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Revision 1.249 by root, Wed Jul 8 04:29:31 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	=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM	9	=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10		10
		11	// a single header file is required
11	#include <ev.h>	12	#include <ev.h>
12		13
		14	#include <stdio.h> // for puts
		15
		16	// every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
		17	// with the name ev_TYPE
13	ev_io stdin_watcher;	18	ev_io stdin_watcher;
14	ev_timer timeout_watcher;	19	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
15		20
16	/* called when data readable on stdin */	21	// all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
		22	// this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
17	static void	23	static void
18	stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents)	24	stdin_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
19	{	25	{
20	/* puts ("stdin ready"); */	26	puts ("stdin ready");
21	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); /* just a syntax example */	27	// for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
22	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); /* leave all loop calls */	28	// with its corresponding stop function.
		29	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
		30
		31	// this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating
		32	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);
23	}	33	}
24		34
		35	// another callback, this time for a time-out
25	static void	36	static void
26	timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	37	timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
27	{	38	{
28	/* puts ("timeout"); */	39	puts ("timeout");
29	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); /* leave one loop call */	40	// this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating
		41	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);
30	}	42	}
31		43
32	int	44	int
33	main (void)	45	main (void)
34	{	46	{
		47	// use the default event loop unless you have special needs
35	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	48	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
36		49
37	/* initialise an io watcher, then start it */	50	// initialise an io watcher, then start it
		51	// this one will watch for stdin to become readable
38	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);
39	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	53	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
40		54
		55	// initialise a timer watcher, then start it
41	/* simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout */	56	// simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
42	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);	57	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
43	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);	58	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
44		59
45	/* loop till timeout or data ready */	60	// now wait for events to arrive
46	ev_loop (loop, 0);	61	ev_loop (loop, 0);
47		62
		63	// unloop was called, so exit
48	return 0;	64	return 0;
49	}	65	}
50		66
51	=head1 DESCRIPTION	67	=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
		68
		69	This document documents the libev software package.
		70
		71	The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted
		72	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
		73	time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
		74
		75	While this document tries to be as complete as possible in documenting
		76	libev, its usage and the rationale behind its design, it is not a tutorial
		77	on event-based programming, nor will it introduce event-based programming
		78	with libev.
		79
		80	Familarity with event based programming techniques in general is assumed
		81	throughout this document.
		82
		83	=head1 ABOUT LIBEV
52		84
53	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a	85	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
54	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occuring), and it will manage	86	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
55	these event sources and provide your program with events.	87	these event sources and provide your program with events.
56		88
57	To do this, it must take more or less complete control over your process	89	To do this, it must take more or less complete control over your process
58	(or thread) by executing the I<event loop> handler, and will then	90	(or thread) by executing the I<event loop> handler, and will then
59	communicate events via a callback mechanism.	91	communicate events via a callback mechanism.
…		…
61	You register interest in certain events by registering so-called I<event	93	You register interest in certain events by registering so-called I<event
62	watchers>, which are relatively small C structures you initialise with the	94	watchers>, which are relatively small C structures you initialise with the
63	details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the	95	details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the
64	watcher.	96	watcher.
65		97
66	=head1 FEATURES	98	=head2 FEATURES
67		99
68	Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the	100	Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the
69	BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms	101	BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms
70	for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface	102	for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface
71	(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers	103	(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers
…		…
78		110
79	It also is quite fast (see this	111	It also is quite fast (see this
80	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent	112	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
81	for example).	113	for example).
82		114
83	=head1 CONVENTIONS	115	=head2 CONVENTIONS
84		116
85	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will	117	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
86	be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about	118	configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
87	various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in	119	more info about various configuration options please have a look at
88	this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event	120	B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
89	loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of name C<loop>	121	for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
90	(which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have this argument.	122	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<ev_loop *>) will not have
		123	this argument.
91		124
92	=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION	125	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
93		126
94	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the	127	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing
95	(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near	128	the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere
96	the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is	129	near the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This
97	called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases	130	type is called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually
98	to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on	131	aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do any calculations
99	it, you should treat it as such.	132	on it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name
		133	component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences
		134	throughout libev.
		135
		136	=head1 ERROR HANDLING
		137
		138	Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
		139	and internal errors (bugs).
		140
		141	When libev catches an operating system error it cannot handle (for example
		142	a system call indicating a condition libev cannot fix), it calls the callback
		143	set via C<ev_set_syserr_cb>, which is supposed to fix the problem or
		144	abort. The default is to print a diagnostic message and to call C<abort
		145	()>.
		146
		147	When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
		148	it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
		149	so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
		150	the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
		151
		152	Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has
		153	extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
		154	circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse.
		155
100		156
101	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS	157	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
102		158
103	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the	159	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
104	library in any way.	160	library in any way.
…		…
109		165
110	Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the	166	Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
111	C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp	167	C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
112	you actually want to know.	168	you actually want to know.
113		169
		170	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
		171
		172	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
		173	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
		174	this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
		175
114	=item int ev_version_major ()	176	=item int ev_version_major ()
115		177
116	=item int ev_version_minor ()	178	=item int ev_version_minor ()
117		179
118	You can find out the major and minor version numbers of the library	180	You can find out the major and minor ABI version numbers of the library
119	you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and	181	you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and
120	C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global	182	C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global
121	symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the	183	symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the
122	version of the library your program was compiled against.	184	version of the library your program was compiled against.
123		185
		186	These version numbers refer to the ABI version of the library, not the
		187	release version.
		188
124	Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch,	189	Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch,
125	as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually	190	as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
126	compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually	191	compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
127	not a problem.	192	not a problem.
128		193
129	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong	194	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
130	version.	195	version.
131		196
132	assert (("libev version mismatch",	197	assert (("libev version mismatch",
133	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR	198	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
134	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));	199	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
135		200
136	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()	201	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
137		202
138	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>	203	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>
139	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their	204	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
…		…
141	a description of the set values.	206	a description of the set values.
142		207
143	Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and	208	Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and
144	a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11	209	a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11
145		210
146	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",	211	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
147	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));	212	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
148		213
149	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()	214	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
150		215
151	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also	216	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also
152	recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one	217	recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one
153	returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on	218	returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on
154	most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it	219	most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it
155	(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that	220	(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that
156	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.	221	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
157		222
158	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()	223	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
159		224
…		…
163	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for	228	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for
164	recommended ones.	229	recommended ones.
165		230
166	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	231	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
167		232
168	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))	233	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT]
169		234
170	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the	235	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
171	semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to	236	semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
172	allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when	237	used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
173	memory needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some	238	when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
174	potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc	239	or take some potentially destructive action.
175	function.	240
		241	Since some systems (at least OpenBSD and Darwin) fail to implement
		242	correct C<realloc> semantics, libev will use a wrapper around the system
		243	C<realloc> and C<free> functions by default.
176		244
177	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,	245	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
178	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,	246	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
179	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.	247	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
180		248
181	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then	249	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
182	retries).	250	retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
183		251
184	static void *	252	static void *
185	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)	253	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
186	{	254	{
187	for (;;)	255	for (;;)
…		…
196	}	264	}
197		265
198	...	266	...
199	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);	267	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
200		268
201	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));	269	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT]
202		270
203	Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such	271	Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
204	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string	272	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
205	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this	273	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
206	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no	274	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
207	matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the	275	matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
208	requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff	276	requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
209	(such as abort).	277	(such as abort).
210		278
211	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.	279	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
…		…
222		290
223	=back	291	=back
224		292
225	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP	293	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
226		294
227	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two	295	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct>
228	types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child	296	is I<not> optional in this case, as there is also an C<ev_loop>
229	events, and dynamically created loops which do not.	297	I<function>).
230		298
231	If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop	299	The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
232	in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you	300	supports signals and child events, and dynamically created loops which do
233	create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking	301	not.
234	whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different
235	threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if
236	done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient).
237		302
238	=over 4	303	=over 4
239		304
240	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)	305	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
241		306
…		…
245	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).	310	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
246		311
247	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this	312	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
248	function.	313	function.
249		314
		315	Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
		316	from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
		317	as loops cannot be shared easily between threads anyway).
		318
		319	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
		320	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
		321	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
		322	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
		323	can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
		324	C<ev_default_init>.
		325
250	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific	326	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
251	backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).	327	backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
252		328
253	The following flags are supported:	329	The following flags are supported:
254		330
…		…
259	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right	335	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
260	thing, believe me).	336	thing, believe me).
261		337
262	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>	338	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
263		339
264	If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid	340	If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
265	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable	341	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
266	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will	342	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
267	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is	343	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
268	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work	344	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
269	around bugs.	345	around bugs.
…		…
275	enabling this flag.	351	enabling this flag.
276		352
277	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,	353	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
278	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop	354	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
279	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my	355	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
280	Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence	356	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
281	without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my Linux system also has	357	without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
282	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).	358	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
283		359
284	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and	360	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
285	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this	361	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
286	flag.	362	flag.
287		363
288	This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>	364	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
289	environment variable.	365	environment variable.
290		366
291	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)	367	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
292		368
293	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as	369	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
294	libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,	370	libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
295	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when	371	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
296	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its usually	372	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
297	the fastest backend for a low number of fds.	373	usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
		374
		375	To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
		376	parallelism (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
		377	writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
		378	connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
		379	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
		380	readiness notifications you get per iteration.
		381
		382	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to the C<readfds> set and C<EV_WRITE> to the
		383	C<writefds> set (and to work around Microsoft Windows bugs, also onto the
		384	C<exceptfds> set on that platform).
298		385
299	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)	386	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
300		387
301	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated than	388	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
302	select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial limit on the	389	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
303	number of fds you can use (except it will slow down considerably with a	390	limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
304	lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select, i.e. O(total_fds).	391	considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
		392	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
		393	performance tips.
		394
		395	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
		396	C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
305		397
306	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)	398	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
307		399
308	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,	400	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
309	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like	401	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
310	O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), epoll scales	402	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
311	either O(1) or O(active_fds).	403	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
312		404
		405	The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
		406	of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
		407	dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
		408	descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup and
		409	so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program forks then
		410	I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll set, which can
		411	take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course
		412	hard to detect.
		413
		414	Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but
		415	of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
		416	I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
		417	even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
		418	on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
		419	employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
		420	events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required.
		421
313	While stopping and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration will	422	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
314	result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident	423	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
315	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its	424	incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
316	best to avoid that. Also, dup()ed file descriptors might not work very	425	I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
317	well if you register events for both fds.	426	file descriptors might not work very well if you register events for both
		427	file descriptors.
318		428
319	Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you	429	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
320	need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data	430	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
321	(or space) is available.	431	i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
		432	starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
		433	extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
		434	as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
		435	take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
		436
		437	All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
		438	faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
		439	the usage. So sad.
		440
		441	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
		442	all kernel versions tested so far.
		443
		444	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		445	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
322		446
323	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)	447	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
324		448
325	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it	449	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
326	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work with	450	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
327	anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course its	451	with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
328	completely useless). For this reason its not being "autodetected"	452	it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose brokenness
		453	is by design, these kqueue bugs can (and eventually will) be fixed
		454	without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not being
329	unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using	455	"auto-detected" unless you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using
330	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>).	456	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
		457	system like NetBSD.
		458
		459	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
		460	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
		461	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
331		462
332	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the	463	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
333	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of	464	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
334	course). While starting and stopping an I/O watcher does not cause an	465	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
335	extra syscall as with epoll, it still adds up to four event changes per	466	cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
336	incident, so its best to avoid that.	467	two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but
		468	sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect
		469	cases
		470
		471	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
		472
		473	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
		474	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
		475	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
		476	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
		477	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (but C<poll> is of course
		478	also broken on OS X)) and, did I mention it, using it only for sockets.
		479
		480	This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
		481	C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
		482	C<NOTE_EOF>.
337		483
338	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)	484	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
339		485
340	This is not implemented yet (and might never be).	486	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
		487	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
		488	and is not embeddable, which would limit the usefulness of this backend
		489	immensely.
341		490
342	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)	491	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
343		492
344	This uses the Solaris 10 port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,	493	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
345	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).	494	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
346		495
347	Please note that solaris ports can result in a lot of spurious	496	Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
348	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid	497	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
349	blocking when no data (or space) is available.	498	blocking when no data (or space) is available.
		499
		500	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
		501	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
		502	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
		503	might perform better.
		504
		505	On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
		506	notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
		507	in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
		508	OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks).
		509
		510	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		511	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
350		512
351	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>	513	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
352		514
353	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried	515	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
354	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as	516	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
355	C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.	517	C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
356		518
		519	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
		520
357	=back	521	=back
358		522
359	If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these	523	If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these
360	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If none are	524	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are
361	specified, most compiled-in backend will be tried, usually in reverse	525	specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.
362	order of their flag values :)
363		526
364	The most typical usage is like this:	527	Example: This is the most typical usage.
365		528
366	if (!ev_default_loop (0))	529	if (!ev_default_loop (0))
367	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");	530	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
368		531
369	Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow	532	Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
370	environment settings to be taken into account:	533	environment settings to be taken into account:
371		534
372	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);	535	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
373		536
374	Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if	537	Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
375	available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private	538	used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
376	event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):	539	private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
		540	fds):
377		541
378	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);	542	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
379		543
380	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)	544	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
381		545
382	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is	546	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
383	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot	547	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
384	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by	548	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
385	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).	549	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
386		550
		551	Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
		552	libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
		553	default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
		554
387	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.	555	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
388		556
389	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);	557	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
390	if (!epoller)	558	if (!epoller)
391	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");	559	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
392		560
393	=item ev_default_destroy ()	561	=item ev_default_destroy ()
394		562
395	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state	563	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
396	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal	564	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
397	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your	565	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
398	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before>	566	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
399	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually	567	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
400	the easiest thing, youc na just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them	568	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
401	for example).	569	for example).
		570
		571	Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
		572	handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
		573	as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
		574
		575	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
		576	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
		577	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
		578	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).
402		579
403	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)	580	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
404		581
405	Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an	582	Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
406	earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.	583	earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
407		584
408	=item ev_default_fork ()	585	=item ev_default_fork ()
409		586
		587	This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations
410	This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have	588	to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
411	one. Despite the name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense	589	name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in
412	after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that	590	the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little
413	again makes little sense).	591	sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev
		592	functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration.
414		593
415	You I<must> call this function in the child process after forking if and	594	On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
416	only if you want to use the event library in both processes. If you just	595	process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If
417	fork+exec, you don't have to call it.	596	you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all.
418		597
419	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call	598	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
420	it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in	599	it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in
421	quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:	600	quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
422		601
423	pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);	602	pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
424		603
425	At the moment, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL> are safe to use
426	without calling this function, so if you force one of those backends you
427	do not need to care.
428
429	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)	604	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
430		605
431	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by	606	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
432	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop	607	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
433	after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.	608	after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is
		609	entirely your own problem.
		610
		611	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
		612
		613	Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
		614	otherwise.
434		615
435	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)	616	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
436		617
437	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to	618	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
438	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and	619	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
439	happily wraps around with enough iterations.	620	happily wraps around with enough iterations.
440		621
441	This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it	622	This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
442	"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with	623	"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
443	C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls.	624	C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls.
		625
		626	=item unsigned int ev_loop_depth (loop)
		627
		628	Returns the number of times C<ev_loop> was entered minus the number of
		629	times C<ev_loop> was exited, in other words, the recursion depth.
		630
		631	Outside C<ev_loop>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is
		632	C<1>, unless C<ev_loop> was invoked recursively (or from another thread),
		633	in which case it is higher.
		634
		635	Leaving C<ev_loop> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread
		636	etc.), doesn't count as exit.
444		637
445	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)	638	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
446		639
447	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in	640	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
448	use.	641	use.
…		…
451		644
452	Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop	645	Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop
453	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not	646	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
454	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base	647	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
455	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the	648	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
456	event occuring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).	649	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
		650
		651	=item ev_now_update (loop)
		652
		653	Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
		654	returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
		655	is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>.
		656
		657	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
		658	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
		659	the current time is a good idea.
		660
		661	See also L<The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.
		662
		663	=item ev_suspend (loop)
		664
		665	=item ev_resume (loop)
		666
		667	These two functions suspend and resume a loop, for use when the loop is
		668	not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
		669
		670	A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
		671	the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
		672	would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
		673	the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend>
		674	in your C<SIGTSTP> handler, sending yourself a C<SIGSTOP> and calling
		675	C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing.
		676
		677	Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend
		678	between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers
		679	will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
		680	occured while suspended).
		681
		682	After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the
		683	given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume>
		684	without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
		685
		686	Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
		687	event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
457		688
458	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)	689	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
459		690
460	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called	691	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
461	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling	692	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
…		…
464	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until	695	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until
465	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.	696	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.
466		697
467	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than	698	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than
468	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has	699	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
469	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that	700	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
470	automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of	701	that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
471	relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty.	702	of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
		703	beauty.
472		704
473	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle	705	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle
474	those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in	706	those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your
475	case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.	707	process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of
		708	the loop.
476		709
477	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if	710	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
478	neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block	711	necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
479	your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after	712	will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
480	one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some	713	be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
481	external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other	714	user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
		715	iteration of the loop.
		716
		717	This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
		718	with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
482	libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is	719	own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
483	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.	720	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
484		721
485	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:	722	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
486		723
487	* If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return.	724	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
488	- Queue prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers.	725	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
		726	- If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
		727	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.
489	- If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.	728	- If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
		729	as to not disturb the other process.
490	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.	730	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
491	- Update the "event loop time".	731	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
492	- Calculate for how long to block.	732	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
		733	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
		734	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
		735	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
493	- Block the process, waiting for any events.	736	- Block the process, waiting for any events.
494	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.	737	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
495	- Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling.	738	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
496	- Queue all outstanding timers.	739	- Queue all expired timers.
497	- Queue all outstanding periodics.	740	- Queue all expired periodics.
498	- If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.	741	- Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
499	- Queue all check watchers.	742	- Queue all check watchers.
500	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).	743	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
501	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will	744	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
502	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.	745	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
503	- If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK	746	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
504	were used, return, otherwise continue with step *.	747	were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise
		748	continue with step *.
505		749
506	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding	750	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
507	anymore.	751	anymore.
508		752
509	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long	753	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
510	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)	754	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
511	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);	755	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
512	... jobs done. yeah!	756	... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
513		757
514	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)	758	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
515		759
516	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it	760	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
517	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either	761	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
518	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or	762	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
519	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.	763	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
520		764
		765	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.
		766
		767	It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls.
		768
521	=item ev_ref (loop)	769	=item ev_ref (loop)
522		770
523	=item ev_unref (loop)	771	=item ev_unref (loop)
524		772
525	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event	773	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
526	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference	774	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
527	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. If you have	775	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own.
		776
528	a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> from	777	If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop>
529	returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For	778	from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before
		779	stopping it.
		780
530	example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not	781	As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
531	visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if	782	is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from
532	no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent	783	exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
533	way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party	784	excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
534	libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>.	785	third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref
		786	before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active
		787	before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself
		788	(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref>
		789	in the callback).
535		790
536	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>	791	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
537	running when nothing else is active.	792	running when nothing else is active.
538		793
539	struct ev_signal exitsig;	794	ev_signal exitsig;
540	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);	795	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
541	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);	796	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
542	evf_unref (loop);	797	evf_unref (loop);
543		798
544	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.	799	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
545		800
546	ev_ref (loop);	801	ev_ref (loop);
547	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);	802	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
		803
		804	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
		805
		806	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
		807
		808	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
		809	for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
		810	will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
		811	latency.
		812
		813	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
		814	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
		815	to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
		816	opportunities).
		817
		818	The idea is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to handle
		819	one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes the
		820	program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
		821	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
		822	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
		823
		824	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
		825	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
		826	at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
		827	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
		828	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
		829	sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
		830	once per this interval, on average.
		831
		832	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
		833	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
		834	latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
		835	later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
		836	value will not introduce any overhead in libev.
		837
		838	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
		839	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
		840	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
		841	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
		842	as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. Note that if
		843	you do transactions with the outside world and you can't increase the
		844	parallelity, then this setting will limit your transaction rate (if you
		845	need to poll once per transaction and the I/O collect interval is 0.01,
		846	then you can't do more than 100 transations per second).
		847
		848	Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
		849	saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
		850	are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
		851	times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
		852	reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
		853	they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
		854
		855	Example: we only need 0.1s timeout granularity, and we wish not to poll
		856	more often than 100 times per second:
		857
		858	ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.1);
		859	ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01);
		860
		861	=item ev_loop_verify (loop)
		862
		863	This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
		864	compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
		865	through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
		866	is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
		867	error and call C<abort ()>.
		868
		869	This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
		870	circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
		871	data structures consistent.
548		872
549	=back	873	=back
550		874
551		875
552	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER	876	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
		877
		878	In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
		879	watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
		880	watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
553		881
554	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your	882	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
555	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to	883	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
556	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:	884	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
557		885
558	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	886	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
559	{	887	{
560	ev_io_stop (w);	888	ev_io_stop (w);
561	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	889	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
562	}	890	}
563		891
564	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	892	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
		893
565	struct ev_io stdin_watcher;	894	ev_io stdin_watcher;
		895
566	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);	896	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
567	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	897	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
568	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	898	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
		899
569	ev_loop (loop, 0);	900	ev_loop (loop, 0);
570		901
571	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your	902	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
572	watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack,	903	watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
573	although this can sometimes be quite valid).	904	stack).
		905
		906	Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
		907	or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
574		908
575	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init	909	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init
576	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This	910	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
577	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io	911	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O
578	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given	912	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
579	is readable and/or writable).	913	is readable and/or writable).
580		914
581	Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro	915	Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
582	with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro	916	macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
583	to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< ev_<type>_init	917	is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
584	(watcher *, callback, ...) >>.	918	ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
585		919
586	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it	920	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it
587	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_<type>_start (loop, watcher	921	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
588	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the	922	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
589	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.	923	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
590		924
591	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you	925	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
592	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never	926	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
593	reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro.	927	reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
594		928
595	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the	929	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
596	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as	930	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
597	third argument.	931	third argument.
598		932
…		…
652	=item C<EV_FORK>	986	=item C<EV_FORK>
653		987
654	The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see	988	The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
655	C<ev_fork>).	989	C<ev_fork>).
656		990
		991	=item C<EV_ASYNC>
		992
		993	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
		994
		995	=item C<EV_CUSTOM>
		996
		997	Not ever sent (or otherwise used) by libev itself, but can be freely used
		998	by libev users to signal watchers (e.g. via C<ev_feed_event>).
		999
657	=item C<EV_ERROR>	1000	=item C<EV_ERROR>
658		1001
659	An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might	1002	An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
660	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev	1003	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
661	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other	1004	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
		1005	problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
		1006
662	problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping	1007	You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
663	with the watcher being stopped.	1008	watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
		1009	an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
		1010	bug in your program.
664		1011
665	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error,	1012	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
666	for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if	1013	example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
667	your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope	1014	callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
668	with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded	1015	the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
669	programs, though, so beware.	1016	programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
		1017	thing, so beware.
670		1018
671	=back	1019	=back
672		1020
673	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS	1021	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
674
675	In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
676	e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
677		1022
678	=over 4	1023	=over 4
679		1024
680	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	1025	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
681		1026
…		…
687	which rolls both calls into one.	1032	which rolls both calls into one.
688		1033
689	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped	1034	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
690	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.	1035	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
691		1036
692	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,	1037	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
693	int revents)>.	1038	int revents)>.
		1039
		1040	Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
		1041
		1042	ev_io w;
		1043	ev_init (&w, my_cb);
		1044	ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
694		1045
695	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])	1046	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])
696		1047
697	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to	1048	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
698	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can	1049	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
…		…
701	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).	1052	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
702		1053
703	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments	1054	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
704	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.	1055	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
705		1056
		1057	See C<ev_init>, above, for an example.
		1058
706	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])	1059	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
707		1060
708	This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro	1061	This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
709	calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise	1062	calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
710	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.	1063	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
		1064
		1065	Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
		1066
		1067	ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
711		1068
712	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1069	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
713		1070
714	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive	1071	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
715	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.	1072	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
716		1073
		1074	Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
		1075	whole section.
		1076
		1077	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
		1078
717	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1079	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
718		1080
719	Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending	1081	Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
		1082	the watcher was active or not).
		1083
720	status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example,	1084	It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
721	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but	1085	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending - but
722	C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If	1086	calling C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor
723	you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a	1087	pending. If you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is
724	good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.	1088	therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
725		1089
726	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1090	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
727		1091
728	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started	1092	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
729	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify	1093	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
…		…
732	=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1096	=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher)
733		1097
734	Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding	1098	Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding
735	events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher	1099	events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher
736	is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but	1100	is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but
737	C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe) and you must make sure the watcher is available to	1101	C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe), you must not change its priority, and you must
738	libev (e.g. you cnanot C<free ()> it).	1102	make sure the watcher is available to libev (e.g. you cannot C<free ()>
		1103	it).
739		1104
740	=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1105	=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
741		1106
742	Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.	1107	Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
743		1108
…		…
754	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>	1119	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
755	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked	1120	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
756	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers	1121	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
757	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).	1122	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
758		1123
759	This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
760	invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
761	example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
762	watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
763
764	If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending	1124	If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
765	you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.	1125	you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
766		1126
		1127	You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
		1128	pending.
		1129
		1130	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
		1131	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
		1132	or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
		1133
767	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is	1134	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
768	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).	1135	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
769		1136
770	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is	1137	See L<WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of
771	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might	1138	priorities.
772	or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.	1139
		1140	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
		1141
		1142	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
		1143	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
		1144	can deal with that fact, as both are simply passed through to the
		1145	callback.
		1146
		1147	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
		1148
		1149	If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
		1150	returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
		1151	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
		1152
		1153	Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
		1154	callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
773		1155
774	=back	1156	=back
775		1157
776		1158
777	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER	1159	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
778		1160
779	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change	1161	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
780	and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used	1162	and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
781	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and	1163	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
782	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data	1164	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
783	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own	1165	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
784	data:	1166	data:
785		1167
786	struct my_io	1168	struct my_io
787	{	1169	{
788	struct ev_io io;	1170	ev_io io;
789	int otherfd;	1171	int otherfd;
790	void *somedata;	1172	void *somedata;
791	struct whatever *mostinteresting;	1173	struct whatever *mostinteresting;
792	}	1174	};
		1175
		1176	...
		1177	struct my_io w;
		1178	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
793		1179
794	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you	1180	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
795	can cast it back to your own type:	1181	can cast it back to your own type:
796		1182
797	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents)	1183	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
798	{	1184	{
799	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;	1185	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
800	...	1186	...
801	}	1187	}
802		1188
803	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type	1189	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
804	instead have been omitted.	1190	instead have been omitted.
805		1191
806	Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple	1192	Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
807	watchers:	1193	embedded watchers:
808		1194
809	struct my_biggy	1195	struct my_biggy
810	{	1196	{
811	int some_data;	1197	int some_data;
812	ev_timer t1;	1198	ev_timer t1;
813	ev_timer t2;	1199	ev_timer t2;
814	}	1200	}
815		1201
816	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,	1202	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
817	you need to use C<offsetof>:	1203	complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
		1204	in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
		1205	some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
		1206	programmers):
818		1207
819	#include <stddef.h>	1208	#include <stddef.h>
820		1209
821	static void	1210	static void
822	t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1211	t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
823	{	1212	{
824	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1213	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
825	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));	1214	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
826	}	1215	}
827		1216
828	static void	1217	static void
829	t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1218	t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
830	{	1219	{
831	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1220	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
832	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));	1221	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
833	}	1222	}
		1223
		1224	=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
		1225
		1226	Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small
		1227	integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation
		1228	between watchers in some way, all else being equal.
		1229
		1230	In libev, Watcher priorities can be set using C<ev_set_priority>. See its
		1231	description for the more technical details such as the actual priority
		1232	range.
		1233
		1234	There are two common ways how these these priorities are being interpreted
		1235	by event loops:
		1236
		1237	In the more common lock-out model, higher priorities "lock out" invocation
		1238	of lower priority watchers, which means as long as higher priority
		1239	watchers receive events, lower priority watchers are not being invoked.
		1240
		1241	The less common only-for-ordering model uses priorities solely to order
		1242	callback invocation within a single event loop iteration: Higher priority
		1243	watchers are invoked before lower priority ones, but they all get invoked
		1244	before polling for new events.
		1245
		1246	Libev uses the second (only-for-ordering) model for all its watchers
		1247	except for idle watchers (which use the lock-out model).
		1248
		1249	The rationale behind this is that implementing the lock-out model for
		1250	watchers is not well supported by most kernel interfaces, and most event
		1251	libraries will just poll for the same events again and again as long as
		1252	their callbacks have not been executed, which is very inefficient in the
		1253	common case of one high-priority watcher locking out a mass of lower
		1254	priority ones.
		1255
		1256	Static (ordering) priorities are most useful when you have two or more
		1257	watchers handling the same resource: a typical usage example is having an
		1258	C<ev_io> watcher to receive data, and an associated C<ev_timer> to handle
		1259	timeouts. Under load, data might be received while the program handles
		1260	other jobs, but since timers normally get invoked first, the timeout
		1261	handler will be executed before checking for data. In that case, giving
		1262	the timer a lower priority than the I/O watcher ensures that I/O will be
		1263	handled first even under adverse conditions (which is usually, but not
		1264	always, what you want).
		1265
		1266	Since idle watchers use the "lock-out" model, meaning that idle watchers
		1267	will only be executed when no same or higher priority watchers have
		1268	received events, they can be used to implement the "lock-out" model when
		1269	required.
		1270
		1271	For example, to emulate how many other event libraries handle priorities,
		1272	you can associate an C<ev_idle> watcher to each such watcher, and in
		1273	the normal watcher callback, you just start the idle watcher. The real
		1274	processing is done in the idle watcher callback. This causes libev to
		1275	continously poll and process kernel event data for the watcher, but when
		1276	the lock-out case is known to be rare (which in turn is rare :), this is
		1277	workable.
		1278
		1279	Usually, however, the lock-out model implemented that way will perform
		1280	miserably under the type of load it was designed to handle. In that case,
		1281	it might be preferable to stop the real watcher before starting the
		1282	idle watcher, so the kernel will not have to process the event in case
		1283	the actual processing will be delayed for considerable time.
		1284
		1285	Here is an example of an I/O watcher that should run at a strictly lower
		1286	priority than the default, and which should only process data when no
		1287	other events are pending:
		1288
		1289	ev_idle idle; // actual processing watcher
		1290	ev_io io; // actual event watcher
		1291
		1292	static void
		1293	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
		1294	{
		1295	// stop the I/O watcher, we received the event, but
		1296	// are not yet ready to handle it.
		1297	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
		1298
		1299	// start the idle watcher to ahndle the actual event.
		1300	// it will not be executed as long as other watchers
		1301	// with the default priority are receiving events.
		1302	ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle);
		1303	}
		1304
		1305	static void
		1306	idle_cb (EV_P_ ev_idle *w, int revents)
		1307	{
		1308	// actual processing
		1309	read (STDIN_FILENO, ...);
		1310
		1311	// have to start the I/O watcher again, as
		1312	// we have handled the event
		1313	ev_io_start (EV_P_ &io);
		1314	}
		1315
		1316	// initialisation
		1317	ev_idle_init (&idle, idle_cb);
		1318	ev_io_init (&io, io_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
		1319	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &io);
		1320
		1321	In the "real" world, it might also be beneficial to start a timer, so that
		1322	low-priority connections can not be locked out forever under load. This
		1323	enables your program to keep a lower latency for important connections
		1324	during short periods of high load, while not completely locking out less
		1325	important ones.
834		1326
835		1327
836	=head1 WATCHER TYPES	1328	=head1 WATCHER TYPES
837		1329
838	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat	1330	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
…		…
862	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per	1354	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
863	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file	1355	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
864	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not	1356	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
865	required if you know what you are doing).	1357	required if you know what you are doing).
866		1358
867	You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends	1359	If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
868	(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file	1360	known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
869	descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing	1361	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). The same applies to file
870	to the same underlying file/socket/etc. description (that is, they share	1362	descriptors for which non-blocking operation makes no sense (such as
871	the same underlying "file open").	1363	files) - libev doesn't guarentee any specific behaviour in that case.
872
873	If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
874	(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
875	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
876		1364
877	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to	1365	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
878	receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might	1366	receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
879	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block	1367	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
880	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a	1368	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
881	lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into	1369	lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
882	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus	1370	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
883	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning	1371	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
884	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.	1372	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
885		1373
886	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not	1374	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
887	play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test	1375	not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
888	whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface	1376	re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
889	such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on	1377	interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already
890	its own, so its quite safe to use).	1378	does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
		1379	use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
		1380	indefinitely.
		1381
		1382	But really, best use non-blocking mode.
		1383
		1384	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
		1385
		1386	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
		1387	descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means,
		1388	such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
		1389	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
		1390	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
		1391	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
		1392	fact, a different file descriptor.
		1393
		1394	To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows
		1395	the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev
		1396	will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise
		1397	it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that
		1398	you I<have> to call C<ev_io_set> (or C<ev_io_init>) when you change the
		1399	descriptor even if the file descriptor number itself did not change.
		1400
		1401	This is how one would do it normally anyway, the important point is that
		1402	the libev application should not optimise around libev but should leave
		1403	optimisations to libev.
		1404
		1405	=head3 The special problem of dup'ed file descriptors
		1406
		1407	Some backends (e.g. epoll), cannot register events for file descriptors,
		1408	but only events for the underlying file descriptions. That means when you
		1409	have C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors or weirder constellations, and register
		1410	events for them, only one file descriptor might actually receive events.
		1411
		1412	There is no workaround possible except not registering events
		1413	for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
		1414	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
		1415
		1416	=head3 The special problem of fork
		1417
		1418	Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit
		1419	useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about
		1420	it in the child.
		1421
		1422	To support fork in your programs, you either have to call
		1423	C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,
		1424	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
		1425	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
		1426
		1427	=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
		1428
		1429	While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
		1430	when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
		1431	sent a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
		1432	this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
		1433
		1434	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
		1435	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
		1436	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
		1437
		1438
		1439	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
891		1440
892	=over 4	1441	=over 4
893		1442
894	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)	1443	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
895		1444
896	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)	1445	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
897		1446
898	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to	1447	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
899	rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or	1448	receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
900	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.	1449	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.
901		1450
902	=item int fd [read-only]	1451	=item int fd [read-only]
903		1452
904	The file descriptor being watched.	1453	The file descriptor being watched.
905		1454
906	=item int events [read-only]	1455	=item int events [read-only]
907		1456
908	The events being watched.	1457	The events being watched.
909		1458
910	=back	1459	=back
		1460
		1461	=head3 Examples
911		1462
912	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well	1463	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
913	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could	1464	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
914	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.	1465	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
915		1466
916	static void	1467	static void
917	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1468	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
918	{	1469	{
919	ev_io_stop (loop, w);	1470	ev_io_stop (loop, w);
920	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors	1471	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
921	}	1472	}
922		1473
923	...	1474	...
924	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	1475	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
925	struct ev_io stdin_readable;	1476	ev_io stdin_readable;
926	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1477	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
927	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);	1478	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
928	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1479	ev_loop (loop, 0);
929		1480
930		1481
931	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts	1482	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
932		1483
933	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a	1484	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
934	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.	1485	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
935		1486
936	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that	1487	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
937	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years	1488	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
938	time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because	1489	year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
939	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the	1490	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
940	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).	1491	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
		1492
		1493	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
		1494	passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
		1495	might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the
		1496	same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked
		1497	before ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is
		1498	no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively).
		1499
		1500	=head3 Be smart about timeouts
		1501
		1502	Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
		1503	recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
		1504	you want to raise some error after a while.
		1505
		1506	What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
		1507	inefficient to smart and efficient.
		1508
		1509	In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
		1510	gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
		1511	data or other life sign was received).
		1512
		1513	=over 4
		1514
		1515	=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
		1516
		1517	This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
		1518	start the watcher:
		1519
		1520	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
		1521	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1522
		1523	Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
		1524	and start it again:
		1525
		1526	ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
		1527	ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
		1528	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1529
		1530	This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
		1531	some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
		1532	data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
		1533	still not a constant-time operation.
		1534
		1535	=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
		1536
		1537	This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
		1538	C<ev_timer_start>.
		1539
		1540	To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
		1541	of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
		1542	successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
		1543	you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
		1544	the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
		1545
		1546	That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
		1547	C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
		1548	member and C<ev_timer_again>.
		1549
		1550	At start:
		1551
		1552	ev_init (timer, callback);
		1553	timer->repeat = 60.;
		1554	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1555
		1556	Each time there is some activity:
		1557
		1558	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1559
		1560	It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
		1561	whether the watcher is active or not:
		1562
		1563	timer->repeat = 30.;
		1564	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1565
		1566	This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
		1567	you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
		1568	remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
		1569
		1570	It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
		1571
		1572	=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
		1573
		1574	This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
		1575	relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
		1576	our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
		1577	associated activity resets.
		1578
		1579	In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
		1580	but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
		1581	within the callback:
		1582
		1583	ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
		1584
		1585	static void
		1586	callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		1587	{
		1588	ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);
		1589	ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
		1590
		1591	// if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
		1592	if (timeout < now)
		1593	{
		1594	// timeout occured, take action
		1595	}
		1596	else
		1597	{
		1598	// callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
		1599	// the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
		1600	// guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
		1601	w->repeat = timeout - now;
		1602	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
		1603	}
		1604	}
		1605
		1606	To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
		1607	as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has
		1608	been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise
		1609	the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so
		1610	re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
		1611	a timeout then.
		1612
		1613	Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the
		1614	C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.
		1615
		1616	This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
		1617	minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
		1618	libev to change the timeout.
		1619
		1620	To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
		1621	to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
		1622	callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
		1623
		1624	ev_init (timer, callback);
		1625	last_activity = ev_now (loop);
		1626	callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMEOUT);
		1627
		1628	And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
		1629	C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
		1630
		1631	last_actiivty = ev_now (loop);
		1632
		1633	This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
		1634	time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
		1635
		1636	Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
		1637	callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
		1638	fix things for you.
		1639
		1640	=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
		1641
		1642	If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
		1643	employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
		1644	do even better:
		1645
		1646	When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
		1647	at the I<end> of the list.
		1648
		1649	Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
		1650	the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
		1651
		1652	When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
		1653	the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
		1654	update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
		1655
		1656	This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
		1657	starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
		1658	complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
		1659	ensures that the list stays sorted.
		1660
		1661	=back
		1662
		1663	So which method the best?
		1664
		1665	Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
		1666	situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
		1667	better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
		1668	one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
		1669
		1670	Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
		1671	rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
		1672	off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
		1673	overkill :)
		1674
		1675	=head3 The special problem of time updates
		1676
		1677	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
		1678	least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
		1679	time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a
		1680	growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
		1681	lots of events in one iteration.
941		1682
942	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>	1683	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
943	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time	1684	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
944	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If	1685	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
945	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout	1686	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
946	on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:	1687	timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
947		1688
948	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);	1689	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
949		1690
950	The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed,	1691	If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
951	but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then	1692	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
952	order of execution is undefined.	1693	()>.
		1694
		1695	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
953		1696
954	=over 4	1697	=over 4
955		1698
956	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1699	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
957		1700
958	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1701	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
959		1702
960	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is	1703	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
961	C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the	1704	is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
962	timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds	1705	reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
963	later, again, and again, until stopped manually.	1706	configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
		1707	until stopped manually.
964		1708
965	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you	1709	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
966	configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at	1710	you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
967	exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with	1711	trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
968	the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the	1712	keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
969	timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.	1713	do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
970		1714
971	=item ev_timer_again (loop)	1715	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
972		1716
973	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is	1717	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
974	repeating. The exact semantics are:	1718	repeating. The exact semantics are:
975		1719
976	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.	1720	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
977		1721
978	If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out).	1722	If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
979		1723
980	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the	1724	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
981	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.	1725	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
982		1726
983	This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical	1727	This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
984	example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle	1728	usage example.
985	timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
986	seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
987	configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
988	C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
989	you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
990	socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
991	automatically restart it if need be.
992
993	That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>
994	altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
995
996	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);
997	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
998	...
999	timer->again = 17.;
1000	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1001	...
1002	timer->again = 10.;
1003	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1004
1005	This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
1006	you want to modify its timeout value.
1007		1729
1008	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]	1730	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1009		1731
1010	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out	1732	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1011	or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),	1733	or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1012	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.	1734	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
1013		1735
1014	=back	1736	=back
1015		1737
		1738	=head3 Examples
		1739
1016	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.	1740	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1017		1741
1018	static void	1742	static void
1019	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1743	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1020	{	1744	{
1021	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here	1745	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1022	}	1746	}
1023		1747
1024	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1748	ev_timer mytimer;
1025	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);	1749	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1026	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);	1750	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1027		1751
1028	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of	1752	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1029	inactivity.	1753	inactivity.
1030		1754
1031	static void	1755	static void
1032	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1756	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1033	{	1757	{
1034	.. ten seconds without any activity	1758	.. ten seconds without any activity
1035	}	1759	}
1036		1760
1037	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1761	ev_timer mytimer;
1038	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */	1762	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1039	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */	1763	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1040	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1764	ev_loop (loop, 0);
1041		1765
1042	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":	1766	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1043	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds	1767	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1044	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);	1768	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1045		1769
1046		1770
1047	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?	1771	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1048		1772
1049	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile	1773	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1050	(and unfortunately a bit complex).	1774	(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1051		1775
1052	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)	1776	Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
1053	but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher	1777	relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
1054	to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a	1778	(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calender or clock). The
1055	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now ()	1779	difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
1056	+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will	1780	time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
1057	take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger	1781	wrist-watch).
1058	roughly 10 seconds later and of course not if you reset your system time
1059	again).
1060		1782
1061	They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as	1783	You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
		1784	in time: for example, if you tell a periodic watcher to trigger "in 10
		1785	seconds" (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now () + 10.>, that is, an absolute time
		1786	not a delay) and then reset your system clock to January of the previous
		1787	year, then it will take a year or more to trigger the event (unlike an
		1788	C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting
		1789	it, as it uses a relative timeout).
		1790
		1791	C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex
1062	triggering an event on eahc midnight, local time.	1792	timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or
		1793	other complicated rules. This cannot be done with C<ev_timer> watchers, as
		1794	those cannot react to time jumps.
1063		1795
1064	As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the	1796	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1065	time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready	1797	point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
1066	during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.	1798	timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
		1799	earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
		1800	(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively).
		1801
		1802	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1067		1803
1068	=over 4	1804	=over 4
1069		1805
1070	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)	1806	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1071		1807
1072	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)	1808	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1073		1809
1074	Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of	1810	Lots of arguments, let's sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1075	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:	1811	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1076		1812
1077	=over 4	1813	=over 4
1078		1814
1079	=item * absolute timer (interval = reschedule_cb = 0)	1815	=item * absolute timer (offset = absolute time, interval = 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1080		1816
1081	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time	1817	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1082	C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs,	1818	time C<offset> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a
1083	that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the	1819	time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it
1084	system time reaches or surpasses this time.	1820	will be stopped and invoked when the system clock reaches or surpasses
		1821	this point in time.
1085		1822
1086	=item * non-repeating interval timer (interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)	1823	=item * repeating interval timer (offset = offset within interval, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1087		1824
1088	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next	1825	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1089	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N) and then repeat, regardless	1826	C<offset + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be
1090	of any time jumps.	1827	negative) and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. The C<offset>
		1828	argument is merely an offset into the C<interval> periods.
1091		1829
1092	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system	1830	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1093	time:	1831	system clock, for example, here is an C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
		1832	hour, on the hour (with respect to UTC):
1094		1833
1095	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);	1834	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1096		1835
1097	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,	1836	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1098	but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a	1837	but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1099	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible	1838	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1100	by 3600.	1839	by 3600.
1101		1840
1102	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that	1841	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1103	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible	1842	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1104	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.	1843	time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1105		1844
		1845	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<offset> value is near
		1846	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
		1847	this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
		1848
		1849	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
		1850	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
		1851	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
		1852	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
		1853
1106	=item * manual reschedule mode (reschedule_cb = callback)	1854	=item * manual reschedule mode (offset ignored, interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1107		1855
1108	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being	1856	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<offset> are both being
1109	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the	1857	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1110	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the	1858	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1111	current time as second argument.	1859	current time as second argument.
1112		1860
1113	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,	1861	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, ever,
1114	ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it,	1862	or make ANY other event loop modifications whatsoever, unless explicitly
1115	return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by	1863	allowed by documentation here>.
1116	starting a prepare watcher).
1117		1864
		1865	If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
		1866	it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
		1867	only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
		1868
1118	Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,	1869	The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1119	ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:	1870	*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1120		1871
		1872	static ev_tstamp
1121	static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	1873	my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1122	{	1874	{
1123	return now + 60.;	1875	return now + 60.;
1124	}	1876	}
1125		1877
1126	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value	1878	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1127	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It	1879	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
1128	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but	1880	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1129	might be called at other times, too.	1881	might be called at other times, too.
1130		1882
1131	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the	1883	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1132	passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger.	1884	equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1133		1885
1134	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that	1886	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1135	triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the	1887	triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
1136	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How	1888	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
1137	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main	1889	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
1138	reason I omitted it as an example).	1890	reason I omitted it as an example).
1139		1891
1140	=back	1892	=back
…		…
1144	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful	1896	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1145	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return	1897	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1146	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like	1898	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1147	program when the crontabs have changed).	1899	program when the crontabs have changed).
1148		1900
		1901	=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
		1902
		1903	When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed
		1904	to trigger next. This is not the same as the C<offset> argument to
		1905	C<ev_periodic_set>, but indeed works even in interval and manual
		1906	rescheduling modes.
		1907
		1908	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
		1909
		1910	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
		1911	absolute point in time (the C<offset> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>,
		1912	although libev might modify this value for better numerical stability).
		1913
		1914	Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
		1915	timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
		1916
1149	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]	1917	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1150		1918
1151	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only	1919	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1152	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being	1920	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1153	called.	1921	called.
1154		1922
1155	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]	1923	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1156		1924
1157	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is	1925	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1158	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when	1926	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1159	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	1927	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1160		1928
1161	=back	1929	=back
1162		1930
		1931	=head3 Examples
		1932
1163	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the	1933	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1164	system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have	1934	system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1165	potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.	1935	potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1166		1936
1167	static void	1937	static void
1168	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1938	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1169	{	1939	{
1170	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)	1940	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1171	}	1941	}
1172		1942
1173	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	1943	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1174	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);	1944	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1175	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	1945	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1176		1946
1177	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:	1947	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1178		1948
1179	#include <math.h>	1949	#include <math.h>
1180		1950
1181	static ev_tstamp	1951	static ev_tstamp
1182	my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	1952	my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1183	{	1953	{
1184	return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;	1954	return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1185	}	1955	}
1186		1956
1187	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);	1957	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1188		1958
1189	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:	1959	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1190		1960
1191	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	1961	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1192	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,	1962	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1193	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);	1963	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1194	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	1964	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1195		1965
1196		1966
1197	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!	1967	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1198		1968
1199	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific	1969	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1200	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev	1970	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1201	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the	1971	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1202	normal event processing, like any other event.	1972	normal event processing, like any other event.
1203		1973
		1974	If you want signals asynchronously, just use C<sigaction> as you would
		1975	do without libev and forget about sharing the signal. You can even use
		1976	C<ev_async> from a signal handler to synchronously wake up an event loop.
		1977
1204	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the	1978	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the
1205	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher	1979	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal handler
1206	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long	1980	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as
1207	as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal	1981	you don't register any with libev for the same signal). Similarly, when
1208	watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to	1982	the last signal watcher for a signal is stopped, libev will reset the
1209	SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).	1983	signal handler to SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
		1984
		1985	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
		1986	C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so system calls should not be unduly
		1987	interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting interrupted by
		1988	signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock
		1989	them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
		1990
		1991	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1210		1992
1211	=over 4	1993	=over 4
1212		1994
1213	=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)	1995	=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)
1214		1996
…		…
1221		2003
1222	The signal the watcher watches out for.	2004	The signal the watcher watches out for.
1223		2005
1224	=back	2006	=back
1225		2007
		2008	=head3 Examples
		2009
		2010	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
		2011
		2012	static void
		2013	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
		2014	{
		2015	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
		2016	}
		2017
		2018	ev_signal signal_watcher;
		2019	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
		2020	ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
		2021
1226		2022
1227	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes	2023	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1228		2024
1229	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to	2025	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1230	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies).	2026	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
		2027	exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
		2028	has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
		2029	as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
		2030	forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
		2031	but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later or
		2032	in the next callback invocation is not.
		2033
		2034	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
		2035	you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
		2036
		2037	Due to some design glitches inside libev, child watchers will always be
		2038	handled at maximum priority (their priority is set to C<EV_MAXPRI> by
		2039	libev)
		2040
		2041	=head3 Process Interaction
		2042
		2043	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
		2044	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if
		2045	the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
		2046	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
		2047	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
		2048	children, even ones not watched.
		2049
		2050	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
		2051
		2052	Libev offers no special support for overriding the built-in child
		2053	processing, but if your application collides with libev's default child
		2054	handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
		2055	C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
		2056	default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
		2057	event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
		2058	that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
		2059
		2060	=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
		2061
		2062	Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
		2063	child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
		2064	callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
		2065	when a child exit is detected.
		2066
		2067	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1231		2068
1232	=over 4	2069	=over 4
1233		2070
1234	=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid)	2071	=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid, int trace)
1235		2072
1236	=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid)	2073	=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid, int trace)
1237		2074
1238	Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or	2075	Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or
1239	I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look	2076	I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look
1240	at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see	2077	at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see
1241	the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems	2078	the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems
1242	C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the	2079	C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the
1243	process causing the status change.	2080	process causing the status change. C<trace> must be either C<0> (only
		2081	activate the watcher when the process terminates) or C<1> (additionally
		2082	activate the watcher when the process is stopped or continued).
1244		2083
1245	=item int pid [read-only]	2084	=item int pid [read-only]
1246		2085
1247	The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.	2086	The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.
1248		2087
…		…
1255	The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems	2094	The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems
1256	C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).	2095	C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).
1257		2096
1258	=back	2097	=back
1259		2098
1260	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.	2099	=head3 Examples
1261		2100
		2101	Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
		2102	its completion.
		2103
		2104	ev_child cw;
		2105
1262	static void	2106	static void
1263	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)	2107	child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1264	{	2108	{
1265	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	2109	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
		2110	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1266	}	2111	}
1267		2112
1268	struct ev_signal signal_watcher;	2113	pid_t pid = fork ();
1269	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);	2114
1270	ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);	2115	if (pid < 0)
		2116	// error
		2117	else if (pid == 0)
		2118	{
		2119	// the forked child executes here
		2120	exit (1);
		2121	}
		2122	else
		2123	{
		2124	ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
		2125	ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
		2126	}
1271		2127
1272		2128
1273	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?	2129	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1274		2130
1275	This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls	2131	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1276	C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed	2132	C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
1277	compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.	2133	and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if
		2134	it did.
1278		2135
1279	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does	2136	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1280	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does	2137	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
1281	not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is	2138	exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
1282	otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of	2139	C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
1283	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.	2140	least one) and all the other fields of the stat buffer having unspecified
		2141	contents.
1284		2142
1285	The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is	2143	The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
		2144	C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
1286	relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.	2145	your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
1287		2146
1288	Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply	2147	Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
1289	calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You	2148	portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
1290	can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify	2149	to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
1291	a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,	2150	interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
1292	unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around	2151	recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
1293	five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also	2152	(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
1294	impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats	2153	change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
1295	usually overkill.	2154	currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
1296		2155
1297	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,	2156	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1298	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be	2157	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1299	resource-intensive.	2158	resource-intensive.
1300		2159
1301	At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is	2160	At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1302	implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the	2161	is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as an
1303	reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the	2162	exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way of
1304	semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs	2163	implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue, except as a hint).
1305	to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are	2164
1306	usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no	2165	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1307	polling.	2166
		2167	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
		2168	compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
		2169	support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
		2170	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
		2171	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
		2172	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
		2173	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
		2174	most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
		2175
		2176	The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
		2177	file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
		2178	optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
		2179	to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
		2180	default compilation environment.
		2181
		2182	=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
		2183
		2184	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev and present at
		2185	runtime, it will be used to speed up change detection where possible. The
		2186	inotify descriptor will be created lazily when the first C<ev_stat>
		2187	watcher is being started.
		2188
		2189	Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
		2190	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
		2191	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
		2192	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
		2193	but as long as kernel 2.6.25 or newer is used (2.6.24 and older have too
		2194	many bugs), the path exists (i.e. stat succeeds), and the path resides on
		2195	a local filesystem (libev currently assumes only ext2/3, jfs, reiserfs and
		2196	xfs are fully working) libev usually gets away without polling.
		2197
		2198	There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
		2199	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
		2200	descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
		2201	etc. is difficult.
		2202
		2203	=head3 C<stat ()> is a synchronous operation
		2204
		2205	Libev doesn't normally do any kind of I/O itself, and so is not blocking
		2206	the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat
		2207	()>, which is a synchronous operation.
		2208
		2209	For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very
		2210	busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast,
		2211	as the path data is usually in memory already (except when starting the
		2212	watcher).
		2213
		2214	For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
		2215	time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call
		2216	often takes multiple milliseconds.
		2217
		2218	Therefore, it is best to avoid using C<ev_stat> watchers on networked
		2219	paths, although this is fully supported by libev.
		2220
		2221	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
		2222
		2223	The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
		2224	and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
		2225	still only support whole seconds.
		2226
		2227	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
		2228	easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
		2229	calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
		2230	within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
		2231	stat data does change in other ways (e.g. file size).
		2232
		2233	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
		2234	than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
		2235	a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
		2236	ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
		2237
		2238	The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
		2239	of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
		2240	might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
		2241	C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
		2242	a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
		2243	update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
		2244	the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
		2245	the timer callback).
		2246
		2247	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1308		2248
1309	=over 4	2249	=over 4
1310		2250
1311	=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)	2251	=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)
1312		2252
…		…
1316	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to	2256	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1317	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose	2257	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1318	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same	2258	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1319	path for as long as the watcher is active.	2259	path for as long as the watcher is active.
1320		2260
1321	The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected,	2261	The callback will receive an C<EV_STAT> event when a change was detected,
1322	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the	2262	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1323	last change was detected).	2263	last change was detected).
1324		2264
1325	=item ev_stat_stat (ev_stat *)	2265	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1326		2266
1327	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the	2267	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1328	watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid	2268	watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1329	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be	2269	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1330	useful simply to find out the new values.	2270	the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
		2271	new values.
1331		2272
1332	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]	2273	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1333		2274
1334	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of	2275	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
1335	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types	2276	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1336	suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there	2277	suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
		2278	members to be present. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there was
1337	was some error while C<stat>ing the file.	2279	some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1338		2280
1339	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]	2281	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1340		2282
1341	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever	2283	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1342	C<prev> != C<attr>.	2284	C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
		2285	differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
		2286	C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
1343		2287
1344	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]	2288	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1345		2289
1346	The specified interval.	2290	The specified interval.
1347		2291
1348	=item const char *path [read-only]	2292	=item const char *path [read-only]
1349		2293
1350	The filesystem path that is being watched.	2294	The file system path that is being watched.
1351		2295
1352	=back	2296	=back
1353		2297
		2298	=head3 Examples
		2299
1354	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.	2300	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1355		2301
1356	static void	2302	static void
1357	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)	2303	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1358	{	2304	{
1359	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */	2305	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1360	if (w->attr.st_nlink)	2306	if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1361	{	2307	{
1362	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);	2308	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1363	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2309	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1364	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2310	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1365	}	2311	}
1366	else	2312	else
1367	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */	2313	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1368	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "	2314	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1369	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");	2315	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1370	}	2316	}
1371		2317
1372	...	2318	...
1373	ev_stat passwd;	2319	ev_stat passwd;
1374		2320
1375	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd");	2321	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1376	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	2322	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
		2323
		2324	Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
		2325	miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
		2326	one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
		2327	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
		2328
		2329	static ev_stat passwd;
		2330	static ev_timer timer;
		2331
		2332	static void
		2333	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		2334	{
		2335	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
		2336
		2337	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
		2338	}
		2339
		2340	static void
		2341	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
		2342	{
		2343	/* reset the one-second timer */
		2344	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
		2345	}
		2346
		2347	...
		2348	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
		2349	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
		2350	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1377		2351
1378		2352
1379	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...	2353	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1380		2354
1381	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher	2355	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1382	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not	2356	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count
1383	count).	2357	as receiving "events").
1384		2358
1385	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts	2359	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1386	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be	2360	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1387	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers	2361	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1388	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop	2362	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
…		…
1395	Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful	2369	Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
1396	effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do	2370	effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do
1397	"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the	2371	"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
1398	event loop has handled all outstanding events.	2372	event loop has handled all outstanding events.
1399		2373
		2374	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
		2375
1400	=over 4	2376	=over 4
1401		2377
1402	=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback)	2378	=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
1403		2379
1404	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any	2380	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1405	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	2381	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1406	believe me.	2382	believe me.
1407		2383
1408	=back	2384	=back
1409		2385
		2386	=head3 Examples
		2387
1410	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the	2388	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1411	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.	2389	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1412		2390
1413	static void	2391	static void
1414	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)	2392	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1415	{	2393	{
1416	free (w);	2394	free (w);
1417	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has	2395	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1418	// no longer asnything immediate to do.	2396	// no longer anything immediate to do.
1419	}	2397	}
1420		2398
1421	struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));	2399	ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1422	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);	2400	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1423	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);	2401	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
1424		2402
1425		2403
1426	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!	2404	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1427		2405
1428	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:	2406	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
1429	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers	2407	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1430	afterwards.	2408	afterwards.
1431		2409
1432	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter	2410	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter
1433	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>	2411	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
…		…
1436	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,	2414	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1437	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be	2415	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1438	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.	2416	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1439		2417
1440	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and	2418	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1441	their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track	2419	their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
1442	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a	2420	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1443	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if	2421	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1444	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,	2422	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1445	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>	2423	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1446	watcher).	2424	watcher).
1447		2425
1448	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need	2426	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors
1449	to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for	2427	need to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers
1450	them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries	2428	for them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many
1451	provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for	2429	libraries provide exactly this functionality). Then, in the check watcher,
1452	any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers	2430	you check for any events that occurred (by checking the pending status
1453	and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer	2431	of all watchers and stopping them) and call back into the library. The
1454	callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,	2432	I/O and timer callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid
1455	because you never know, you know?).	2433	nevertheless, because you never know, you know?).
1456		2434
1457	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate	2435	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1458	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines	2436	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
1459	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines	2437	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
1460	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines	2438	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
1461	with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine	2439	with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
1462	of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event	2440	of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
1463	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping	2441	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1464	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).	2442	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1465		2443
		2444	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
		2445	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
		2446	after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).
		2447
		2448	Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
		2449	activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
		2450	might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
		2451	C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
		2452	loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
		2453	C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
		2454	others).
		2455
		2456	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
		2457
1466	=over 4	2458	=over 4
1467		2459
1468	=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)	2460	=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
1469		2461
1470	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)	2462	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1471		2463
1472	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no	2464	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
1473	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>	2465	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1474	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.	2466	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly, utterly and completely
		2467	pointless.
1475		2468
1476	=back	2469	=back
1477		2470
1478	Example: To include a library such as adns, you would add IO watchers	2471	=head3 Examples
1479	and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler, as required by libadns, and	2472
		2473	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
		2474	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
		2475	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
		2476	use as a working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> embeds a
		2477	Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
		2478	Glib event loop).
		2479
		2480	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1480	in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows is	2481	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1481	pseudo-code only of course:	2482	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
		2483	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
		2484	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1482		2485
1483	static ev_io iow [nfd];	2486	static ev_io iow [nfd];
1484	static ev_timer tw;	2487	static ev_timer tw;
1485		2488
1486	static void	2489	static void
1487	io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)	2490	io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1488	{	2491	{
1489	// set the relevant poll flags
1490	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1491	struct pollfd *fd = (struct pollfd *)w->data;
1492	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1493	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1494	}	2492	}
1495		2493
1496	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking	2494	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1497	static void	2495	static void
1498	adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)	2496	adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1499	{	2497	{
1500	int timeout = 3600000;	2498	int timeout = 3600000;
1501	struct pollfd fds [nfd];	2499	struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1502	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.	2500	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1503	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));	2501	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1504		2502
1505	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */	2503	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1506	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);	2504	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3, 0.);
1507	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);	2505	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1508		2506
1509	// create on ev_io per pollfd	2507	// create one ev_io per pollfd
1510	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2508	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1511	{	2509	{
1512	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,	2510	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1513	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)	2511	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1514	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));	2512	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1515		2513
1516	fds [i].revents = 0;	2514	fds [i].revents = 0;
1517	iow [i].data = fds + i;
1518	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);	2515	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1519	}	2516	}
1520	}	2517	}
1521		2518
1522	// stop all watchers after blocking	2519	// stop all watchers after blocking
1523	static void	2520	static void
1524	adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)	2521	adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1525	{	2522	{
1526	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);	2523	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1527		2524
1528	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2525	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
		2526	{
		2527	// set the relevant poll flags
		2528	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
		2529	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
		2530	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
		2531	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
		2532	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
		2533
		2534	// now stop the watcher
1529	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);	2535	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
		2536	}
1530		2537
1531	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));	2538	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1532	}	2539	}
		2540
		2541	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
		2542	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
		2543
		2544	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
		2545	notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
		2546	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
		2547
		2548	static void
		2549	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		2550	{
		2551	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
		2552	update_now (EV_A);
		2553
		2554	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
		2555	}
		2556
		2557	static void
		2558	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
		2559	{
		2560	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
		2561	update_now (EV_A);
		2562
		2563	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
		2564	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
		2565	}
		2566
		2567	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll
		2568
		2569	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
		2570	want to embed is not flexible enough to support it. Instead, you can
		2571	override their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the
		2572	main loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module uses
		2573	this approach, effectively embedding EV as a client into the horrible
		2574	libglib event loop.
		2575
		2576	static gint
		2577	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
		2578	{
		2579	int got_events = 0;
		2580
		2581	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
		2582	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
		2583
		2584	if (timeout >= 0)
		2585	// create/start timer
		2586
		2587	// poll
		2588	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
		2589
		2590	// stop timer again
		2591	if (timeout >= 0)
		2592	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
		2593
		2594	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
		2595	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
		2596	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
		2597
		2598	return got_events;
		2599	}
1533		2600
1534		2601
1535	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...	2602	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1536		2603
1537	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop	2604	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
…		…
1543	prioritise I/O.	2610	prioritise I/O.
1544		2611
1545	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support	2612	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
1546	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you	2613	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
1547	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales	2614	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
1548	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it	2615	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed
1549	into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will	2616	it into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation
1550	be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but	2617	will be a bit slower because first libev has to call C<poll> and then
1551	at least you can use both at what they are best.	2618	C<kevent>, but at least you can use both mechanisms for what they are
		2619	best: C<kqueue> for scalable sockets and C<poll> if you want it to work :)
1552		2620
1553	As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have	2621	As for prioritising I/O: under rare circumstances you have the case where
1554	to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even	2622	some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
1555	priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case	2623	and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
1556	you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in	2624	this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
1557	a second one, and embed the second one in the first.	2625	the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
1558		2626
1559	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time	2627	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every
1560	there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then	2628	time there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback
1561	call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke	2629	must then call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single
1562	their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded	2630	sweep and invoke their callbacks (the callback doesn't need to invoke the
1563	loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback	2631	C<ev_embed_sweep> function directly, it could also start an idle watcher
1564	to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the	2632	to give the embedded loop strictly lower priority for example).
1565	embedded loop sweep.
1566		2633
1567	As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The	2634	You can also set the callback to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher
1568	callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can	2635	will automatically execute the embedded loop sweep whenever necessary.
1569	set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
1570	interested in that.
1571		2636
1572	Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:	2637	Fork detection will be handled transparently while the C<ev_embed> watcher
1573	when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,	2638	is active, i.e., the embedded loop will automatically be forked when the
1574	but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers	2639	embedding loop forks. In other cases, the user is responsible for calling
1575	yourself.	2640	C<ev_loop_fork> on the embedded loop.
1576		2641
1577	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by	2642	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
1578	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any	2643	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
1579	portable one.	2644	portable one.
1580		2645
1581	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared	2646	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
1582	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around	2647	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
1583	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to	2648	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
1584	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything:	2649	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
1585		2650
1586	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);	2651	=head3 C<ev_embed> and fork
1587	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
1588	struct ev_embed embed;
1589
1590	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
1591	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
1592	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
1593	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
1594	: 0;
1595		2652
1596	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi	2653	While the C<ev_embed> watcher is running, forks in the embedding loop will
1597	if (loop_lo)	2654	automatically be applied to the embedded loop as well, so no special
1598	{	2655	fork handling is required in that case. When the watcher is not running,
1599	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);	2656	however, it is still the task of the libev user to call C<ev_loop_fork ()>
1600	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);	2657	as applicable.
1601	}	2658
1602	else	2659	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1603	loop_lo = loop_hi;
1604		2660
1605	=over 4	2661	=over 4
1606		2662
1607	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)	2663	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
1608		2664
…		…
1610		2666
1611	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be	2667	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1612	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be	2668	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
1613	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback	2669	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1614	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,	2670	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
1615	if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).	2671	if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
1616		2672
1617	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)	2673	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
1618		2674
1619	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works	2675	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1620	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most	2676	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
1621	apropriate way for embedded loops.	2677	appropriate way for embedded loops.
1622		2678
1623	=item struct ev_loop *loop [read-only]	2679	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
1624		2680
1625	The embedded event loop.	2681	The embedded event loop.
1626		2682
1627	=back	2683	=back
		2684
		2685	=head3 Examples
		2686
		2687	Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
		2688	event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
		2689	loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
		2690	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
		2691	used).
		2692
		2693	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
		2694	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
		2695	ev_embed embed;
		2696
		2697	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
		2698	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
		2699	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
		2700	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
		2701	: 0;
		2702
		2703	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
		2704	if (loop_lo)
		2705	{
		2706	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
		2707	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
		2708	}
		2709	else
		2710	loop_lo = loop_hi;
		2711
		2712	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
		2713	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
		2714	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
		2715	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
		2716
		2717	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
		2718	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
		2719	ev_embed embed;
		2720
		2721	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
		2722	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
		2723	{
		2724	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
		2725	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
		2726	}
		2727
		2728	if (!loop_socket)
		2729	loop_socket = loop;
		2730
		2731	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
1628		2732
1629		2733
1630	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork	2734	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
1631		2735
1632	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because	2736	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
…		…
1635	event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,	2739	event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
1636	and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling	2740	and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
1637	C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork	2741	C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
1638	handlers will be invoked, too, of course.	2742	handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
1639		2743
		2744	=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
		2745
		2746	Most uses of C<fork()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to ste
		2747	up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
		2748	sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
		2749
		2750	This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
		2751	in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
		2752	fork.
		2753
		2754	The default mode of operation (for libev, with application help to detect
		2755	forks) is to duplicate all the state in the child, as would be expected
		2756	when I<either> the parent I<or> the child process continues.
		2757
		2758	When both processes want to continue using libev, then this is usually the
		2759	wrong result. In that case, usually one process (typically the parent) is
		2760	supposed to continue with all watchers in place as before, while the other
		2761	process typically wants to start fresh, i.e. without any active watchers.
		2762
		2763	The cleanest and most efficient way to achieve that with libev is to
		2764	simply create a new event loop, which of course will be "empty", and
		2765	use that for new watchers. This has the advantage of not touching more
		2766	memory than necessary, and thus avoiding the copy-on-write, and the
		2767	disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support
		2768	signal watchers).
		2769
		2770	When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for
		2771	other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call
		2772	C<ev_default_destroy ()> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>. Destroying
		2773	the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered watchers, so you
		2774	have to be careful not to execute code that modifies those watchers. Note
		2775	also that in that case, you have to re-register any signal watchers.
		2776
		2777	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
		2778
1640	=over 4	2779	=over 4
1641		2780
1642	=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)	2781	=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1643		2782
1644	Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any	2783	Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
…		…
1646	believe me.	2785	believe me.
1647		2786
1648	=back	2787	=back
1649		2788
1650		2789
		2790	=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop
		2791
		2792	In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
		2793	asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
		2794	loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
		2795
		2796	Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not
		2797	control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what
		2798	C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you
		2799	can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal
		2800	safe.
		2801
		2802	This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
		2803	too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
		2804	(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
		2805	C<ev_async_sent> calls).
		2806
		2807	Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
		2808	just the default loop.
		2809
		2810	=head3 Queueing
		2811
		2812	C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
		2813	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
		2814	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
		2815	need elaborate support such as pthreads.
		2816
		2817	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
		2818	queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
		2819	queue:
		2820
		2821	=over 4
		2822
		2823	=item queueing from a signal handler context
		2824
		2825	To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
		2826	handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is
		2827	an example that does that for some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
		2828
		2829	static ev_async mysig;
		2830
		2831	static void
		2832	sigusr1_handler (void)
		2833	{
		2834	sometype data;
		2835
		2836	// no locking etc.
		2837	queue_put (data);
		2838	ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
		2839	}
		2840
		2841	static void
		2842	mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		2843	{
		2844	sometype data;
		2845	sigset_t block, prev;
		2846
		2847	sigemptyset (&block);
		2848	sigaddset (&block, SIGUSR1);
		2849	sigprocmask (SIG_BLOCK, &block, &prev);
		2850
		2851	while (queue_get (&data))
		2852	process (data);
		2853
		2854	if (sigismember (&prev, SIGUSR1)
		2855	sigprocmask (SIG_UNBLOCK, &block, 0);
		2856	}
		2857
		2858	(Note: pthreads in theory requires you to use C<pthread_setmask>
		2859	instead of C<sigprocmask> when you use threads, but libev doesn't do it
		2860	either...).
		2861
		2862	=item queueing from a thread context
		2863
		2864	The strategy for threads is different, as you cannot (easily) block
		2865	threads but you can easily preempt them, so to queue safely you need to
		2866	employ a traditional mutex lock, such as in this pthread example:
		2867
		2868	static ev_async mysig;
		2869	static pthread_mutex_t mymutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
		2870
		2871	static void
		2872	otherthread (void)
		2873	{
		2874	// only need to lock the actual queueing operation
		2875	pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
		2876	queue_put (data);
		2877	pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
		2878
		2879	ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
		2880	}
		2881
		2882	static void
		2883	mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		2884	{
		2885	pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
		2886
		2887	while (queue_get (&data))
		2888	process (data);
		2889
		2890	pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
		2891	}
		2892
		2893	=back
		2894
		2895
		2896	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
		2897
		2898	=over 4
		2899
		2900	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
		2901
		2902	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
		2903	kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
		2904	trust me.
		2905
		2906	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
		2907
		2908	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
		2909	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
		2910	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or
		2911	similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
		2912	section below on what exactly this means).
		2913
		2914	Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
		2915	compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this
		2916	is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>,
		2917	reset when the event loop detects that).
		2918
		2919	This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per event loop
		2920	iteration, so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to
		2921	repeated calls to C<ev_async_send> for the same event loop.
		2922
		2923	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
		2924
		2925	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
		2926	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
		2927	event loop.
		2928
		2929	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
		2930	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
		2931	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
		2932	quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
		2933
		2934	Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending,
		2935	only whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending: there
		2936	is a time window between the event loop checking and resetting the async
		2937	notification, and the callback being invoked.
		2938
		2939	=back
		2940
		2941
1651	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS	2942	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
1652		2943
1653	There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.	2944	There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
1654		2945
1655	=over 4	2946	=over 4
1656		2947
1657	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)	2948	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
1658		2949
1659	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your	2950	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
1660	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both	2951	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
1661	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd	2952	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
1662	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or	2953	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
1663	more watchers yourself.	2954	more watchers yourself.
1664		2955
1665	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events	2956	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and the
1666	is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and	2957	C<events> argument is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for
1667	C<events> set will be craeted and started.	2958	the given C<fd> and C<events> set will be created and started.
1668		2959
1669	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be	2960	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
1670	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and	2961	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
1671	repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of	2962	repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
1672	dubious value.
1673		2963
1674	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets	2964	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
1675	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of	2965	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
1676	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>	2966	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
1677	value passed to C<ev_once>:	2967	value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
		2968	a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
		2969	events precedence.
1678		2970
		2971	Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
		2972
1679	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)	2973	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
1680	{	2974	{
1681	if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
1682	/* doh, nothing entered */;
1683	else if (revents & EV_READ)	2975	if (revents & EV_READ)
1684	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;	2976	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
		2977	else if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
		2978	/* doh, nothing entered */;
1685	}	2979	}
1686		2980
1687	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);	2981	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
1688		2982
1689	=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)	2983	=item ev_feed_event (struct ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
1690		2984
1691	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event	2985	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1692	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an	2986	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1693	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).	2987	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
1694		2988
1695	=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)	2989	=item ev_feed_fd_event (struct ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)
1696		2990
1697	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected	2991	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
1698	the given events it.	2992	the given events it.
1699		2993
1700	=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)	2994	=item ev_feed_signal_event (struct ev_loop *loop, int signum)
1701		2995
1702	Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default	2996	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
1703	loop!).	2997	loop!).
1704		2998
1705	=back	2999	=back
1706		3000
1707		3001
…		…
1723		3017
1724	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities	3018	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
1725	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there	3019	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
1726	is an ev_pri field.	3020	is an ev_pri field.
1727		3021
		3022	=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
		3023	first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.
		3024
1728	=item * Other members are not supported.	3025	=item * Other members are not supported.
1729		3026
1730	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need	3027	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
1731	to use the libev header file and library.	3028	to use the libev header file and library.
1732		3029
1733	=back	3030	=back
1734		3031
1735	=head1 C++ SUPPORT	3032	=head1 C++ SUPPORT
1736		3033
1737	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow	3034	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
1738	you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change	3035	you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
1739	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.	3036	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
1740		3037
1741	To use it,	3038	To use it,
1742		3039
1743	#include <ev++.h>	3040	#include <ev++.h>
1744		3041
1745	(it is not installed by default). This automatically includes F<ev.h>	3042	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
1746	and puts all of its definitions (many of them macros) into the global	3043	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
1747	namespace. All C++ specific things are put into the C<ev> namespace.	3044	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
		3045	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
1748		3046
1749	It should support all the same embedding options as F<ev.h>, most notably	3047	Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++
1750	C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.	3048	classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer
		3049	that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if
		3050	you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).
		3051
		3052	Currently, functions, and static and non-static member functions can be
		3053	used as callbacks. Other types should be easy to add as long as they only
		3054	need one additional pointer for context. If you need support for other
		3055	types of functors please contact the author (preferably after implementing
		3056	it).
1751		3057
1752	Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:	3058	Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
1753		3059
1754	=over 4	3060	=over 4
1755		3061
…		…
1771		3077
1772	All of those classes have these methods:	3078	All of those classes have these methods:
1773		3079
1774	=over 4	3080	=over 4
1775		3081
1776	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *)	3082	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
1777		3083
1778	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *, struct ev_loop *)	3084	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *)
1779		3085
1780	=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE	3086	=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
1781		3087
1782	The constructor takes a pointer to an object and a method pointer to	3088	The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
1783	the event handler callback to call in this class. The constructor calls	3089	with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
1784	C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the C<set> method	3090
1785	before starting it. If you do not specify a loop then the constructor	3091	The constructor calls C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the
1786	automatically associates the default loop with this watcher.	3092	C<set> method before starting it.
		3093
		3094	It will not set a callback, however: You have to call the templated C<set>
		3095	method to set a callback before you can start the watcher.
		3096
		3097	(The reason why you have to use a method is a limitation in C++ which does
		3098	not allow explicit template arguments for constructors).
1787		3099
1788	The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active.	3100	The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active.
		3101
		3102	=item w->set<class, &class::method> (object *)
		3103
		3104	This method sets the callback method to call. The method has to have a
		3105	signature of C<void (*)(ev_TYPE &, int)>, it receives the watcher as
		3106	first argument and the C<revents> as second. The object must be given as
		3107	parameter and is stored in the C<data> member of the watcher.
		3108
		3109	This method synthesizes efficient thunking code to call your method from
		3110	the C callback that libev requires. If your compiler can inline your
		3111	callback (i.e. it is visible to it at the place of the C<set> call and
		3112	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
		3113	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
		3114
		3115	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
		3116
		3117	struct myclass
		3118	{
		3119	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
		3120	}
		3121
		3122	myclass obj;
		3123	ev::io iow;
		3124	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
		3125
		3126	=item w->set (object *)
		3127
		3128	This is an B<experimental> feature that might go away in a future version.
		3129
		3130	This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
		3131	will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
		3132	functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
		3133	the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
		3134	list.
		3135
		3136	The C<operator ()> method prototype must be C<void operator ()(watcher &w,
		3137	int revents)>.
		3138
		3139	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
		3140
		3141	Example: use a functor object as callback.
		3142
		3143	struct myfunctor
		3144	{
		3145	void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
		3146	{
		3147	...
		3148	}
		3149	}
		3150
		3151	myfunctor f;
		3152
		3153	ev::io w;
		3154	w.set (&f);
		3155
		3156	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
		3157
		3158	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
		3159	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
		3160	C<data> member and is free for you to use.
		3161
		3162	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
		3163
		3164	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
		3165
		3166	Example: Use a plain function as callback.
		3167
		3168	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
		3169	iow.set <io_cb> ();
1789		3170
1790	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)	3171	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
1791		3172
1792	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only	3173	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
1793	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).	3174	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
1794		3175
1795	=item w->set ([args])	3176	=item w->set ([arguments])
1796		3177
1797	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be	3178	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be
1798	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets	3179	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
1799	automatically stopped and restarted.	3180	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
		3181	method.
1800		3182
1801	=item w->start ()	3183	=item w->start ()
1802		3184
1803	Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument as the	3185	Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
1804	constructor already takes the loop.	3186	constructor already stores the event loop.
1805		3187
1806	=item w->stop ()	3188	=item w->stop ()
1807		3189
1808	Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.	3190	Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
1809		3191
1810	=item w->again () C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only	3192	=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
1811		3193
1812	For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding	3194	For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding
1813	C<ev_TYPE_again> function.	3195	C<ev_TYPE_again> function.
1814		3196
1815	=item w->sweep () C<ev::embed> only	3197	=item w->sweep () (C<ev::embed> only)
1816		3198
1817	Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>.	3199	Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>.
1818		3200
1819	=item w->update () C<ev::stat> only	3201	=item w->update () (C<ev::stat> only)
1820		3202
1821	Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>.	3203	Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>.
1822		3204
1823	=back	3205	=back
1824		3206
1825	=back	3207	=back
1826		3208
1827	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in	3209	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
1828	the constructor.	3210	the constructor.
1829		3211
1830	class myclass	3212	class myclass
1831	{	3213	{
1832	ev_io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);	3214	ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
1833	ev_idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);	3215	ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
1834		3216
1835	myclass ();	3217	myclass (int fd)
1836	}	3218	{
		3219	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
		3220	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
1837		3221
1838	myclass::myclass (int fd)
1839	: io (this, &myclass::io_cb),
1840	idle (this, &myclass::idle_cb)
1841	{
1842	io.start (fd, ev::READ);	3222	io.start (fd, ev::READ);
		3223	}
1843	}	3224	};
		3225
		3226
		3227	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
		3228
		3229	Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
		3230	number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
		3231	any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
		3232	me a note.
		3233
		3234	=over 4
		3235
		3236	=item Perl
		3237
		3238	The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
		3239	libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
		3240	there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
		3241	to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>, but C<AnyEvent::DNS> is preferred nowadays),
		3242	C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV>
		3243	and C<EV::Glib>).
		3244
		3245	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
		3246	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
		3247
		3248	=item Python
		3249
		3250	Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
		3251	seems to be quite complete and well-documented.
		3252
		3253	=item Ruby
		3254
		3255	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
		3256	of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
		3257	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
		3258	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
		3259
		3260	Roger Pack reports that using the link order C<-lws2_32 -lmsvcrt-ruby-190>
		3261	makes rev work even on mingw.
		3262
		3263	=item Haskell
		3264
		3265	A haskell binding to libev is available at
		3266	L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
		3267
		3268	=item D
		3269
		3270	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
		3271	be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
		3272
		3273	=item Ocaml
		3274
		3275	Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
		3276	L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
		3277
		3278	=back
1844		3279
1845		3280
1846	=head1 MACRO MAGIC	3281	=head1 MACRO MAGIC
1847		3282
1848	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundemantal is	3283	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
1849	C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most) functions and	3284	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
1850	callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.	3285	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
1851		3286
1852	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the	3287	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
1853	following macros are defined:	3288	following macros are defined:
1854		3289
1855	=over 4	3290	=over 4
…		…
1858		3293
1859	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev	3294	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
1860	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,	3295	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
1861	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:	3296	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
1862		3297
1863	ev_unref (EV_A);	3298	ev_unref (EV_A);
1864	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);	3299	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
1865	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	3300	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1866		3301
1867	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,	3302	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
1868	which is often provided by the following macro.	3303	which is often provided by the following macro.
1869		3304
1870	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>	3305	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
1871		3306
1872	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev	3307	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
1873	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,	3308	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
1874	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:	3309	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
1875		3310
1876	// this is how ev_unref is being declared	3311	// this is how ev_unref is being declared
1877	static void ev_unref (EV_P);	3312	static void ev_unref (EV_P);
1878		3313
1879	// this is how you can declare your typical callback	3314	// this is how you can declare your typical callback
1880	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	3315	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1881		3316
1882	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite	3317	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
1883	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.	3318	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
1884		3319
1885	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>	3320	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
1886		3321
1887	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default	3322	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
1888	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").	3323	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
		3324
		3325	=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
		3326
		3327	Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
		3328	default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
		3329	is undefined when the default loop has not been initialised by a previous
		3330	execution of C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> or C<ev_default_init (...)>.
		3331
		3332	It is often prudent to use C<EV_DEFAULT> when initialising the first
		3333	watcher in a function but use C<EV_DEFAULT_UC> afterwards.
1889		3334
1890	=back	3335	=back
1891		3336
1892	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above	3337	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
1893	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported	3338	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
1894	or not.	3339	or not.
1895		3340
1896	static void	3341	static void
1897	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	3342	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1898	{	3343	{
1899	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);	3344	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
1900	}	3345	}
1901		3346
1902	ev_check check;	3347	ev_check check;
1903	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);	3348	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
1904	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);	3349	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
1905	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);	3350	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
1906		3351
1907	=head1 EMBEDDING	3352	=head1 EMBEDDING
1908		3353
1909	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host	3354	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
1910	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra	3355	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
1911	Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe)	3356	Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe)
1912	and rxvt-unicode.	3357	and rxvt-unicode.
1913		3358
1914	The goal is to enable you to just copy the neecssary files into your	3359	The goal is to enable you to just copy the necessary files into your
1915	source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so	3360	source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so
1916	you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of	3361	you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of
1917	libev somewhere in your source tree).	3362	libev somewhere in your source tree).
1918		3363
1919	=head2 FILESETS	3364	=head2 FILESETS
1920		3365
1921	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files	3366	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
1922	in your app.	3367	in your application.
1923		3368
1924	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP	3369	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
1925		3370
1926	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual	3371	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
1927	configuration (no autoconf):	3372	configuration (no autoconf):
1928		3373
1929	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3374	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
1930	#include "ev.c"	3375	#include "ev.c"
1931		3376
1932	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a	3377	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
1933	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use	3378	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
1934	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best	3379	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
1935	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and	3380	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
1936	where you can put other configuration options):	3381	where you can put other configuration options):
1937		3382
1938	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3383	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
1939	#include "ev.h"	3384	#include "ev.h"
1940		3385
1941	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++	3386	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
1942	compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated	3387	compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
1943	as a bug).	3388	as a bug).
1944		3389
1945	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory	3390	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
1946	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):	3391	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
1947		3392
1948	ev.h	3393	ev.h
1949	ev.c	3394	ev.c
1950	ev_vars.h	3395	ev_vars.h
1951	ev_wrap.h	3396	ev_wrap.h
1952		3397
1953	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only	3398	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
1954		3399
1955	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)	3400	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
1956	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3401	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1957	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3402	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1958	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3403	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1959	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3404	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1960		3405
1961	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need	3406	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
1962	to compile this single file.	3407	to compile this single file.
1963		3408
1964	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API	3409	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
1965		3410
1966	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:	3411	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
1967		3412
1968	#include "event.c"	3413	#include "event.c"
1969		3414
1970	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:	3415	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
1971		3416
1972	#include "event.h"	3417	#include "event.h"
1973		3418
1974	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.	3419	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
1975		3420
1976	You need the following additional files for this:	3421	You need the following additional files for this:
1977		3422
1978	event.h	3423	event.h
1979	event.c	3424	event.c
1980		3425
1981	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT	3426	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
1982		3427
1983	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in	3428	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
1984	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your	3429	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
1985	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then	3430	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
1986	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.	3431	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
1987		3432
1988	For this of course you need the m4 file:	3433	For this of course you need the m4 file:
1989		3434
1990	libev.m4	3435	libev.m4
1991		3436
1992	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS	3437	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
1993		3438
1994	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define	3439	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
1995	before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity	3440	define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of
1996	and only include the select backend.	3441	autoconf is documented for every option.
1997		3442
1998	=over 4	3443	=over 4
1999		3444
2000	=item EV_STANDALONE	3445	=item EV_STANDALONE
2001		3446
…		…
2003	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy	3448	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
2004	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not	3449	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
2005	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in	3450	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
2006	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.	3451	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2007		3452
		3453	In stanbdalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
		3454	configuration, but has to be more conservative.
		3455
2008	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC	3456	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2009		3457
2010	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3458	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2011	monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use	3459	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
2012	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you	3460	use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this,
2013	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when	3461	you usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it
2014	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, althoguh you have	3462	when the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2015	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>	3463	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2016	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).	3464	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). See also C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
2017		3465
2018	=item EV_USE_REALTIME	3466	=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2019		3467
2020	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3468	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2021	realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at	3469	real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability
2022	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will	3470	at runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock
2023	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get	3471	option will be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday>
2024	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See tzhe note about libraries	3472	by C<clock_get (CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect
2025	in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.	3473	correctness. See the note about libraries in the description of
		3474	C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. Defaults to the opposite value of
		3475	C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
		3476
		3477	=item EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL
		3478
		3479	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to use a direct syscall instead
		3480	of calling the system-provided C<clock_gettime> function. This option
		3481	exists because on GNU/Linux, C<clock_gettime> is in C<librt>, but C<librt>
		3482	unconditionally pulls in C<libpthread>, slowing down single-threaded
		3483	programs needlessly. Using a direct syscall is slightly slower (in
		3484	theory), because no optimised vdso implementation can be used, but avoids
		3485	the pthread dependency. Defaults to C<1> on GNU/Linux with glibc 2.x or
		3486	higher, as it simplifies linking (no need for C<-lrt>).
		3487
		3488	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
		3489
		3490	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
		3491	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
		3492
		3493	=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
		3494
		3495	If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
		3496	available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
		3497	C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
		3498	If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
		3499	2.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2026		3500
2027	=item EV_USE_SELECT	3501	=item EV_USE_SELECT
2028		3502
2029	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the	3503	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
2030	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no	3504	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
2031	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend	3505	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
2032	will not be compiled in.	3506	will not be compiled in.
2033		3507
2034	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET	3508	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2035		3509
2036	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>	3510	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
2037	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing	3511	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
2038	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on	3512	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout
2039	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some	3513	on exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to
2040	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only	3514	some low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket
2041	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might	3515	only allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation,
2042	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.	3516	configures the maximum size of the C<fd_set>.
2043		3517
2044	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET	3518	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
2045		3519
2046	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that	3520	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
2047	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but	3521	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
…		…
2049	be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call	3523	be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
2050	C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,	3524	C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
2051	it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even	3525	it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
2052	on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.	3526	on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
2053		3527
		3528	=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE
		3529
		3530	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
		3531	file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
		3532	default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
		3533	correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
		3534	in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
		3535
2054	=item EV_USE_POLL	3536	=item EV_USE_POLL
2055		3537
2056	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)	3538	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
2057	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It	3539	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
2058	takes precedence over select.	3540	takes precedence over select.
2059		3541
2060	=item EV_USE_EPOLL	3542	=item EV_USE_EPOLL
2061		3543
2062	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux	3544	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
2063	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,	3545	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2064	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the	3546	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2065	preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems.	3547	backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
		3548	headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2066		3549
2067	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE	3550	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2068		3551
2069	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style	3552	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
2070	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,	3553	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
…		…
2083	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred	3566	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2084	backend for Solaris 10 systems.	3567	backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2085		3568
2086	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL	3569	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2087		3570
2088	reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.	3571	Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2089		3572
2090	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY	3573	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2091		3574
2092	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify	3575	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2093	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will	3576	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2094	be detected at runtime.	3577	be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
		3578	indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
		3579
		3580	=item EV_ATOMIC_T
		3581
		3582	Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
		3583	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
		3584	type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
		3585	that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
		3586	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
		3587
		3588	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
		3589	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2095		3590
2096	=item EV_H	3591	=item EV_H
2097		3592
2098	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if	3593	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2099	undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This	3594	undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
2100	can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.	3595	used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2101		3596
2102	=item EV_CONFIG_H	3597	=item EV_CONFIG_H
2103		3598
2104	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override	3599	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
2105	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to	3600	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2106	C<EV_H>, above.	3601	C<EV_H>, above.
2107		3602
2108	=item EV_EVENT_H	3603	=item EV_EVENT_H
2109		3604
2110	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea	3605	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
2111	of how the F<event.h> header can be found.	3606	of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
2112		3607
2113	=item EV_PROTOTYPES	3608	=item EV_PROTOTYPES
2114		3609
2115	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function	3610	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
2116	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is	3611	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
…		…
2123	will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create	3618	will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
2124	additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support	3619	additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
2125	for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer	3620	for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
2126	argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.	3621	argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
2127		3622
		3623	=item EV_MINPRI
		3624
		3625	=item EV_MAXPRI
		3626
		3627	The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to
		3628	C<EV_MAXPRI>, but otherwise there are no non-obvious limitations. You can
		3629	provide for more priorities by overriding those symbols (usually defined
		3630	to be C<-2> and C<2>, respectively).
		3631
		3632	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
		3633	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
		3634	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
		3635	fine.
		3636
		3637	If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
		3638	both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
		3639
2128	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE	3640	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
2129		3641
2130	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If	3642	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
2131	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of	3643	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
2132	code.	3644	code.
…		…
2138	code.	3650	code.
2139		3651
2140	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE	3652	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2141		3653
2142	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If	3654	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2143	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3655	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Embed watchers rely on most other
		3656	watcher types, which therefore must not be disabled.
2144		3657
2145	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE	3658	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
2146		3659
2147	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If	3660	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
2148	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3661	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
…		…
2150	=item EV_FORK_ENABLE	3663	=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2151		3664
2152	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If	3665	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2153	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3666	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2154		3667
		3668	=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
		3669
		3670	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
		3671	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
		3672
2155	=item EV_MINIMAL	3673	=item EV_MINIMAL
2156		3674
2157	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some	3675	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2158	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override	3676	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some
2159	some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64.	3677	inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size on amd64. It also selects a
		3678	much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap.
2160		3679
2161	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE	3680	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2162		3681
2163	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	3682	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2164	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more	3683	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
2165	than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to	3684	than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to
2166	increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).	3685	increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
2167		3686
2168	=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE	3687	=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
2169		3688
2170	C<ev_staz> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	3689	C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2171	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),	3690	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
2172	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>	3691	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
2173	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of	3692	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
2174	two).	3693	two).
2175		3694
		3695	=item EV_USE_4HEAP
		3696
		3697	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		3698	timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
		3699	to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
		3700	faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
		3701
		3702	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
		3703	(disabled).
		3704
		3705	=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
		3706
		3707	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		3708	timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
		3709	the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
		3710	which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
		3711	but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
		3712	noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
		3713
		3714	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
		3715	(disabled).
		3716
		3717	=item EV_VERIFY
		3718
		3719	Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will
		3720	be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
		3721	in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
		3722	called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
		3723	called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
		3724	verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
		3725	libev considerably.
		3726
		3727	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be
		3728	C<0>.
		3729
2176	=item EV_COMMON	3730	=item EV_COMMON
2177		3731
2178	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining	3732	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2179	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of	3733	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2180	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,	3734	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2181	though, and it must be identical each time.	3735	though, and it must be identical each time.
2182		3736
2183	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:	3737	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2184		3738
2185	#define EV_COMMON \	3739	#define EV_COMMON \
2186	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \	3740	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2187	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */	3741	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2188		3742
2189	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)	3743	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2190		3744
2191	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)	3745	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2192		3746
2193	=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb)	3747	=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb)
2194		3748
2195	Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher,	3749	Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher,
2196	and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member	3750	and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member
2197	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.v> header file for	3751	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
2198	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to	3752	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
2199	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use	3753	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2200	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.	3754	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
		3755
		3756	=back
		3757
		3758	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
		3759
		3760	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
		3761	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
		3762	all public symbols, one per line:
		3763
		3764	Symbols.ev for libev proper
		3765	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
		3766
		3767	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
		3768	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
		3769	itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
		3770
		3771	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
		3772	include before including F<ev.h>:
		3773
		3774	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
		3775
		3776	This would create a file F<wrap.h> which essentially looks like this:
		3777
		3778	#define ev_backend myprefix_ev_backend
		3779	#define ev_check_start myprefix_ev_check_start
		3780	#define ev_check_stop myprefix_ev_check_stop
		3781	...
2201		3782
2202	=head2 EXAMPLES	3783	=head2 EXAMPLES
2203		3784
2204	For a real-world example of a program the includes libev	3785	For a real-world example of a program the includes libev
2205	verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module	3786	verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module
…		…
2210	file.	3791	file.
2211		3792
2212	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file	3793	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
2213	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:	3794	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2214		3795
2215	#define EV_MINIMAL 1	3796	#define EV_MINIMAL 1
2216	#define EV_USE_POLL 0	3797	#define EV_USE_POLL 0
2217	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0	3798	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2218	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0	3799	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
2219	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0	3800	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
2220	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0	3801	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
2221	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>	3802	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
2222	#define EV_MINPRI 0	3803	#define EV_MINPRI 0
2223	#define EV_MAXPRI 0	3804	#define EV_MAXPRI 0
2224		3805
2225	#include "ev++.h"	3806	#include "ev++.h"
2226		3807
2227	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:	3808	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
2228		3809
2229	#include "ev_cpp.h"	3810	#include "ev_cpp.h"
2230	#include "ev.c"	3811	#include "ev.c"
2231		3812
		3813	=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES
2232		3814
		3815	=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
		3816
		3817	=head3 THREADS
		3818
		3819	All libev functions are reentrant and thread-safe unless explicitly
		3820	documented otherwise, but libev implements no locking itself. This means
		3821	that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as there
		3822	are no concurrent calls into any libev function with the same loop
		3823	parameter (C<ev_default_*> calls have an implicit default loop parameter,
		3824	of course): libev guarantees that different event loops share no data
		3825	structures that need any locking.
		3826
		3827	Or to put it differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done
		3828	concurrently from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter
		3829	must be done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as
		3830	only one thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using
		3831	a mutex per loop).
		3832
		3833	Specifically to support threads (and signal handlers), libev implements
		3834	so-called C<ev_async> watchers, which allow some limited form of
		3835	concurrency on the same event loop, namely waking it up "from the
		3836	outside".
		3837
		3838	If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
		3839	without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
		3840	help you, but here is some generic advice:
		3841
		3842	=over 4
		3843
		3844	=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
		3845	in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
		3846
		3847	This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
		3848	themselves and don't care/know about threading.
		3849
		3850	=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
		3851
		3852	Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
		3853	exists, but it is always a good start.
		3854
		3855	=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
		3856	loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
		3857
		3858	Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
		3859	better than you currently do :-)
		3860
		3861	=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
		3862	event loop.
		3863
		3864	C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other threads safely
		3865	(or from signal contexts...).
		3866
		3867	An example use would be to communicate signals or other events that only
		3868	work in the default loop by registering the signal watcher with the
		3869	default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
		3870	watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
		3871
		3872	=back
		3873
		3874	=head3 COROUTINES
		3875
		3876	Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
		3877	libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
		3878	coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two
		3879	different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running the
		3880	loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that
		3881	you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
		3882
		3883	Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
		3884	C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
		3885	they do not call any callbacks.
		3886
		3887	=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
		3888
		3889	Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
		3890	lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
		3891	scared by this.
		3892
		3893	However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
		3894	has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
		3895	warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
		3896	targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
		3897
		3898	Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
		3899	workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
		3900	maintainable.
		3901
		3902	And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
		3903	wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
		3904	seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
		3905	warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have
		3906	been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
		3907	such buggy versions.
		3908
		3909	While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
		3910	"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
		3911	with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
		3912	them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
		3913	warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
		3914
		3915
		3916	=head2 VALGRIND
		3917
		3918	Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
		3919	highly useful. Unfortunately, valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
		3920
		3921	If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
		3922	in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
		3923
		3924	==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		3925	==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		3926	==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
		3927
		3928	Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
		3929	is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
		3930
		3931	Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
		3932	as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
		3933	although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
		3934	confused.
		3935
		3936	Keep in mind that valgrind is a very good tool, but only a tool. Don't
		3937	make it into some kind of religion.
		3938
		3939	If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
		3940	with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this
		3941	is a bug in libev (best check the archives, too :). However, don't be
		3942	annoyed when you get a brisk "this is no bug" answer and take the chance
		3943	of learning how to interpret valgrind properly.
		3944
		3945	If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
		3946	I suggest using suppression lists.
		3947
		3948
		3949	=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
		3950
		3951	=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
		3952
		3953	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
		3954	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
		3955	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
		3956	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
		3957	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
		3958	e.g. cygwin.
		3959
		3960	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
		3961	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of
		3962	things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable
		3963	way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
		3964
		3965	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
		3966	embedding it into other applications.
		3967
		3968	Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev
		3969	tries its best, but under most conditions, signals will simply not work.
		3970
		3971	Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
		3972	accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
		3973	either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
		3974	so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
		3975	megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
		3976	available).
		3977
		3978	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
		3979	the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
		3980	is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
		3981	more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
		3982	different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
		3983	notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
		3984	(due to Microsoft monopoly games).
		3985
		3986	A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
		3987	section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
		3988	of F<ev.h>:
		3989
		3990	#define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
		3991	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
		3992
		3993	#include "ev.h"
		3994
		3995	And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
		3996	you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
		3997
		3998	#include "evwrap.h"
		3999	#include "ev.c"
		4000
		4001	=over 4
		4002
		4003	=item The winsocket select function
		4004
		4005	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
		4006	requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
		4007	also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
		4008	requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
		4009	C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
		4010	discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
		4011	C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
		4012
		4013	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
		4014	libraries and raw winsocket select is:
		4015
		4016	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1
		4017	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
		4018
		4019	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
		4020	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
		4021
		4022	=item Limited number of file descriptors
		4023
		4024	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
		4025
		4026	Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
		4027	of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
		4028	can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
		4029	recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
		4030	previous thread in each. Sounds great!).
		4031
		4032	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
		4033	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
		4034	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl and many
		4035	other interpreters do their own select emulation on windows).
		4036
		4037	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
		4038	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64>
		4039	fetish or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this
		4040	by calling C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048>
		4041	(another arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft
		4042	runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets
		4043	(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more,
		4044	you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but
		4045	the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
		4046
		4047	=back
		4048
		4049	=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
		4050
		4051	In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
		4052	backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
		4053
		4054	=over 4
		4055
		4056	=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
		4057	calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
		4058
		4059	Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
		4060	structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
		4061	assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
		4062	callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
		4063	calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
		4064
		4065	=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
		4066
		4067	The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
		4068	C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
		4069	threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
		4070	believed to be sufficiently portable.
		4071
		4072	=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
		4073
		4074	Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
		4075	allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
		4076	pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
		4077	thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
		4078	be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
		4079	C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
		4080
		4081	The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
		4082	except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
		4083	well.
		4084
		4085	=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
		4086
		4087	To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
		4088	instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
		4089	systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but is still at
		4090	least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of millions of
		4091	watchers.
		4092
		4093	=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
		4094
		4095	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
		4096	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good
		4097	enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by
		4098	implementations implementing IEEE 754, which is basically all existing
		4099	ones. With IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least
		4100	2200.
		4101
		4102	=back
		4103
		4104	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
		4105
		4106
2233	=head1 COMPLEXITIES	4107	=head1 ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITIES
2234		4108
2235	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside	4109	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
2236	libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the	4110	libev will be documented. For complexity discussions about backends see
2237	documentation for C<ev_default_init>.	4111	the documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
		4112
		4113	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
		4114	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
		4115	happens asymptotically rarer with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
		4116	mean that libev does a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on
		4117	average it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
2238		4118
2239	=over 4	4119	=over 4
2240		4120
2241	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)	4121	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
2242		4122
		4123	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
		4124	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that, then inserting will
		4125	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
		4126
2243	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat, again): O(log skipped_other_timers)	4127	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
2244		4128
		4129	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them,
		4130	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
		4131
2245	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1)	4132	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2246		4133
		4134	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
		4135
2247	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1)	4136	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2248		4137
2249	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))	4138	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
2250		4139
		4140	These watchers are stored in lists, so they need to be walked to find the
		4141	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
		4142	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal: one is typical, two
		4143	is rare).
		4144
2251	=item Finding the next timer per loop iteration: O(1)	4145	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
		4146
		4147	By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
		4148	fixed position in the storage array.
2252		4149
2253	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)	4150	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
2254		4151
2255	=item Activating one watcher: O(1)	4152	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
		4153	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
		4154	on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
		4155
		4156	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
		4157
		4158	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
		4159
		4160	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
		4161	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
		4162	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
		4163	watchers becomes O(1) with respect to priority handling.
		4164
		4165	=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
		4166
		4167	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
		4168
		4169	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
		4170
		4171	Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
		4172	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
		4173	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
2256		4174
2257	=back	4175	=back
2258		4176
2259		4177
		4178	=head1 GLOSSARY
		4179
		4180	=over 4
		4181
		4182	=item active
		4183
		4184	A watcher is active as long as it has been started (has been attached to
		4185	an event loop) but not yet stopped (disassociated from the event loop).
		4186
		4187	=item application
		4188
		4189	In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
		4190
		4191	=item callback
		4192
		4193	The address of a function that is called when some event has been
		4194	detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that
		4195	received the event, and the actual event bitset.
		4196
		4197	=item callback invocation
		4198
		4199	The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
		4200
		4201	=item event
		4202
		4203	A change of state of some external event, such as data now being available
		4204	for reading on a file descriptor, time having passed or simply not having
		4205	any other events happening anymore.
		4206
		4207	In libev, events are represented as single bits (such as C<EV_READ> or
		4208	C<EV_TIMEOUT>).
		4209
		4210	=item event library
		4211
		4212	A software package implementing an event model and loop.
		4213
		4214	=item event loop
		4215
		4216	An entity that handles and processes external events and converts them
		4217	into callback invocations.
		4218
		4219	=item event model
		4220
		4221	The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes
		4222	watchers and events.
		4223
		4224	=item pending
		4225
		4226	A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been detected,
		4227	and stops being pending as soon as the watcher will be invoked or its
		4228	pending status is explicitly cleared by the application.
		4229
		4230	A watcher can be pending, but not active. Stopping a watcher also clears
		4231	its pending status.
		4232
		4233	=item real time
		4234
		4235	The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
		4236
		4237	=item wall-clock time
		4238
		4239	The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
		4240	be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when the you adjust your
		4241	clock.
		4242
		4243	=item watcher
		4244
		4245	A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
		4246	to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events.
		4247
		4248	=item watcher invocation
		4249
		4250	The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
		4251
		4252	=back
		4253
2260	=head1 AUTHOR	4254	=head1 AUTHOR
2261		4255
2262	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.	4256	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael Magnusson.
2263		4257

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