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…		…
9	=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM	9	=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10		10
11	// a single header file is required	11	// a single header file is required
12	#include <ev.h>	12	#include <ev.h>
13		13
		14	#include <stdio.h> // for puts
		15
14	// every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct	16	// every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
15	// with the name ev_<type>	17	// with the name ev_TYPE
16	ev_io stdin_watcher;	18	ev_io stdin_watcher;
17	ev_timer timeout_watcher;	19	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
18		20
19	// all watcher callbacks have a similar signature	21	// all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
20	// this callback is called when data is readable on stdin	22	// this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
21	static void	23	static void
22	stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents)	24	stdin_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
23	{	25	{
24	puts ("stdin ready");	26	puts ("stdin ready");
25	// for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher	27	// for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
26	// with its corresponding stop function.	28	// with its corresponding stop function.
27	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);	29	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
28		30
29	// this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating	31	// this causes all nested ev_run's to stop iterating
30	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);	32	ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ALL);
31	}	33	}
32		34
33	// another callback, this time for a time-out	35	// another callback, this time for a time-out
34	static void	36	static void
35	timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	37	timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
36	{	38	{
37	puts ("timeout");	39	puts ("timeout");
38	// this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating	40	// this causes the innermost ev_run to stop iterating
39	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);	41	ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ONE);
40	}	42	}
41		43
42	int	44	int
43	main (void)	45	main (void)
44	{	46	{
…		…
54	// simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout	56	// simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
55	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);	57	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
56	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);	58	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
57		59
58	// now wait for events to arrive	60	// now wait for events to arrive
59	ev_loop (loop, 0);	61	ev_run (loop, 0);
60		62
61	// unloop was called, so exit	63	// unloop was called, so exit
62	return 0;	64	return 0;
63	}	65	}
64		66
65	=head1 DESCRIPTION	67	=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
		68
		69	This document documents the libev software package.
66		70
67	The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted	71	The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted
68	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first	72	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
69	time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.	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	Familiarity with event based programming techniques in general is assumed
		81	throughout this document.
		82
		83	=head1 ABOUT LIBEV
70		84
71	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
72	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage	86	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
73	these event sources and provide your program with events.	87	these event sources and provide your program with events.
74		88
…		…
84	=head2 FEATURES	98	=head2 FEATURES
85		99
86	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
87	BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms	101	BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms
88	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
89	(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers	103	(for C<ev_stat>), Linux eventfd/signalfd (for faster and cleaner
90	with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals	104	inter-thread wakeup (C<ev_async>)/signal handling (C<ev_signal>)) relative
91	(C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and event	105	timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers with customised rescheduling
92	watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>,	106	(C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals (C<ev_signal>), process status
93	C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> watchers) as well as	107	change events (C<ev_child>), and event watchers dealing with the event
94	file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even limited support for fork events	108	loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and
95	(C<ev_fork>).	109	C<ev_check> watchers) as well as file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even
		110	limited support for fork events (C<ev_fork>).
96		111
97	It also is quite fast (see this	112	It also is quite fast (see this
98	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent	113	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
99	for example).	114	for example).
100		115
…		…
108	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have	123	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have
109	this argument.	124	this argument.
110		125
111	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION	126	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
112		127
113	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the	128	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing
114	(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near	129	the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (in practise
115	the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is	130	somewhere near the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't
116	called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases	131	ask). This type is called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use
117	to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on	132	too. It usually aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do
118	it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name	133	any calculations on it, you should treat it as some floating point value.
		134
119	component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences	135	Unlike the name component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for
120	throughout libev.	136	time differences (e.g. delays) throughout libev.
121		137
122	=head1 ERROR HANDLING	138	=head1 ERROR HANDLING
123		139
124	Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors	140	Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
125	and internal errors (bugs).	141	and internal errors (bugs).
…		…
176	as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually	192	as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
177	compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually	193	compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
178	not a problem.	194	not a problem.
179		195
180	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong	196	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
181	version.	197	version (note, however, that this will not detect ABI mismatches :).
182		198
183	assert (("libev version mismatch",	199	assert (("libev version mismatch",
184	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR	200	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
185	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));	201	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
186		202
…		…
276		292
277	=back	293	=back
278		294
279	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP	295	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
280		296
281	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two	297	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct> is
282	types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child	298	I<not> optional in this case unless libev 3 compatibility is disabled, as
283	events, and dynamically created loops which do not.	299	libev 3 had an C<ev_loop> function colliding with the struct name).
		300
		301	The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
		302	supports signals and child events, and dynamically created event loops
		303	which do not.
284		304
285	=over 4	305	=over 4
286		306
287	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)	307	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
288		308
…		…
294	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this	314	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
295	function.	315	function.
296		316
297	Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it	317	Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
298	from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,	318	from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
299	as loops cannot bes hared easily between threads anyway).	319	as loops cannot be shared easily between threads anyway).
300		320
301	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and	321	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
302	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler	322	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
303	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either	323	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
304	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you	324	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
…		…
326	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work	346	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
327	around bugs.	347	around bugs.
328		348
329	=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>	349	=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
330		350
331	Instead of calling C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork> manually after	351	Instead of calling C<ev_loop_fork> manually after a fork, you can also
332	a fork, you can also make libev check for a fork in each iteration by	352	make libev check for a fork in each iteration by enabling this flag.
333	enabling this flag.
334		353
335	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,	354	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
336	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop	355	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
337	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my	356	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
338	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence	357	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
…		…
344	flag.	363	flag.
345		364
346	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>	365	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
347	environment variable.	366	environment variable.
348		367
		368	=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY>
		369
		370	When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the
		371	I<inotify> API for it's C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and
		372	testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as
		373	otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle.
		374
		375	=item C<EVFLAG_SIGNALFD>
		376
		377	When this flag is specified, then libev will attempt to use the
		378	I<signalfd> API for it's C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This API
		379	delivers signals synchronously, which makes it both faster and might make
		380	it possible to get the queued signal data. It can also simplify signal
		381	handling with threads, as long as you properly block signals in your
		382	threads that are not interested in handling them.
		383
		384	Signalfd will not be used by default as this changes your signal mask, and
		385	there are a lot of shoddy libraries and programs (glib's threadpool for
		386	example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks.
		387
349	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)	388	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
350		389
351	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as	390	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
352	libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,	391	libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
353	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when	392	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
…		…
377	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and	416	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
378	C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.	417	C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
379		418
380	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)	419	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
381		420
		421	Use the linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9
		422	kernels).
		423
382	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,	424	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
383	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale	425	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
384	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),	426	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
385	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number	427	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
386	of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect	428
387	cases and requiring a system call per fd change, no fork support and bad	429	The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
388	support for dup.	430	of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
		431	dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
		432	descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup and
		433	so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program forks then
		434	I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll set, which can
		435	take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course
		436	hard to detect.
		437
		438	Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but
		439	of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
		440	I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
		441	even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
		442	on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
		443	employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
		444	events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required. Last
		445	not least, it also refuses to work with some file descriptors which work
		446	perfectly fine with C<select> (files, many character devices...).
389		447
390	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration	448	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
391	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such incident	449	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
392	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its	450	incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
393	best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work	451	I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
394	very well if you register events for both fds.	452	file descriptors might not work very well if you register events for both
395		453	file descriptors.
396	Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
397	need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
398	(or space) is available.
399		454
400	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all	455	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
401	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,	456	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
402	i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and	457	i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
403	starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause	458	starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
404	extra overhead.	459	extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
		460	as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
		461	take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
		462
		463	All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
		464	faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
		465	the usage. So sad.
405		466
406	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in	467	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
407	all kernel versions tested so far.	468	all kernel versions tested so far.
408		469
409	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as	470	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
410	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	471	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
411		472
412	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)	473	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
413		474
414	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it was	475	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
415	broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably with	476	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
416	anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course it's	477	with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
417	completely useless). For this reason it's not being "auto-detected" unless	478	it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose brokenness
418	you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or	479	is by design, these kqueue bugs can (and eventually will) be fixed
419	libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough) system like NetBSD.	480	without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not being
		481	"auto-detected" unless you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using
		482	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
		483	system like NetBSD.
420		484
421	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it	485	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
422	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on	486	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
423	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	487	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
424		488
425	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the	489	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
426	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of	490	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
427	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never	491	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
428	cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to	492	cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
429	two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it	493	two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but
430	drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.	494	sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect
		495	cases
431		496
432	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.	497	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
433		498
434	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work	499	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
435	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken	500	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
436	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets	501	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
437	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop	502	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
438	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and, did I mention it,	503	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (but C<poll> is of course
439	using it only for sockets.	504	also broken on OS X)) and, did I mention it, using it only for sockets.
440		505
441	This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with	506	This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
442	C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with	507	C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
443	C<NOTE_EOF>.	508	C<NOTE_EOF>.
444		509
…		…
464	might perform better.	529	might perform better.
465		530
466	On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness	531	On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
467	notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification	532	notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
468	in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the	533	in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
469	OS-specific backends.	534	OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks).
470		535
471	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as	536	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
472	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	537	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
473		538
474	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>	539	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
…		…
479		544
480	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.	545	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
481		546
482	=back	547	=back
483		548
484	If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these	549	If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value,
485	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are	550	then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed
486	specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.	551	here). If none are specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends
		552	()> will be tried.
487		553
488	Example: This is the most typical usage.	554	Example: This is the most typical usage.
489		555
490	if (!ev_default_loop (0))	556	if (!ev_default_loop (0))
491	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");	557	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
…		…
503	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);	569	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
504		570
505	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)	571	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
506		572
507	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is	573	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
508	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot	574	always distinct from the default loop.
509	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
510	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
511		575
512	Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use	576	Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and one common way to use
513	libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the	577	libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
514	default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.	578	default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
515		579
516	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.	580	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
517		581
…		…
519	if (!epoller)	583	if (!epoller)
520	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");	584	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
521		585
522	=item ev_default_destroy ()	586	=item ev_default_destroy ()
523		587
524	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state	588	Destroys the default loop (frees all memory and kernel state etc.). None
525	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal	589	of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal sense, so
526	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your	590	e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your responsibility to
527	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>	591	either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before> calling this function,
528	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually	592	or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually the easiest thing, you
529	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them	593	can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them for example).
530	for example).
531		594
532	Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by	595	Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
533	this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers)	596	handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
534	would need to be stopped manually.	597	as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
535		598
536	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the	599	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
537	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling	600	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
538	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use	601	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
539	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).	602	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>.
540		603
541	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)	604	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
542		605
543	Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an	606	Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
544	earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.	607	earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
545		608
546	=item ev_default_fork ()	609	=item ev_default_fork ()
547		610
548	This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations	611	This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_run> iterations
549	to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the	612	to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
550	name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in	613	name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in
551	the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little	614	the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little
552	sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev	615	sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev
553	functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration.	616	functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_run> iteration.
		617
		618	Again, you I<have> to call it on I<any> loop that you want to re-use after
		619	a fork, I<even if you do not plan to use the loop in the parent>. This is
		620	because some kernel interfaces *cough* I<kqueue> *cough* do funny things
		621	during fork.
554		622
555	On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child	623	On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
556	process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If	624	process if and only if you want to use the event loop in the child. If
557	you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all.	625	you just fork+exec or create a new loop in the child, you don't have to
		626	call it at all (in fact, C<epoll> is so badly broken that it makes a
		627	difference, but libev will usually detect this case on its own and do a
		628	costly reset of the backend).
558		629
559	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call	630	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
560	it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in	631	it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in
561	quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:	632	quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
562		633
…		…
564		635
565	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)	636	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
566		637
567	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by	638	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
568	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop	639	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
569	after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is	640	after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you keep track of
570	entirely your own problem.	641	them is entirely your own problem.
571		642
572	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)	643	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
573		644
574	Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false	645	Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
575	otherwise.	646	otherwise.
576		647
577	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)	648	=item unsigned int ev_iteration (loop)
578		649
579	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to	650	Returns the current iteration count for the event loop, which is identical
580	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and	651	to the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0>
581	happily wraps around with enough iterations.	652	and happily wraps around with enough iterations.
582		653
583	This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it	654	This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
584	"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with	655	"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
585	C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls.	656	C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls - and is incremented between the
		657	prepare and check phases.
		658
		659	=item unsigned int ev_depth (loop)
		660
		661	Returns the number of times C<ev_run> was entered minus the number of
		662	times C<ev_run> was exited, in other words, the recursion depth.
		663
		664	Outside C<ev_run>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is
		665	C<1>, unless C<ev_run> was invoked recursively (or from another thread),
		666	in which case it is higher.
		667
		668	Leaving C<ev_run> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread
		669	etc.), doesn't count as "exit" - consider this as a hint to avoid such
		670	ungentleman-like behaviour unless it's really convenient.
586		671
587	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)	672	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
588		673
589	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in	674	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
590	use.	675	use.
…		…
599		684
600	=item ev_now_update (loop)	685	=item ev_now_update (loop)
601		686
602	Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time	687	Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
603	returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and	688	returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
604	is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>.	689	is usually done automatically within C<ev_run ()>.
605		690
606	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a	691	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
607	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of	692	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
608	the current time is a good idea.	693	the current time is a good idea.
609		694
610	See also "The special problem of time updates" in the C<ev_timer> section.	695	See also L<The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.
611		696
		697	=item ev_suspend (loop)
		698
		699	=item ev_resume (loop)
		700
		701	These two functions suspend and resume an event loop, for use when the
		702	loop is not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
		703
		704	A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
		705	the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
		706	would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
		707	the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend>
		708	in your C<SIGTSTP> handler, sending yourself a C<SIGSTOP> and calling
		709	C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing.
		710
		711	Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend
		712	between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers
		713	will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
		714	occurred while suspended).
		715
		716	After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the
		717	given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume>
		718	without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
		719
		720	Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
		721	event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
		722
612	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)	723	=item ev_run (loop, int flags)
613		724
614	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called	725	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
615	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling	726	after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start
616	events.	727	handling events. It will ask the operating system for any new events, call
		728	the watcher callbacks, an then repeat the whole process indefinitely: This
		729	is why event loops are called I<loops>.
617		730
618	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until	731	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will keep handling events
619	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.	732	until either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_break> was
		733	called.
620		734
621	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than	735	Please note that an explicit C<ev_break> is usually better than
622	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has	736	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
623	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program	737	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
624	that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue	738	that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
625	of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of	739	of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
626	beauty.	740	beauty.
627		741
628	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle	742	A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle
629	those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your	743	those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and
630	process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of	744	block your process in case there are no events and will return after one
631	the loop.	745	iteration of the loop. This is sometimes useful to poll and handle new
		746	events while doing lengthy calculations, to keep the program responsive.
632		747
633	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if	748	A flags value of C<EVRUN_ONCE> will look for new events (waiting if
634	necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It	749	necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
635	will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could	750	will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
636	be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarentee that a	751	be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
637	user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one	752	user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
638	iteration of the loop.	753	iteration of the loop.
639		754
640	This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction	755	This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
641	with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your	756	with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
642	own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is	757	own C<ev_run>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
643	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.	758	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
644		759
645	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:	760	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does:
646		761
		762	- Increment loop depth.
		763	- Reset the ev_break status.
647	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.	764	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
		765	LOOP:
648	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.	766	- If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
649	- If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.	767	- If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
650	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.	768	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.
		769	- If ev_break was called, goto FINISH.
651	- If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state	770	- If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
652	as to not disturb the other process.	771	as to not disturb the other process.
653	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.	772	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
654	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).	773	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
655	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all	774	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
656	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having	775	(active idle watchers, EVRUN_NOWAIT or not having
657	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).	776	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
658	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.	777	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
		778	- Increment loop iteration counter.
659	- Block the process, waiting for any events.	779	- Block the process, waiting for any events.
660	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.	780	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
661	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.	781	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
662	- Queue all expired timers.	782	- Queue all expired timers.
663	- Queue all expired periodics.	783	- Queue all expired periodics.
664	- Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.	784	- Queue all idle watchers with priority higher than that of pending events.
665	- Queue all check watchers.	785	- Queue all check watchers.
666	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).	786	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
667	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will	787	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
668	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.	788	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
669	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK	789	- If ev_break has been called, or EVRUN_ONCE or EVRUN_NOWAIT
670	were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise	790	were used, or there are no active watchers, goto FINISH, otherwise
671	continue with step *.	791	continue with step LOOP.
		792	FINISH:
		793	- Reset the ev_break status iff it was EVBREAK_ONE.
		794	- Decrement the loop depth.
		795	- Return.
672		796
673	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding	797	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
674	anymore.	798	anymore.
675		799
676	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long	800	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
677	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)	801	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
678	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);	802	ev_run (my_loop, 0);
679	... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!	803	... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
680		804
681	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)	805	=item ev_break (loop, how)
682		806
683	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it	807	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it
684	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either	808	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
685	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or	809	C<EVBREAK_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_run> call return, or
686	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.	810	C<EVBREAK_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_run> calls return.
687		811
688	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.	812	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_run> again.
689		813
690	It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls.	814	It is safe to call C<ev_break> from outside any C<ev_run> calls. ##TODO##
691		815
692	=item ev_ref (loop)	816	=item ev_ref (loop)
693		817
694	=item ev_unref (loop)	818	=item ev_unref (loop)
695		819
696	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event	820	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
697	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference	821	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
698	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own.	822	count is nonzero, C<ev_run> will not return on its own.
699		823
700	If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop>	824	This is useful when you have a watcher that you never intend to
701	from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before	825	unregister, but that nevertheless should not keep C<ev_run> from
		826	returning. In such a case, call C<ev_unref> after starting, and C<ev_ref>
702	stopping it.	827	before stopping it.
703		828
704	As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is	829	As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
705	not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting	830	is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_run> from
706	if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent	831	exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
707	way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party	832	excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
708	libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>	833	third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref
709	(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,	834	before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active
710	respectively).	835	before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself
		836	(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref>
		837	in the callback).
711		838
712	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>	839	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_run>
713	running when nothing else is active.	840	running when nothing else is active.
714		841
715	struct ev_signal exitsig;	842	ev_signal exitsig;
716	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);	843	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
717	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);	844	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
718	evf_unref (loop);	845	evf_unref (loop);
719		846
720	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.	847	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
…		…
744		871
745	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more	872	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
746	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,	873	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
747	at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and	874	at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
748	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will	875	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
749	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.	876	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
		877	sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
		878	once per this interval, on average.
750		879
751	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev	880	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
752	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased	881	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
753	latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called	882	latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
754	later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null	883	later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
…		…
756		885
757	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect	886	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
758	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for	887	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
759	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It	888	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
760	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,	889	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
761	as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems.	890	as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. Note that if
		891	you do transactions with the outside world and you can't increase the
		892	parallelity, then this setting will limit your transaction rate (if you
		893	need to poll once per transaction and the I/O collect interval is 0.01,
		894	then you can't do more than 100 transactions per second).
762		895
763	Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for	896	Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
764	saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that	897	saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
765	are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of	898	are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
766	times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to	899	times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
767	reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure	900	reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
768	they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.	901	they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
769		902
		903	Example: we only need 0.1s timeout granularity, and we wish not to poll
		904	more often than 100 times per second:
		905
		906	ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.1);
		907	ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01);
		908
		909	=item ev_invoke_pending (loop)
		910
		911	This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their
		912	pending state. Normally, C<ev_run> does this automatically when required,
		913	but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy. This
		914	function can be invoked from a watcher - this can be useful for example
		915	when you want to do some lengthy calculation and want to pass further
		916	event handling to another thread (you still have to make sure only one
		917	thread executes within C<ev_invoke_pending> or C<ev_run> of course).
		918
		919	=item int ev_pending_count (loop)
		920
		921	Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers
		922	are pending.
		923
		924	=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P))
		925
		926	This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of
		927	invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_run> will call
		928	this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to
		929	invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
		930
		931	If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
		932	callback.
		933
		934	=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P), void (*acquire)(EV_P))
		935
		936	Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
		937	can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
		938	each call to a libev function.
		939
		940	However, C<ev_run> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible
		941	to wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the event
		942	loop via C<ev_break> and C<av_async_send>, another way is to set these
		943	I<release> and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
		944
		945	When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
		946	suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
		947	afterwards.
		948
		949	Ideally, C<release> will just call your mutex_unlock function, and
		950	C<acquire> will just call the mutex_lock function again.
		951
		952	While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of
		953	C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no
		954	modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will
		955	have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time
		956	waited. Use an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_run> when you want it
		957	to take note of any changes you made.
		958
		959	In theory, threads executing C<ev_run> will be async-cancel safe between
		960	invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>.
		961
		962	See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this
		963	document.
		964
		965	=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data)
		966
		967	=item ev_userdata (loop)
		968
		969	Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When
		970	C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns
		971	C<0.>
		972
		973	These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop,
		974	and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and
		975	C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for
		976	any other purpose as well.
		977
770	=item ev_loop_verify (loop)	978	=item ev_verify (loop)
771		979
772	This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been	980	This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
773	compiled in. which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go	981	compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
774	through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything	982	through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
775	is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard	983	is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
776	error and call C<abort ()>.	984	error and call C<abort ()>.
777		985
778	This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal	986	This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
…		…
782	=back	990	=back
783		991
784		992
785	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER	993	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
786		994
		995	In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
		996	watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
		997	watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
		998
787	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your	999	A watcher is an opaque structure that you allocate and register to record
788	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to	1000	your interest in some event. To make a concrete example, imagine you want
789	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:	1001	to wait for STDIN to become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher
		1002	for that:
790		1003
791	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1004	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
792	{	1005	{
793	ev_io_stop (w);	1006	ev_io_stop (w);
794	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	1007	ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
795	}	1008	}
796		1009
797	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	1010	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
		1011
798	struct ev_io stdin_watcher;	1012	ev_io stdin_watcher;
		1013
799	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);	1014	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
800	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1015	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
801	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	1016	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
		1017
802	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1018	ev_run (loop, 0);
803		1019
804	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your	1020	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
805	watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack,	1021	watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
806	although this can sometimes be quite valid).	1022	stack).
807		1023
		1024	Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
		1025	or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
		1026
808	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init	1027	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init (watcher
809	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This	1028	*, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This callback is
810	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O	1029	invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O watchers, each
811	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given	1030	time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given is readable
812	is readable and/or writable).	1031	and/or writable).
813		1032
814	Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro	1033	Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
815	with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro	1034	macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
816	to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< ev_<type>_init	1035	is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
817	(watcher *, callback, ...) >>.	1036	ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
818		1037
819	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it	1038	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it
820	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_<type>_start (loop, watcher	1039	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
821	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the	1040	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
822	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.	1041	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
823		1042
824	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you	1043	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
825	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never	1044	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
826	reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro.	1045	reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
827		1046
828	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the	1047	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
829	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as	1048	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
830	third argument.	1049	third argument.
831		1050
…		…
840	=item C<EV_WRITE>	1059	=item C<EV_WRITE>
841		1060
842	The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or	1061	The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or
843	writable.	1062	writable.
844		1063
845	=item C<EV_TIMEOUT>	1064	=item C<EV_TIMER>
846		1065
847	The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.	1066	The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.
848		1067
849	=item C<EV_PERIODIC>	1068	=item C<EV_PERIODIC>
850		1069
…		…
868		1087
869	=item C<EV_PREPARE>	1088	=item C<EV_PREPARE>
870		1089
871	=item C<EV_CHECK>	1090	=item C<EV_CHECK>
872		1091
873	All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_loop> starts	1092	All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_run> starts
874	to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after	1093	to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after
875	C<ev_loop> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any	1094	C<ev_run> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any
876	received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as	1095	received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as
877	many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account	1096	many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account
878	(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep	1097	(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep
879	C<ev_loop> from blocking).	1098	C<ev_run> from blocking).
880		1099
881	=item C<EV_EMBED>	1100	=item C<EV_EMBED>
882		1101
883	The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.	1102	The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.
884		1103
…		…
888	C<ev_fork>).	1107	C<ev_fork>).
889		1108
890	=item C<EV_ASYNC>	1109	=item C<EV_ASYNC>
891		1110
892	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).	1111	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
		1112
		1113	=item C<EV_CUSTOM>
		1114
		1115	Not ever sent (or otherwise used) by libev itself, but can be freely used
		1116	by libev users to signal watchers (e.g. via C<ev_feed_event>).
893		1117
894	=item C<EV_ERROR>	1118	=item C<EV_ERROR>
895		1119
896	An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might	1120	An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
897	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev	1121	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
898	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other	1122	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
		1123	problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
		1124
899	problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping	1125	You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
900	with the watcher being stopped.	1126	watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
		1127	an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
		1128	bug in your program.
901		1129
902	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for	1130	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
903	example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your	1131	example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
904	callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with	1132	callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
905	the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded	1133	the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
906	programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another	1134	programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
907	thing, so beware.	1135	thing, so beware.
908		1136
909	=back	1137	=back
910		1138
		1139	=head2 WATCHER STATES
		1140
		1141	There are various watcher states mentioned throughout this manual -
		1142	active, pending and so on. In this section these states and the rules to
		1143	transition between them will be described in more detail - and while these
		1144	rules might look complicated, they usually do "the right thing".
		1145
		1146	=over 4
		1147
		1148	=item initialiased
		1149
		1150	Before a watcher can be registered with the event looop it has to be
		1151	initialised. This can be done with a call to C<ev_TYPE_init>, or calls to
		1152	C<ev_init> followed by the watcher-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> function.
		1153
		1154	In this state it is simply some block of memory that is suitable for use
		1155	in an event loop. It can be moved around, freed, reused etc. at will.
		1156
		1157	=item started/running/active
		1158
		1159	Once a watcher has been started with a call to C<ev_TYPE_start> it becomes
		1160	property of the event loop, and is actively waiting for events. While in
		1161	this state it cannot be accessed (except in a few documented ways), moved,
		1162	freed or anything else - the only legal thing is to keep a pointer to it,
		1163	and call libev functions on it that are documented to work on active watchers.
		1164
		1165	=item pending
		1166
		1167	If a watcher is active and libev determines that an event it is interested
		1168	in has occurred (such as a timer expiring), it will become pending. It will
		1169	stay in this pending state until either it is stopped or its callback is
		1170	about to be invoked, so it is not normally pending inside the watcher
		1171	callback.
		1172
		1173	The watcher might or might not be active while it is pending (for example,
		1174	an expired non-repeating timer can be pending but no longer active). If it
		1175	is stopped, it can be freely accessed (e.g. by calling C<ev_TYPE_set>),
		1176	but it is still property of the event loop at this time, so cannot be
		1177	moved, freed or reused. And if it is active the rules described in the
		1178	previous item still apply.
		1179
		1180	It is also possible to feed an event on a watcher that is not active (e.g.
		1181	via C<ev_feed_event>), in which case it becomes pending without being
		1182	active.
		1183
		1184	=item stopped
		1185
		1186	A watcher can be stopped implicitly by libev (in which case it might still
		1187	be pending), or explicitly by calling its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function. The
		1188	latter will clear any pending state the watcher might be in, regardless
		1189	of whether it was active or not, so stopping a watcher explicitly before
		1190	freeing it is often a good idea.
		1191
		1192	While stopped (and not pending) the watcher is essentially in the
		1193	initialised state, that is it can be reused, moved, modified in any way
		1194	you wish.
		1195
		1196	=back
		1197
911	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS	1198	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
912
913	In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
914	e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
915		1199
916	=over 4	1200	=over 4
917		1201
918	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	1202	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
919		1203
…		…
925	which rolls both calls into one.	1209	which rolls both calls into one.
926		1210
927	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped	1211	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
928	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.	1212	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
929		1213
930	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,	1214	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
931	int revents)>.	1215	int revents)>.
932		1216
933	Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.	1217	Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
934		1218
935	ev_io w;	1219	ev_io w;
936	ev_init (&w, my_cb);	1220	ev_init (&w, my_cb);
937	ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1221	ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
938		1222
939	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])	1223	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *watcher, [args])
940		1224
941	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to	1225	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
942	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can	1226	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
943	call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this	1227	call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this
944	macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a	1228	macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a
…		…
957		1241
958	Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.	1242	Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
959		1243
960	ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1244	ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
961		1245
962	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1246	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
963		1247
964	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive	1248	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
965	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.	1249	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
966		1250
967	Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this	1251	Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
968	whole section.	1252	whole section.
969		1253
970	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);	1254	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
971		1255
972	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1256	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
973		1257
974	Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether	1258	Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
975	the watcher was active or not).	1259	the watcher was active or not).
976		1260
977	It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,	1261	It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
…		…
1002	=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	1286	=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
1003		1287
1004	Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time	1288	Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
1005	(modulo threads).	1289	(modulo threads).
1006		1290
1007	=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority)	1291	=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority)
1008		1292
1009	=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1293	=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
1010		1294
1011	Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small	1295	Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
1012	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>	1296	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
1013	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked	1297	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
1014	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers	1298	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
1015	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).	1299	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
1016		1300
1017	This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
1018	invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
1019	example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
1020	watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
1021
1022	If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending	1301	If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
1023	you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.	1302	you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
1024		1303
1025	You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or	1304	You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
1026	pending.	1305	pending.
1027		1306
		1307	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
		1308	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
		1309	or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
		1310
1028	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is	1311	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
1029	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).	1312	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
1030		1313
1031	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is	1314	See L<WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of
1032	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might	1315	priorities.
1033	or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.
1034		1316
1035	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)	1317	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1036		1318
1037	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither	1319	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
1038	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback	1320	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
…		…
1045	returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the	1327	returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
1046	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.	1328	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
1047		1329
1048	Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its	1330	Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
1049	callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.	1331	callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
		1332
		1333	=item ev_feed_event (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
		1334
		1335	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
		1336	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
		1337	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). Obviously you must
		1338	not free the watcher as long as it has pending events.
		1339
		1340	Stopping the watcher, letting libev invoke it, or calling
		1341	C<ev_clear_pending> will clear the pending event, even if the watcher was
		1342	not started in the first place.
		1343
		1344	See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related
		1345	functions that do not need a watcher.
1050		1346
1051	=back	1347	=back
1052		1348
1053		1349
1054	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER	1350	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
…		…
1060	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own	1356	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
1061	data:	1357	data:
1062		1358
1063	struct my_io	1359	struct my_io
1064	{	1360	{
1065	struct ev_io io;	1361	ev_io io;
1066	int otherfd;	1362	int otherfd;
1067	void *somedata;	1363	void *somedata;
1068	struct whatever *mostinteresting;	1364	struct whatever *mostinteresting;
1069	};	1365	};
1070		1366
…		…
1073	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);	1369	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
1074		1370
1075	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you	1371	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
1076	can cast it back to your own type:	1372	can cast it back to your own type:
1077		1373
1078	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents)	1374	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
1079	{	1375	{
1080	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;	1376	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
1081	...	1377	...
1082	}	1378	}
1083		1379
…		…
1101	programmers):	1397	programmers):
1102		1398
1103	#include <stddef.h>	1399	#include <stddef.h>
1104		1400
1105	static void	1401	static void
1106	t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1402	t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1107	{	1403	{
1108	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1404	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1109	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));	1405	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
1110	}	1406	}
1111		1407
1112	static void	1408	static void
1113	t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1409	t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1114	{	1410	{
1115	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1411	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1116	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));	1412	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
1117	}	1413	}
		1414
		1415	=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
		1416
		1417	Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small
		1418	integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation
		1419	between watchers in some way, all else being equal.
		1420
		1421	In libev, Watcher priorities can be set using C<ev_set_priority>. See its
		1422	description for the more technical details such as the actual priority
		1423	range.
		1424
		1425	There are two common ways how these these priorities are being interpreted
		1426	by event loops:
		1427
		1428	In the more common lock-out model, higher priorities "lock out" invocation
		1429	of lower priority watchers, which means as long as higher priority
		1430	watchers receive events, lower priority watchers are not being invoked.
		1431
		1432	The less common only-for-ordering model uses priorities solely to order
		1433	callback invocation within a single event loop iteration: Higher priority
		1434	watchers are invoked before lower priority ones, but they all get invoked
		1435	before polling for new events.
		1436
		1437	Libev uses the second (only-for-ordering) model for all its watchers
		1438	except for idle watchers (which use the lock-out model).
		1439
		1440	The rationale behind this is that implementing the lock-out model for
		1441	watchers is not well supported by most kernel interfaces, and most event
		1442	libraries will just poll for the same events again and again as long as
		1443	their callbacks have not been executed, which is very inefficient in the
		1444	common case of one high-priority watcher locking out a mass of lower
		1445	priority ones.
		1446
		1447	Static (ordering) priorities are most useful when you have two or more
		1448	watchers handling the same resource: a typical usage example is having an
		1449	C<ev_io> watcher to receive data, and an associated C<ev_timer> to handle
		1450	timeouts. Under load, data might be received while the program handles
		1451	other jobs, but since timers normally get invoked first, the timeout
		1452	handler will be executed before checking for data. In that case, giving
		1453	the timer a lower priority than the I/O watcher ensures that I/O will be
		1454	handled first even under adverse conditions (which is usually, but not
		1455	always, what you want).
		1456
		1457	Since idle watchers use the "lock-out" model, meaning that idle watchers
		1458	will only be executed when no same or higher priority watchers have
		1459	received events, they can be used to implement the "lock-out" model when
		1460	required.
		1461
		1462	For example, to emulate how many other event libraries handle priorities,
		1463	you can associate an C<ev_idle> watcher to each such watcher, and in
		1464	the normal watcher callback, you just start the idle watcher. The real
		1465	processing is done in the idle watcher callback. This causes libev to
		1466	continuously poll and process kernel event data for the watcher, but when
		1467	the lock-out case is known to be rare (which in turn is rare :), this is
		1468	workable.
		1469
		1470	Usually, however, the lock-out model implemented that way will perform
		1471	miserably under the type of load it was designed to handle. In that case,
		1472	it might be preferable to stop the real watcher before starting the
		1473	idle watcher, so the kernel will not have to process the event in case
		1474	the actual processing will be delayed for considerable time.
		1475
		1476	Here is an example of an I/O watcher that should run at a strictly lower
		1477	priority than the default, and which should only process data when no
		1478	other events are pending:
		1479
		1480	ev_idle idle; // actual processing watcher
		1481	ev_io io; // actual event watcher
		1482
		1483	static void
		1484	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
		1485	{
		1486	// stop the I/O watcher, we received the event, but
		1487	// are not yet ready to handle it.
		1488	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
		1489
		1490	// start the idle watcher to handle the actual event.
		1491	// it will not be executed as long as other watchers
		1492	// with the default priority are receiving events.
		1493	ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle);
		1494	}
		1495
		1496	static void
		1497	idle_cb (EV_P_ ev_idle *w, int revents)
		1498	{
		1499	// actual processing
		1500	read (STDIN_FILENO, ...);
		1501
		1502	// have to start the I/O watcher again, as
		1503	// we have handled the event
		1504	ev_io_start (EV_P_ &io);
		1505	}
		1506
		1507	// initialisation
		1508	ev_idle_init (&idle, idle_cb);
		1509	ev_io_init (&io, io_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
		1510	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &io);
		1511
		1512	In the "real" world, it might also be beneficial to start a timer, so that
		1513	low-priority connections can not be locked out forever under load. This
		1514	enables your program to keep a lower latency for important connections
		1515	during short periods of high load, while not completely locking out less
		1516	important ones.
1118		1517
1119		1518
1120	=head1 WATCHER TYPES	1519	=head1 WATCHER TYPES
1121		1520
1122	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat	1521	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
…		…
1148	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not	1547	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1149	required if you know what you are doing).	1548	required if you know what you are doing).
1150		1549
1151	If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a	1550	If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
1152	known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only	1551	known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
1153	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).	1552	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). The same applies to file
		1553	descriptors for which non-blocking operation makes no sense (such as
		1554	files) - libev doesn't guarantee any specific behaviour in that case.
1154		1555
1155	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to	1556	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1156	receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might	1557	receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
1157	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block	1558	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1158	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a	1559	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
…		…
1223		1624
1224	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you	1625	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1225	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon	1626	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1226	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).	1627	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1227		1628
		1629	=head3 The special problem of accept()ing when you can't
		1630
		1631	Many implementations of the POSIX C<accept> function (for example,
		1632	found in post-2004 Linux) have the peculiar behaviour of not removing a
		1633	connection from the pending queue in all error cases.
		1634
		1635	For example, larger servers often run out of file descriptors (because
		1636	of resource limits), causing C<accept> to fail with C<ENFILE> but not
		1637	rejecting the connection, leading to libev signalling readiness on
		1638	the next iteration again (the connection still exists after all), and
		1639	typically causing the program to loop at 100% CPU usage.
		1640
		1641	Unfortunately, the set of errors that cause this issue differs between
		1642	operating systems, there is usually little the app can do to remedy the
		1643	situation, and no known thread-safe method of removing the connection to
		1644	cope with overload is known (to me).
		1645
		1646	One of the easiest ways to handle this situation is to just ignore it
		1647	- when the program encounters an overload, it will just loop until the
		1648	situation is over. While this is a form of busy waiting, no OS offers an
		1649	event-based way to handle this situation, so it's the best one can do.
		1650
		1651	A better way to handle the situation is to log any errors other than
		1652	C<EAGAIN> and C<EWOULDBLOCK>, making sure not to flood the log with such
		1653	messages, and continue as usual, which at least gives the user an idea of
		1654	what could be wrong ("raise the ulimit!"). For extra points one could stop
		1655	the C<ev_io> watcher on the listening fd "for a while", which reduces CPU
		1656	usage.
		1657
		1658	If your program is single-threaded, then you could also keep a dummy file
		1659	descriptor for overload situations (e.g. by opening F</dev/null>), and
		1660	when you run into C<ENFILE> or C<EMFILE>, close it, run C<accept>,
		1661	close that fd, and create a new dummy fd. This will gracefully refuse
		1662	clients under typical overload conditions.
		1663
		1664	The last way to handle it is to simply log the error and C<exit>, as
		1665	is often done with C<malloc> failures, but this results in an easy
		1666	opportunity for a DoS attack.
1228		1667
1229	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions	1668	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1230		1669
1231	=over 4	1670	=over 4
1232		1671
…		…
1253	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well	1692	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
1254	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could	1693	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
1255	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.	1694	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
1256		1695
1257	static void	1696	static void
1258	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1697	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1259	{	1698	{
1260	ev_io_stop (loop, w);	1699	ev_io_stop (loop, w);
1261	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors	1700	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
1262	}	1701	}
1263		1702
1264	...	1703	...
1265	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	1704	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1266	struct ev_io stdin_readable;	1705	ev_io stdin_readable;
1267	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1706	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1268	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);	1707	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1269	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1708	ev_run (loop, 0);
1270		1709
1271		1710
1272	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts	1711	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1273		1712
1274	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a	1713	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
…		…
1279	year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because	1718	year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
1280	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the	1719	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1281	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).	1720	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1282		1721
1283	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has	1722	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1284	passed, but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration	1723	passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
1285	then order of execution is undefined.	1724	might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the
		1725	same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked
		1726	before ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is
		1727	no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
		1728
		1729	=head3 Be smart about timeouts
		1730
		1731	Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
		1732	recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
		1733	you want to raise some error after a while.
		1734
		1735	What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
		1736	inefficient to smart and efficient.
		1737
		1738	In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
		1739	gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
		1740	data or other life sign was received).
		1741
		1742	=over 4
		1743
		1744	=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
		1745
		1746	This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
		1747	start the watcher:
		1748
		1749	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
		1750	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1751
		1752	Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
		1753	and start it again:
		1754
		1755	ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
		1756	ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
		1757	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1758
		1759	This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
		1760	some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
		1761	data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
		1762	still not a constant-time operation.
		1763
		1764	=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
		1765
		1766	This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
		1767	C<ev_timer_start>.
		1768
		1769	To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
		1770	of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
		1771	successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
		1772	you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
		1773	the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
		1774
		1775	That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
		1776	C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
		1777	member and C<ev_timer_again>.
		1778
		1779	At start:
		1780
		1781	ev_init (timer, callback);
		1782	timer->repeat = 60.;
		1783	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1784
		1785	Each time there is some activity:
		1786
		1787	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1788
		1789	It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
		1790	whether the watcher is active or not:
		1791
		1792	timer->repeat = 30.;
		1793	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1794
		1795	This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
		1796	you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
		1797	remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
		1798
		1799	It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
		1800
		1801	=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
		1802
		1803	This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
		1804	relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
		1805	our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
		1806	associated activity resets.
		1807
		1808	In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
		1809	but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
		1810	within the callback:
		1811
		1812	ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
		1813
		1814	static void
		1815	callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		1816	{
		1817	ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);
		1818	ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
		1819
		1820	// if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
		1821	if (timeout < now)
		1822	{
		1823	// timeout occurred, take action
		1824	}
		1825	else
		1826	{
		1827	// callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
		1828	// the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
		1829	// guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
		1830	w->repeat = timeout - now;
		1831	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
		1832	}
		1833	}
		1834
		1835	To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
		1836	as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has
		1837	been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise
		1838	the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so
		1839	re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
		1840	a timeout then.
		1841
		1842	Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the
		1843	C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.
		1844
		1845	This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
		1846	minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
		1847	libev to change the timeout.
		1848
		1849	To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
		1850	to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
		1851	callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
		1852
		1853	ev_init (timer, callback);
		1854	last_activity = ev_now (loop);
		1855	callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMER);
		1856
		1857	And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
		1858	C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
		1859
		1860	last_activity = ev_now (loop);
		1861
		1862	This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
		1863	time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
		1864
		1865	Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
		1866	callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
		1867	fix things for you.
		1868
		1869	=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
		1870
		1871	If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
		1872	employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
		1873	do even better:
		1874
		1875	When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
		1876	at the I<end> of the list.
		1877
		1878	Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
		1879	the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
		1880
		1881	When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
		1882	the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
		1883	update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
		1884
		1885	This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
		1886	starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
		1887	complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
		1888	ensures that the list stays sorted.
		1889
		1890	=back
		1891
		1892	So which method the best?
		1893
		1894	Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
		1895	situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
		1896	better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
		1897	one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
		1898
		1899	Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
		1900	rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
		1901	off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
		1902	overkill :)
1286		1903
1287	=head3 The special problem of time updates	1904	=head3 The special problem of time updates
1288		1905
1289	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at	1906	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
1290	least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current	1907	least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
1291	time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a	1908	time only before and after C<ev_run> collects new events, which causes a
1292	growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling	1909	growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
1293	lots of events in one iteration.	1910	lots of events in one iteration.
1294		1911
1295	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>	1912	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1296	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time	1913	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
…		…
1302		1919
1303	If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an	1920	If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1304	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update	1921	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1305	()>.	1922	()>.
1306		1923
		1924	=head3 The special problems of suspended animation
		1925
		1926	When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that
		1927	can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?
		1928
		1929	Some quick tests made with a Linux 2.6.28 indicate that a suspend freezes
		1930	all processes, while the clocks (C<times>, C<CLOCK_MONOTONIC>) continue
		1931	to run until the system is suspended, but they will not advance while the
		1932	system is suspended. That means, on resume, it will be as if the program
		1933	was frozen for a few seconds, but the suspend time will not be counted
		1934	towards C<ev_timer> when a monotonic clock source is used. The real time
		1935	clock advanced as expected, but if it is used as sole clocksource, then a
		1936	long suspend would be detected as a time jump by libev, and timers would
		1937	be adjusted accordingly.
		1938
		1939	I would not be surprised to see different behaviour in different between
		1940	operating systems, OS versions or even different hardware.
		1941
		1942	The other form of suspend (job control, or sending a SIGSTOP) will see a
		1943	time jump in the monotonic clocks and the realtime clock. If the program
		1944	is suspended for a very long time, and monotonic clock sources are in use,
		1945	then you can expect C<ev_timer>s to expire as the full suspension time
		1946	will be counted towards the timers. When no monotonic clock source is in
		1947	use, then libev will again assume a timejump and adjust accordingly.
		1948
		1949	It might be beneficial for this latter case to call C<ev_suspend>
		1950	and C<ev_resume> in code that handles C<SIGTSTP>, to at least get
		1951	deterministic behaviour in this case (you can do nothing against
		1952	C<SIGSTOP>).
		1953
1307	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1954	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1308		1955
1309	=over 4	1956	=over 4
1310		1957
1311	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1958	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
…		…
1334	If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).	1981	If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
1335		1982
1336	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the	1983	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
1337	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.	1984	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1338		1985
1339	This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical	1986	This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
1340	example: Imagine you have a TCP connection and you want a so-called idle	1987	usage example.
1341	timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
1342	seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
1343	configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
1344	C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
1345	you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
1346	socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
1347	automatically restart it if need be.
1348		1988
1349	That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>	1989	=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
1350	altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
1351		1990
1352	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);	1991	Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
1353	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);	1992	then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's
1354	...	1993	the timeout value currently configured.
1355	timer->again = 17.;
1356	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1357	...
1358	timer->again = 10.;
1359	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1360		1994
1361	This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time	1995	That is, after an C<ev_timer_set (w, 5, 7)>, C<ev_timer_remaining> returns
1362	you want to modify its timeout value.	1996	C<5>. When the timer is started and one second passes, C<ev_timer_remaining>
1363		1997	will return C<4>. When the timer expires and is restarted, it will return
1364	Note, however, that it is often even more efficient to remember the	1998	roughly C<7> (likely slightly less as callback invocation takes some time,
1365	time of the last activity and let the timer time-out naturally. In the	1999	too), and so on.
1366	callback, you then check whether the time-out is real, or, if there was
1367	some activity, you reschedule the watcher to time-out in "last_activity +
1368	timeout - ev_now ()" seconds.
1369		2000
1370	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]	2001	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1371		2002
1372	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out	2003	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1373	or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),	2004	or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
…		…
1378	=head3 Examples	2009	=head3 Examples
1379		2010
1380	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.	2011	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1381		2012
1382	static void	2013	static void
1383	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	2014	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1384	{	2015	{
1385	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here	2016	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1386	}	2017	}
1387		2018
1388	struct ev_timer mytimer;	2019	ev_timer mytimer;
1389	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);	2020	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1390	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);	2021	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1391		2022
1392	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of	2023	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1393	inactivity.	2024	inactivity.
1394		2025
1395	static void	2026	static void
1396	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	2027	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1397	{	2028	{
1398	.. ten seconds without any activity	2029	.. ten seconds without any activity
1399	}	2030	}
1400		2031
1401	struct ev_timer mytimer;	2032	ev_timer mytimer;
1402	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */	2033	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1403	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */	2034	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1404	ev_loop (loop, 0);	2035	ev_run (loop, 0);
1405		2036
1406	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":	2037	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1407	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds	2038	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1408	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);	2039	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1409		2040
…		…
1411	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?	2042	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1412		2043
1413	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile	2044	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1414	(and unfortunately a bit complex).	2045	(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1415		2046
1416	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)	2047	Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
1417	but on wall clock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher	2048	relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
1418	to trigger after some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a	2049	(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calender or clock). The
1419	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now ()	2050	difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
1420	+ 10.>, that is, an absolute time not a delay) and then reset your system	2051	time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
1421	clock to January of the previous year, then it will take more than year	2052	wrist-watch).
1422	to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger
1423	roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
1424		2053
		2054	You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
		2055	in time: for example, if you tell a periodic watcher to trigger "in 10
		2056	seconds" (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now () + 10.>, that is, an absolute time
		2057	not a delay) and then reset your system clock to January of the previous
		2058	year, then it will take a year or more to trigger the event (unlike an
		2059	C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting
		2060	it, as it uses a relative timeout).
		2061
1425	C<ev_periodic>s can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers,	2062	C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex
1426	such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other	2063	timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or
1427	complicated rules.	2064	other complicated rules. This cannot be done with C<ev_timer> watchers, as
		2065	those cannot react to time jumps.
1428		2066
1429	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the	2067	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1430	time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready	2068	point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
1431	during the same loop iteration, then order of execution is undefined.	2069	timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
		2070	earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
		2071	(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1432		2072
1433	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2073	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1434		2074
1435	=over 4	2075	=over 4
1436		2076
1437	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)	2077	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1438		2078
1439	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)	2079	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1440		2080
1441	Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of	2081	Lots of arguments, let's sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1442	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:	2082	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1443		2083
1444	=over 4	2084	=over 4
1445		2085
1446	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)	2086	=item * absolute timer (offset = absolute time, interval = 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1447		2087
1448	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock	2088	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1449	time C<at> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a time	2089	time C<offset> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a
1450	jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will	2090	time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it
1451	only run when the system clock reaches or surpasses this time.	2091	will be stopped and invoked when the system clock reaches or surpasses
		2092	this point in time.
1452		2093
1453	=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)	2094	=item * repeating interval timer (offset = offset within interval, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1454		2095
1455	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next	2096	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1456	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)	2097	C<offset + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be
1457	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.	2098	negative) and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. The C<offset>
		2099	argument is merely an offset into the C<interval> periods.
1458		2100
1459	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the	2101	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1460	system clock, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each	2102	system clock, for example, here is an C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
1461	hour, on the hour:	2103	hour, on the hour (with respect to UTC):
1462		2104
1463	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);	2105	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1464		2106
1465	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,	2107	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1466	but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a	2108	but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1467	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible	2109	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1468	by 3600.	2110	by 3600.
1469		2111
1470	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that	2112	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1471	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible	2113	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1472	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.	2114	time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1473		2115
1474	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near	2116	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<offset> value is near
1475	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for	2117	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1476	this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.	2118	this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
1477		2119
1478	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU	2120	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
1479	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability	2121	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
1480	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one	2122	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
1481	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).	2123	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
1482		2124
1483	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)	2125	=item * manual reschedule mode (offset ignored, interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1484		2126
1485	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being	2127	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<offset> are both being
1486	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the	2128	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1487	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the	2129	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1488	current time as second argument.	2130	current time as second argument.
1489		2131
1490	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,	2132	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, ever,
1491	ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>.	2133	or make ANY other event loop modifications whatsoever, unless explicitly
		2134	allowed by documentation here>.
1492		2135
1493	If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop	2136	If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
1494	it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the	2137	it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
1495	only event loop modification you are allowed to do).	2138	only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
1496		2139
1497	The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic	2140	The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1498	*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:	2141	*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1499		2142
		2143	static ev_tstamp
1500	static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	2144	my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1501	{	2145	{
1502	return now + 60.;	2146	return now + 60.;
1503	}	2147	}
1504		2148
1505	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value	2149	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
…		…
1525	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like	2169	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1526	program when the crontabs have changed).	2170	program when the crontabs have changed).
1527		2171
1528	=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)	2172	=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
1529		2173
1530	When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to	2174	When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed
1531	trigger next.	2175	to trigger next. This is not the same as the C<offset> argument to
		2176	C<ev_periodic_set>, but indeed works even in interval and manual
		2177	rescheduling modes.
1532		2178
1533	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]	2179	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1534		2180
1535	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the	2181	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1536	absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).	2182	absolute point in time (the C<offset> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>,
		2183	although libev might modify this value for better numerical stability).
1537		2184
1538	Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic	2185	Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
1539	timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	2186	timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1540		2187
1541	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]	2188	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1542		2189
1543	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only	2190	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1544	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being	2191	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1545	called.	2192	called.
1546		2193
1547	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]	2194	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1548		2195
1549	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is	2196	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1550	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when	2197	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1551	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	2198	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1552		2199
…		…
1557	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the	2204	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1558	system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have	2205	system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1559	potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.	2206	potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1560		2207
1561	static void	2208	static void
1562	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	2209	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_periodic *w, int revents)
1563	{	2210	{
1564	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)	2211	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1565	}	2212	}
1566		2213
1567	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	2214	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1568	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);	2215	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1569	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	2216	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1570		2217
1571	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:	2218	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1572		2219
1573	#include <math.h>	2220	#include <math.h>
1574		2221
1575	static ev_tstamp	2222	static ev_tstamp
1576	my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	2223	my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1577	{	2224	{
1578	return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));	2225	return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1579	}	2226	}
1580		2227
1581	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);	2228	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1582		2229
1583	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:	2230	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1584		2231
1585	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	2232	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1586	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,	2233	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1587	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);	2234	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1588	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	2235	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1589		2236
1590		2237
…		…
1593	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific	2240	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1594	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev	2241	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1595	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the	2242	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1596	normal event processing, like any other event.	2243	normal event processing, like any other event.
1597		2244
1598	If you want signals asynchronously, just use C<sigaction> as you would	2245	If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use
1599	do without libev and forget about sharing the signal. You can even use	2246	C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing
1600	C<ev_async> from a signal handler to synchronously wake up an event loop.	2247	the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to
		2248	synchronously wake up an event loop.
1601		2249
1602	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the	2250	You can configure as many watchers as you like for the same signal, but
		2251	only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your
		2252	default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for
		2253	C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At
		2254	the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop.
		2255
1603	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal handler	2256	When the first watcher gets started will libev actually register something
1604	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as	2257	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as
1605	you don't register any with libev for the same signal). Similarly, when	2258	you don't register any with libev for the same signal).
1606	the last signal watcher for a signal is stopped, libev will reset the
1607	signal handler to SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1608		2259
1609	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with	2260	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1610	C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so system calls should not be unduly	2261	C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
1611	interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting interrupted by	2262	not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
1612	signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock	2263	interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
1613	them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.	2264	and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
		2265
		2266	=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create
		2267
		2268	Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition
		2269	(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
		2270	stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
		2271	and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler.
		2272
		2273	While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never
		2274	sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on
		2275	C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect
		2276	certain signals to be blocked.
		2277
		2278	This means that before calling C<exec> (from the child) you should reset
		2279	the signal mask to whatever "default" you expect (all clear is a good
		2280	choice usually).
		2281
		2282	The simplest way to ensure that the signal mask is reset in the child is
		2283	to install a fork handler with C<pthread_atfork> that resets it. That will
		2284	catch fork calls done by libraries (such as the libc) as well.
		2285
		2286	In current versions of libev, the signal will not be blocked indefinitely
		2287	unless you use the C<signalfd> API (C<EV_SIGNALFD>). While this reduces
		2288	the window of opportunity for problems, it will not go away, as libev
		2289	I<has> to modify the signal mask, at least temporarily.
		2290
		2291	So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when
		2292	you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This
		2293	is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries.
1614		2294
1615	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2295	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1616		2296
1617	=over 4	2297	=over 4
1618		2298
…		…
1632	=head3 Examples	2312	=head3 Examples
1633		2313
1634	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.	2314	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
1635		2315
1636	static void	2316	static void
1637	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)	2317	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
1638	{	2318	{
1639	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	2319	ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
1640	}	2320	}
1641		2321
1642	struct ev_signal signal_watcher;	2322	ev_signal signal_watcher;
1643	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);	2323	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1644	ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);	2324	ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
1645		2325
1646		2326
1647	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes	2327	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
…		…
1650	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or	2330	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
1651	exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child	2331	exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
1652	has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long	2332	has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
1653	as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,	2333	as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
1654	forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,	2334	forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
1655	but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later is	2335	but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later or
1656	not.	2336	in the next callback invocation is not.
1657		2337
1658	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore	2338	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1659	you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.	2339	you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
1660		2340
		2341	Due to some design glitches inside libev, child watchers will always be
		2342	handled at maximum priority (their priority is set to C<EV_MAXPRI> by
		2343	libev)
		2344
1661	=head3 Process Interaction	2345	=head3 Process Interaction
1662		2346
1663	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is	2347	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1664	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if	2348	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if the
1665	the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence	2349	first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
1666	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done	2350	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1667	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all	2351	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1668	children, even ones not watched.	2352	children, even ones not watched.
1669		2353
1670	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing	2354	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
…		…
1680	=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher	2364	=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
1681		2365
1682	Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the	2366	Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
1683	child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the	2367	child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
1684	callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically	2368	callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
1685	when a child exit is detected.	2369	when a child exit is detected (calling C<ev_child_stop> twice is not a
		2370	problem).
1686		2371
1687	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2372	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1688		2373
1689	=over 4	2374	=over 4
1690		2375
…		…
1722	its completion.	2407	its completion.
1723		2408
1724	ev_child cw;	2409	ev_child cw;
1725		2410
1726	static void	2411	static void
1727	child_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_child *w, int revents)	2412	child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1728	{	2413	{
1729	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);	2414	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
1730	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);	2415	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1731	}	2416	}
1732		2417
…		…
1747		2432
1748		2433
1749	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?	2434	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1750		2435
1751	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls	2436	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1752	C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed	2437	C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
1753	compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.	2438	and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if
		2439	it did.
1754		2440
1755	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does	2441	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1756	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does	2442	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
1757	not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is	2443	exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
1758	otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of	2444	C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
1759	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.	2445	least one) and all the other fields of the stat buffer having unspecified
		2446	contents.
1760		2447
1761	The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is	2448	The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
		2449	C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
1762	relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.	2450	your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
1763		2451
1764	Since there is no standard kernel interface to do this, the portable	2452	Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
1765	implementation simply calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if	2453	portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
1766	it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling interval for	2454	to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
1767	this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!)	2455	interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
1768	then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used (which	2456	recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
1769	you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might change	2457	(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
1770	dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is currently	2458	change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
1771	around C<0.1>, but thats usually overkill.	2459	currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
1772		2460
1773	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,	2461	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1774	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be	2462	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1775	resource-intensive.	2463	resource-intensive.
1776		2464
1777	At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented	2465	At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1778	is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as	2466	is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as an
1779	an exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way	2467	exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way of
1780	of implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue).	2468	implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue, except as a hint).
1781		2469
1782	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)	2470	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1783		2471
1784	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default	2472	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
1785	compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file	2473	compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
1786	support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat	2474	support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
1787	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to	2475	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
1788	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to	2476	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
1789	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is	2477	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
1790	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is	2478	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
1791	most noticeably disabled with ev_stat and large file support.	2479	most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
1792		2480
1793	The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large	2481	The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
1794	file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not	2482	file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
1795	optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has	2483	optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
1796	to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the	2484	to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
1797	default compilation environment.	2485	default compilation environment.
1798		2486
1799	=head3 Inotify and Kqueue	2487	=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
1800		2488
1801	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only	2489	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev and present at
1802	available with Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up	2490	runtime, it will be used to speed up change detection where possible. The
1803	change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily	2491	inotify descriptor will be created lazily when the first C<ev_stat>
1804	when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.	2492	watcher is being started.
1805		2493
1806	Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers	2494	Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1807	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid	2495	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1808	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support	2496	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1809	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,	2497	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
1810	but as long as the path exists, libev usually gets away without polling.	2498	but as long as kernel 2.6.25 or newer is used (2.6.24 and older have too
		2499	many bugs), the path exists (i.e. stat succeeds), and the path resides on
		2500	a local filesystem (libev currently assumes only ext2/3, jfs, reiserfs and
		2501	xfs are fully working) libev usually gets away without polling.
1811		2502
1812	There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to	2503	There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1813	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file	2504	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1814	descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks	2505	descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
1815	etc. is difficult.	2506	etc. is difficult.
1816		2507
		2508	=head3 C<stat ()> is a synchronous operation
		2509
		2510	Libev doesn't normally do any kind of I/O itself, and so is not blocking
		2511	the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat
		2512	()>, which is a synchronous operation.
		2513
		2514	For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very
		2515	busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast,
		2516	as the path data is usually in memory already (except when starting the
		2517	watcher).
		2518
		2519	For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
		2520	time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call
		2521	often takes multiple milliseconds.
		2522
		2523	Therefore, it is best to avoid using C<ev_stat> watchers on networked
		2524	paths, although this is fully supported by libev.
		2525
1817	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution	2526	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1818		2527
1819	The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably, and	2528	The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
1820	even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems still	2529	and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
1821	only support whole seconds.	2530	still only support whole seconds.
1822		2531
1823	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can	2532	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1824	easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and	2533	easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1825	calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update	2534	calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1826	within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the	2535	within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
…		…
1969		2678
1970	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2679	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1971		2680
1972	=over 4	2681	=over 4
1973		2682
1974	=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback)	2683	=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
1975		2684
1976	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any	2685	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1977	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	2686	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1978	believe me.	2687	believe me.
1979		2688
…		…
1983		2692
1984	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the	2693	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1985	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.	2694	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1986		2695
1987	static void	2696	static void
1988	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)	2697	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1989	{	2698	{
1990	free (w);	2699	free (w);
1991	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has	2700	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1992	// no longer anything immediate to do.	2701	// no longer anything immediate to do.
1993	}	2702	}
1994		2703
1995	struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));	2704	ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1996	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);	2705	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1997	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);	2706	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
1998		2707
1999		2708
2000	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!	2709	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
2001		2710
2002	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:	2711	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
2003	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers	2712	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
2004	afterwards.	2713	afterwards.
2005		2714
2006	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter	2715	You I<must not> call C<ev_run> or similar functions that enter
2007	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>	2716	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
2008	watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The	2717	watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The
2009	rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in	2718	rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in
2010	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,	2719	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
2011	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be	2720	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
…		…
2081		2790
2082	static ev_io iow [nfd];	2791	static ev_io iow [nfd];
2083	static ev_timer tw;	2792	static ev_timer tw;
2084		2793
2085	static void	2794	static void
2086	io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)	2795	io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
2087	{	2796	{
2088	}	2797	}
2089		2798
2090	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking	2799	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
2091	static void	2800	static void
2092	adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)	2801	adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
2093	{	2802	{
2094	int timeout = 3600000;	2803	int timeout = 3600000;
2095	struct pollfd fds [nfd];	2804	struct pollfd fds [nfd];
2096	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.	2805	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
2097	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));	2806	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
2098		2807
2099	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */	2808	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
2100	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);	2809	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3, 0.);
2101	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);	2810	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
2102		2811
2103	// create one ev_io per pollfd	2812	// create one ev_io per pollfd
2104	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2813	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
2105	{	2814	{
…		…
2112	}	2821	}
2113	}	2822	}
2114		2823
2115	// stop all watchers after blocking	2824	// stop all watchers after blocking
2116	static void	2825	static void
2117	adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)	2826	adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
2118	{	2827	{
2119	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);	2828	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
2120		2829
2121	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2830	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
2122	{	2831	{
…		…
2179		2888
2180	if (timeout >= 0)	2889	if (timeout >= 0)
2181	// create/start timer	2890	// create/start timer
2182		2891
2183	// poll	2892	// poll
2184	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	2893	ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
2185		2894
2186	// stop timer again	2895	// stop timer again
2187	if (timeout >= 0)	2896	if (timeout >= 0)
2188	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);	2897	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
2189		2898
…		…
2218	some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),	2927	some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
2219	and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In	2928	and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
2220	this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all	2929	this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
2221	the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.	2930	the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
2222		2931
2223	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time	2932	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every
2224	there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then	2933	time there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback
2225	call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke	2934	must then call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single
2226	their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded	2935	sweep and invoke their callbacks (the callback doesn't need to invoke the
2227	loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback	2936	C<ev_embed_sweep> function directly, it could also start an idle watcher
2228	to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the	2937	to give the embedded loop strictly lower priority for example).
2229	embedded loop sweep.
2230		2938
2231	As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The	2939	You can also set the callback to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher
2232	callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can	2940	will automatically execute the embedded loop sweep whenever necessary.
2233	set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
2234	interested in that.
2235		2941
2236	Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:	2942	Fork detection will be handled transparently while the C<ev_embed> watcher
2237	when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,	2943	is active, i.e., the embedded loop will automatically be forked when the
2238	but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers	2944	embedding loop forks. In other cases, the user is responsible for calling
2239	yourself - but you can use a fork watcher to handle this automatically,	2945	C<ev_loop_fork> on the embedded loop.
2240	and future versions of libev might do just that.
2241		2946
2242	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by	2947	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
2243	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any	2948	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
2244	portable one.	2949	portable one.
2245		2950
…		…
2271	if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).	2976	if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
2272		2977
2273	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)	2978	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
2274		2979
2275	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works	2980	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
2276	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most	2981	similarly to C<ev_run (embedded_loop, EVRUN_NOWAIT)>, but in the most
2277	appropriate way for embedded loops.	2982	appropriate way for embedded loops.
2278		2983
2279	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]	2984	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
2280		2985
2281	The embedded event loop.	2986	The embedded event loop.
…		…
2290	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be	2995	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
2291	used).	2996	used).
2292		2997
2293	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);	2998	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2294	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;	2999	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2295	struct ev_embed embed;	3000	ev_embed embed;
2296		3001
2297	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works	3002	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2298	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)	3003	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2299	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()	3004	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2300	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())	3005	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
…		…
2314	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in	3019	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
2315	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).	3020	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2316		3021
2317	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	3022	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2318	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;	3023	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2319	struct ev_embed embed;	3024	ev_embed embed;
2320		3025
2321	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)	3026	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2322	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))	3027	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2323	{	3028	{
2324	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);	3029	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
…		…
2339	event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,	3044	event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
2340	and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling	3045	and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
2341	C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork	3046	C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
2342	handlers will be invoked, too, of course.	3047	handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
2343		3048
		3049	=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
		3050
		3051	Most uses of C<fork()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to set
		3052	up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
		3053	sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
		3054
		3055	This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
		3056	in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
		3057	fork.
		3058
		3059	The default mode of operation (for libev, with application help to detect
		3060	forks) is to duplicate all the state in the child, as would be expected
		3061	when I<either> the parent I<or> the child process continues.
		3062
		3063	When both processes want to continue using libev, then this is usually the
		3064	wrong result. In that case, usually one process (typically the parent) is
		3065	supposed to continue with all watchers in place as before, while the other
		3066	process typically wants to start fresh, i.e. without any active watchers.
		3067
		3068	The cleanest and most efficient way to achieve that with libev is to
		3069	simply create a new event loop, which of course will be "empty", and
		3070	use that for new watchers. This has the advantage of not touching more
		3071	memory than necessary, and thus avoiding the copy-on-write, and the
		3072	disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support
		3073	signal watchers).
		3074
		3075	When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for
		3076	other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call
		3077	C<ev_default_destroy ()> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>. Destroying
		3078	the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered watchers, so you
		3079	have to be careful not to execute code that modifies those watchers. Note
		3080	also that in that case, you have to re-register any signal watchers.
		3081
2344	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	3082	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2345		3083
2346	=over 4	3084	=over 4
2347		3085
2348	=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)	3086	=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
…		…
2352	believe me.	3090	believe me.
2353		3091
2354	=back	3092	=back
2355		3093
2356		3094
2357	=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop	3095	=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop
2358		3096
2359	In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other	3097	In general, you cannot use an C<ev_run> from multiple threads or other
2360	asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event	3098	asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
2361	loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).	3099	loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
2362		3100
2363	Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not	3101	Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control,
2364	control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what	3102	for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async>
2365	C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you	3103	watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you can signal
2366	can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal	3104	it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe.
2367	safe.
2368		3105
2369	This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,	3106	This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
2370	too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed	3107	too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
2371	(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of	3108	(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
2372	C<ev_async_sent> calls).	3109	C<ev_async_sent> calls).
…		…
2377	=head3 Queueing	3114	=head3 Queueing
2378		3115
2379	C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason	3116	C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2380	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a	3117	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2381	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't	3118	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2382	need elaborate support such as pthreads.	3119	need elaborate support such as pthreads or unportable memory access
		3120	semantics.
2383		3121
2384	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own	3122	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2385	queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your	3123	queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2386	queue:	3124	queue:
2387		3125
…		…
2465	=over 4	3203	=over 4
2466		3204
2467	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)	3205	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2468		3206
2469	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any	3207	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2470	kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	3208	kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2471	trust me.	3209	trust me.
2472		3210
2473	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)	3211	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2474		3212
2475	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds	3213	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2476	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike	3214	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
2477	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or	3215	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or
2478	similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding	3216	similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
2479	section below on what exactly this means).	3217	section below on what exactly this means).
2480		3218
		3219	Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
		3220	compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this
		3221	is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>,
		3222	reset when the event loop detects that).
		3223
2481	This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per loop iteration,	3224	This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per event loop
2482	so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to repeated	3225	iteration, so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to
2483	calls to C<ev_async_send>.	3226	repeated calls to C<ev_async_send> for the same event loop.
2484		3227
2485	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)	3228	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
2486		3229
2487	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the	3230	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
2488	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the	3231	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
…		…
2491	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When	3234	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
2492	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,	3235	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
2493	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very	3236	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
2494	quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.	3237	quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
2495		3238
2496	Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending, only	3239	Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending,
2497	whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending.	3240	only whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending: there
		3241	is a time window between the event loop checking and resetting the async
		3242	notification, and the callback being invoked.
2498		3243
2499	=back	3244	=back
2500		3245
2501		3246
2502	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS	3247	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
…		…
2519		3264
2520	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be	3265	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
2521	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and	3266	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
2522	repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.	3267	repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
2523		3268
2524	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets	3269	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and is
2525	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of	3270	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
2526	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>	3271	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMER>) and the C<arg>
2527	value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>	3272	value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
2528	a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io	3273	a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
2529	events precedence.	3274	events precedence.
2530		3275
2531	Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.	3276	Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
2532		3277
2533	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)	3278	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
2534	{	3279	{
2535	if (revents & EV_READ)	3280	if (revents & EV_READ)
2536	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;	3281	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
2537	else if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)	3282	else if (revents & EV_TIMER)
2538	/* doh, nothing entered */;	3283	/* doh, nothing entered */;
2539	}	3284	}
2540		3285
2541	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);	3286	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
2542		3287
2543	=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
2544
2545	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
2546	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
2547	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
2548
2549	=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)	3288	=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
2550		3289
2551	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected	3290	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
2552	the given events it.	3291	the given events it.
2553		3292
2554	=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)	3293	=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
2555		3294
2556	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default	3295	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
2557	loop!).	3296	loop!).
2558		3297
2559	=back	3298	=back
…		…
2639		3378
2640	=over 4	3379	=over 4
2641		3380
2642	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()	3381	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
2643		3382
2644	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *)	3383	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (loop)
2645		3384
2646	=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE	3385	=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
2647		3386
2648	The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher	3387	The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
2649	with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.	3388	with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
…		…
2681		3420
2682	myclass obj;	3421	myclass obj;
2683	ev::io iow;	3422	ev::io iow;
2684	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);	3423	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2685		3424
		3425	=item w->set (object *)
		3426
		3427	This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
		3428	will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
		3429	functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
		3430	the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
		3431	list.
		3432
		3433	The C<operator ()> method prototype must be C<void operator ()(watcher &w,
		3434	int revents)>.
		3435
		3436	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
		3437
		3438	Example: use a functor object as callback.
		3439
		3440	struct myfunctor
		3441	{
		3442	void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
		3443	{
		3444	...
		3445	}
		3446	}
		3447
		3448	myfunctor f;
		3449
		3450	ev::io w;
		3451	w.set (&f);
		3452
2686	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)	3453	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2687		3454
2688	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as	3455	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2689	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's	3456	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
2690	C<data> member and is free for you to use.	3457	C<data> member and is free for you to use.
…		…
2696	Example: Use a plain function as callback.	3463	Example: Use a plain function as callback.
2697		3464
2698	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	3465	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2699	iow.set <io_cb> ();	3466	iow.set <io_cb> ();
2700		3467
2701	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)	3468	=item w->set (loop)
2702		3469
2703	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only	3470	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
2704	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).	3471	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
2705		3472
2706	=item w->set ([arguments])	3473	=item w->set ([arguments])
2707		3474
2708	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be	3475	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Either this
2709	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets	3476	method or a suitable start method must be called at least once. Unlike the
2710	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this	3477	C counterpart, an active watcher gets automatically stopped and restarted
2711	method.	3478	when reconfiguring it with this method.
2712		3479
2713	=item w->start ()	3480	=item w->start ()
2714		3481
2715	Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the	3482	Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
2716	constructor already stores the event loop.	3483	constructor already stores the event loop.
2717		3484
		3485	=item w->start ([arguments])
		3486
		3487	Instead of calling C<set> and C<start> methods separately, it is often
		3488	convenient to wrap them in one call. Uses the same type of arguments as
		3489	the configure C<set> method of the watcher.
		3490
2718	=item w->stop ()	3491	=item w->stop ()
2719		3492
2720	Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.	3493	Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
2721		3494
2722	=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)	3495	=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
…		…
2734		3507
2735	=back	3508	=back
2736		3509
2737	=back	3510	=back
2738		3511
2739	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in	3512	Example: Define a class with two I/O and idle watchers, start the I/O
2740	the constructor.	3513	watchers in the constructor.
2741		3514
2742	class myclass	3515	class myclass
2743	{	3516	{
2744	ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);	3517	ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
		3518	ev::io2 io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2745	ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);	3519	ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2746		3520
2747	myclass (int fd)	3521	myclass (int fd)
2748	{	3522	{
2749	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);	3523	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
		3524	io2 .set <myclass, &myclass::io2_cb > (this);
2750	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);	3525	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2751		3526
2752	io.start (fd, ev::READ);	3527	io.set (fd, ev::WRITE); // configure the watcher
		3528	io.start (); // start it whenever convenient
		3529
		3530	io2.start (fd, ev::READ); // set + start in one call
2753	}	3531	}
2754	};	3532	};
2755		3533
2756		3534
2757	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS	3535	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
…		…
2776	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.	3554	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2777		3555
2778	=item Python	3556	=item Python
2779		3557
2780	Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It	3558	Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
2781	seems to be quite complete and well-documented. Note, however, that the	3559	seems to be quite complete and well-documented.
2782	patch they require for libev is outright dangerous as it breaks the ABI
2783	for everybody else, and therefore, should never be applied in an installed
2784	libev (if python requires an incompatible ABI then it needs to embed
2785	libev).
2786		3560
2787	=item Ruby	3561	=item Ruby
2788		3562
2789	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset	3563	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2790	of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and	3564	of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2791	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at	3565	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2792	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.	3566	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2793		3567
		3568	Roger Pack reports that using the link order C<-lws2_32 -lmsvcrt-ruby-190>
		3569	makes rev work even on mingw.
		3570
		3571	=item Haskell
		3572
		3573	A haskell binding to libev is available at
		3574	L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
		3575
2794	=item D	3576	=item D
2795		3577
2796	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to	3578	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2797	be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.	3579	be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
		3580
		3581	=item Ocaml
		3582
		3583	Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
		3584	L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
		3585
		3586	=item Lua
		3587
		3588	Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the
		3589	time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at
		3590	L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>.
2798		3591
2799	=back	3592	=back
2800		3593
2801		3594
2802	=head1 MACRO MAGIC	3595	=head1 MACRO MAGIC
…		…
2816	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,	3609	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2817	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:	3610	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2818		3611
2819	ev_unref (EV_A);	3612	ev_unref (EV_A);
2820	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);	3613	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2821	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	3614	ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
2822		3615
2823	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,	3616	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2824	which is often provided by the following macro.	3617	which is often provided by the following macro.
2825		3618
2826	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>	3619	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
…		…
2866	}	3659	}
2867		3660
2868	ev_check check;	3661	ev_check check;
2869	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);	3662	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
2870	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);	3663	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
2871	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);	3664	ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
2872		3665
2873	=head1 EMBEDDING	3666	=head1 EMBEDDING
2874		3667
2875	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host	3668	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
2876	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra	3669	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
…		…
2903		3696
2904	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3697	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2905	#include "ev.h"	3698	#include "ev.h"
2906		3699
2907	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++	3700	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
2908	compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated	3701	compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2909	as a bug).	3702	as a bug).
2910		3703
2911	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory	3704	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
2912	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):	3705	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2913		3706
…		…
2956	libev.m4	3749	libev.m4
2957		3750
2958	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS	3751	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2959		3752
2960	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to	3753	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
2961	define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of	3754	define before including (or compiling) any of its files. The default in
2962	autoconf is documented for every option.	3755	the absence of autoconf is documented for every option.
		3756
		3757	Symbols marked with "(h)" do not change the ABI, and can have different
		3758	values when compiling libev vs. including F<ev.h>, so it is permissible
		3759	to redefine them before including F<ev.h> without breaking compatibility
		3760	to a compiled library. All other symbols change the ABI, which means all
		3761	users of libev and the libev code itself must be compiled with compatible
		3762	settings.
2963		3763
2964	=over 4	3764	=over 4
2965		3765
		3766	=item EV_COMPAT3 (h)
		3767
		3768	Backwards compatibility is a major concern for libev. This is why this
		3769	release of libev comes with wrappers for the functions and symbols that
		3770	have been renamed between libev version 3 and 4.
		3771
		3772	You can disable these wrappers (to test compatibility with future
		3773	versions) by defining C<EV_COMPAT3> to C<0> when compiling your
		3774	sources. This has the additional advantage that you can drop the C<struct>
		3775	from C<struct ev_loop> declarations, as libev will provide an C<ev_loop>
		3776	typedef in that case.
		3777
		3778	In some future version, the default for C<EV_COMPAT3> will become C<0>,
		3779	and in some even more future version the compatibility code will be
		3780	removed completely.
		3781
2966	=item EV_STANDALONE	3782	=item EV_STANDALONE (h)
2967		3783
2968	Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which	3784	Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which
2969	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy	3785	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
2970	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not	3786	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
2971	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in	3787	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
2972	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.	3788	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2973		3789
		3790	In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
		3791	configuration, but has to be more conservative.
		3792
2974	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC	3793	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2975		3794
2976	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3795	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2977	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use	3796	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
2978	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you	3797	use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this,
2979	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when	3798	you usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it
2980	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have	3799	when the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2981	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>	3800	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2982	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).	3801	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). See also C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
2983		3802
2984	=item EV_USE_REALTIME	3803	=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2985		3804
2986	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3805	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2987	real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at	3806	real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability
2988	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will	3807	at runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock
2989	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get	3808	option will be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday>
2990	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the	3809	by C<clock_get (CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect
2991	note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.	3810	correctness. See the note about libraries in the description of
		3811	C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. Defaults to the opposite value of
		3812	C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
		3813
		3814	=item EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL
		3815
		3816	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to use a direct syscall instead
		3817	of calling the system-provided C<clock_gettime> function. This option
		3818	exists because on GNU/Linux, C<clock_gettime> is in C<librt>, but C<librt>
		3819	unconditionally pulls in C<libpthread>, slowing down single-threaded
		3820	programs needlessly. Using a direct syscall is slightly slower (in
		3821	theory), because no optimised vdso implementation can be used, but avoids
		3822	the pthread dependency. Defaults to C<1> on GNU/Linux with glibc 2.x or
		3823	higher, as it simplifies linking (no need for C<-lrt>).
2992		3824
2993	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP	3825	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
2994		3826
2995	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available	3827	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
2996	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.	3828	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
…		…
3012		3844
3013	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET	3845	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
3014		3846
3015	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>	3847	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
3016	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing	3848	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
3017	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on	3849	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout
3018	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some	3850	on exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to
3019	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only	3851	some low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket
3020	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might	3852	only allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation,
3021	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.	3853	configures the maximum size of the C<fd_set>.
3022		3854
3023	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET	3855	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
3024		3856
3025	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that	3857	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
3026	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but	3858	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
…		…
3028	be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call	3860	be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
3029	C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,	3861	C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
3030	it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even	3862	it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
3031	on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.	3863	on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
3032		3864
3033	=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE	3865	=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE(fd)
3034		3866
3035	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map	3867	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
3036	file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the	3868	file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
3037	default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually	3869	default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
3038	correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,	3870	correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
3039	in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.	3871	in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
		3872
		3873	=item EV_WIN32_HANDLE_TO_FD(handle)
		3874
		3875	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> then libev maps handles to file descriptors
		3876	using the standard C<_open_osfhandle> function. For programs implementing
		3877	their own fd to handle mapping, overwriting this function makes it easier
		3878	to do so. This can be done by defining this macro to an appropriate value.
		3879
		3880	=item EV_WIN32_CLOSE_FD(fd)
		3881
		3882	If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this
		3883	macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister
		3884	file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close
		3885	the underlying OS handle.
3040		3886
3041	=item EV_USE_POLL	3887	=item EV_USE_POLL
3042		3888
3043	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)	3889	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
3044	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It	3890	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
…		…
3091	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.	3937	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
3092		3938
3093	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>	3939	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
3094	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.	3940	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
3095		3941
3096	=item EV_H	3942	=item EV_H (h)
3097		3943
3098	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if	3944	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
3099	undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be	3945	undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
3100	used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.	3946	used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
3101		3947
3102	=item EV_CONFIG_H	3948	=item EV_CONFIG_H (h)
3103		3949
3104	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override	3950	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
3105	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to	3951	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
3106	C<EV_H>, above.	3952	C<EV_H>, above.
3107		3953
3108	=item EV_EVENT_H	3954	=item EV_EVENT_H (h)
3109		3955
3110	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea	3956	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
3111	of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.	3957	of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
3112		3958
3113	=item EV_PROTOTYPES	3959	=item EV_PROTOTYPES (h)
3114		3960
3115	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function	3961	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
3116	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is	3962	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
3117	occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions	3963	occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions
3118	around libev functions.	3964	around libev functions.
…		…
3140	fine.	3986	fine.
3141		3987
3142	If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these	3988	If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
3143	both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.	3989	both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
3144		3990
3145	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE	3991	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE, EV_IDLE_ENABLE, EV_EMBED_ENABLE, EV_STAT_ENABLE,
		3992	EV_PREPARE_ENABLE, EV_CHECK_ENABLE, EV_FORK_ENABLE, EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE,
		3993	EV_ASYNC_ENABLE, EV_CHILD_ENABLE.
3146		3994
3147	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If	3995	If undefined or defined to be C<1> (and the platform supports it), then
3148	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of	3996	the respective watcher type is supported. If defined to be C<0>, then it
3149	code.	3997	is not. Disabling watcher types mainly saves code size.
3150		3998
3151	=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE	3999	=item EV_FEATURES
3152
3153	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
3154	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
3155	code.
3156
3157	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
3158
3159	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
3160	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Embed watchers rely on most other
3161	watcher types, which therefore must not be disabled.
3162
3163	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
3164
3165	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
3166	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3167
3168	=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
3169
3170	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
3171	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3172
3173	=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
3174
3175	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
3176	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3177
3178	=item EV_MINIMAL
3179		4000
3180	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some	4001	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
3181	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some	4002	speed (but with the full API), you can define this symbol to request
3182	inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size on amd64. It also selects a	4003	certain subsets of functionality. The default is to enable all features
3183	much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap.	4004	that can be enabled on the platform.
		4005
		4006	A typical way to use this symbol is to define it to C<0> (or to a bitset
		4007	with some broad features you want) and then selectively re-enable
		4008	additional parts you want, for example if you want everything minimal,
		4009	but multiple event loop support, async and child watchers and the poll
		4010	backend, use this:
		4011
		4012	#define EV_FEATURES 0
		4013	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 1
		4014	#define EV_USE_POLL 1
		4015	#define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
		4016	#define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
		4017
		4018	The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
		4019	values:
		4020
		4021	=over 4
		4022
		4023	=item C<1> - faster/larger code
		4024
		4025	Use larger code to speed up some operations.
		4026
		4027	Currently this is used to override some inlining decisions (enlarging the
		4028	code size by roughly 30% on amd64).
		4029
		4030	When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with
		4031	gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
		4032	assertions.
		4033
		4034	=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
		4035
		4036	Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger
		4037	hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size
		4038	and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
		4039	runtime.
		4040
		4041	=item C<4> - full API configuration
		4042
		4043	This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
		4044	enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).
		4045
		4046	=item C<8> - full API
		4047
		4048	This enables a lot of the "lesser used" API functions. See C<ev.h> for
		4049	details on which parts of the API are still available without this
		4050	feature, and do not complain if this subset changes over time.
		4051
		4052	=item C<16> - enable all optional watcher types
		4053
		4054	Enables all optional watcher types. If you want to selectively enable
		4055	only some watcher types other than I/O and timers (e.g. prepare,
		4056	embed, async, child...) you can enable them manually by defining
		4057	C<EV_watchertype_ENABLE> to C<1> instead.
		4058
		4059	=item C<32> - enable all backends
		4060
		4061	This enables all backends - without this feature, you need to enable at
		4062	least one backend manually (C<EV_USE_SELECT> is a good choice).
		4063
		4064	=item C<64> - enable OS-specific "helper" APIs
		4065
		4066	Enable inotify, eventfd, signalfd and similar OS-specific helper APIs by
		4067	default.
		4068
		4069	=back
		4070
		4071	Compiling with C<gcc -Os -DEV_STANDALONE -DEV_USE_EPOLL=1 -DEV_FEATURES=0>
		4072	reduces the compiled size of libev from 24.7Kb code/2.8Kb data to 6.5Kb
		4073	code/0.3Kb data on my GNU/Linux amd64 system, while still giving you I/O
		4074	watchers, timers and monotonic clock support.
		4075
		4076	With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough
		4077	when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by
		4078	your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an
		4079	I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb.
		4080
		4081	=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
		4082
		4083	If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio
		4084	functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size
		4085	somewhat, but if your program doesn't otherwise depend on stdio and your
		4086	libc allows it, this avoids linking in the stdio library which is quite
		4087	big.
		4088
		4089	Note that error messages might become less precise when this option is
		4090	enabled.
		4091
		4092	=item EV_NSIG
		4093
		4094	The highest supported signal number, +1 (or, the number of
		4095	signals): Normally, libev tries to deduce the maximum number of signals
		4096	automatically, but sometimes this fails, in which case it can be
		4097	specified. Also, using a lower number than detected (C<32> should be
		4098	good for about any system in existence) can save some memory, as libev
		4099	statically allocates some 12-24 bytes per signal number.
3184		4100
3185	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE	4101	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
3186		4102
3187	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	4103	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3188	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more	4104	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES> disabled),
3189	than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to	4105	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you
3190	increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).	4106	might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
3191		4107
3192	=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE	4108	=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
3193		4109
3194	C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	4110	C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3195	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),	4111	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES>
3196	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>	4112	disabled), usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of
3197	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of	4113	C<ev_stat> watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a
3198	two).	4114	power of two).
3199		4115
3200	=item EV_USE_4HEAP	4116	=item EV_USE_4HEAP
3201		4117
3202	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the	4118	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3203	timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined	4119	timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
3204	to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably	4120	to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
3205	faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.	4121	faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
3206		4122
3207	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>	4123	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3208	(disabled).	4124	will be C<0>.
3209		4125
3210	=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT	4126	=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
3211		4127
3212	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the	4128	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3213	timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within	4129	timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
3214	the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),	4130	the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
3215	which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,	4131	which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
3216	but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance	4132	but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
3217	noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.	4133	noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
3218		4134
3219	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>	4135	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3220	(disabled).	4136	will be C<0>.
3221		4137
3222	=item EV_VERIFY	4138	=item EV_VERIFY
3223		4139
3224	Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will	4140	Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_verify ()>) will
3225	be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled	4141	be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
3226	in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not	4142	in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
3227	called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be	4143	called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
3228	called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the	4144	called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
3229	verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down	4145	verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
3230	libev considerably.	4146	libev considerably.
3231		4147
3232	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be	4148	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3233	C<0>.	4149	will be C<0>.
3234		4150
3235	=item EV_COMMON	4151	=item EV_COMMON
3236		4152
3237	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining	4153	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
3238	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of	4154	this macro to something else you can include more and other types of
3239	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,	4155	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
3240	though, and it must be identical each time.	4156	though, and it must be identical each time.
3241		4157
3242	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:	4158	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
3243		4159
…		…
3296	file.	4212	file.
3297		4213
3298	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file	4214	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
3299	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:	4215	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
3300		4216
3301	#define EV_MINIMAL 1	4217	#define EV_FEATURES 8
3302	#define EV_USE_POLL 0	4218	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3303	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
3304	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0	4219	#define EV_PREPARE_ENABLE 1
		4220	#define EV_IDLE_ENABLE 1
3305	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0	4221	#define EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE 1
3306	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0	4222	#define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
		4223	#define EV_USE_STDEXCEPT 0
3307	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>	4224	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
3308	#define EV_MINPRI 0
3309	#define EV_MAXPRI 0
3310		4225
3311	#include "ev++.h"	4226	#include "ev++.h"
3312		4227
3313	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:	4228	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
3314		4229
…		…
3374	default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop	4289	default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
3375	watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.	4290	watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
3376		4291
3377	=back	4292	=back
3378		4293
		4294	=head4 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE
		4295
		4296	Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
		4297	thread than where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
		4298	created/added/removed.
		4299
		4300	For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
		4301	which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
		4302	languages).
		4303
		4304	The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
		4305	variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
		4306	event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
		4307
		4308	First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
		4309
		4310	typedef struct {
		4311	mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
		4312	ev_async async_w;
		4313	thread_t tid;
		4314	cond_t invoke_cv;
		4315	} userdata;
		4316
		4317	void prepare_loop (EV_P)
		4318	{
		4319	// for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
		4320	static userdata u;
		4321
		4322	ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
		4323	ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
		4324
		4325	pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
		4326	pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
		4327
		4328	// now associate this with the loop
		4329	ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
		4330	ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
		4331	ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
		4332
		4333	// then create the thread running ev_loop
		4334	pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
		4335	}
		4336
		4337	The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
		4338	solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
		4339	that might have been added:
		4340
		4341	static void
		4342	async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		4343	{
		4344	// just used for the side effects
		4345	}
		4346
		4347	The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
		4348	protecting the loop data, respectively.
		4349
		4350	static void
		4351	l_release (EV_P)
		4352	{
		4353	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4354	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		4355	}
		4356
		4357	static void
		4358	l_acquire (EV_P)
		4359	{
		4360	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4361	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		4362	}
		4363
		4364	The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
		4365	into C<ev_run>:
		4366
		4367	void *
		4368	l_run (void *thr_arg)
		4369	{
		4370	struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
		4371
		4372	l_acquire (EV_A);
		4373	pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
		4374	ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
		4375	l_release (EV_A);
		4376
		4377	return 0;
		4378	}
		4379
		4380	Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
		4381	signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
		4382	writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
		4383	have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
		4384	and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
		4385	watchers is very beneficial):
		4386
		4387	static void
		4388	l_invoke (EV_P)
		4389	{
		4390	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4391
		4392	while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
		4393	{
		4394	wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
		4395	pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
		4396	}
		4397	}
		4398
		4399	Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
		4400	will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
		4401	thread to continue:
		4402
		4403	static void
		4404	real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
		4405	{
		4406	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4407
		4408	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		4409	ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
		4410	pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
		4411	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		4412	}
		4413
		4414	Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
		4415	event loop, you will now have to lock:
		4416
		4417	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
		4418	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4419
		4420	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
		4421
		4422	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		4423	ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
		4424	ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
		4425	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		4426
		4427	Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
		4428	an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
		4429	about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
		4430	watchers in the next event loop iteration.
		4431
3379	=head3 COROUTINES	4432	=head3 COROUTINES
3380		4433
3381	Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):	4434	Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
3382	libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different	4435	libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
3383	coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two	4436	coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_run> on the same loop from two
3384	different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running the	4437	different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running
3385	loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that	4438	the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is
3386	you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.	4439	that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
3387		4440
3388	Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside	4441	Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
3389	C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as	4442	C<ev_run>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
3390	they do not clal any callbacks.	4443	they do not call any callbacks.
3391		4444
3392	=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS	4445	=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
3393		4446
3394	Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a	4447	Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
3395	lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently	4448	lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
…		…
3405	maintainable.	4458	maintainable.
3406		4459
3407	And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply	4460	And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
3408	wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message	4461	wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
3409	seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some	4462	seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
3410	warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have	4463	warnings that resulted in an extreme number of false positives. These have
3411	been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with	4464	been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
3412	such buggy versions.	4465	such buggy versions.
3413		4466
3414	While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,	4467	While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
3415	"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev	4468	"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
…		…
3429	==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.	4482	==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3430	==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.	4483	==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3431	==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.	4484	==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
3432		4485
3433	Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables	4486	Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
3434	is not a memleak - the memory is still being refernced, and didn't leak.	4487	is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
3435		4488
3436	Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs	4489	Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
3437	as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,	4490	as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
3438	although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be	4491	although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
3439	confused.	4492	confused.
…		…
3451	I suggest using suppression lists.	4504	I suggest using suppression lists.
3452		4505
3453		4506
3454	=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES	4507	=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
3455		4508
		4509	=head2 GNU/LINUX 32 BIT LIMITATIONS
		4510
		4511	GNU/Linux is the only common platform that supports 64 bit file/large file
		4512	interfaces but I<disables> them by default.
		4513
		4514	That means that libev compiled in the default environment doesn't support
		4515	files larger than 2GiB or so, which mainly affects C<ev_stat> watchers.
		4516
		4517	Unfortunately, many programs try to work around this GNU/Linux issue
		4518	by enabling the large file API, which makes them incompatible with the
		4519	standard libev compiled for their system.
		4520
		4521	Likewise, libev cannot enable the large file API itself as this would
		4522	suddenly make it incompatible to the default compile time environment,
		4523	i.e. all programs not using special compile switches.
		4524
		4525	=head2 OS/X AND DARWIN BUGS
		4526
		4527	The whole thing is a bug if you ask me - basically any system interface
		4528	you touch is broken, whether it is locales, poll, kqueue or even the
		4529	OpenGL drivers.
		4530
		4531	=head3 C<kqueue> is buggy
		4532
		4533	The kqueue syscall is broken in all known versions - most versions support
		4534	only sockets, many support pipes.
		4535
		4536	Libev tries to work around this by not using C<kqueue> by default on this
		4537	rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating a
		4538	loop - embedding a socket-only kqueue loop into a select-based one is
		4539	probably going to work well.
		4540
		4541	=head3 C<poll> is buggy
		4542
		4543	Instead of fixing C<kqueue>, Apple replaced their (working) C<poll>
		4544	implementation by something calling C<kqueue> internally around the 10.5.6
		4545	release, so now C<kqueue> I<and> C<poll> are broken.
		4546
		4547	Libev tries to work around this by not using C<poll> by default on
		4548	this rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating
		4549	a loop.
		4550
		4551	=head3 C<select> is buggy
		4552
		4553	All that's left is C<select>, and of course Apple found a way to fuck this
		4554	one up as well: On OS/X, C<select> actively limits the number of file
		4555	descriptors you can pass in to 1024 - your program suddenly crashes when
		4556	you use more.
		4557
		4558	There is an undocumented "workaround" for this - defining
		4559	C<_DARWIN_UNLIMITED_SELECT>, which libev tries to use, so select I<should>
		4560	work on OS/X.
		4561
		4562	=head2 SOLARIS PROBLEMS AND WORKAROUNDS
		4563
		4564	=head3 C<errno> reentrancy
		4565
		4566	The default compile environment on Solaris is unfortunately so
		4567	thread-unsafe that you can't even use components/libraries compiled
		4568	without C<-D_REENTRANT> in a threaded program, which, of course, isn't
		4569	defined by default. A valid, if stupid, implementation choice.
		4570
		4571	If you want to use libev in threaded environments you have to make sure
		4572	it's compiled with C<_REENTRANT> defined.
		4573
		4574	=head3 Event port backend
		4575
		4576	The scalable event interface for Solaris is called "event
		4577	ports". Unfortunately, this mechanism is very buggy in all major
		4578	releases. If you run into high CPU usage, your program freezes or you get
		4579	a large number of spurious wakeups, make sure you have all the relevant
		4580	and latest kernel patches applied. No, I don't know which ones, but there
		4581	are multiple ones to apply, and afterwards, event ports actually work
		4582	great.
		4583
		4584	If you can't get it to work, you can try running the program by setting
		4585	the environment variable C<LIBEV_FLAGS=3> to only allow C<poll> and
		4586	C<select> backends.
		4587
		4588	=head2 AIX POLL BUG
		4589
		4590	AIX unfortunately has a broken C<poll.h> header. Libev works around
		4591	this by trying to avoid the poll backend altogether (i.e. it's not even
		4592	compiled in), which normally isn't a big problem as C<select> works fine
		4593	with large bitsets on AIX, and AIX is dead anyway.
		4594
3456	=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS	4595	=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
		4596
		4597	=head3 General issues
3457		4598
3458	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev	4599	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
3459	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX	4600	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
3460	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in	4601	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
3461	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket	4602	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
3462	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using	4603	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
3463	e.g. cygwin.	4604	e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers,
		4605	as every compielr comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible
		4606	environment.
3464		4607
3465	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full	4608	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
3466	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of	4609	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing,
3467	things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable	4610	then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note
3468	way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).	4611	also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
3469		4612
3470	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except	4613	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
3471	embedding it into other applications.	4614	embedding it into other applications.
		4615
		4616	Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev
		4617	tries its best, but under most conditions, signals will simply not work.
3472		4618
3473	Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't	4619	Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
3474	accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will	4620	accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
3475	either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,	4621	either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
3476	so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a	4622	so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
…		…
3481	the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets	4627	the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
3482	is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use	4628	is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
3483	more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally	4629	more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
3484	different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness	4630	different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
3485	notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows	4631	notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
3486	(Microsoft monopoly games).	4632	(due to Microsoft monopoly games).
3487		4633
3488	A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding	4634	A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
3489	section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead	4635	section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
3490	of F<ev.h>:	4636	of F<ev.h>:
3491		4637
…		…
3498	you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):	4644	you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
3499		4645
3500	#include "evwrap.h"	4646	#include "evwrap.h"
3501	#include "ev.c"	4647	#include "ev.c"
3502		4648
3503	=over 4
3504
3505	=item The winsocket select function	4649	=head3 The winsocket C<select> function
3506		4650
3507	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it	4651	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
3508	requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is	4652	requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
3509	also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also	4653	also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
3510	requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft	4654	requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
…		…
3519	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */	4663	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
3520		4664
3521	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a	4665	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
3522	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.	4666	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
3523		4667
3524	=item Limited number of file descriptors	4668	=head3 Limited number of file descriptors
3525		4669
3526	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.	4670	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
3527		4671
3528	Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum	4672	Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
3529	of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels	4673	of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
3530	can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft	4674	can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
3531	recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the	4675	recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
3532	previous thread in each. Great).	4676	previous thread in each. Sounds great!).
3533		4677
3534	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>	4678	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
3535	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select	4679	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
3536	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own	4680	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl and many
3537	select emulation on windows).	4681	other interpreters do their own select emulation on windows).
3538		4682
3539	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime	4683	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
3540	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish	4684	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64>
3541	or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this by calling	4685	fetish or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this
3542	C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another	4686	by calling C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048>
3543	arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft runtime	4687	(another arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft
3544	libraries.
3545
3546	This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on	4688	runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets
3547	windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to	4689	(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more,
3548	wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of	4690	you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but
3549	calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.	4691	the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
3550
3551	=back
3552		4692
3553	=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS	4693	=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
3554		4694
3555	In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the	4695	In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
3556	backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:	4696	backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
…		…
3595	watchers.	4735	watchers.
3596		4736
3597	=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy	4737	=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
3598		4738
3599	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to	4739	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
3600	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good	4740	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is
3601	enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by	4741	good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy
		4742	(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by
3602	implementations implementing IEEE 754 (basically all existing ones).	4743	implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones. With
		4744	IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least 2200.
3603		4745
3604	=back	4746	=back
3605		4747
3606	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.	4748	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
3607		4749
…		…
3675	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.	4817	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
3676		4818
3677	=back	4819	=back
3678		4820
3679		4821
		4822	=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X
		4823
		4824	The major version 4 introduced some minor incompatible changes to the API.
		4825
		4826	At the moment, the C<ev.h> header file tries to implement superficial
		4827	compatibility, so most programs should still compile. Those might be
		4828	removed in later versions of libev, so better update early than late.
		4829
		4830	=over 4
		4831
		4832	=item function/symbol renames
		4833
		4834	A number of functions and symbols have been renamed:
		4835
		4836	ev_loop => ev_run
		4837	EVLOOP_NONBLOCK => EVRUN_NOWAIT
		4838	EVLOOP_ONESHOT => EVRUN_ONCE
		4839
		4840	ev_unloop => ev_break
		4841	EVUNLOOP_CANCEL => EVBREAK_CANCEL
		4842	EVUNLOOP_ONE => EVBREAK_ONE
		4843	EVUNLOOP_ALL => EVBREAK_ALL
		4844
		4845	EV_TIMEOUT => EV_TIMER
		4846
		4847	ev_loop_count => ev_iteration
		4848	ev_loop_depth => ev_depth
		4849	ev_loop_verify => ev_verify
		4850
		4851	Most functions working on C<struct ev_loop> objects don't have an
		4852	C<ev_loop_> prefix, so it was removed; C<ev_loop>, C<ev_unloop> and
		4853	associated constants have been renamed to not collide with the C<struct
		4854	ev_loop> anymore and C<EV_TIMER> now follows the same naming scheme
		4855	as all other watcher types. Note that C<ev_loop_fork> is still called
		4856	C<ev_loop_fork> because it would otherwise clash with the C<ev_fork>
		4857	typedef.
		4858
		4859	=item C<EV_COMPAT3> backwards compatibility mechanism
		4860
		4861	The backward compatibility mechanism can be controlled by
		4862	C<EV_COMPAT3>. See L<PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS> in the L<EMBEDDING>
		4863	section.
		4864
		4865	=item C<EV_MINIMAL> mechanism replaced by C<EV_FEATURES>
		4866
		4867	The preprocessor symbol C<EV_MINIMAL> has been replaced by a different
		4868	mechanism, C<EV_FEATURES>. Programs using C<EV_MINIMAL> usually compile
		4869	and work, but the library code will of course be larger.
		4870
		4871	=back
		4872
		4873
		4874	=head1 GLOSSARY
		4875
		4876	=over 4
		4877
		4878	=item active
		4879
		4880	A watcher is active as long as it has been started and not yet stopped.
		4881	See L<WATCHER STATES> for details.
		4882
		4883	=item application
		4884
		4885	In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
		4886
		4887	=item backend
		4888
		4889	The part of the code dealing with the operating system interfaces.
		4890
		4891	=item callback
		4892
		4893	The address of a function that is called when some event has been
		4894	detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that
		4895	received the event, and the actual event bitset.
		4896
		4897	=item callback/watcher invocation
		4898
		4899	The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
		4900
		4901	=item event
		4902
		4903	A change of state of some external event, such as data now being available
		4904	for reading on a file descriptor, time having passed or simply not having
		4905	any other events happening anymore.
		4906
		4907	In libev, events are represented as single bits (such as C<EV_READ> or
		4908	C<EV_TIMER>).
		4909
		4910	=item event library
		4911
		4912	A software package implementing an event model and loop.
		4913
		4914	=item event loop
		4915
		4916	An entity that handles and processes external events and converts them
		4917	into callback invocations.
		4918
		4919	=item event model
		4920
		4921	The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes
		4922	watchers and events.
		4923
		4924	=item pending
		4925
		4926	A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been
		4927	detected. See L<WATCHER STATES> for details.
		4928
		4929	=item real time
		4930
		4931	The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
		4932
		4933	=item wall-clock time
		4934
		4935	The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
		4936	be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when the you adjust your
		4937	clock.
		4938
		4939	=item watcher
		4940
		4941	A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
		4942	to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events.
		4943
		4944	=back
		4945
3680	=head1 AUTHOR	4946	=head1 AUTHOR
3681		4947
3682	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.	4948	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael Magnusson.
3683		4949

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