	2049	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1638	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling.	2050	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
		2051	but as long as kernel 2.6.25 or newer is used (2.6.24 and older have too
		2052	many bugs), the path exists (i.e. stat succeeds), and the path resides on
		2053	a local filesystem (libev currently assumes only ext2/3, jfs, reiserfs and
		2054	xfs are fully working) libev usually gets away without polling.
1639		2055
1640	(There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to	2056	There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1641	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file	2057	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1642	descriptor open on the object at all times).	2058	descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
		2059	etc. is difficult.
		2060
		2061	=head3 C<stat ()> is a synchronous operation
		2062
		2063	Libev doesn't normally do any kind of I/O itself, and so is not blocking
		2064	the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat
		2065	()>, which is a synchronous operation.
		2066
		2067	For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very
		2068	busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast,
		2069	as the path data is usually in memory already (except when starting the
		2070	watcher).
		2071
		2072	For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
		2073	time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call
		2074	often takes multiple milliseconds.
		2075
		2076	Therefore, it is best to avoid using C<ev_stat> watchers on networked
		2077	paths, although this is fully supported by libev.
1643		2078
1644	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution	2079	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1645		2080
1646	The C<stat ()> syscall only supports full-second resolution portably, and	2081	The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
1647	even on systems where the resolution is higher, many filesystems still	2082	and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
1648	only support whole seconds.	2083	still only support whole seconds.
1649		2084
1650	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you might	2085	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1651	miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and calls	2086	easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1652	your callback, which does something. When there is another update within	2087	calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1653	the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect it.	2088	within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
		2089	stat data does change in other ways (e.g. file size).
1654		2090
1655	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for a second (or till	2091	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
1656	the next second boundary), using a roughly one-second delay C<ev_timer>	2092	than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
1657	(C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.01); ev_timer_again (loop, w)>). The C<.01>	2093	a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
1658	is added to work around small timing inconsistencies of some operating	2094	ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
1659	systems.	2095
		2096	The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
		2097	of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
		2098	might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
		2099	C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
		2100	a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
		2101	update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
		2102	the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
		2103	the timer callback).
1660		2104
1661	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2105	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1662		2106
1663	=over 4	2107	=over 4
1664		2108
…		…
1670	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to	2114	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1671	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose	2115	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1672	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same	2116	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1673	path for as long as the watcher is active.	2117	path for as long as the watcher is active.
1674		2118
1675	The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected,	2119	The callback will receive an C<EV_STAT> event when a change was detected,
1676	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the	2120	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1677	last change was detected).	2121	last change was detected).
1678		2122
1679	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)	2123	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1680		2124
1681	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the	2125	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1682	watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid	2126	watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1683	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be	2127	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1684	useful simply to find out the new values.	2128	the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
		2129	new values.
1685		2130
1686	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]	2131	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1687		2132
1688	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of	2133	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
1689	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types	2134	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1690	suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there	2135	suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
		2136	members to be present. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there was
1691	was some error while C<stat>ing the file.	2137	some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1692		2138
1693	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]	2139	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1694		2140
1695	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever	2141	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1696	C<prev> != C<attr>.	2142	C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
		2143	differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
		2144	C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
1697		2145
1698	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]	2146	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1699		2147
1700	The specified interval.	2148	The specified interval.
1701		2149
1702	=item const char *path [read-only]	2150	=item const char *path [read-only]
1703		2151
1704	The filesystem path that is being watched.	2152	The file system path that is being watched.
1705		2153
1706	=back	2154	=back
1707		2155
1708	=head3 Examples	2156	=head3 Examples
1709		2157
1710	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.	2158	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1711		2159
1712	static void	2160	static void
1713	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)	2161	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1714	{	2162	{
1715	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */	2163	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1716	if (w->attr.st_nlink)	2164	if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1717	{	2165	{
1718	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);	2166	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1719	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2167	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1720	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2168	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1721	}	2169	}
1722	else	2170	else
1723	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */	2171	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1724	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "	2172	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1725	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");	2173	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1726	}	2174	}
1727		2175
1728	...	2176	...
1729	ev_stat passwd;	2177	ev_stat passwd;
1730		2178
1731	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);	2179	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1732	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	2180	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1733		2181
1734	Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not	2182	Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
1735	miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so	2183	miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
1736	one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on	2184	one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
1737	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).	2185	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
1738		2186
1739	static ev_stat passwd;	2187	static ev_stat passwd;
1740	static ev_timer timer;	2188	static ev_timer timer;
1741		2189
1742	static void	2190	static void
1743	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2191	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1744	{	2192	{
1745	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);	2193	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
1746		2194
1747	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */	2195	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
1748	}	2196	}
1749		2197
1750	static void	2198	static void
1751	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)	2199	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
1752	{	2200	{
1753	/* reset the one-second timer */	2201	/* reset the one-second timer */
1754	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);	2202	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
1755	}	2203	}
1756		2204
1757	...	2205	...
1758	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);	2206	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1759	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	2207	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1760	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.01);	2208	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1761		2209
1762		2210
1763	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...	2211	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1764		2212
1765	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher	2213	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1766	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not	2214	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count
1767	count).	2215	as receiving "events").
1768		2216
1769	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts	2217	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1770	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be	2218	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1771	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers	2219	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1772	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop	2220	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
…		…
1783		2231
1784	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2232	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1785		2233
1786	=over 4	2234	=over 4
1787		2235
1788	=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback)	2236	=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
1789		2237
1790	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any	2238	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1791	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	2239	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1792	believe me.	2240	believe me.
1793		2241
…		…
1796	=head3 Examples	2244	=head3 Examples
1797		2245
1798	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the	2246	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1799	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.	2247	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1800		2248
1801	static void	2249	static void
1802	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)	2250	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1803	{	2251	{
1804	free (w);	2252	free (w);
1805	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has	2253	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1806	// no longer anything immediate to do.	2254	// no longer anything immediate to do.
1807	}	2255	}
1808		2256
1809	struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));	2257	ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1810	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);	2258	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1811	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);	2259	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1812		2260
1813		2261
1814	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!	2262	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1815		2263
1816	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:	2264	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
1817	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers	2265	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1818	afterwards.	2266	afterwards.
1819		2267
1820	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter	2268	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter
1821	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>	2269	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
…		…
1824	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,	2272	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1825	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be	2273	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1826	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.	2274	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1827		2275
1828	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and	2276	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1829	their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track	2277	their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
1830	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a	2278	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1831	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if	2279	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1832	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,	2280	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1833	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>	2281	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1834	watcher).	2282	watcher).
1835		2283
1836	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need	2284	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors
1837	to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for	2285	need to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers
1838	them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries	2286	for them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many
1839	provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for	2287	libraries provide exactly this functionality). Then, in the check watcher,
1840	any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers	2288	you check for any events that occurred (by checking the pending status
1841	and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer	2289	of all watchers and stopping them) and call back into the library. The
1842	callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,	2290	I/O and timer callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid
1843	because you never know, you know?).	2291	nevertheless, because you never know, you know?).
1844		2292
1845	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate	2293	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1846	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines	2294	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
1847	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines	2295	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
1848	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines	2296	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
…		…
1851	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping	2299	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1852	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).	2300	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1853		2301
1854	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)	2302	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
1855	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers	2303	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
		2304	after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).
		2305
1856	after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers,	2306	Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
1857	too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully	2307	activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
1858	supports this, they will be called before other C<ev_check> watchers	2308	might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
1859	did their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other	2309	C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
1860	(non-libev) event loops those other event loops might be in an unusable	2310	loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
1861	state until their C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to	2311	C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
1862	coexist peacefully with others).	2312	others).
1863		2313
1864	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2314	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1865		2315
1866	=over 4	2316	=over 4
1867		2317
…		…
1869		2319
1870	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)	2320	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1871		2321
1872	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no	2322	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
1873	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>	2323	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1874	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.	2324	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly, utterly and completely
		2325	pointless.
1875		2326
1876	=back	2327	=back
1877		2328
1878	=head3 Examples	2329	=head3 Examples
1879		2330
1880	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules	2331	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
1881	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev	2332	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
1882	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could	2333	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
1883	use for an actually working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib>	2334	use as a working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> embeds a
1884	embeds a Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV	2335	Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
1885	into the Glib event loop).	2336	Glib event loop).
1886		2337
1887	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,	2338	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1888	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows	2339	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1889	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low	2340	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
1890	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as	2341	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
1891	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.	2342	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1892		2343
1893	static ev_io iow [nfd];	2344	static ev_io iow [nfd];
1894	static ev_timer tw;	2345	static ev_timer tw;
1895		2346
1896	static void	2347	static void
1897	io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)	2348	io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1898	{	2349	{
1899	}	2350	}
1900		2351
1901	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking	2352	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1902	static void	2353	static void
1903	adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)	2354	adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1904	{	2355	{
1905	int timeout = 3600000;	2356	int timeout = 3600000;
1906	struct pollfd fds [nfd];	2357	struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1907	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.	2358	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1908	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));	2359	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1909		2360
1910	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */	2361	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1911	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);	2362	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1912	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);	2363	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1913		2364
1914	// create one ev_io per pollfd	2365	// create one ev_io per pollfd
1915	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2366	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1916	{	2367	{
1917	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,	2368	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1918	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)	2369	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1919	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));	2370	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1920		2371
1921	fds [i].revents = 0;	2372	fds [i].revents = 0;
1922	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);	2373	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1923	}	2374	}
1924	}	2375	}
1925		2376
1926	// stop all watchers after blocking	2377	// stop all watchers after blocking
1927	static void	2378	static void
1928	adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)	2379	adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1929	{	2380	{
1930	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);	2381	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1931		2382
1932	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2383	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1933	{	2384	{
1934	// set the relevant poll flags	2385	// set the relevant poll flags
1935	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here	2386	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1936	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;	2387	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
1937	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);	2388	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
1938	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;	2389	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1939	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;	2390	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1940		2391
1941	// now stop the watcher	2392	// now stop the watcher
1942	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);	2393	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1943	}	2394	}
1944		2395
1945	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));	2396	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1946	}	2397	}
1947		2398
1948	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>	2399	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
1949	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.	2400	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
1950		2401
1951	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event	2402	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
1952	notification (adns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher	2403	notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
1953	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.	2404	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
1954		2405
1955	static void	2406	static void
1956	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2407	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1957	{	2408	{
1958	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2409	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1959	update_now (EV_A);	2410	update_now (EV_A);
1960		2411
1961	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);	2412	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
1962	}	2413	}
1963		2414
1964	static void	2415	static void
1965	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)	2416	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1966	{	2417	{
1967	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2418	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1968	update_now (EV_A);	2419	update_now (EV_A);
1969		2420
1970	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2421	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1971	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2422	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1972	}	2423	}
1973		2424
1974	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll	2425	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll
1975		2426
1976	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you	2427	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
1977	want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, youc na override	2428	want to embed is not flexible enough to support it. Instead, you can
1978	their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main	2429	override their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the
1979	loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does	2430	main loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module uses
1980	this.	2431	this approach, effectively embedding EV as a client into the horrible
		2432	libglib event loop.
1981		2433
1982	static gint	2434	static gint
1983	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)	2435	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
1984	{	2436	{
1985	int got_events = 0;	2437	int got_events = 0;
1986		2438
1987	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2439	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1988	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events	2440	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
1989		2441
1990	if (timeout >= 0)	2442	if (timeout >= 0)
1991	// create/start timer	2443	// create/start timer
1992		2444
1993	// poll	2445	// poll
1994	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	2446	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1995		2447
1996	// stop timer again	2448	// stop timer again
1997	if (timeout >= 0)	2449	if (timeout >= 0)
1998	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);	2450	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
1999		2451
2000	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set	2452	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
2001	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2453	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
2002	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);	2454	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
2003		2455
2004	return got_events;	2456	return got_events;
2005	}	2457	}
2006		2458
2007		2459
2008	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...	2460	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
2009		2461
2010	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop	2462	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
…		…
2016	prioritise I/O.	2468	prioritise I/O.
2017		2469
2018	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support	2470	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
2019	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you	2471	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
2020	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales	2472	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
2021	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it	2473	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed
2022	into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will	2474	it into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation
2023	be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but	2475	will be a bit slower because first libev has to call C<poll> and then
2024	at least you can use both at what they are best.	2476	C<kevent>, but at least you can use both mechanisms for what they are
		2477	best: C<kqueue> for scalable sockets and C<poll> if you want it to work :)
2025		2478
2026	As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have	2479	As for prioritising I/O: under rare circumstances you have the case where
2027	to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even	2480	some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
2028	priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case	2481	and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
2029	you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in	2482	this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
2030	a second one, and embed the second one in the first.	2483	the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
2031		2484
2032	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time	2485	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every
2033	there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then	2486	time there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback
2034	call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke	2487	must then call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single
2035	their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded	2488	sweep and invoke their callbacks (the callback doesn't need to invoke the
2036	loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback	2489	C<ev_embed_sweep> function directly, it could also start an idle watcher
2037	to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the	2490	to give the embedded loop strictly lower priority for example).
2038	embedded loop sweep.
2039		2491
2040	As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The	2492	You can also set the callback to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher
2041	callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can	2493	will automatically execute the embedded loop sweep whenever necessary.
2042	set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
2043	interested in that.
2044		2494
2045	Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:	2495	Fork detection will be handled transparently while the C<ev_embed> watcher
2046	when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,	2496	is active, i.e., the embedded loop will automatically be forked when the
2047	but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers	2497	embedding loop forks. In other cases, the user is responsible for calling
2048	yourself.	2498	C<ev_loop_fork> on the embedded loop.
2049		2499
2050	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by	2500	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
2051	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any	2501	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
2052	portable one.	2502	portable one.
2053		2503
2054	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared	2504	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
2055	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around	2505	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
2056	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to	2506	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
2057	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.	2507	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
2058		2508
		2509	=head3 C<ev_embed> and fork
		2510
		2511	While the C<ev_embed> watcher is running, forks in the embedding loop will
		2512	automatically be applied to the embedded loop as well, so no special
		2513	fork handling is required in that case. When the watcher is not running,
		2514	however, it is still the task of the libev user to call C<ev_loop_fork ()>
		2515	as applicable.
		2516
2059	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2517	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2060		2518
2061	=over 4	2519	=over 4
2062		2520
2063	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)	2521	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
…		…
2066		2524
2067	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be	2525	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
2068	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be	2526	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
2069	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback	2527	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
2070	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,	2528	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
2071	if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).	2529	if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
2072		2530
2073	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)	2531	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
2074		2532
2075	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works	2533	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
2076	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most	2534	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
2077	apropriate way for embedded loops.	2535	appropriate way for embedded loops.
2078		2536
2079	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]	2537	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
2080		2538
2081	The embedded event loop.	2539	The embedded event loop.
2082		2540
…		…
2084		2542
2085	=head3 Examples	2543	=head3 Examples
2086		2544
2087	Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default	2545	Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
2088	event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default	2546	event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
2089	loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the mebeddable loop is stored in	2547	loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
2090	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the acse no embeddable loop can be	2548	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
2091	used).	2549	used).
2092		2550
2093	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);	2551	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2094	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;	2552	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2095	struct ev_embed embed;	2553	ev_embed embed;
2096		2554
2097	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works	2555	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2098	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)	2556	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2099	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()	2557	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2100	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())	2558	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
2101	: 0;	2559	: 0;
2102		2560
2103	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi	2561	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
2104	if (loop_lo)	2562	if (loop_lo)
2105	{	2563	{
2106	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);	2564	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
2107	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);	2565	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
2108	}	2566	}
2109	else	2567	else
2110	loop_lo = loop_hi;	2568	loop_lo = loop_hi;
2111		2569
2112	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create	2570	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
2113	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any	2571	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
2114	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in	2572	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
2115	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).	2573	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2116		2574
2117	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	2575	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2118	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;	2576	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2119	struct ev_embed embed;	2577	ev_embed embed;
2120		2578
2121	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)	2579	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2122	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))	2580	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2123	{	2581	{
2124	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);	2582	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2125	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);	2583	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2126	}	2584	}
2127		2585
2128	if (!loop_socket)	2586	if (!loop_socket)
2129	loop_socket = loop;	2587	loop_socket = loop;
2130		2588
2131	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else	2589	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
2132		2590
2133		2591
2134	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork	2592	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
2135		2593
2136	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because	2594	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
…		…
2180	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a	2638	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2181	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't	2639	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2182	need elaborate support such as pthreads.	2640	need elaborate support such as pthreads.
2183		2641
2184	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own	2642	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2185	queue. But at least I can tell you would implement locking around your	2643	queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2186	queue:	2644	queue:
2187		2645
2188	=over 4	2646	=over 4
2189		2647
2190	=item queueing from a signal handler context	2648	=item queueing from a signal handler context
2191		2649
2192	To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal	2650	To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
2193	handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is an example that does that for	2651	handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is
2194	some fictitiuous SIGUSR1 handler:	2652	an example that does that for some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
2195		2653
2196	static ev_async mysig;	2654	static ev_async mysig;
2197		2655
2198	static void	2656	static void
2199	sigusr1_handler (void)	2657	sigusr1_handler (void)
…		…
2265	=over 4	2723	=over 4
2266		2724
2267	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)	2725	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2268		2726
2269	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any	2727	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2270	kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	2728	kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2271	believe me.	2729	trust me.
2272		2730
2273	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)	2731	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2274		2732
2275	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds	2733	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2276	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike	2734	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
2277	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do in other threads, signal or	2735	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or
2278	similar contexts (see the dicusssion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding	2736	similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
2279	section below on what exactly this means).	2737	section below on what exactly this means).
2280		2738
		2739	Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
		2740	compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this
		2741	is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>,
		2742	reset when the event loop detects that).
		2743
2281	This call incurs the overhead of a syscall only once per loop iteration,	2744	This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per event loop
2282	so while the overhead might be noticable, it doesn't apply to repeated	2745	iteration, so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to
2283	calls to C<ev_async_send>.	2746	repeated calls to C<ev_async_send> for the same event loop.
		2747
		2748	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
		2749
		2750	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
		2751	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
		2752	event loop.
		2753
		2754	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
		2755	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
		2756	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
		2757	quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
		2758
		2759	Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending,
		2760	only whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending: there
		2761	is a time window between the event loop checking and resetting the async
		2762	notification, and the callback being invoked.
2284		2763
2285	=back	2764	=back
2286		2765
2287		2766
2288	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS	2767	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
…		…
2292	=over 4	2771	=over 4
2293		2772
2294	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)	2773	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
2295		2774
2296	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your	2775	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
2297	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both	2776	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
2298	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd	2777	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
2299	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or	2778	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
2300	more watchers yourself.	2779	more watchers yourself.
2301		2780
2302	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events	2781	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and the
2303	is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and	2782	C<events> argument is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for
2304	C<events> set will be craeted and started.	2783	the given C<fd> and C<events> set will be created and started.
2305		2784
2306	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be	2785	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
2307	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and	2786	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
2308	repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of	2787	repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
2309	dubious value.
2310		2788
2311	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets	2789	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
2312	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of	2790	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
2313	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>	2791	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
2314	value passed to C<ev_once>:	2792	value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
		2793	a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
		2794	events precedence.
2315		2795
		2796	Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
		2797
2316	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)	2798	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
2317	{	2799	{
2318	if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
2319	/* doh, nothing entered */;
2320	else if (revents & EV_READ)	2800	if (revents & EV_READ)
2321	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;	2801	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
		2802	else if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
		2803	/* doh, nothing entered */;
2322	}	2804	}
2323		2805
2324	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);	2806	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
2325		2807
2326	=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)	2808	=item ev_feed_event (struct ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
2327		2809
2328	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event	2810	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
2329	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an	2811	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
2330	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).	2812	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
2331		2813
2332	=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)	2814	=item ev_feed_fd_event (struct ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)
2333		2815
2334	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected	2816	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
2335	the given events it.	2817	the given events it.
2336		2818
2337	=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)	2819	=item ev_feed_signal_event (struct ev_loop *loop, int signum)
2338		2820
2339	Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default	2821	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
2340	loop!).	2822	loop!).
2341		2823
2342	=back	2824	=back
2343		2825
2344		2826
…		…
2360		2842
2361	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities	2843	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
2362	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there	2844	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
2363	is an ev_pri field.	2845	is an ev_pri field.
2364		2846
		2847	=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
		2848	first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.
		2849
2365	=item * Other members are not supported.	2850	=item * Other members are not supported.
2366		2851
2367	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need	2852	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
2368	to use the libev header file and library.	2853	to use the libev header file and library.
2369		2854
2370	=back	2855	=back
2371		2856
2372	=head1 C++ SUPPORT	2857	=head1 C++ SUPPORT
2373		2858
2374	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow	2859	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
2375	you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change	2860	you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
2376	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.	2861	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
2377		2862
2378	To use it,	2863	To use it,
2379		2864
2380	#include <ev++.h>	2865	#include <ev++.h>
2381		2866
2382	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many	2867	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
2383	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are	2868	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
2384	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding	2869	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
2385	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.	2870	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
…		…
2452	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the	2937	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
2453	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.	2938	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
2454		2939
2455	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation	2940	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
2456		2941
2457	struct myclass	2942	struct myclass
2458	{	2943	{
2459	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	2944	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2460	}	2945	}
2461		2946
2462	myclass obj;	2947	myclass obj;
2463	ev::io iow;	2948	ev::io iow;
2464	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);	2949	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
		2950
		2951	=item w->set (object *)
		2952
		2953	This is an B<experimental> feature that might go away in a future version.
		2954
		2955	This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
		2956	will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
		2957	functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
		2958	the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
		2959	list.
		2960
		2961	The C<operator ()> method prototype must be C<void operator ()(watcher &w,
		2962	int revents)>.
		2963
		2964	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
		2965
		2966	Example: use a functor object as callback.
		2967
		2968	struct myfunctor
		2969	{
		2970	void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
		2971	{
		2972	...
		2973	}
		2974	}
		2975
		2976	myfunctor f;
		2977
		2978	ev::io w;
		2979	w.set (&f);
2465		2980
2466	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)	2981	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2467		2982
2468	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as	2983	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2469	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's	2984	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
…		…
2471		2986
2472	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.	2987	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
2473		2988
2474	See the method-C<set> above for more details.	2989	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2475		2990
2476	Example:	2991	Example: Use a plain function as callback.
2477		2992
2478	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	2993	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2479	iow.set <io_cb> ();	2994	iow.set <io_cb> ();
2480		2995
2481	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)	2996	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
2482		2997
2483	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only	2998	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
2484	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).	2999	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
2485		3000
2486	=item w->set ([args])	3001	=item w->set ([arguments])
2487		3002
2488	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be	3003	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be
2489	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets	3004	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
2490	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this	3005	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
2491	method.	3006	method.
2492		3007
2493	=item w->start ()	3008	=item w->start ()
…		…
2517	=back	3032	=back
2518		3033
2519	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in	3034	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
2520	the constructor.	3035	the constructor.
2521		3036
2522	class myclass	3037	class myclass
2523	{	3038	{
2524	ev::io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);	3039	ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2525	ev:idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);	3040	ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2526		3041
2527	myclass (int fd)	3042	myclass (int fd)
2528	{	3043	{
2529	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);	3044	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
2530	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);	3045	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2531		3046
2532	io.start (fd, ev::READ);	3047	io.start (fd, ev::READ);
2533	}	3048	}
2534	};	3049	};
2535		3050
2536		3051
2537	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS	3052	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
2538		3053
2539	Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a	3054	Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
2540	numbe rof languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know	3055	number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
2541	any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop	3056	any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
2542	me a note.	3057	me a note.
2543		3058
2544	=over 4	3059	=over 4
2545		3060
2546	=item Perl	3061	=item Perl
2547		3062
2548	The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test	3063	The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
2549	libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,	3064	libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
2550	there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces	3065	there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
2551	to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>), C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the	3066	to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>, but C<AnyEvent::DNS> is preferred nowadays),
2552	C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV> and C<EV::Glib>).	3067	C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV>
		3068	and C<EV::Glib>).
2553		3069
2554	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is found at	3070	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
2555	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.	3071	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2556		3072
		3073	=item Python
		3074
		3075	Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
		3076	seems to be quite complete and well-documented.
		3077
2557	=item Ruby	3078	=item Ruby
2558		3079
2559	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset	3080	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2560	of the libev API and adds filehandle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and	3081	of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2561	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at	3082	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2562	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.	3083	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2563		3084
		3085	Roger Pack reports that using the link order C<-lws2_32 -lmsvcrt-ruby-190>
		3086	makes rev work even on mingw.
		3087
		3088	=item Haskell
		3089
		3090	A haskell binding to libev is available at
		3091	L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
		3092
2564	=item D	3093	=item D
2565		3094
2566	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to	3095	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2567	be found at L<http://git.llucax.com.ar/?p=software/ev.d.git;a=summary>.	3096	be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
		3097
		3098	=item Ocaml
		3099
		3100	Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
		3101	L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
2568		3102
2569	=back	3103	=back
2570		3104
2571		3105
2572	=head1 MACRO MAGIC	3106	=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2573		3107
2574	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal	3108	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
2575	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)	3109	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
2576	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.	3110	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
2577		3111
2578	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the	3112	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
2579	following macros are defined:	3113	following macros are defined:
…		…
2584		3118
2585	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev	3119	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2586	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,	3120	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2587	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:	3121	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2588		3122
2589	ev_unref (EV_A);	3123	ev_unref (EV_A);
2590	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);	3124	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2591	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	3125	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
2592		3126
2593	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,	3127	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2594	which is often provided by the following macro.	3128	which is often provided by the following macro.
2595		3129
2596	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>	3130	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
2597		3131
2598	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev	3132	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2599	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,	3133	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
2600	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:	3134	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
2601		3135
2602	// this is how ev_unref is being declared	3136	// this is how ev_unref is being declared
2603	static void ev_unref (EV_P);	3137	static void ev_unref (EV_P);
2604		3138
2605	// this is how you can declare your typical callback	3139	// this is how you can declare your typical callback
2606	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	3140	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2607		3141
2608	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite	3142	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
2609	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.	3143	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
2610		3144
2611	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>	3145	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
2612		3146
2613	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default	3147	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
2614	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").	3148	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
		3149
		3150	=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
		3151
		3152	Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
		3153	default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
		3154	is undefined when the default loop has not been initialised by a previous
		3155	execution of C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> or C<ev_default_init (...)>.
		3156
		3157	It is often prudent to use C<EV_DEFAULT> when initialising the first
		3158	watcher in a function but use C<EV_DEFAULT_UC> afterwards.
2615		3159
2616	=back	3160	=back
2617		3161
2618	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above	3162	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
2619	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported	3163	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2620	or not.	3164	or not.
2621		3165
2622	static void	3166	static void
2623	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	3167	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2624	{	3168	{
2625	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);	3169	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
2626	}	3170	}
2627		3171
2628	ev_check check;	3172	ev_check check;
2629	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);	3173	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
2630	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);	3174	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
2631	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);	3175	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
2632		3176
2633	=head1 EMBEDDING	3177	=head1 EMBEDDING
2634		3178
2635	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host	3179	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
2636	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra	3180	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
…		…
2643	libev somewhere in your source tree).	3187	libev somewhere in your source tree).
2644		3188
2645	=head2 FILESETS	3189	=head2 FILESETS
2646		3190
2647	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files	3191	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
2648	in your app.	3192	in your application.
2649		3193
2650	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP	3194	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
2651		3195
2652	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual	3196	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
2653	configuration (no autoconf):	3197	configuration (no autoconf):
2654		3198
2655	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3199	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2656	#include "ev.c"	3200	#include "ev.c"
2657		3201
2658	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a	3202	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
2659	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use	3203	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
2660	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best	3204	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
2661	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and	3205	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
2662	where you can put other configuration options):	3206	where you can put other configuration options):
2663		3207
2664	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3208	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2665	#include "ev.h"	3209	#include "ev.h"
2666		3210
2667	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++	3211	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
2668	compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated	3212	compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2669	as a bug).	3213	as a bug).
2670		3214
2671	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory	3215	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
2672	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):	3216	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2673		3217
2674	ev.h	3218	ev.h
2675	ev.c	3219	ev.c
2676	ev_vars.h	3220	ev_vars.h
2677	ev_wrap.h	3221	ev_wrap.h
2678		3222
2679	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only	3223	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
2680		3224
2681	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)	3225	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
2682	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3226	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2683	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3227	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2684	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3228	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2685	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3229	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2686		3230
2687	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need	3231	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
2688	to compile this single file.	3232	to compile this single file.
2689		3233
2690	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API	3234	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
2691		3235
2692	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:	3236	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
2693		3237
2694	#include "event.c"	3238	#include "event.c"
2695		3239
2696	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:	3240	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
2697		3241
2698	#include "event.h"	3242	#include "event.h"
2699		3243
2700	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.	3244	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
2701		3245
2702	You need the following additional files for this:	3246	You need the following additional files for this:
2703		3247
2704	event.h	3248	event.h
2705	event.c	3249	event.c
2706		3250
2707	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT	3251	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
2708		3252
2709	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in	3253	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
2710	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your	3254	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
2711	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then	3255	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
2712	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.	3256	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
2713		3257
2714	For this of course you need the m4 file:	3258	For this of course you need the m4 file:
2715		3259
2716	libev.m4	3260	libev.m4
2717		3261
2718	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS	3262	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2719		3263
2720	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define	3264	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
2721	before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity	3265	define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of
2722	and only include the select backend.	3266	autoconf is documented for every option.
2723		3267
2724	=over 4	3268	=over 4
2725		3269
2726	=item EV_STANDALONE	3270	=item EV_STANDALONE
2727		3271
…		…
2729	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy	3273	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
2730	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not	3274	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
2731	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in	3275	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
2732	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.	3276	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2733		3277
		3278	In stanbdalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
		3279	configuration, but has to be more conservative.
		3280
2734	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC	3281	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2735		3282
2736	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3283	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2737	monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use	3284	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
2738	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you	3285	use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this,
2739	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when	3286	you usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it
2740	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have	3287	when the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2741	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>	3288	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2742	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).	3289	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). See also C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
2743		3290
2744	=item EV_USE_REALTIME	3291	=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2745		3292
2746	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3293	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2747	realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at	3294	real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability
2748	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will	3295	at runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock
2749	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get	3296	option will be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday>
2750	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the	3297	by C<clock_get (CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect
2751	note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.	3298	correctness. See the note about libraries in the description of
		3299	C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. Defaults to the opposite value of
		3300	C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
		3301
		3302	=item EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL
		3303
		3304	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to use a direct syscall instead
		3305	of calling the system-provided C<clock_gettime> function. This option
		3306	exists because on GNU/Linux, C<clock_gettime> is in C<librt>, but C<librt>
		3307	unconditionally pulls in C<libpthread>, slowing down single-threaded
		3308	programs needlessly. Using a direct syscall is slightly slower (in
		3309	theory), because no optimised vdso implementation can be used, but avoids
		3310	the pthread dependency. Defaults to C<1> on GNU/Linux with glibc 2.x or
		3311	higher, as it simplifies linking (no need for C<-lrt>).
2752		3312
2753	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP	3313	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
2754		3314
2755	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available	3315	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
2756	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.	3316	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
2757		3317
		3318	=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
		3319
		3320	If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
		3321	available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
		3322	C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
		3323	If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
		3324	2.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
		3325
2758	=item EV_USE_SELECT	3326	=item EV_USE_SELECT
2759		3327
2760	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the	3328	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
2761	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no	3329	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
2762	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend	3330	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
2763	will not be compiled in.	3331	will not be compiled in.
2764		3332
2765	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET	3333	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2766		3334
2767	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>	3335	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
2768	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing	3336	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
2769	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on	3337	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout
2770	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some	3338	on exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to
2771	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only	3339	some low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket
2772	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might	3340	only allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation,
2773	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.	3341	configures the maximum size of the C<fd_set>.
2774		3342
2775	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET	3343	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
2776		3344
2777	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that	3345	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
2778	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but	3346	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
…		…
2798		3366
2799	=item EV_USE_EPOLL	3367	=item EV_USE_EPOLL
2800		3368
2801	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux	3369	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
2802	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,	3370	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2803	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the	3371	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2804	preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems.	3372	backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
		3373	headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2805		3374
2806	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE	3375	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2807		3376
2808	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style	3377	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
2809	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,	3378	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
…		…
2822	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred	3391	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2823	backend for Solaris 10 systems.	3392	backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2824		3393
2825	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL	3394	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2826		3395
2827	reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.	3396	Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2828		3397
2829	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY	3398	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2830		3399
2831	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify	3400	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2832	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will	3401	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2833	be detected at runtime.	3402	be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
		3403	indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2834		3404
2835	=item EV_ATOMIC_T	3405	=item EV_ATOMIC_T
2836		3406
2837	Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose	3407	Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
2838	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such	3408	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
2839	type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type	3409	type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
2840	that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"	3410	that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
2841	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.	3411	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
2842		3412
2843	In the absense of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>	3413	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
2844	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.	3414	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2845		3415
2846	=item EV_H	3416	=item EV_H
2847		3417
2848	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if	3418	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
…		…
2887	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search	3457	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
2888	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space	3458	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
2889	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually	3459	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
2890	fine.	3460	fine.
2891		3461
2892	If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to	3462	If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
2893	C<0> will save some memory and cpu.	3463	both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
2894		3464
2895	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE	3465	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
2896		3466
2897	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If	3467	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
2898	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of	3468	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
…		…
2905	code.	3475	code.
2906		3476
2907	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE	3477	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2908		3478
2909	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If	3479	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2910	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3480	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Embed watchers rely on most other
		3481	watcher types, which therefore must not be disabled.
2911		3482
2912	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE	3483	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
2913		3484
2914	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If	3485	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
2915	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3486	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
…		…
2925	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3496	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2926		3497
2927	=item EV_MINIMAL	3498	=item EV_MINIMAL
2928		3499
2929	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some	3500	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2930	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override	3501	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some
2931	some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64.	3502	inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size on amd64. It also selects a
		3503	much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap.
2932		3504
2933	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE	3505	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2934		3506
2935	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	3507	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2936	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more	3508	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
…		…
2943	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),	3515	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
2944	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>	3516	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
2945	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of	3517	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
2946	two).	3518	two).
2947		3519
		3520	=item EV_USE_4HEAP
		3521
		3522	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		3523	timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
		3524	to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
		3525	faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
		3526
		3527	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
		3528	(disabled).
		3529
		3530	=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
		3531
		3532	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		3533	timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
		3534	the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
		3535	which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
		3536	but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
		3537	noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
		3538
		3539	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
		3540	(disabled).
		3541
		3542	=item EV_VERIFY
		3543
		3544	Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will
		3545	be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
		3546	in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
		3547	called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
		3548	called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
		3549	verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
		3550	libev considerably.
		3551
		3552	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be
		3553	C<0>.
		3554
2948	=item EV_COMMON	3555	=item EV_COMMON
2949		3556
2950	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining	3557	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2951	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of	3558	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2952	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,	3559	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2953	though, and it must be identical each time.	3560	though, and it must be identical each time.
2954		3561
2955	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:	3562	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2956		3563
2957	#define EV_COMMON \	3564	#define EV_COMMON \
2958	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \	3565	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2959	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */	3566	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2960		3567
2961	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)	3568	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2962		3569
2963	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)	3570	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2964		3571
…		…
2969	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for	3576	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
2970	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to	3577	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
2971	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use	3578	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2972	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.	3579	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
2973		3580
		3581	=back
		3582
2974	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS	3583	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
2975		3584
2976	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a dll) and you need a list of	3585	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
2977	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list	3586	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
2978	all public symbols, one per line:	3587	all public symbols, one per line:
2979		3588
2980	Symbols.ev for libev proper	3589	Symbols.ev for libev proper
2981	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation	3590	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
2982		3591
2983	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with	3592	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
2984	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in	3593	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
2985	itself, but sometimes it is inconvinient to avoid this).	3594	itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
2986		3595
2987	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to	3596	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
2988	include before including F<ev.h>:	3597	include before including F<ev.h>:
2989		3598
2990	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h	3599	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
…		…
3007	file.	3616	file.
3008		3617
3009	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file	3618	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
3010	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:	3619	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
3011		3620
3012	#define EV_MINIMAL 1	3621	#define EV_MINIMAL 1
3013	#define EV_USE_POLL 0	3622	#define EV_USE_POLL 0
3014	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0	3623	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
3015	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0	3624	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
3016	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0	3625	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
3017	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0	3626	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
3018	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>	3627	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
3019	#define EV_MINPRI 0	3628	#define EV_MINPRI 0
3020	#define EV_MAXPRI 0	3629	#define EV_MAXPRI 0
3021		3630
3022	#include "ev++.h"	3631	#include "ev++.h"
3023		3632
3024	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:	3633	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
3025		3634
3026	#include "ev_cpp.h"	3635	#include "ev_cpp.h"
3027	#include "ev.c"	3636	#include "ev.c"
3028		3637
		3638	=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES
3029		3639
3030	=head1 COMPLEXITIES	3640	=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
3031		3641
3032	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside	3642	=head3 THREADS
3033	libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the
3034	documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
3035		3643
3036	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be	3644	All libev functions are reentrant and thread-safe unless explicitly
3037	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this	3645	documented otherwise, but libev implements no locking itself. This means
3038	happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might	3646	that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as there
3039	mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average	3647	are no concurrent calls into any libev function with the same loop
3040	it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.	3648	parameter (C<ev_default_*> calls have an implicit default loop parameter,
		3649	of course): libev guarantees that different event loops share no data
		3650	structures that need any locking.
		3651
		3652	Or to put it differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done
		3653	concurrently from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter
		3654	must be done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as
		3655	only one thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using
		3656	a mutex per loop).
		3657
		3658	Specifically to support threads (and signal handlers), libev implements
		3659	so-called C<ev_async> watchers, which allow some limited form of
		3660	concurrency on the same event loop, namely waking it up "from the
		3661	outside".
		3662
		3663	If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
		3664	without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
		3665	help you, but here is some generic advice:
3041		3666
3042	=over 4	3667	=over 4
3043		3668
3044	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)	3669	=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
		3670	in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
3045		3671
3046	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and	3672	This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
3047	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will	3673	themselves and don't care/know about threading.
3048	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
3049		3674
3050	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)	3675	=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
3051		3676
3052	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them	3677	Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
3053	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.	3678	exists, but it is always a good start.
3054		3679
3055	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)	3680	=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
		3681	loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
3056		3682
3057	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.	3683	Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
		3684	better than you currently do :-)
3058		3685
3059	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)	3686	=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
		3687	event loop.
3060		3688
3061	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))	3689	C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other threads safely
		3690	(or from signal contexts...).
3062		3691
3063	These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the	3692	An example use would be to communicate signals or other events that only
3064	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually	3693	work in the default loop by registering the signal watcher with the
3065	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).	3694	default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
3066		3695	watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
3067	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
3068
3069	By virtue of using a binary heap, the next timer is always found at the
3070	beginning of the storage array.
3071
3072	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
3073
3074	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
3075	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
3076	on backend and wether C<ev_io_set> was used).
3077
3078	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
3079
3080	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
3081
3082	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
3083	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
3084	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
3085	watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. priority handling.
3086
3087	=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
3088
3089	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
3090
3091	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
3092
3093	Sending involves a syscall I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
3094	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
3095	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
3096		3696
3097	=back	3697	=back
3098		3698
		3699	=head3 COROUTINES
3099		3700
3100	=head1 Win32 platform limitations and workarounds	3701	Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
		3702	libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
		3703	coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two
		3704	different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running the
		3705	loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that
		3706	you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
		3707
		3708	Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
		3709	C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
		3710	they do not call any callbacks.
		3711
		3712	=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
		3713
		3714	Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
		3715	lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
		3716	scared by this.
		3717
		3718	However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
		3719	has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
		3720	warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
		3721	targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
		3722
		3723	Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
		3724	workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
		3725	maintainable.
		3726
		3727	And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
		3728	wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
		3729	seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
		3730	warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have
		3731	been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
		3732	such buggy versions.
		3733
		3734	While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
		3735	"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
		3736	with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
		3737	them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
		3738	warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
		3739
		3740
		3741	=head2 VALGRIND
		3742
		3743	Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
		3744	highly useful. Unfortunately, valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
		3745
		3746	If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
		3747	in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
		3748
		3749	==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		3750	==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		3751	==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
		3752
		3753	Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
		3754	is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
		3755
		3756	Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
		3757	as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
		3758	although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
		3759	confused.
		3760
		3761	Keep in mind that valgrind is a very good tool, but only a tool. Don't
		3762	make it into some kind of religion.
		3763
		3764	If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
		3765	with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this
		3766	is a bug in libev (best check the archives, too :). However, don't be
		3767	annoyed when you get a brisk "this is no bug" answer and take the chance
		3768	of learning how to interpret valgrind properly.
		3769
		3770	If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
		3771	I suggest using suppression lists.
		3772
		3773
		3774	=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
		3775
		3776	=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
3101		3777
3102	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev	3778	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
3103	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX	3779	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
3104	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in	3780	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
3105	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket	3781	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
3106	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using	3782	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
3107	e.g. cygwin.	3783	e.g. cygwin.
3108		3784
		3785	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
		3786	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of
		3787	things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable
		3788	way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
		3789
3109	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except	3790	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
3110	embedding it into other applications.	3791	embedding it into other applications.
3111		3792
		3793	Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
		3794	accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
		3795	either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
		3796	so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
		3797	megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
		3798	available).
		3799
3112	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and the	3800	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
3113	abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets is not	3801	the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
3114	recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use more than	3802	is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
3115	a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally different	3803	more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
3116	implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX model, which cannot	3804	different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
3117	be implemented efficiently on windows (microsoft monopoly games).	3805	notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
		3806	(Microsoft monopoly games).
		3807
		3808	A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
		3809	section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
		3810	of F<ev.h>:
		3811
		3812	#define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
		3813	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
		3814
		3815	#include "ev.h"
		3816
		3817	And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
		3818	you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
		3819
		3820	#include "evwrap.h"
		3821	#include "ev.c"
3118		3822
3119	=over 4	3823	=over 4
3120		3824
3121	=item The winsocket select function	3825	=item The winsocket select function
3122		3826
3123	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it requires	3827	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
3124	socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors>. This makes select	3828	requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
3125	very inefficient, and also requires a mapping from file descriptors	3829	also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
3126	to socket handles. See the discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>,	3830	requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
3127	C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor	3831	C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
3128	symbols for more info.	3832	discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
		3833	C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
3129		3834
3130	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the microsoft runtime	3835	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
3131	libraries and raw winsocket select is:	3836	libraries and raw winsocket select is:
3132		3837
3133	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1	3838	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3134	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */	3839	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
3135		3840
3136	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a	3841	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
3137	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.	3842	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
3138		3843
3139	=item Limited number of file descriptors	3844	=item Limited number of file descriptors
3140		3845
3141	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things. Early versions	3846	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
3142	of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a max. of C<64> handles	3847
		3848	Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
3143	(probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels can only wait for	3849	of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
3144	C<64> things at the same time internally; microsoft recommends spawning a	3850	can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
3145	chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the previous thread in each).	3851	recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
		3852	previous thread in each. Great).
3146		3853
3147	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>	3854	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
3148	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select	3855	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
3149	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own	3856	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own
3150	select emulation on windows).	3857	select emulation on windows).
3151		3858
3152	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the microsoft runtime	3859	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
3153	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish	3860	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish
3154	or something like this inside microsoft). You can increase this by calling	3861	or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this by calling
3155	C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another	3862	C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another
3156	arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the microsoft runtime	3863	arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft runtime
3157	libraries.	3864	libraries.
3158		3865
3159	This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on	3866	This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on
3160	windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to	3867	windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to
3161	wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of	3868	wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of
3162	calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.	3869	calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
3163		3870
3164	=back	3871	=back
3165		3872
		3873	=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
		3874
		3875	In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
		3876	backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
		3877
		3878	=over 4
		3879
		3880	=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
		3881	calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
		3882
		3883	Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
		3884	structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
		3885	assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
		3886	callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
		3887	calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
		3888
		3889	=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
		3890
		3891	The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
		3892	C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
		3893	threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
		3894	believed to be sufficiently portable.
		3895
		3896	=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
		3897
		3898	Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
		3899	allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
		3900	pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
		3901	thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
		3902	be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
		3903	C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
		3904
		3905	The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
		3906	except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
		3907	well.
		3908
		3909	=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
		3910
		3911	To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
		3912	instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
		3913	systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but is still at
		3914	least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of millions of
		3915	watchers.
		3916
		3917	=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
		3918
		3919	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
		3920	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good
		3921	enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by
		3922	implementations implementing IEEE 754 (basically all existing ones).
		3923
		3924	=back
		3925
		3926	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
		3927
		3928
		3929	=head1 ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITIES
		3930
		3931	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
		3932	libev will be documented. For complexity discussions about backends see
		3933	the documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
		3934
		3935	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
		3936	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
		3937	happens asymptotically rarer with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
		3938	mean that libev does a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on
		3939	average it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
		3940
		3941	=over 4
		3942
		3943	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
		3944
		3945	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
		3946	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that, then inserting will
		3947	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
		3948
		3949	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
		3950
		3951	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them,
		3952	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
		3953
		3954	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
		3955
		3956	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
		3957
		3958	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
		3959
		3960	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
		3961
		3962	These watchers are stored in lists, so they need to be walked to find the
		3963	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
		3964	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal: one is typical, two
		3965	is rare).
		3966
		3967	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
		3968
		3969	By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
		3970	fixed position in the storage array.
		3971
		3972	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
		3973
		3974	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
		3975	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
		3976	on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
		3977
		3978	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
		3979
		3980	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
		3981
		3982	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
		3983	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
		3984	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
		3985	watchers becomes O(1) with respect to priority handling.
		3986
		3987	=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
		3988
		3989	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
		3990
		3991	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
		3992
		3993	Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
		3994	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
		3995	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
		3996
		3997	=back
		3998
3166		3999
3167	=head1 AUTHOR	4000	=head1 AUTHOR
3168		4001
3169	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.	4002	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael Magnusson.
3170		4003

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