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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	{
45	// use the default event loop unless you have special needs	47	// use the default event loop unless you have special needs
46	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	48	struct ev_loop *loop = EV_DEFAULT;
47		49
48	// initialise an io watcher, then start it	50	// initialise an io watcher, then start it
49	// this one will watch for stdin to become readable	51	// this one will watch for stdin to become readable
50	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);	52	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
51	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	53	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
…		…
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 practice
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).
…		…
149		165
150	=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()	166	=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()
151		167
152	Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the	168	Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
153	C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp	169	C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
154	you actually want to know.	170	you actually want to know. Also interesting is the combination of
		171	C<ev_update_now> and C<ev_now>.
155		172
156	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)	173	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
157		174
158	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until	175	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
159	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically	176	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
…		…
176	as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually	193	as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
177	compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually	194	compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
178	not a problem.	195	not a problem.
179		196
180	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong	197	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
181	version.	198	version (note, however, that this will not detect other ABI mismatches,
		199	such as LFS or reentrancy).
182		200
183	assert (("libev version mismatch",	201	assert (("libev version mismatch",
184	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR	202	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
185	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));	203	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
186		204
…		…
197	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",	215	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
198	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));	216	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
199		217
200	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()	218	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
201		219
202	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also	220	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and
203	recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one	221	also recommended for this platform, meaning it will work for most file
		222	descriptor types. This set is often smaller than the one returned by
204	returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on	223	C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on most BSDs
205	most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it	224	and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it (assuming
206	(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that	225	you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that libev will
207	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.	226	probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
208		227
209	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()	228	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
210		229
211	Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This	230	Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This
212	is the theoretical, all-platform, value. To find which backends	231	value is platform-specific but can include backends not available on the
213	might be supported on the current system, you would need to look at	232	current system. To find which embeddable backends might be supported on
214	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for	233	the current system, you would need to look at C<ev_embeddable_backends ()
215	recommended ones.	234	& ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for recommended ones.
216		235
217	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	236	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
218		237
219	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))	238	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT]
220		239
221	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the	240	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
222	semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is	241	semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
223	used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero	242	used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
224	when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort	243	when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
…		…
250	}	269	}
251		270
252	...	271	...
253	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);	272	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
254		273
255	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));	274	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT]
256		275
257	Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such	276	Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
258	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string	277	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
259	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this	278	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
260	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no	279	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
…		…
274	...	293	...
275	ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);	294	ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
276		295
277	=back	296	=back
278		297
279	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP	298	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING EVENT LOOPS
280		299
281	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two	300	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	301	I<not> optional in this case unless libev 3 compatibility is disabled, as
283	events, and dynamically created loops which do not.	302	libev 3 had an C<ev_loop> function colliding with the struct name).
		303
		304	The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
		305	supports signals and child events, and dynamically created event loops
		306	which do not.
284		307
285	=over 4	308	=over 4
286		309
287	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)	310	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
288		311
289	This will initialise the default event loop if it hasn't been initialised	312	This returns the "default" event loop object, which is what you should
290	yet and return it. If the default loop could not be initialised, returns	313	normally use when you just need "the event loop". Event loop objects and
291	false. If it already was initialised it simply returns it (and ignores the	314	the C<flags> parameter are described in more detail in the entry for
292	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).	315	C<ev_loop_new>.
		316
		317	If the default loop is already initialised then this function simply
		318	returns it (and ignores the flags. If that is troubling you, check
		319	C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). Otherwise it will create it with the given
		320	flags, which should almost always be C<0>, unless the caller is also the
		321	one calling C<ev_run> or otherwise qualifies as "the main program".
293		322
294	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this	323	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
295	function.	324	function (or via the C<EV_DEFAULT> macro).
296		325
297	Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it	326	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,	327	from multiple threads, you have to employ some kind of mutex (note also
299	as loops cannot bes hared easily between threads anyway).	328	that this case is unlikely, as loops cannot be shared easily between
		329	threads anyway).
300		330
301	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and	331	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_child> watchers,
302	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler	332	and to do this, it always registers a handler for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is
303	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either	333	a problem for your application you can either create a dynamic loop with
304	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you	334	C<ev_loop_new> which doesn't do that, or you can simply overwrite the
305	can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling	335	C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling C<ev_default_init>.
306	C<ev_default_init>.	336
		337	Example: This is the most typical usage.
		338
		339	if (!ev_default_loop (0))
		340	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
		341
		342	Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
		343	environment settings to be taken into account:
		344
		345	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
		346
		347	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
		348
		349	This will create and initialise a new event loop object. If the loop
		350	could not be initialised, returns false.
		351
		352	Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and one common way to use
		353	libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
		354	default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
307		355
308	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific	356	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
309	backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).	357	backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
310		358
311	The following flags are supported:	359	The following flags are supported:
…		…
326	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work	374	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
327	around bugs.	375	around bugs.
328		376
329	=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>	377	=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
330		378
331	Instead of calling C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork> manually after	379	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	380	make libev check for a fork in each iteration by enabling this flag.
333	enabling this flag.
334		381
335	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,	382	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	383	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	384	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	385	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
…		…
344	flag.	391	flag.
345		392
346	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>	393	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
347	environment variable.	394	environment variable.
348		395
		396	=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY>
		397
		398	When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the
		399	I<inotify> API for it's C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and
		400	testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as
		401	otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle.
		402
		403	=item C<EVFLAG_SIGNALFD>
		404
		405	When this flag is specified, then libev will attempt to use the
		406	I<signalfd> API for it's C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This API
		407	delivers signals synchronously, which makes it both faster and might make
		408	it possible to get the queued signal data. It can also simplify signal
		409	handling with threads, as long as you properly block signals in your
		410	threads that are not interested in handling them.
		411
		412	Signalfd will not be used by default as this changes your signal mask, and
		413	there are a lot of shoddy libraries and programs (glib's threadpool for
		414	example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks.
		415
349	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)	416	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
350		417
351	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as	418	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,	419	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	420	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
…		…
359	writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many	426	writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
360	connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have	427	connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
361	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of	428	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
362	readiness notifications you get per iteration.	429	readiness notifications you get per iteration.
363		430
		431	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to the C<readfds> set and C<EV_WRITE> to the
		432	C<writefds> set (and to work around Microsoft Windows bugs, also onto the
		433	C<exceptfds> set on that platform).
		434
364	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)	435	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
365		436
366	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated	437	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
367	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial	438	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
368	limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down	439	limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
369	considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,	440	considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
370	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for	441	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
371	performance tips.	442	performance tips.
372		443
		444	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
		445	C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
		446
373	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)	447	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
		448
		449	Use the linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9
		450	kernels).
374		451
375	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,	452	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
376	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale	453	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
377	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),	454	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
378	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number	455	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
379	of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect	456
380	cases and requiring a system call per fd change, no fork support and bad	457	The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
381	support for dup.	458	of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
		459	dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
		460	descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup and
		461	so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program forks then
		462	I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll set, which can
		463	take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course
		464	hard to detect.
		465
		466	Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but
		467	of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
		468	I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
		469	even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
		470	on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
		471	employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
		472	events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required. Last
		473	not least, it also refuses to work with some file descriptors which work
		474	perfectly fine with C<select> (files, many character devices...).
382		475
383	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration	476	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
384	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such incident	477	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
385	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its	478	incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
386	best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work	479	I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
387	very well if you register events for both fds.	480	file descriptors might not work very well if you register events for both
388		481	file descriptors.
389	Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
390	need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
391	(or space) is available.
392		482
393	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all	483	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
394	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible, i.e.	484	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
395	keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times.	485	i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
		486	starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
		487	extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
		488	as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
		489	take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
		490
		491	All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
		492	faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
		493	the usage. So sad.
396		494
397	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in	495	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
398	all kernel versions tested so far.	496	all kernel versions tested so far.
		497
		498	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		499	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
399		500
400	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)	501	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
401		502
402	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it	503	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
403	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably	504	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
404	with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course	505	with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
405	it's completely useless). For this reason it's not being "auto-detected"	506	it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose brokenness
		507	is by design, these kqueue bugs can (and eventually will) be fixed
		508	without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not being
406	unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using	509	"auto-detected" unless you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using
407	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)	510	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
408	system like NetBSD.	511	system like NetBSD.
409		512
410	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it	513	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
411	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on	514	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
…		…
413		516
414	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the	517	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
415	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of	518	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
416	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never	519	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
417	cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to	520	cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
418	two event changes per incident, support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it	521	two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but
419	drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.	522	sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect
		523	cases
420		524
421	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.	525	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
422		526
423	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work	527	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
424	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken	528	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
425	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets	529	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
426	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop	530	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
427	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and using it only for	531	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (but C<poll> is of course
428	sockets.	532	also broken on OS X)) and, did I mention it, using it only for sockets.
		533
		534	This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
		535	C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
		536	C<NOTE_EOF>.
429		537
430	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)	538	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
431		539
432	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an	540	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
433	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets	541	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
…		…
446	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active	554	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
447	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file	555	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
448	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend	556	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
449	might perform better.	557	might perform better.
450		558
451	On the positive side, ignoring the spurious readiness notifications, this	559	On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
452	backend actually performed to specification in all tests and is fully	560	notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
453	embeddable, which is a rare feat among the OS-specific backends.	561	in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
		562	OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks).
		563
		564	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		565	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
454		566
455	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>	567	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
456		568
457	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried	569	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
458	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as	570	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
…		…
460		572
461	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.	573	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
462		574
463	=back	575	=back
464		576
465	If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these	577	If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value,
466	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are	578	then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed
467	specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.	579	here). If none are specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends
468		580	()> will be tried.
469	The most typical usage is like this:
470
471	if (!ev_default_loop (0))
472	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
473
474	Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
475	environment settings to be taken into account:
476
477	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
478
479	Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if
480	available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private
481	event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):
482
483	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
484
485	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
486
487	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
488	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
489	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
490	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
491
492	Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
493	libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
494	default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
495		581
496	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.	582	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
497		583
498	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);	584	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
499	if (!epoller)	585	if (!epoller)
500	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");	586	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
501		587
		588	Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
		589	used if available.
		590
		591	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_loop_new (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
		592
502	=item ev_default_destroy ()	593	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
503		594
504	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state	595	Destroys an event loop object (frees all memory and kernel state
505	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal	596	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
506	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your	597	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
507	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>	598	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
508	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually	599	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
509	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them	600	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
510	for example).	601	for example).
511		602
512	Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by	603	Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
513	this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers)	604	handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
514	would need to be stopped manually.	605	as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
515		606
516	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the	607	This function is normally used on loop objects allocated by
517	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling	608	C<ev_loop_new>, but it can also be used on the default loop returned by
		609	C<ev_default_loop>, in which case it is not thread-safe.
		610
		611	Note that it is not advisable to call this function on the default loop
		612	except in the rare occasion where you really need to free it's resources.
518	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use	613	If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use C<ev_loop_new>
519	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).	614	and C<ev_loop_destroy>.
520		615
521	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)	616	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
522		617
523	Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
524	earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
525
526	=item ev_default_fork ()
527
528	This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations	618	This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_run> iterations to
529	to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the	619	reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
530	name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in	620	name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in
531	the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little	621	the child process. You I<must> call it (or use C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>) in the
532	sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev	622	child before resuming or calling C<ev_run>.
533	functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration.	623
		624	Again, you I<have> to call it on I<any> loop that you want to re-use after
		625	a fork, I<even if you do not plan to use the loop in the parent>. This is
		626	because some kernel interfaces *cough* I<kqueue> *cough* do funny things
		627	during fork.
534		628
535	On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child	629	On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
536	process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If	630	process if and only if you want to use the event loop in the child. If
537	you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all.	631	you just fork+exec or create a new loop in the child, you don't have to
		632	call it at all (in fact, C<epoll> is so badly broken that it makes a
		633	difference, but libev will usually detect this case on its own and do a
		634	costly reset of the backend).
538		635
539	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call	636	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
540	it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in	637	it just in case after a fork.
541	quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
542		638
		639	Example: Automate calling C<ev_loop_fork> on the default loop when
		640	using pthreads.
		641
		642	static void
		643	post_fork_child (void)
		644	{
		645	ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
		646	}
		647
		648	...
543	pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);	649	pthread_atfork (0, 0, post_fork_child);
544
545	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
546
547	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
548	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
549	after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.
550		650
551	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)	651	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
552		652
553	Returns true when the given loop actually is the default loop, false otherwise.	653	Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
		654	otherwise.
554		655
555	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)	656	=item unsigned int ev_iteration (loop)
556		657
557	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to	658	Returns the current iteration count for the event loop, which is identical
558	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and	659	to the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0>
559	happily wraps around with enough iterations.	660	and happily wraps around with enough iterations.
560		661
561	This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it	662	This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
562	"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with	663	"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
563	C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls.	664	C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls - and is incremented between the
		665	prepare and check phases.
		666
		667	=item unsigned int ev_depth (loop)
		668
		669	Returns the number of times C<ev_run> was entered minus the number of
		670	times C<ev_run> was exited, in other words, the recursion depth.
		671
		672	Outside C<ev_run>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is
		673	C<1>, unless C<ev_run> was invoked recursively (or from another thread),
		674	in which case it is higher.
		675
		676	Leaving C<ev_run> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread
		677	etc.), doesn't count as "exit" - consider this as a hint to avoid such
		678	ungentleman-like behaviour unless it's really convenient.
564		679
565	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)	680	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
566		681
567	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in	682	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
568	use.	683	use.
…		…
573	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not	688	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
574	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base	689	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
575	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the	690	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
576	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).	691	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
577		692
		693	=item ev_now_update (loop)
		694
		695	Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
		696	returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
		697	is usually done automatically within C<ev_run ()>.
		698
		699	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
		700	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
		701	the current time is a good idea.
		702
		703	See also L<The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.
		704
		705	=item ev_suspend (loop)
		706
		707	=item ev_resume (loop)
		708
		709	These two functions suspend and resume an event loop, for use when the
		710	loop is not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
		711
		712	A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
		713	the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
		714	would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
		715	the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend>
		716	in your C<SIGTSTP> handler, sending yourself a C<SIGSTOP> and calling
		717	C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing.
		718
		719	Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend
		720	between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers
		721	will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
		722	occurred while suspended).
		723
		724	After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the
		725	given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume>
		726	without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
		727
		728	Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
		729	event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
		730
578	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)	731	=item ev_run (loop, int flags)
579		732
580	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called	733	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
581	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling	734	after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start
582	events.	735	handling events. It will ask the operating system for any new events, call
		736	the watcher callbacks, an then repeat the whole process indefinitely: This
		737	is why event loops are called I<loops>.
583		738
584	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until	739	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will keep handling events
585	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.	740	until either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_break> was
		741	called.
586		742
587	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than	743	Please note that an explicit C<ev_break> is usually better than
588	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has	744	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
589	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that	745	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
590	automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of	746	that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
591	relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty.	747	of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
		748	beauty.
592		749
593	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle	750	A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle
594	those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in	751	those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and
595	case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.	752	block your process in case there are no events and will return after one
		753	iteration of the loop. This is sometimes useful to poll and handle new
		754	events while doing lengthy calculations, to keep the program responsive.
596		755
597	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if	756	A flags value of C<EVRUN_ONCE> will look for new events (waiting if
598	necessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block	757	necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
599	your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after	758	will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
600	one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some	759	be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
601	external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other	760	user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
		761	iteration of the loop.
		762
		763	This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
		764	with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
602	libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is	765	own C<ev_run>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
603	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.	766	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
604		767
605	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:	768	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does:
606		769
		770	- Increment loop depth.
		771	- Reset the ev_break status.
607	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.	772	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
		773	LOOP:
608	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.	774	- If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
609	- If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.	775	- If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
610	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.	776	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.
		777	- If ev_break was called, goto FINISH.
611	- If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state	778	- If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
612	as to not disturb the other process.	779	as to not disturb the other process.
613	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.	780	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
614	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).	781	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
615	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all	782	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
616	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having	783	(active idle watchers, EVRUN_NOWAIT or not having
617	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).	784	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
618	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.	785	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
		786	- Increment loop iteration counter.
619	- Block the process, waiting for any events.	787	- Block the process, waiting for any events.
620	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.	788	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
621	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.	789	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
622	- Queue all outstanding timers.	790	- Queue all expired timers.
623	- Queue all outstanding periodics.	791	- Queue all expired periodics.
624	- Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.	792	- Queue all idle watchers with priority higher than that of pending events.
625	- Queue all check watchers.	793	- Queue all check watchers.
626	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).	794	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
627	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will	795	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
628	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.	796	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
629	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK	797	- If ev_break has been called, or EVRUN_ONCE or EVRUN_NOWAIT
630	were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise	798	were used, or there are no active watchers, goto FINISH, otherwise
631	continue with step *.	799	continue with step LOOP.
		800	FINISH:
		801	- Reset the ev_break status iff it was EVBREAK_ONE.
		802	- Decrement the loop depth.
		803	- Return.
632		804
633	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding	805	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
634	anymore.	806	anymore.
635		807
636	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long	808	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
637	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)	809	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
638	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);	810	ev_run (my_loop, 0);
639	... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!	811	... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
640		812
641	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)	813	=item ev_break (loop, how)
642		814
643	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it	815	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it
644	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either	816	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
645	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or	817	C<EVBREAK_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_run> call return, or
646	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.	818	C<EVBREAK_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_run> calls return.
647		819
648	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.	820	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_run> again.
		821
		822	It is safe to call C<ev_break> from outside any C<ev_run> calls. ##TODO##
649		823
650	=item ev_ref (loop)	824	=item ev_ref (loop)
651		825
652	=item ev_unref (loop)	826	=item ev_unref (loop)
653		827
654	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event	828	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
655	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference	829	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
656	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. If you have	830	count is nonzero, C<ev_run> will not return on its own.
657	a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> from	831
658	returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For	832	This is useful when you have a watcher that you never intend to
		833	unregister, but that nevertheless should not keep C<ev_run> from
		834	returning. In such a case, call C<ev_unref> after starting, and C<ev_ref>
		835	before stopping it.
		836
659	example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not	837	As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
660	visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if	838	is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_run> from
661	no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent	839	exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
662	way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party	840	excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
663	libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>	841	third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref
664	(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,	842	before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active
665	respectively).	843	before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself
		844	(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref>
		845	in the callback).
666		846
667	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>	847	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_run>
668	running when nothing else is active.	848	running when nothing else is active.
669		849
670	struct ev_signal exitsig;	850	ev_signal exitsig;
671	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);	851	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
672	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);	852	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
673	evf_unref (loop);	853	evf_unref (loop);
674		854
675	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.	855	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
…		…
689	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)	869	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
690	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks	870	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
691	to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving	871	to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
692	opportunities).	872	opportunities).
693		873
694	The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to	874	The idea is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to handle
695	handle one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes	875	one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes the
696	the program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new	876	program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
697	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high	877	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
698	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.	878	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
699		879
700	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more	880	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
701	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,	881	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
702	at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and	882	at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
703	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will	883	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
704	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.	884	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
		885	sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
		886	once per this interval, on average.
705		887
706	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev	888	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
707	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased	889	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
708	latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers	890	latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
709	will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will not introduce	891	later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
710	any overhead in libev.	892	value will not introduce any overhead in libev.
711		893
712	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect	894	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
713	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for	895	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
714	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It	896	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
715	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,	897	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
716	as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems.	898	as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. Note that if
		899	you do transactions with the outside world and you can't increase the
		900	parallelity, then this setting will limit your transaction rate (if you
		901	need to poll once per transaction and the I/O collect interval is 0.01,
		902	then you can't do more than 100 transactions per second).
717		903
718	Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for	904	Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
719	saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that	905	saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
720	are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of	906	are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
721	times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to	907	times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
722	reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure	908	reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
723	they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.	909	they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
724		910
		911	Example: we only need 0.1s timeout granularity, and we wish not to poll
		912	more often than 100 times per second:
		913
		914	ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.1);
		915	ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01);
		916
		917	=item ev_invoke_pending (loop)
		918
		919	This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their
		920	pending state. Normally, C<ev_run> does this automatically when required,
		921	but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy. This
		922	function can be invoked from a watcher - this can be useful for example
		923	when you want to do some lengthy calculation and want to pass further
		924	event handling to another thread (you still have to make sure only one
		925	thread executes within C<ev_invoke_pending> or C<ev_run> of course).
		926
		927	=item int ev_pending_count (loop)
		928
		929	Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers
		930	are pending.
		931
		932	=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P))
		933
		934	This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of
		935	invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_run> will call
		936	this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to
		937	invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
		938
		939	If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
		940	callback.
		941
		942	=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P), void (*acquire)(EV_P))
		943
		944	Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
		945	can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
		946	each call to a libev function.
		947
		948	However, C<ev_run> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible
		949	to wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the event
		950	loop via C<ev_break> and C<av_async_send>, another way is to set these
		951	I<release> and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
		952
		953	When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
		954	suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
		955	afterwards.
		956
		957	Ideally, C<release> will just call your mutex_unlock function, and
		958	C<acquire> will just call the mutex_lock function again.
		959
		960	While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of
		961	C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no
		962	modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will
		963	have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time
		964	waited. Use an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_run> when you want it
		965	to take note of any changes you made.
		966
		967	In theory, threads executing C<ev_run> will be async-cancel safe between
		968	invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>.
		969
		970	See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this
		971	document.
		972
		973	=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data)
		974
		975	=item ev_userdata (loop)
		976
		977	Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When
		978	C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns
		979	C<0.>
		980
		981	These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop,
		982	and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and
		983	C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for
		984	any other purpose as well.
		985
725	=item ev_loop_verify (loop)	986	=item ev_verify (loop)
726		987
727	This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been	988	This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
728	compiled in. It tries to go through all internal structures and checks	989	compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
729	them for validity. If anything is found to be inconsistent, it will print	990	through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
730	an error message to standard error and call C<abort ()>.	991	is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
		992	error and call C<abort ()>.
731		993
732	This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal	994	This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
733	circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its	995	circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
734	data structures consistent.	996	data structures consistent.
735		997
736	=back	998	=back
737		999
738		1000
739	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER	1001	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
740		1002
		1003	In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
		1004	watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
		1005	watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
		1006
741	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your	1007	A watcher is an opaque structure that you allocate and register to record
742	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to	1008	your interest in some event. To make a concrete example, imagine you want
743	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:	1009	to wait for STDIN to become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher
		1010	for that:
744		1011
745	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1012	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
746	{	1013	{
747	ev_io_stop (w);	1014	ev_io_stop (w);
748	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	1015	ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
749	}	1016	}
750		1017
751	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	1018	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
		1019
752	struct ev_io stdin_watcher;	1020	ev_io stdin_watcher;
		1021
753	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);	1022	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
754	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1023	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
755	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	1024	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
		1025
756	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1026	ev_run (loop, 0);
757		1027
758	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your	1028	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
759	watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack,	1029	watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
760	although this can sometimes be quite valid).	1030	stack).
761		1031
		1032	Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
		1033	or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
		1034
762	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init	1035	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init (watcher
763	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This	1036	*, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This callback is
764	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O	1037	invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O watchers, each
765	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given	1038	time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given is readable
766	is readable and/or writable).	1039	and/or writable).
767		1040
768	Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro	1041	Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
769	with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro	1042	macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
770	to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< ev_<type>_init	1043	is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
771	(watcher *, callback, ...) >>.	1044	ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
772		1045
773	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it	1046	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it
774	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_<type>_start (loop, watcher	1047	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
775	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the	1048	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
776	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.	1049	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
777		1050
778	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you	1051	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
779	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never	1052	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
780	reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro.	1053	reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
781		1054
782	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the	1055	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
783	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as	1056	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
784	third argument.	1057	third argument.
785		1058
…		…
794	=item C<EV_WRITE>	1067	=item C<EV_WRITE>
795		1068
796	The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or	1069	The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or
797	writable.	1070	writable.
798		1071
799	=item C<EV_TIMEOUT>	1072	=item C<EV_TIMER>
800		1073
801	The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.	1074	The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.
802		1075
803	=item C<EV_PERIODIC>	1076	=item C<EV_PERIODIC>
804		1077
…		…
822		1095
823	=item C<EV_PREPARE>	1096	=item C<EV_PREPARE>
824		1097
825	=item C<EV_CHECK>	1098	=item C<EV_CHECK>
826		1099
827	All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_loop> starts	1100	All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_run> starts
828	to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after	1101	to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after
829	C<ev_loop> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any	1102	C<ev_run> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any
830	received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as	1103	received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as
831	many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account	1104	many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account
832	(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep	1105	(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep
833	C<ev_loop> from blocking).	1106	C<ev_run> from blocking).
834		1107
835	=item C<EV_EMBED>	1108	=item C<EV_EMBED>
836		1109
837	The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.	1110	The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.
838		1111
…		…
842	C<ev_fork>).	1115	C<ev_fork>).
843		1116
844	=item C<EV_ASYNC>	1117	=item C<EV_ASYNC>
845		1118
846	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).	1119	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
		1120
		1121	=item C<EV_CUSTOM>
		1122
		1123	Not ever sent (or otherwise used) by libev itself, but can be freely used
		1124	by libev users to signal watchers (e.g. via C<ev_feed_event>).
847		1125
848	=item C<EV_ERROR>	1126	=item C<EV_ERROR>
849		1127
850	An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might	1128	An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
851	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev	1129	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
852	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other	1130	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
		1131	problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
		1132
853	problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping	1133	You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
854	with the watcher being stopped.	1134	watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
		1135	an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
		1136	bug in your program.
855		1137
856	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error,	1138	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
857	for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if	1139	example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
858	your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope	1140	callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
859	with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded	1141	the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
860	programs, though, so beware.	1142	programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
		1143	thing, so beware.
861		1144
862	=back	1145	=back
863		1146
		1147	=head2 WATCHER STATES
		1148
		1149	There are various watcher states mentioned throughout this manual -
		1150	active, pending and so on. In this section these states and the rules to
		1151	transition between them will be described in more detail - and while these
		1152	rules might look complicated, they usually do "the right thing".
		1153
		1154	=over 4
		1155
		1156	=item initialiased
		1157
		1158	Before a watcher can be registered with the event looop it has to be
		1159	initialised. This can be done with a call to C<ev_TYPE_init>, or calls to
		1160	C<ev_init> followed by the watcher-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> function.
		1161
		1162	In this state it is simply some block of memory that is suitable for use
		1163	in an event loop. It can be moved around, freed, reused etc. at will.
		1164
		1165	=item started/running/active
		1166
		1167	Once a watcher has been started with a call to C<ev_TYPE_start> it becomes
		1168	property of the event loop, and is actively waiting for events. While in
		1169	this state it cannot be accessed (except in a few documented ways), moved,
		1170	freed or anything else - the only legal thing is to keep a pointer to it,
		1171	and call libev functions on it that are documented to work on active watchers.
		1172
		1173	=item pending
		1174
		1175	If a watcher is active and libev determines that an event it is interested
		1176	in has occurred (such as a timer expiring), it will become pending. It will
		1177	stay in this pending state until either it is stopped or its callback is
		1178	about to be invoked, so it is not normally pending inside the watcher
		1179	callback.
		1180
		1181	The watcher might or might not be active while it is pending (for example,
		1182	an expired non-repeating timer can be pending but no longer active). If it
		1183	is stopped, it can be freely accessed (e.g. by calling C<ev_TYPE_set>),
		1184	but it is still property of the event loop at this time, so cannot be
		1185	moved, freed or reused. And if it is active the rules described in the
		1186	previous item still apply.
		1187
		1188	It is also possible to feed an event on a watcher that is not active (e.g.
		1189	via C<ev_feed_event>), in which case it becomes pending without being
		1190	active.
		1191
		1192	=item stopped
		1193
		1194	A watcher can be stopped implicitly by libev (in which case it might still
		1195	be pending), or explicitly by calling its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function. The
		1196	latter will clear any pending state the watcher might be in, regardless
		1197	of whether it was active or not, so stopping a watcher explicitly before
		1198	freeing it is often a good idea.
		1199
		1200	While stopped (and not pending) the watcher is essentially in the
		1201	initialised state, that is it can be reused, moved, modified in any way
		1202	you wish.
		1203
		1204	=back
		1205
864	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS	1206	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
865
866	In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
867	e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
868		1207
869	=over 4	1208	=over 4
870		1209
871	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	1210	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
872		1211
…		…
878	which rolls both calls into one.	1217	which rolls both calls into one.
879		1218
880	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped	1219	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
881	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.	1220	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
882		1221
883	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,	1222	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
884	int revents)>.	1223	int revents)>.
885		1224
		1225	Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
		1226
		1227	ev_io w;
		1228	ev_init (&w, my_cb);
		1229	ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
		1230
886	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])	1231	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *watcher, [args])
887		1232
888	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to	1233	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
889	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can	1234	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
890	call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this	1235	call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this
891	macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a	1236	macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a
892	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).	1237	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
893		1238
894	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments	1239	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
895	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.	1240	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
896		1241
		1242	See C<ev_init>, above, for an example.
		1243
897	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])	1244	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
898		1245
899	This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro	1246	This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
900	calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise	1247	calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
901	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.	1248	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
902		1249
		1250	Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
		1251
		1252	ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
		1253
903	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1254	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
904		1255
905	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive	1256	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
906	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.	1257	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
907		1258
		1259	Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
		1260	whole section.
		1261
		1262	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
		1263
908	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1264	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
909		1265
910	Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending	1266	Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
		1267	the watcher was active or not).
		1268
911	status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example,	1269	It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
912	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but	1270	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending - but
913	C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If	1271	calling C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor
914	you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a	1272	pending. If you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is
915	good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.	1273	therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
916		1274
917	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1275	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
918		1276
919	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started	1277	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
920	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify	1278	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
…		…
936	=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	1294	=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
937		1295
938	Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time	1296	Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
939	(modulo threads).	1297	(modulo threads).
940		1298
941	=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority)	1299	=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority)
942		1300
943	=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1301	=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
944		1302
945	Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small	1303	Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
946	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>	1304	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
947	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked	1305	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
948	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers	1306	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
949	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).	1307	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
950		1308
951	This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
952	invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
953	example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
954	watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
955
956	If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending	1309	If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
957	you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.	1310	you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
958		1311
959	You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or	1312	You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
960	pending.	1313	pending.
961		1314
		1315	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
		1316	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
		1317	or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
		1318
962	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is	1319	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
963	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).	1320	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
964		1321
965	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is	1322	See L<WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of
966	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might	1323	priorities.
967	or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.
968		1324
969	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)	1325	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
970		1326
971	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither	1327	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
972	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback	1328	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
973	can deal with that fact.	1329	can deal with that fact, as both are simply passed through to the
		1330	callback.
974		1331
975	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1332	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
976		1333
977	If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status	1334	If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
978	and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the	1335	returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
979	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.	1336	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
980		1337
		1338	Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
		1339	callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
		1340
		1341	=item ev_feed_event (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
		1342
		1343	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
		1344	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
		1345	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). Obviously you must
		1346	not free the watcher as long as it has pending events.
		1347
		1348	Stopping the watcher, letting libev invoke it, or calling
		1349	C<ev_clear_pending> will clear the pending event, even if the watcher was
		1350	not started in the first place.
		1351
		1352	See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related
		1353	functions that do not need a watcher.
		1354
981	=back	1355	=back
982		1356
983		1357
984	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER	1358	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
985		1359
986	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change	1360	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
987	and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used	1361	and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
988	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and	1362	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
989	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data	1363	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
990	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own	1364	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
991	data:	1365	data:
992		1366
993	struct my_io	1367	struct my_io
994	{	1368	{
995	struct ev_io io;	1369	ev_io io;
996	int otherfd;	1370	int otherfd;
997	void *somedata;	1371	void *somedata;
998	struct whatever *mostinteresting;	1372	struct whatever *mostinteresting;
999	}	1373	};
		1374
		1375	...
		1376	struct my_io w;
		1377	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
1000		1378
1001	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you	1379	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
1002	can cast it back to your own type:	1380	can cast it back to your own type:
1003		1381
1004	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents)	1382	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
1005	{	1383	{
1006	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;	1384	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
1007	...	1385	...
1008	}	1386	}
1009		1387
1010	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type	1388	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
1011	instead have been omitted.	1389	instead have been omitted.
1012		1390
1013	Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple	1391	Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
1014	watchers:	1392	embedded watchers:
1015		1393
1016	struct my_biggy	1394	struct my_biggy
1017	{	1395	{
1018	int some_data;	1396	int some_data;
1019	ev_timer t1;	1397	ev_timer t1;
1020	ev_timer t2;	1398	ev_timer t2;
1021	}	1399	}
1022		1400
1023	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,	1401	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
1024	you need to use C<offsetof>:	1402	complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
		1403	in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
		1404	some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
		1405	programmers):
1025		1406
1026	#include <stddef.h>	1407	#include <stddef.h>
1027		1408
1028	static void	1409	static void
1029	t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1410	t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1030	{	1411	{
1031	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1412	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1032	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));	1413	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
1033	}	1414	}
1034		1415
1035	static void	1416	static void
1036	t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1417	t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1037	{	1418	{
1038	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1419	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1039	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));	1420	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
1040	}	1421	}
		1422
		1423	=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
		1424
		1425	Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small
		1426	integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation
		1427	between watchers in some way, all else being equal.
		1428
		1429	In libev, Watcher priorities can be set using C<ev_set_priority>. See its
		1430	description for the more technical details such as the actual priority
		1431	range.
		1432
		1433	There are two common ways how these these priorities are being interpreted
		1434	by event loops:
		1435
		1436	In the more common lock-out model, higher priorities "lock out" invocation
		1437	of lower priority watchers, which means as long as higher priority
		1438	watchers receive events, lower priority watchers are not being invoked.
		1439
		1440	The less common only-for-ordering model uses priorities solely to order
		1441	callback invocation within a single event loop iteration: Higher priority
		1442	watchers are invoked before lower priority ones, but they all get invoked
		1443	before polling for new events.
		1444
		1445	Libev uses the second (only-for-ordering) model for all its watchers
		1446	except for idle watchers (which use the lock-out model).
		1447
		1448	The rationale behind this is that implementing the lock-out model for
		1449	watchers is not well supported by most kernel interfaces, and most event
		1450	libraries will just poll for the same events again and again as long as
		1451	their callbacks have not been executed, which is very inefficient in the
		1452	common case of one high-priority watcher locking out a mass of lower
		1453	priority ones.
		1454
		1455	Static (ordering) priorities are most useful when you have two or more
		1456	watchers handling the same resource: a typical usage example is having an
		1457	C<ev_io> watcher to receive data, and an associated C<ev_timer> to handle
		1458	timeouts. Under load, data might be received while the program handles
		1459	other jobs, but since timers normally get invoked first, the timeout
		1460	handler will be executed before checking for data. In that case, giving
		1461	the timer a lower priority than the I/O watcher ensures that I/O will be
		1462	handled first even under adverse conditions (which is usually, but not
		1463	always, what you want).
		1464
		1465	Since idle watchers use the "lock-out" model, meaning that idle watchers
		1466	will only be executed when no same or higher priority watchers have
		1467	received events, they can be used to implement the "lock-out" model when
		1468	required.
		1469
		1470	For example, to emulate how many other event libraries handle priorities,
		1471	you can associate an C<ev_idle> watcher to each such watcher, and in
		1472	the normal watcher callback, you just start the idle watcher. The real
		1473	processing is done in the idle watcher callback. This causes libev to
		1474	continuously poll and process kernel event data for the watcher, but when
		1475	the lock-out case is known to be rare (which in turn is rare :), this is
		1476	workable.
		1477
		1478	Usually, however, the lock-out model implemented that way will perform
		1479	miserably under the type of load it was designed to handle. In that case,
		1480	it might be preferable to stop the real watcher before starting the
		1481	idle watcher, so the kernel will not have to process the event in case
		1482	the actual processing will be delayed for considerable time.
		1483
		1484	Here is an example of an I/O watcher that should run at a strictly lower
		1485	priority than the default, and which should only process data when no
		1486	other events are pending:
		1487
		1488	ev_idle idle; // actual processing watcher
		1489	ev_io io; // actual event watcher
		1490
		1491	static void
		1492	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
		1493	{
		1494	// stop the I/O watcher, we received the event, but
		1495	// are not yet ready to handle it.
		1496	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
		1497
		1498	// start the idle watcher to handle the actual event.
		1499	// it will not be executed as long as other watchers
		1500	// with the default priority are receiving events.
		1501	ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle);
		1502	}
		1503
		1504	static void
		1505	idle_cb (EV_P_ ev_idle *w, int revents)
		1506	{
		1507	// actual processing
		1508	read (STDIN_FILENO, ...);
		1509
		1510	// have to start the I/O watcher again, as
		1511	// we have handled the event
		1512	ev_io_start (EV_P_ &io);
		1513	}
		1514
		1515	// initialisation
		1516	ev_idle_init (&idle, idle_cb);
		1517	ev_io_init (&io, io_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
		1518	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &io);
		1519
		1520	In the "real" world, it might also be beneficial to start a timer, so that
		1521	low-priority connections can not be locked out forever under load. This
		1522	enables your program to keep a lower latency for important connections
		1523	during short periods of high load, while not completely locking out less
		1524	important ones.
1041		1525
1042		1526
1043	=head1 WATCHER TYPES	1527	=head1 WATCHER TYPES
1044		1528
1045	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat	1529	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
…		…
1069	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per	1553	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
1070	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file	1554	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
1071	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not	1555	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1072	required if you know what you are doing).	1556	required if you know what you are doing).
1073		1557
1074	If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend	1558	If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
1075	(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and	1559	known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
1076	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).	1560	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). The same applies to file
		1561	descriptors for which non-blocking operation makes no sense (such as
		1562	files) - libev doesn't guarantee any specific behaviour in that case.
1077		1563
1078	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to	1564	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1079	receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might	1565	receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
1080	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block	1566	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1081	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a	1567	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
1082	lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into	1568	lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
1083	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus	1569	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
1084	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning	1570	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1085	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.	1571	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1086		1572
1087	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not	1573	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
1088	play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately re-test	1574	not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
1089	whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface	1575	re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
1090	such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on	1576	interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already
1091	its own, so its quite safe to use).	1577	does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
		1578	use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
		1579	indefinitely.
		1580
		1581	But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1092		1582
1093	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors	1583	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1094		1584
1095	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file	1585	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
1096	descriptor (either by calling C<close> explicitly or by any other means,	1586	descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means,
1097	such as C<dup>). The reason is that you register interest in some file	1587	such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
1098	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop	1588	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
1099	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is	1589	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
1100	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in	1590	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
1101	fact, a different file descriptor.	1591	fact, a different file descriptor.
1102		1592
…		…
1133	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or	1623	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1134	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	1624	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1135		1625
1136	=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE	1626	=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1137		1627
1138	While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about SIGPIPE:	1628	While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
1139	when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets	1629	when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
1140	send a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs	1630	sent a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
1141	this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.	1631	this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
1142		1632
1143	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you	1633	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1144	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon	1634	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1145	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).	1635	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1146		1636
		1637	=head3 The special problem of accept()ing when you can't
		1638
		1639	Many implementations of the POSIX C<accept> function (for example,
		1640	found in post-2004 Linux) have the peculiar behaviour of not removing a
		1641	connection from the pending queue in all error cases.
		1642
		1643	For example, larger servers often run out of file descriptors (because
		1644	of resource limits), causing C<accept> to fail with C<ENFILE> but not
		1645	rejecting the connection, leading to libev signalling readiness on
		1646	the next iteration again (the connection still exists after all), and
		1647	typically causing the program to loop at 100% CPU usage.
		1648
		1649	Unfortunately, the set of errors that cause this issue differs between
		1650	operating systems, there is usually little the app can do to remedy the
		1651	situation, and no known thread-safe method of removing the connection to
		1652	cope with overload is known (to me).
		1653
		1654	One of the easiest ways to handle this situation is to just ignore it
		1655	- when the program encounters an overload, it will just loop until the
		1656	situation is over. While this is a form of busy waiting, no OS offers an
		1657	event-based way to handle this situation, so it's the best one can do.
		1658
		1659	A better way to handle the situation is to log any errors other than
		1660	C<EAGAIN> and C<EWOULDBLOCK>, making sure not to flood the log with such
		1661	messages, and continue as usual, which at least gives the user an idea of
		1662	what could be wrong ("raise the ulimit!"). For extra points one could stop
		1663	the C<ev_io> watcher on the listening fd "for a while", which reduces CPU
		1664	usage.
		1665
		1666	If your program is single-threaded, then you could also keep a dummy file
		1667	descriptor for overload situations (e.g. by opening F</dev/null>), and
		1668	when you run into C<ENFILE> or C<EMFILE>, close it, run C<accept>,
		1669	close that fd, and create a new dummy fd. This will gracefully refuse
		1670	clients under typical overload conditions.
		1671
		1672	The last way to handle it is to simply log the error and C<exit>, as
		1673	is often done with C<malloc> failures, but this results in an easy
		1674	opportunity for a DoS attack.
1147		1675
1148	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions	1676	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1149		1677
1150	=over 4	1678	=over 4
1151		1679
1152	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)	1680	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
1153		1681
1154	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)	1682	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
1155		1683
1156	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to	1684	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
1157	receive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or	1685	receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
1158	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.	1686	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.
1159		1687
1160	=item int fd [read-only]	1688	=item int fd [read-only]
1161		1689
1162	The file descriptor being watched.	1690	The file descriptor being watched.
1163		1691
…		…
1172	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well	1700	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
1173	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could	1701	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
1174	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.	1702	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
1175		1703
1176	static void	1704	static void
1177	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1705	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1178	{	1706	{
1179	ev_io_stop (loop, w);	1707	ev_io_stop (loop, w);
1180	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors	1708	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
1181	}	1709	}
1182		1710
1183	...	1711	...
1184	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	1712	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1185	struct ev_io stdin_readable;	1713	ev_io stdin_readable;
1186	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1714	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1187	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);	1715	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1188	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1716	ev_run (loop, 0);
1189		1717
1190		1718
1191	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts	1719	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1192		1720
1193	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a	1721	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1194	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.	1722	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
1195		1723
1196	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that	1724	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
1197	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last	1725	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
1198	year, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because	1726	year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
1199	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the	1727	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1200	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).	1728	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1201		1729
1202	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only after its timeout has passed,	1730	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1203	but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then	1731	passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
1204	order of execution is undefined.	1732	might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the
		1733	same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked
		1734	before ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is
		1735	no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
		1736
		1737	=head3 Be smart about timeouts
		1738
		1739	Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
		1740	recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
		1741	you want to raise some error after a while.
		1742
		1743	What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
		1744	inefficient to smart and efficient.
		1745
		1746	In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
		1747	gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
		1748	data or other life sign was received).
		1749
		1750	=over 4
		1751
		1752	=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
		1753
		1754	This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
		1755	start the watcher:
		1756
		1757	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
		1758	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1759
		1760	Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
		1761	and start it again:
		1762
		1763	ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
		1764	ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
		1765	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1766
		1767	This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
		1768	some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
		1769	data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
		1770	still not a constant-time operation.
		1771
		1772	=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
		1773
		1774	This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
		1775	C<ev_timer_start>.
		1776
		1777	To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
		1778	of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
		1779	successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
		1780	you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
		1781	the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
		1782
		1783	That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
		1784	C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
		1785	member and C<ev_timer_again>.
		1786
		1787	At start:
		1788
		1789	ev_init (timer, callback);
		1790	timer->repeat = 60.;
		1791	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1792
		1793	Each time there is some activity:
		1794
		1795	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1796
		1797	It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
		1798	whether the watcher is active or not:
		1799
		1800	timer->repeat = 30.;
		1801	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1802
		1803	This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
		1804	you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
		1805	remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
		1806
		1807	It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
		1808
		1809	=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
		1810
		1811	This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
		1812	relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
		1813	our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
		1814	associated activity resets.
		1815
		1816	In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
		1817	but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
		1818	within the callback:
		1819
		1820	ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
		1821
		1822	static void
		1823	callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		1824	{
		1825	ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);
		1826	ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
		1827
		1828	// if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
		1829	if (timeout < now)
		1830	{
		1831	// timeout occurred, take action
		1832	}
		1833	else
		1834	{
		1835	// callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
		1836	// the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
		1837	// guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
		1838	w->repeat = timeout - now;
		1839	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
		1840	}
		1841	}
		1842
		1843	To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
		1844	as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has
		1845	been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise
		1846	the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so
		1847	re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
		1848	a timeout then.
		1849
		1850	Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the
		1851	C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.
		1852
		1853	This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
		1854	minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
		1855	libev to change the timeout.
		1856
		1857	To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
		1858	to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
		1859	callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
		1860
		1861	ev_init (timer, callback);
		1862	last_activity = ev_now (loop);
		1863	callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMER);
		1864
		1865	And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
		1866	C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
		1867
		1868	last_activity = ev_now (loop);
		1869
		1870	This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
		1871	time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
		1872
		1873	Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
		1874	callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
		1875	fix things for you.
		1876
		1877	=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
		1878
		1879	If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
		1880	employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
		1881	do even better:
		1882
		1883	When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
		1884	at the I<end> of the list.
		1885
		1886	Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
		1887	the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
		1888
		1889	When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
		1890	the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
		1891	update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
		1892
		1893	This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
		1894	starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
		1895	complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
		1896	ensures that the list stays sorted.
		1897
		1898	=back
		1899
		1900	So which method the best?
		1901
		1902	Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
		1903	situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
		1904	better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
		1905	one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
		1906
		1907	Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
		1908	rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
		1909	off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
		1910	overkill :)
1205		1911
1206	=head3 The special problem of time updates	1912	=head3 The special problem of time updates
1207		1913
1208	Requesting the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at	1914	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
1209	least two syscalls): EV therefore updates it's idea of the current time	1915	least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
1210	only before and after C<ev_loop> polls for new events, which causes the	1916	time only before and after C<ev_run> collects new events, which causes a
1211	difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()>.	1917	growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
		1918	lots of events in one iteration.
1212		1919
1213	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>	1920	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1214	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time	1921	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1215	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If	1922	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
1216	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the	1923	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
1217	timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:	1924	timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
1218		1925
1219	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);	1926	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
1220		1927
		1928	If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
		1929	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
		1930	()>.
		1931
		1932	=head3 The special problems of suspended animation
		1933
		1934	When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that
		1935	can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?
		1936
		1937	Some quick tests made with a Linux 2.6.28 indicate that a suspend freezes
		1938	all processes, while the clocks (C<times>, C<CLOCK_MONOTONIC>) continue
		1939	to run until the system is suspended, but they will not advance while the
		1940	system is suspended. That means, on resume, it will be as if the program
		1941	was frozen for a few seconds, but the suspend time will not be counted
		1942	towards C<ev_timer> when a monotonic clock source is used. The real time
		1943	clock advanced as expected, but if it is used as sole clocksource, then a
		1944	long suspend would be detected as a time jump by libev, and timers would
		1945	be adjusted accordingly.
		1946
		1947	I would not be surprised to see different behaviour in different between
		1948	operating systems, OS versions or even different hardware.
		1949
		1950	The other form of suspend (job control, or sending a SIGSTOP) will see a
		1951	time jump in the monotonic clocks and the realtime clock. If the program
		1952	is suspended for a very long time, and monotonic clock sources are in use,
		1953	then you can expect C<ev_timer>s to expire as the full suspension time
		1954	will be counted towards the timers. When no monotonic clock source is in
		1955	use, then libev will again assume a timejump and adjust accordingly.
		1956
		1957	It might be beneficial for this latter case to call C<ev_suspend>
		1958	and C<ev_resume> in code that handles C<SIGTSTP>, to at least get
		1959	deterministic behaviour in this case (you can do nothing against
		1960	C<SIGSTOP>).
		1961
1221	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1962	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1222		1963
1223	=over 4	1964	=over 4
1224		1965
1225	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1966	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
…		…
1248	If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).	1989	If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
1249		1990
1250	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the	1991	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
1251	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.	1992	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1252		1993
1253	This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical	1994	This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
1254	example: Imagine you have a TCP connection and you want a so-called idle	1995	usage example.
1255	timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
1256	seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
1257	configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
1258	C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
1259	you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
1260	socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
1261	automatically restart it if need be.
1262		1996
1263	That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>	1997	=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
1264	altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
1265		1998
1266	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);	1999	Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
1267	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);	2000	then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's
1268	...	2001	the timeout value currently configured.
1269	timer->again = 17.;
1270	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1271	...
1272	timer->again = 10.;
1273	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1274		2002
1275	This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time	2003	That is, after an C<ev_timer_set (w, 5, 7)>, C<ev_timer_remaining> returns
1276	you want to modify its timeout value.	2004	C<5>. When the timer is started and one second passes, C<ev_timer_remaining>
		2005	will return C<4>. When the timer expires and is restarted, it will return
		2006	roughly C<7> (likely slightly less as callback invocation takes some time,
		2007	too), and so on.
1277		2008
1278	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]	2009	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1279		2010
1280	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out	2011	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1281	or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),	2012	or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1282	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.	2013	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
1283		2014
1284	=back	2015	=back
1285		2016
1286	=head3 Examples	2017	=head3 Examples
1287		2018
1288	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.	2019	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1289		2020
1290	static void	2021	static void
1291	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	2022	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1292	{	2023	{
1293	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here	2024	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1294	}	2025	}
1295		2026
1296	struct ev_timer mytimer;	2027	ev_timer mytimer;
1297	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);	2028	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1298	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);	2029	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1299		2030
1300	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of	2031	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1301	inactivity.	2032	inactivity.
1302		2033
1303	static void	2034	static void
1304	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	2035	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1305	{	2036	{
1306	.. ten seconds without any activity	2037	.. ten seconds without any activity
1307	}	2038	}
1308		2039
1309	struct ev_timer mytimer;	2040	ev_timer mytimer;
1310	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */	2041	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1311	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */	2042	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1312	ev_loop (loop, 0);	2043	ev_run (loop, 0);
1313		2044
1314	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":	2045	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1315	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds	2046	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1316	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);	2047	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1317		2048
…		…
1319	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?	2050	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1320		2051
1321	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile	2052	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1322	(and unfortunately a bit complex).	2053	(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1323		2054
1324	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)	2055	Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
1325	but on wall clock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher	2056	relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
1326	to trigger after some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a	2057	(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calender or clock). The
1327	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now ()	2058	difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
1328	+ 10.>, that is, an absolute time not a delay) and then reset your system	2059	time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
1329	clock to January of the previous year, then it will take more than year	2060	wrist-watch).
1330	to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger
1331	roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
1332		2061
		2062	You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
		2063	in time: for example, if you tell a periodic watcher to trigger "in 10
		2064	seconds" (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now () + 10.>, that is, an absolute time
		2065	not a delay) and then reset your system clock to January of the previous
		2066	year, then it will take a year or more to trigger the event (unlike an
		2067	C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting
		2068	it, as it uses a relative timeout).
		2069
1333	C<ev_periodic>s can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers,	2070	C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex
1334	such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other	2071	timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or
1335	complicated, rules.	2072	other complicated rules. This cannot be done with C<ev_timer> watchers, as
		2073	those cannot react to time jumps.
1336		2074
1337	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the	2075	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1338	time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready	2076	point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
1339	during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.	2077	timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
		2078	earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
		2079	(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1340		2080
1341	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2081	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1342		2082
1343	=over 4	2083	=over 4
1344		2084
1345	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)	2085	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1346		2086
1347	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)	2087	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1348		2088
1349	Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of	2089	Lots of arguments, let's sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1350	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:	2090	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1351		2091
1352	=over 4	2092	=over 4
1353		2093
1354	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)	2094	=item * absolute timer (offset = absolute time, interval = 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1355		2095
1356	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock	2096	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1357	time C<at> has passed and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time	2097	time C<offset> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a
1358	jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will	2098	time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it
1359	run when the system time reaches or surpasses this time.	2099	will be stopped and invoked when the system clock reaches or surpasses
		2100	this point in time.
1360		2101
1361	=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)	2102	=item * repeating interval timer (offset = offset within interval, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1362		2103
1363	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next	2104	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1364	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)	2105	C<offset + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be
1365	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.	2106	negative) and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. The C<offset>
		2107	argument is merely an offset into the C<interval> periods.
1366		2108
1367	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system	2109	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1368	time, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each hour, on	2110	system clock, for example, here is an C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
1369	the hour:	2111	hour, on the hour (with respect to UTC):
1370		2112
1371	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);	2113	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1372		2114
1373	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,	2115	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1374	but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a	2116	but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1375	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible	2117	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1376	by 3600.	2118	by 3600.
1377		2119
1378	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that	2120	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1379	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible	2121	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1380	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.	2122	time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1381		2123
1382	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near	2124	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<offset> value is near
1383	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for	2125	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1384	this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.	2126	this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
1385		2127
1386	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU	2128	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
1387	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability	2129	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
1388	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one	2130	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
1389	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).	2131	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
1390		2132
1391	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)	2133	=item * manual reschedule mode (offset ignored, interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1392		2134
1393	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being	2135	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<offset> are both being
1394	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the	2136	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1395	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the	2137	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1396	current time as second argument.	2138	current time as second argument.
1397		2139
1398	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,	2140	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, ever,
1399	ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>.	2141	or make ANY other event loop modifications whatsoever, unless explicitly
		2142	allowed by documentation here>.
1400		2143
1401	If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop	2144	If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
1402	it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the	2145	it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
1403	only event loop modification you are allowed to do).	2146	only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
1404		2147
1405	The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic	2148	The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1406	*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:	2149	*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1407		2150
		2151	static ev_tstamp
1408	static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	2152	my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1409	{	2153	{
1410	return now + 60.;	2154	return now + 60.;
1411	}	2155	}
1412		2156
1413	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value	2157	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
…		…
1433	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like	2177	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1434	program when the crontabs have changed).	2178	program when the crontabs have changed).
1435		2179
1436	=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)	2180	=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
1437		2181
1438	When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to	2182	When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed
1439	trigger next.	2183	to trigger next. This is not the same as the C<offset> argument to
		2184	C<ev_periodic_set>, but indeed works even in interval and manual
		2185	rescheduling modes.
1440		2186
1441	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]	2187	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1442		2188
1443	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the	2189	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1444	absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).	2190	absolute point in time (the C<offset> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>,
		2191	although libev might modify this value for better numerical stability).
1445		2192
1446	Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic	2193	Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
1447	timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	2194	timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1448		2195
1449	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]	2196	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1450		2197
1451	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only	2198	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1452	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being	2199	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1453	called.	2200	called.
1454		2201
1455	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]	2202	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1456		2203
1457	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is	2204	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1458	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when	2205	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1459	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	2206	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1460		2207
1461	=back	2208	=back
1462		2209
1463	=head3 Examples	2210	=head3 Examples
1464		2211
1465	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the	2212	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1466	system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have	2213	system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1467	potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.	2214	potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1468		2215
1469	static void	2216	static void
1470	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	2217	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_periodic *w, int revents)
1471	{	2218	{
1472	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)	2219	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1473	}	2220	}
1474		2221
1475	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	2222	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1476	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);	2223	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1477	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	2224	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1478		2225
1479	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:	2226	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1480		2227
1481	#include <math.h>	2228	#include <math.h>
1482		2229
1483	static ev_tstamp	2230	static ev_tstamp
1484	my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	2231	my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1485	{	2232	{
1486	return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;	2233	return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1487	}	2234	}
1488		2235
1489	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);	2236	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1490		2237
1491	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:	2238	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1492		2239
1493	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	2240	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1494	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,	2241	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1495	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);	2242	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1496	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	2243	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1497		2244
1498		2245
…		…
1501	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific	2248	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1502	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev	2249	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1503	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the	2250	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1504	normal event processing, like any other event.	2251	normal event processing, like any other event.
1505		2252
		2253	If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use
		2254	C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing
		2255	the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to
		2256	synchronously wake up an event loop.
		2257
1506	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the	2258	You can configure as many watchers as you like for the same signal, but
		2259	only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your
		2260	default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for
		2261	C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At
		2262	the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop.
		2263
1507	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher	2264	When the first watcher gets started will libev actually register something
1508	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long	2265	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as
1509	as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal	2266	you don't register any with libev for the same signal).
1510	watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to
1511	SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1512		2267
1513	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with	2268	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1514	C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so system calls should not be unduly	2269	C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
1515	interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting interrupted by	2270	not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
1516	signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock	2271	interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
1517	them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.	2272	and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
		2273
		2274	=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create
		2275
		2276	Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition
		2277	(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
		2278	stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
		2279	and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler.
		2280
		2281	While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never
		2282	sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on
		2283	C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect
		2284	certain signals to be blocked.
		2285
		2286	This means that before calling C<exec> (from the child) you should reset
		2287	the signal mask to whatever "default" you expect (all clear is a good
		2288	choice usually).
		2289
		2290	The simplest way to ensure that the signal mask is reset in the child is
		2291	to install a fork handler with C<pthread_atfork> that resets it. That will
		2292	catch fork calls done by libraries (such as the libc) as well.
		2293
		2294	In current versions of libev, the signal will not be blocked indefinitely
		2295	unless you use the C<signalfd> API (C<EV_SIGNALFD>). While this reduces
		2296	the window of opportunity for problems, it will not go away, as libev
		2297	I<has> to modify the signal mask, at least temporarily.
		2298
		2299	So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when
		2300	you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This
		2301	is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries.
1518		2302
1519	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2303	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1520		2304
1521	=over 4	2305	=over 4
1522		2306
…		…
1533		2317
1534	=back	2318	=back
1535		2319
1536	=head3 Examples	2320	=head3 Examples
1537		2321
1538	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.	2322	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
1539		2323
1540	static void	2324	static void
1541	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)	2325	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
1542	{	2326	{
1543	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	2327	ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
1544	}	2328	}
1545		2329
1546	struct ev_signal signal_watcher;	2330	ev_signal signal_watcher;
1547	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);	2331	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1548	ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);	2332	ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
1549		2333
1550		2334
1551	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes	2335	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1552		2336
1553	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to	2337	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1554	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). It	2338	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
1555	is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child has been	2339	exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
1556	forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long as the event	2340	has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
1557	loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher).	2341	as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
		2342	forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
		2343	but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later or
		2344	in the next callback invocation is not.
1558		2345
1559	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore	2346	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1560	you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.	2347	you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
1561		2348
		2349	Due to some design glitches inside libev, child watchers will always be
		2350	handled at maximum priority (their priority is set to C<EV_MAXPRI> by
		2351	libev)
		2352
1562	=head3 Process Interaction	2353	=head3 Process Interaction
1563		2354
1564	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is	2355	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1565	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if	2356	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if the
1566	the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence	2357	first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
1567	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done	2358	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1568	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all	2359	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1569	children, even ones not watched.	2360	children, even ones not watched.
1570		2361
1571	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing	2362	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
…		…
1581	=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher	2372	=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
1582		2373
1583	Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the	2374	Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
1584	child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the	2375	child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
1585	callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically	2376	callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
1586	when a child exit is detected.	2377	when a child exit is detected (calling C<ev_child_stop> twice is not a
		2378	problem).
1587		2379
1588	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2380	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1589		2381
1590	=over 4	2382	=over 4
1591		2383
…		…
1623	its completion.	2415	its completion.
1624		2416
1625	ev_child cw;	2417	ev_child cw;
1626		2418
1627	static void	2419	static void
1628	child_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_child *w, int revents)	2420	child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1629	{	2421	{
1630	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);	2422	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
1631	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);	2423	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1632	}	2424	}
1633		2425
…		…
1648		2440
1649		2441
1650	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?	2442	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1651		2443
1652	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls	2444	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1653	C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed	2445	C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
1654	compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.	2446	and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if
		2447	it did.
1655		2448
1656	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does	2449	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1657	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does	2450	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
1658	not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is	2451	exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
1659	otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of	2452	C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
1660	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.	2453	least one) and all the other fields of the stat buffer having unspecified
		2454	contents.
1661		2455
1662	The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is	2456	The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
		2457	C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
1663	relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.	2458	your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
1664		2459
1665	Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply	2460	Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
1666	calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You	2461	portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
1667	can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify	2462	to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
1668	a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,	2463	interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
1669	unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around	2464	recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
1670	five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also	2465	(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
1671	impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats	2466	change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
1672	usually overkill.	2467	currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
1673		2468
1674	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,	2469	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1675	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be	2470	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1676	resource-intensive.	2471	resource-intensive.
1677		2472
1678	At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is	2473	At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1679	implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the	2474	is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as an
1680	reader, note, however, that the author sees no way of implementing ev_stat	2475	exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way of
1681	semantics with kqueue). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should	2476	implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue, except as a hint).
1682	not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev
1683	sometimes needs to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify,
1684	but changes are usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there
1685	will be no polling.
1686		2477
1687	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)	2478	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1688		2479
1689	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default	2480	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
1690	compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file	2481	compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
1691	support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat	2482	support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
1692	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to	2483	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
1693	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to	2484	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
1694	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is	2485	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
1695	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is	2486	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
1696	most noticeably disabled with ev_stat and large file support.	2487	most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
1697		2488
1698	The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large	2489	The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
1699	file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not	2490	file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
1700	optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has	2491	optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
1701	to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the	2492	to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
1702	default compilation environment.	2493	default compilation environment.
1703		2494
1704	=head3 Inotify	2495	=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
1705		2496
1706	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only	2497	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev and present at
1707	available on Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up	2498	runtime, it will be used to speed up change detection where possible. The
1708	change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily	2499	inotify descriptor will be created lazily when the first C<ev_stat>
1709	when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.	2500	watcher is being started.
1710		2501
1711	Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers	2502	Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1712	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid	2503	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1713	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support	2504	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1714	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling.	2505	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
		2506	but as long as kernel 2.6.25 or newer is used (2.6.24 and older have too
		2507	many bugs), the path exists (i.e. stat succeeds), and the path resides on
		2508	a local filesystem (libev currently assumes only ext2/3, jfs, reiserfs and
		2509	xfs are fully working) libev usually gets away without polling.
1715		2510
1716	(There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to	2511	There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1717	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file	2512	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1718	descriptor open on the object at all times).	2513	descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
		2514	etc. is difficult.
		2515
		2516	=head3 C<stat ()> is a synchronous operation
		2517
		2518	Libev doesn't normally do any kind of I/O itself, and so is not blocking
		2519	the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat
		2520	()>, which is a synchronous operation.
		2521
		2522	For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very
		2523	busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast,
		2524	as the path data is usually in memory already (except when starting the
		2525	watcher).
		2526
		2527	For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
		2528	time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call
		2529	often takes multiple milliseconds.
		2530
		2531	Therefore, it is best to avoid using C<ev_stat> watchers on networked
		2532	paths, although this is fully supported by libev.
1719		2533
1720	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution	2534	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1721		2535
1722	The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably, and	2536	The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
1723	even on systems where the resolution is higher, many file systems still	2537	and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
1724	only support whole seconds.	2538	still only support whole seconds.
1725		2539
1726	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can	2540	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1727	easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and	2541	easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1728	calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update	2542	calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1729	within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect it as the stat	2543	within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
1730	data does not change.	2544	stat data does change in other ways (e.g. file size).
1731		2545
1732	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more	2546	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
1733	than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using	2547	than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
1734	a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);	2548	a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
1735	ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).	2549	ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
…		…
1755	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to	2569	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1756	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose	2570	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1757	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same	2571	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1758	path for as long as the watcher is active.	2572	path for as long as the watcher is active.
1759		2573
1760	The callback will receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected, relative	2574	The callback will receive an C<EV_STAT> event when a change was detected,
1761	to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the last change	2575	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1762	was detected).	2576	last change was detected).
1763		2577
1764	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)	2578	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1765		2579
1766	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the	2580	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1767	watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid	2581	watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
…		…
1850		2664
1851		2665
1852	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...	2666	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1853		2667
1854	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher	2668	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1855	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not	2669	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count
1856	count).	2670	as receiving "events").
1857		2671
1858	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts	2672	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1859	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be	2673	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1860	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers	2674	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1861	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop	2675	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
…		…
1872		2686
1873	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2687	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1874		2688
1875	=over 4	2689	=over 4
1876		2690
1877	=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback)	2691	=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
1878		2692
1879	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any	2693	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1880	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	2694	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1881	believe me.	2695	believe me.
1882		2696
…		…
1886		2700
1887	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the	2701	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1888	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.	2702	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1889		2703
1890	static void	2704	static void
1891	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)	2705	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1892	{	2706	{
1893	free (w);	2707	free (w);
1894	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has	2708	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1895	// no longer anything immediate to do.	2709	// no longer anything immediate to do.
1896	}	2710	}
1897		2711
1898	struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));	2712	ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1899	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);	2713	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1900	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);	2714	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
1901		2715
1902		2716
1903	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!	2717	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1904		2718
1905	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:	2719	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
1906	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers	2720	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1907	afterwards.	2721	afterwards.
1908		2722
1909	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter	2723	You I<must not> call C<ev_run> or similar functions that enter
1910	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>	2724	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
1911	watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The	2725	watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The
1912	rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in	2726	rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in
1913	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,	2727	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1914	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be	2728	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1915	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.	2729	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1916		2730
1917	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and	2731	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1918	their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track	2732	their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
1919	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a	2733	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1920	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if	2734	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1921	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,	2735	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1922	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>	2736	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1923	watcher).	2737	watcher).
1924		2738
1925	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need	2739	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors
1926	to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for	2740	need to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers
1927	them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries	2741	for them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many
1928	provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for	2742	libraries provide exactly this functionality). Then, in the check watcher,
1929	any events that occurred (by checking the pending status of all watchers	2743	you check for any events that occurred (by checking the pending status
1930	and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer	2744	of all watchers and stopping them) and call back into the library. The
1931	callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,	2745	I/O and timer callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid
1932	because you never know, you know?).	2746	nevertheless, because you never know, you know?).
1933		2747
1934	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate	2748	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1935	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines	2749	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
1936	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines	2750	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
1937	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines	2751	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
…		…
1940	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping	2754	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1941	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).	2755	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1942		2756
1943	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)	2757	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
1944	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers	2758	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
		2759	after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).
		2760
1945	after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers,	2761	Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
1946	too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully	2762	activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
1947	supports this, they might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers	2763	might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
1948	did their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other	2764	C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
1949	(non-libev) event loops those other event loops might be in an unusable	2765	loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
1950	state until their C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to	2766	C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
1951	coexist peacefully with others).	2767	others).
1952		2768
1953	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2769	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1954		2770
1955	=over 4	2771	=over 4
1956		2772
…		…
1958		2774
1959	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)	2775	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1960		2776
1961	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no	2777	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
1962	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>	2778	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1963	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.	2779	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly, utterly and completely
		2780	pointless.
1964		2781
1965	=back	2782	=back
1966		2783
1967	=head3 Examples	2784	=head3 Examples
1968		2785
…		…
1981		2798
1982	static ev_io iow [nfd];	2799	static ev_io iow [nfd];
1983	static ev_timer tw;	2800	static ev_timer tw;
1984		2801
1985	static void	2802	static void
1986	io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)	2803	io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1987	{	2804	{
1988	}	2805	}
1989		2806
1990	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking	2807	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1991	static void	2808	static void
1992	adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)	2809	adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1993	{	2810	{
1994	int timeout = 3600000;	2811	int timeout = 3600000;
1995	struct pollfd fds [nfd];	2812	struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1996	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.	2813	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1997	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));	2814	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1998		2815
1999	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */	2816	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
2000	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);	2817	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3, 0.);
2001	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);	2818	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
2002		2819
2003	// create one ev_io per pollfd	2820	// create one ev_io per pollfd
2004	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2821	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
2005	{	2822	{
…		…
2012	}	2829	}
2013	}	2830	}
2014		2831
2015	// stop all watchers after blocking	2832	// stop all watchers after blocking
2016	static void	2833	static void
2017	adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)	2834	adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
2018	{	2835	{
2019	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);	2836	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
2020		2837
2021	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2838	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
2022	{	2839	{
…		…
2061	}	2878	}
2062		2879
2063	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll	2880	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll
2064		2881
2065	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you	2882	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
2066	want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, you can override	2883	want to embed is not flexible enough to support it. Instead, you can
2067	their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main	2884	override their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the
2068	loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does	2885	main loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module uses
2069	this.	2886	this approach, effectively embedding EV as a client into the horrible
		2887	libglib event loop.
2070		2888
2071	static gint	2889	static gint
2072	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)	2890	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
2073	{	2891	{
2074	int got_events = 0;	2892	int got_events = 0;
…		…
2078		2896
2079	if (timeout >= 0)	2897	if (timeout >= 0)
2080	// create/start timer	2898	// create/start timer
2081		2899
2082	// poll	2900	// poll
2083	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	2901	ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
2084		2902
2085	// stop timer again	2903	// stop timer again
2086	if (timeout >= 0)	2904	if (timeout >= 0)
2087	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);	2905	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
2088		2906
…		…
2105	prioritise I/O.	2923	prioritise I/O.
2106		2924
2107	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support	2925	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
2108	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you	2926	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
2109	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales	2927	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
2110	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it	2928	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed
2111	into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will	2929	it into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation
2112	be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but	2930	will be a bit slower because first libev has to call C<poll> and then
2113	at least you can use both at what they are best.	2931	C<kevent>, but at least you can use both mechanisms for what they are
		2932	best: C<kqueue> for scalable sockets and C<poll> if you want it to work :)
2114		2933
2115	As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have	2934	As for prioritising I/O: under rare circumstances you have the case where
2116	to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even	2935	some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
2117	priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case	2936	and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
2118	you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in	2937	this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
2119	a second one, and embed the second one in the first.	2938	the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
2120		2939
2121	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time	2940	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every
2122	there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then	2941	time there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback
2123	call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke	2942	must then call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single
2124	their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded	2943	sweep and invoke their callbacks (the callback doesn't need to invoke the
2125	loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback	2944	C<ev_embed_sweep> function directly, it could also start an idle watcher
2126	to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the	2945	to give the embedded loop strictly lower priority for example).
2127	embedded loop sweep.
2128		2946
2129	As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The	2947	You can also set the callback to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher
2130	callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can	2948	will automatically execute the embedded loop sweep whenever necessary.
2131	set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
2132	interested in that.
2133		2949
2134	Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:	2950	Fork detection will be handled transparently while the C<ev_embed> watcher
2135	when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,	2951	is active, i.e., the embedded loop will automatically be forked when the
2136	but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers	2952	embedding loop forks. In other cases, the user is responsible for calling
2137	yourself.	2953	C<ev_loop_fork> on the embedded loop.
2138		2954
2139	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by	2955	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
2140	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any	2956	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
2141	portable one.	2957	portable one.
2142		2958
2143	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared	2959	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
2144	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around	2960	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
2145	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to	2961	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
2146	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.	2962	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
		2963
		2964	=head3 C<ev_embed> and fork
		2965
		2966	While the C<ev_embed> watcher is running, forks in the embedding loop will
		2967	automatically be applied to the embedded loop as well, so no special
		2968	fork handling is required in that case. When the watcher is not running,
		2969	however, it is still the task of the libev user to call C<ev_loop_fork ()>
		2970	as applicable.
2147		2971
2148	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2972	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2149		2973
2150	=over 4	2974	=over 4
2151		2975
…		…
2160	if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).	2984	if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
2161		2985
2162	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)	2986	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
2163		2987
2164	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works	2988	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
2165	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most	2989	similarly to C<ev_run (embedded_loop, EVRUN_NOWAIT)>, but in the most
2166	appropriate way for embedded loops.	2990	appropriate way for embedded loops.
2167		2991
2168	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]	2992	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
2169		2993
2170	The embedded event loop.	2994	The embedded event loop.
…		…
2179	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be	3003	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
2180	used).	3004	used).
2181		3005
2182	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);	3006	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2183	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;	3007	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2184	struct ev_embed embed;	3008	ev_embed embed;
2185		3009
2186	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works	3010	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2187	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)	3011	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2188	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()	3012	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2189	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())	3013	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
…		…
2203	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in	3027	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
2204	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).	3028	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2205		3029
2206	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	3030	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2207	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;	3031	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2208	struct ev_embed embed;	3032	ev_embed embed;
2209		3033
2210	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)	3034	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2211	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))	3035	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2212	{	3036	{
2213	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);	3037	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
…		…
2228	event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,	3052	event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
2229	and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling	3053	and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
2230	C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork	3054	C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
2231	handlers will be invoked, too, of course.	3055	handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
2232		3056
		3057	=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
		3058
		3059	Most uses of C<fork()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to set
		3060	up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
		3061	sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
		3062
		3063	This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
		3064	in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
		3065	fork.
		3066
		3067	The default mode of operation (for libev, with application help to detect
		3068	forks) is to duplicate all the state in the child, as would be expected
		3069	when I<either> the parent I<or> the child process continues.
		3070
		3071	When both processes want to continue using libev, then this is usually the
		3072	wrong result. In that case, usually one process (typically the parent) is
		3073	supposed to continue with all watchers in place as before, while the other
		3074	process typically wants to start fresh, i.e. without any active watchers.
		3075
		3076	The cleanest and most efficient way to achieve that with libev is to
		3077	simply create a new event loop, which of course will be "empty", and
		3078	use that for new watchers. This has the advantage of not touching more
		3079	memory than necessary, and thus avoiding the copy-on-write, and the
		3080	disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support
		3081	signal watchers).
		3082
		3083	When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for
		3084	other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call
		3085	C<ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT)> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>.
		3086	Destroying the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered
		3087	watchers, so you have to be careful not to execute code that modifies
		3088	those watchers. Note also that in that case, you have to re-register any
		3089	signal watchers.
		3090
2233	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	3091	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2234		3092
2235	=over 4	3093	=over 4
2236		3094
2237	=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)	3095	=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
…		…
2241	believe me.	3099	believe me.
2242		3100
2243	=back	3101	=back
2244		3102
2245		3103
2246	=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop	3104	=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop
2247		3105
2248	In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other	3106	In general, you cannot use an C<ev_run> from multiple threads or other
2249	asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event	3107	asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
2250	loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).	3108	loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
2251		3109
2252	Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not	3110	Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control,
2253	control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what	3111	for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async>
2254	C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you	3112	watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you can signal
2255	can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal	3113	it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe.
2256	safe.
2257		3114
2258	This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,	3115	This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
2259	too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed	3116	too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
2260	(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of	3117	(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
2261	C<ev_async_sent> calls).	3118	C<ev_async_sent> calls).
…		…
2266	=head3 Queueing	3123	=head3 Queueing
2267		3124
2268	C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason	3125	C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2269	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a	3126	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2270	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't	3127	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2271	need elaborate support such as pthreads.	3128	need elaborate support such as pthreads or unportable memory access
		3129	semantics.
2272		3130
2273	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own	3131	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2274	queue. But at least I can tell you would implement locking around your	3132	queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2275	queue:	3133	queue:
2276		3134
2277	=over 4	3135	=over 4
2278		3136
2279	=item queueing from a signal handler context	3137	=item queueing from a signal handler context
2280		3138
2281	To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal	3139	To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
2282	handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is an example that does that for	3140	handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is
2283	some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:	3141	an example that does that for some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
2284		3142
2285	static ev_async mysig;	3143	static ev_async mysig;
2286		3144
2287	static void	3145	static void
2288	sigusr1_handler (void)	3146	sigusr1_handler (void)
…		…
2354	=over 4	3212	=over 4
2355		3213
2356	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)	3214	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2357		3215
2358	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any	3216	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2359	kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	3217	kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2360	believe me.	3218	trust me.
2361		3219
2362	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)	3220	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2363		3221
2364	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds	3222	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2365	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike	3223	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
2366	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do in other threads, signal or	3224	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or
2367	similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding	3225	similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
2368	section below on what exactly this means).	3226	section below on what exactly this means).
2369		3227
		3228	Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
		3229	compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this
		3230	is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>,
		3231	reset when the event loop detects that).
		3232
2370	This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per loop iteration,	3233	This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per event loop
2371	so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to repeated	3234	iteration, so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to
2372	calls to C<ev_async_send>.	3235	repeated calls to C<ev_async_send> for the same event loop.
2373		3236
2374	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)	3237	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
2375		3238
2376	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the	3239	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
2377	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the	3240	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
…		…
2380	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When	3243	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
2381	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,	3244	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
2382	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very	3245	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
2383	quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.	3246	quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
2384		3247
2385	Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending, only	3248	Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending,
2386	whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending.	3249	only whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending: there
		3250	is a time window between the event loop checking and resetting the async
		3251	notification, and the callback being invoked.
2387		3252
2388	=back	3253	=back
2389		3254
2390		3255
2391	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS	3256	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
…		…
2395	=over 4	3260	=over 4
2396		3261
2397	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)	3262	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
2398		3263
2399	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your	3264	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
2400	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both	3265	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
2401	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd	3266	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
2402	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or	3267	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
2403	more watchers yourself.	3268	more watchers yourself.
2404		3269
2405	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events	3270	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and the
2406	is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and	3271	C<events> argument is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for
2407	C<events> set will be created and started.	3272	the given C<fd> and C<events> set will be created and started.
2408		3273
2409	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be	3274	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
2410	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and	3275	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
2411	repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of	3276	repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
2412	dubious value.
2413		3277
2414	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets	3278	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and is
2415	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of	3279	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
2416	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>	3280	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMER>) and the C<arg>
2417	value passed to C<ev_once>:	3281	value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
		3282	a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
		3283	events precedence.
		3284
		3285	Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
2418		3286
2419	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)	3287	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
2420	{	3288	{
		3289	if (revents & EV_READ)
		3290	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
2421	if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)	3291	else if (revents & EV_TIMER)
2422	/* doh, nothing entered */;	3292	/* doh, nothing entered */;
2423	else if (revents & EV_READ)
2424	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
2425	}	3293	}
2426		3294
2427	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);	3295	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
2428		3296
2429	=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
2430
2431	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
2432	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
2433	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
2434
2435	=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)	3297	=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
2436		3298
2437	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected	3299	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
2438	the given events it.	3300	the given events it.
2439		3301
2440	=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)	3302	=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
2441		3303
2442	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default	3304	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
2443	loop!).	3305	loop!).
2444		3306
2445	=back	3307	=back
…		…
2525		3387
2526	=over 4	3388	=over 4
2527		3389
2528	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()	3390	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
2529		3391
2530	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *)	3392	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (loop)
2531		3393
2532	=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE	3394	=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
2533		3395
2534	The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher	3396	The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
2535	with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.	3397	with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
…		…
2567		3429
2568	myclass obj;	3430	myclass obj;
2569	ev::io iow;	3431	ev::io iow;
2570	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);	3432	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2571		3433
		3434	=item w->set (object *)
		3435
		3436	This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
		3437	will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
		3438	functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
		3439	the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
		3440	list.
		3441
		3442	The C<operator ()> method prototype must be C<void operator ()(watcher &w,
		3443	int revents)>.
		3444
		3445	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
		3446
		3447	Example: use a functor object as callback.
		3448
		3449	struct myfunctor
		3450	{
		3451	void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
		3452	{
		3453	...
		3454	}
		3455	}
		3456
		3457	myfunctor f;
		3458
		3459	ev::io w;
		3460	w.set (&f);
		3461
2572	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)	3462	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2573		3463
2574	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as	3464	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2575	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's	3465	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
2576	C<data> member and is free for you to use.	3466	C<data> member and is free for you to use.
2577		3467
2578	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.	3468	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
2579		3469
2580	See the method-C<set> above for more details.	3470	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2581		3471
2582	Example:	3472	Example: Use a plain function as callback.
2583		3473
2584	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	3474	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2585	iow.set <io_cb> ();	3475	iow.set <io_cb> ();
2586		3476
2587	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)	3477	=item w->set (loop)
2588		3478
2589	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only	3479	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
2590	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).	3480	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
2591		3481
2592	=item w->set ([arguments])	3482	=item w->set ([arguments])
2593		3483
2594	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be	3484	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Either this
2595	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets	3485	method or a suitable start method must be called at least once. Unlike the
2596	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this	3486	C counterpart, an active watcher gets automatically stopped and restarted
2597	method.	3487	when reconfiguring it with this method.
2598		3488
2599	=item w->start ()	3489	=item w->start ()
2600		3490
2601	Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the	3491	Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
2602	constructor already stores the event loop.	3492	constructor already stores the event loop.
2603		3493
		3494	=item w->start ([arguments])
		3495
		3496	Instead of calling C<set> and C<start> methods separately, it is often
		3497	convenient to wrap them in one call. Uses the same type of arguments as
		3498	the configure C<set> method of the watcher.
		3499
2604	=item w->stop ()	3500	=item w->stop ()
2605		3501
2606	Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.	3502	Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
2607		3503
2608	=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)	3504	=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
…		…
2620		3516
2621	=back	3517	=back
2622		3518
2623	=back	3519	=back
2624		3520
2625	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in	3521	Example: Define a class with two I/O and idle watchers, start the I/O
2626	the constructor.	3522	watchers in the constructor.
2627		3523
2628	class myclass	3524	class myclass
2629	{	3525	{
2630	ev::io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);	3526	ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
		3527	ev::io2 io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2631	ev:idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);	3528	ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2632		3529
2633	myclass (int fd)	3530	myclass (int fd)
2634	{	3531	{
2635	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);	3532	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
		3533	io2 .set <myclass, &myclass::io2_cb > (this);
2636	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);	3534	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2637		3535
2638	io.start (fd, ev::READ);	3536	io.set (fd, ev::WRITE); // configure the watcher
		3537	io.start (); // start it whenever convenient
		3538
		3539	io2.start (fd, ev::READ); // set + start in one call
2639	}	3540	}
2640	};	3541	};
2641		3542
2642		3543
2643	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS	3544	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
…		…
2652	=item Perl	3553	=item Perl
2653		3554
2654	The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test	3555	The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
2655	libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,	3556	libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
2656	there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces	3557	there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
2657	to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>), C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the	3558	to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>, but C<AnyEvent::DNS> is preferred nowadays),
2658	C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV> and C<EV::Glib>).	3559	C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV>
		3560	and C<EV::Glib>).
2659		3561
2660	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at	3562	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
2661	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.	3563	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2662		3564
2663	=item Python	3565	=item Python
2664		3566
2665	Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It	3567	Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
2666	seems to be quite complete and well-documented. Note, however, that the	3568	seems to be quite complete and well-documented.
2667	patch they require for libev is outright dangerous as it breaks the ABI
2668	for everybody else, and therefore, should never be applied in an installed
2669	libev (if python requires an incompatible ABI then it needs to embed
2670	libev).
2671		3569
2672	=item Ruby	3570	=item Ruby
2673		3571
2674	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset	3572	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2675	of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and	3573	of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2676	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at	3574	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2677	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.	3575	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2678		3576
		3577	Roger Pack reports that using the link order C<-lws2_32 -lmsvcrt-ruby-190>
		3578	makes rev work even on mingw.
		3579
		3580	=item Haskell
		3581
		3582	A haskell binding to libev is available at
		3583	L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
		3584
2679	=item D	3585	=item D
2680		3586
2681	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to	3587	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2682	be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.	3588	be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
		3589
		3590	=item Ocaml
		3591
		3592	Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
		3593	L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
		3594
		3595	=item Lua
		3596
		3597	Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the
		3598	time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at
		3599	L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>.
2683		3600
2684	=back	3601	=back
2685		3602
2686		3603
2687	=head1 MACRO MAGIC	3604	=head1 MACRO MAGIC
…		…
2701	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,	3618	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2702	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:	3619	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2703		3620
2704	ev_unref (EV_A);	3621	ev_unref (EV_A);
2705	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);	3622	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2706	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	3623	ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
2707		3624
2708	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,	3625	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2709	which is often provided by the following macro.	3626	which is often provided by the following macro.
2710		3627
2711	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>	3628	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
…		…
2751	}	3668	}
2752		3669
2753	ev_check check;	3670	ev_check check;
2754	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);	3671	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
2755	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);	3672	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
2756	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);	3673	ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
2757		3674
2758	=head1 EMBEDDING	3675	=head1 EMBEDDING
2759		3676
2760	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host	3677	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
2761	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra	3678	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
…		…
2788		3705
2789	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3706	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2790	#include "ev.h"	3707	#include "ev.h"
2791		3708
2792	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++	3709	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
2793	compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated	3710	compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2794	as a bug).	3711	as a bug).
2795		3712
2796	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory	3713	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
2797	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):	3714	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2798		3715
…		…
2841	libev.m4	3758	libev.m4
2842		3759
2843	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS	3760	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2844		3761
2845	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to	3762	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
2846	define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of	3763	define before including (or compiling) any of its files. The default in
2847	autoconf is noted for every option.	3764	the absence of autoconf is documented for every option.
		3765
		3766	Symbols marked with "(h)" do not change the ABI, and can have different
		3767	values when compiling libev vs. including F<ev.h>, so it is permissible
		3768	to redefine them before including F<ev.h> without breaking compatibility
		3769	to a compiled library. All other symbols change the ABI, which means all
		3770	users of libev and the libev code itself must be compiled with compatible
		3771	settings.
2848		3772
2849	=over 4	3773	=over 4
2850		3774
		3775	=item EV_COMPAT3 (h)
		3776
		3777	Backwards compatibility is a major concern for libev. This is why this
		3778	release of libev comes with wrappers for the functions and symbols that
		3779	have been renamed between libev version 3 and 4.
		3780
		3781	You can disable these wrappers (to test compatibility with future
		3782	versions) by defining C<EV_COMPAT3> to C<0> when compiling your
		3783	sources. This has the additional advantage that you can drop the C<struct>
		3784	from C<struct ev_loop> declarations, as libev will provide an C<ev_loop>
		3785	typedef in that case.
		3786
		3787	In some future version, the default for C<EV_COMPAT3> will become C<0>,
		3788	and in some even more future version the compatibility code will be
		3789	removed completely.
		3790
2851	=item EV_STANDALONE	3791	=item EV_STANDALONE (h)
2852		3792
2853	Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which	3793	Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which
2854	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy	3794	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
2855	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not	3795	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
2856	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in	3796	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
2857	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.	3797	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2858		3798
		3799	In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
		3800	configuration, but has to be more conservative.
		3801
2859	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC	3802	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2860		3803
2861	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3804	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2862	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use	3805	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
2863	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you	3806	use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this,
2864	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when	3807	you usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it
2865	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have	3808	when the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2866	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>	3809	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2867	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).	3810	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). See also C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
2868		3811
2869	=item EV_USE_REALTIME	3812	=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2870		3813
2871	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3814	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2872	real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at	3815	real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability
2873	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will	3816	at runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock
2874	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get	3817	option will be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday>
2875	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the	3818	by C<clock_get (CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect
2876	note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.	3819	correctness. See the note about libraries in the description of
		3820	C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. Defaults to the opposite value of
		3821	C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
		3822
		3823	=item EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL
		3824
		3825	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to use a direct syscall instead
		3826	of calling the system-provided C<clock_gettime> function. This option
		3827	exists because on GNU/Linux, C<clock_gettime> is in C<librt>, but C<librt>
		3828	unconditionally pulls in C<libpthread>, slowing down single-threaded
		3829	programs needlessly. Using a direct syscall is slightly slower (in
		3830	theory), because no optimised vdso implementation can be used, but avoids
		3831	the pthread dependency. Defaults to C<1> on GNU/Linux with glibc 2.x or
		3832	higher, as it simplifies linking (no need for C<-lrt>).
2877		3833
2878	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP	3834	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
2879		3835
2880	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available	3836	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
2881	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.	3837	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
…		…
2897		3853
2898	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET	3854	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2899		3855
2900	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>	3856	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
2901	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing	3857	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
2902	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on	3858	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout
2903	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some	3859	on exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to
2904	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only	3860	some low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket
2905	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might	3861	only allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation,
2906	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.	3862	configures the maximum size of the C<fd_set>.
2907		3863
2908	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET	3864	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
2909		3865
2910	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that	3866	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
2911	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but	3867	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
…		…
2913	be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call	3869	be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
2914	C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,	3870	C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
2915	it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even	3871	it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
2916	on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.	3872	on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
2917		3873
2918	=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE	3874	=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE(fd)
2919		3875
2920	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map	3876	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
2921	file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the	3877	file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
2922	default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually	3878	default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
2923	correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,	3879	correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
2924	in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.	3880	in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
		3881
		3882	=item EV_WIN32_HANDLE_TO_FD(handle)
		3883
		3884	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> then libev maps handles to file descriptors
		3885	using the standard C<_open_osfhandle> function. For programs implementing
		3886	their own fd to handle mapping, overwriting this function makes it easier
		3887	to do so. This can be done by defining this macro to an appropriate value.
		3888
		3889	=item EV_WIN32_CLOSE_FD(fd)
		3890
		3891	If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this
		3892	macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister
		3893	file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close
		3894	the underlying OS handle.
2925		3895
2926	=item EV_USE_POLL	3896	=item EV_USE_POLL
2927		3897
2928	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)	3898	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
2929	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It	3899	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
…		…
2976	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.	3946	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
2977		3947
2978	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>	3948	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
2979	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.	3949	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2980		3950
2981	=item EV_H	3951	=item EV_H (h)
2982		3952
2983	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if	3953	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2984	undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be	3954	undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
2985	used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.	3955	used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2986		3956
2987	=item EV_CONFIG_H	3957	=item EV_CONFIG_H (h)
2988		3958
2989	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override	3959	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
2990	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to	3960	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2991	C<EV_H>, above.	3961	C<EV_H>, above.
2992		3962
2993	=item EV_EVENT_H	3963	=item EV_EVENT_H (h)
2994		3964
2995	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea	3965	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
2996	of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.	3966	of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
2997		3967
2998	=item EV_PROTOTYPES	3968	=item EV_PROTOTYPES (h)
2999		3969
3000	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function	3970	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
3001	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is	3971	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
3002	occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions	3972	occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions
3003	around libev functions.	3973	around libev functions.
…		…
3022	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search	3992	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
3023	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space	3993	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
3024	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually	3994	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
3025	fine.	3995	fine.
3026		3996
3027	If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these both to	3997	If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
3028	C<0> will save some memory and CPU.	3998	both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
3029		3999
3030	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE	4000	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE, EV_IDLE_ENABLE, EV_EMBED_ENABLE, EV_STAT_ENABLE,
		4001	EV_PREPARE_ENABLE, EV_CHECK_ENABLE, EV_FORK_ENABLE, EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE,
		4002	EV_ASYNC_ENABLE, EV_CHILD_ENABLE.
3031		4003
3032	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If	4004	If undefined or defined to be C<1> (and the platform supports it), then
3033	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of	4005	the respective watcher type is supported. If defined to be C<0>, then it
3034	code.	4006	is not. Disabling watcher types mainly saves code size.
3035		4007
3036	=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE	4008	=item EV_FEATURES
3037
3038	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
3039	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
3040	code.
3041
3042	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
3043
3044	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
3045	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3046
3047	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
3048
3049	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
3050	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3051
3052	=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
3053
3054	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
3055	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3056
3057	=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
3058
3059	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
3060	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3061
3062	=item EV_MINIMAL
3063		4009
3064	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some	4010	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
3065	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some	4011	speed (but with the full API), you can define this symbol to request
3066	inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size on amd64. It also selects a	4012	certain subsets of functionality. The default is to enable all features
3067	much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap.	4013	that can be enabled on the platform.
		4014
		4015	A typical way to use this symbol is to define it to C<0> (or to a bitset
		4016	with some broad features you want) and then selectively re-enable
		4017	additional parts you want, for example if you want everything minimal,
		4018	but multiple event loop support, async and child watchers and the poll
		4019	backend, use this:
		4020
		4021	#define EV_FEATURES 0
		4022	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 1
		4023	#define EV_USE_POLL 1
		4024	#define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
		4025	#define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
		4026
		4027	The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
		4028	values:
		4029
		4030	=over 4
		4031
		4032	=item C<1> - faster/larger code
		4033
		4034	Use larger code to speed up some operations.
		4035
		4036	Currently this is used to override some inlining decisions (enlarging the
		4037	code size by roughly 30% on amd64).
		4038
		4039	When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with
		4040	gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
		4041	assertions.
		4042
		4043	=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
		4044
		4045	Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger
		4046	hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size
		4047	and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
		4048	runtime.
		4049
		4050	=item C<4> - full API configuration
		4051
		4052	This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
		4053	enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).
		4054
		4055	=item C<8> - full API
		4056
		4057	This enables a lot of the "lesser used" API functions. See C<ev.h> for
		4058	details on which parts of the API are still available without this
		4059	feature, and do not complain if this subset changes over time.
		4060
		4061	=item C<16> - enable all optional watcher types
		4062
		4063	Enables all optional watcher types. If you want to selectively enable
		4064	only some watcher types other than I/O and timers (e.g. prepare,
		4065	embed, async, child...) you can enable them manually by defining
		4066	C<EV_watchertype_ENABLE> to C<1> instead.
		4067
		4068	=item C<32> - enable all backends
		4069
		4070	This enables all backends - without this feature, you need to enable at
		4071	least one backend manually (C<EV_USE_SELECT> is a good choice).
		4072
		4073	=item C<64> - enable OS-specific "helper" APIs
		4074
		4075	Enable inotify, eventfd, signalfd and similar OS-specific helper APIs by
		4076	default.
		4077
		4078	=back
		4079
		4080	Compiling with C<gcc -Os -DEV_STANDALONE -DEV_USE_EPOLL=1 -DEV_FEATURES=0>
		4081	reduces the compiled size of libev from 24.7Kb code/2.8Kb data to 6.5Kb
		4082	code/0.3Kb data on my GNU/Linux amd64 system, while still giving you I/O
		4083	watchers, timers and monotonic clock support.
		4084
		4085	With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough
		4086	when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by
		4087	your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an
		4088	I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb.
		4089
		4090	=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
		4091
		4092	If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio
		4093	functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size
		4094	somewhat, but if your program doesn't otherwise depend on stdio and your
		4095	libc allows it, this avoids linking in the stdio library which is quite
		4096	big.
		4097
		4098	Note that error messages might become less precise when this option is
		4099	enabled.
		4100
		4101	=item EV_NSIG
		4102
		4103	The highest supported signal number, +1 (or, the number of
		4104	signals): Normally, libev tries to deduce the maximum number of signals
		4105	automatically, but sometimes this fails, in which case it can be
		4106	specified. Also, using a lower number than detected (C<32> should be
		4107	good for about any system in existence) can save some memory, as libev
		4108	statically allocates some 12-24 bytes per signal number.
3068		4109
3069	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE	4110	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
3070		4111
3071	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	4112	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3072	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more	4113	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES> disabled),
3073	than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to	4114	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you
3074	increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).	4115	might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
3075		4116
3076	=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE	4117	=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
3077		4118
3078	C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	4119	C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3079	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),	4120	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES>
3080	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>	4121	disabled), usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of
3081	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of	4122	C<ev_stat> watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a
3082	two).	4123	power of two).
3083		4124
3084	=item EV_USE_4HEAP	4125	=item EV_USE_4HEAP
3085		4126
3086	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the	4127	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3087	timer and periodics heap, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined	4128	timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
3088	to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has	4129	to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
3089	noticeably faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.	4130	faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
3090		4131
3091	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>	4132	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3092	(disabled).	4133	will be C<0>.
3093		4134
3094	=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT	4135	=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
3095		4136
3096	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the	4137	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3097	timer and periodics heap, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within	4138	timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
3098	the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),	4139	the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
3099	which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,	4140	which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
3100	but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance	4141	but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
3101	noticeably with with many (hundreds) of watchers.	4142	noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
3102		4143
3103	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>	4144	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3104	(disabled).	4145	will be C<0>.
3105		4146
3106	=item EV_VERIFY	4147	=item EV_VERIFY
3107		4148
3108	Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will	4149	Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_verify ()>) will
3109	be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled	4150	be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
3110	in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not	4151	in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
3111	called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be	4152	called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
3112	called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the	4153	called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
3113	verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down	4154	verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
3114	libev considerably.	4155	libev considerably.
3115		4156
3116	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be	4157	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3117	C<0.>	4158	will be C<0>.
3118		4159
3119	=item EV_COMMON	4160	=item EV_COMMON
3120		4161
3121	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining	4162	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
3122	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of	4163	this macro to something else you can include more and other types of
3123	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,	4164	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
3124	though, and it must be identical each time.	4165	though, and it must be identical each time.
3125		4166
3126	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:	4167	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
3127		4168
…		…
3139	and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member	4180	and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member
3140	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for	4181	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
3141	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to	4182	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
3142	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use	4183	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
3143	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.	4184	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
		4185
		4186	=back
3144		4187
3145	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS	4188	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
3146		4189
3147	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of	4190	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
3148	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list	4191	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
…		…
3178	file.	4221	file.
3179		4222
3180	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file	4223	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
3181	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:	4224	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
3182		4225
3183	#define EV_MINIMAL 1	4226	#define EV_FEATURES 8
3184	#define EV_USE_POLL 0	4227	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3185	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
3186	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0	4228	#define EV_PREPARE_ENABLE 1
		4229	#define EV_IDLE_ENABLE 1
3187	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0	4230	#define EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE 1
3188	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0	4231	#define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
		4232	#define EV_USE_STDEXCEPT 0
3189	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>	4233	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
3190	#define EV_MINPRI 0
3191	#define EV_MAXPRI 0
3192		4234
3193	#include "ev++.h"	4235	#include "ev++.h"
3194		4236
3195	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:	4237	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
3196		4238
3197	#include "ev_cpp.h"	4239	#include "ev_cpp.h"
3198	#include "ev.c"	4240	#include "ev.c"
3199		4241
		4242	=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES
3200		4243
3201	=head1 THREADS AND COROUTINES	4244	=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
3202		4245
3203	=head2 THREADS	4246	=head3 THREADS
3204		4247
3205	Libev itself is completely thread-safe, but it uses no locking. This	4248	All libev functions are reentrant and thread-safe unless explicitly
		4249	documented otherwise, but libev implements no locking itself. This means
3206	means that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as	4250	that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as there
3207	only one thread ever calls into one libev function with the same loop	4251	are no concurrent calls into any libev function with the same loop
3208	parameter.	4252	parameter (C<ev_default_*> calls have an implicit default loop parameter,
		4253	of course): libev guarantees that different event loops share no data
		4254	structures that need any locking.
3209		4255
3210	Or put differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done in	4256	Or to put it differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done
3211	parallel from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter must be	4257	concurrently from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter
3212	done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as only one	4258	must be done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as
3213	thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using a mutex	4259	only one thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using
3214	per loop).	4260	a mutex per loop).
		4261
		4262	Specifically to support threads (and signal handlers), libev implements
		4263	so-called C<ev_async> watchers, which allow some limited form of
		4264	concurrency on the same event loop, namely waking it up "from the
		4265	outside".
3215		4266
3216	If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops	4267	If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
3217	without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot	4268	without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
3218	help you. I can give some generic advice however:	4269	help you, but here is some generic advice:
3219		4270
3220	=over 4	4271	=over 4
3221		4272
3222	=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop	4273	=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
3223	in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.	4274	in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
…		…
3235		4286
3236	Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do	4287	Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
3237	better than you currently do :-)	4288	better than you currently do :-)
3238		4289
3239	=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the	4290	=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
		4291	event loop.
		4292
3240	event loop - C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other	4293	C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other threads safely
3241	threads safely (or from signal contexts...).	4294	(or from signal contexts...).
		4295
		4296	An example use would be to communicate signals or other events that only
		4297	work in the default loop by registering the signal watcher with the
		4298	default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
		4299	watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
3242		4300
3243	=back	4301	=back
3244		4302
		4303	=head4 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE
		4304
		4305	Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
		4306	thread than where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
		4307	created/added/removed.
		4308
		4309	For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
		4310	which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
		4311	languages).
		4312
		4313	The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
		4314	variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
		4315	event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
		4316
		4317	First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
		4318
		4319	typedef struct {
		4320	mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
		4321	ev_async async_w;
		4322	thread_t tid;
		4323	cond_t invoke_cv;
		4324	} userdata;
		4325
		4326	void prepare_loop (EV_P)
		4327	{
		4328	// for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
		4329	static userdata u;
		4330
		4331	ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
		4332	ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
		4333
		4334	pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
		4335	pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
		4336
		4337	// now associate this with the loop
		4338	ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
		4339	ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
		4340	ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
		4341
		4342	// then create the thread running ev_loop
		4343	pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
		4344	}
		4345
		4346	The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
		4347	solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
		4348	that might have been added:
		4349
		4350	static void
		4351	async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		4352	{
		4353	// just used for the side effects
		4354	}
		4355
		4356	The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
		4357	protecting the loop data, respectively.
		4358
		4359	static void
		4360	l_release (EV_P)
		4361	{
		4362	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4363	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		4364	}
		4365
		4366	static void
		4367	l_acquire (EV_P)
		4368	{
		4369	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4370	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		4371	}
		4372
		4373	The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
		4374	into C<ev_run>:
		4375
		4376	void *
		4377	l_run (void *thr_arg)
		4378	{
		4379	struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
		4380
		4381	l_acquire (EV_A);
		4382	pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
		4383	ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
		4384	l_release (EV_A);
		4385
		4386	return 0;
		4387	}
		4388
		4389	Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
		4390	signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
		4391	writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
		4392	have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
		4393	and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
		4394	watchers is very beneficial):
		4395
		4396	static void
		4397	l_invoke (EV_P)
		4398	{
		4399	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4400
		4401	while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
		4402	{
		4403	wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
		4404	pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
		4405	}
		4406	}
		4407
		4408	Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
		4409	will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
		4410	thread to continue:
		4411
		4412	static void
		4413	real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
		4414	{
		4415	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4416
		4417	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		4418	ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
		4419	pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
		4420	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		4421	}
		4422
		4423	Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
		4424	event loop, you will now have to lock:
		4425
		4426	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
		4427	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4428
		4429	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
		4430
		4431	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		4432	ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
		4433	ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
		4434	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		4435
		4436	Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
		4437	an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
		4438	about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
		4439	watchers in the next event loop iteration.
		4440
3245	=head2 COROUTINES	4441	=head3 COROUTINES
3246		4442
3247	Libev is much more accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):	4443	Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
3248	libev fully supports nesting calls to it's functions from different	4444	libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
3249	coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two	4445	coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_run> on the same loop from two
3250	different coroutines and switch freely between both coroutines running the	4446	different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running
3251	loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that	4447	the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is
3252	you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.	4448	that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
3253		4449
3254	Care has been invested into making sure that libev does not keep local	4450	Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
3255	state inside C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow coroutine	4451	C<ev_run>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
3256	switches.	4452	they do not call any callbacks.
3257		4453
		4454	=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
3258		4455
3259	=head1 COMPLEXITIES	4456	Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
		4457	lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
		4458	scared by this.
3260		4459
3261	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside	4460	However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
3262	libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the	4461	has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
3263	documentation for C<ev_default_init>.	4462	warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
		4463	targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
3264		4464
3265	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be	4465	Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
3266	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this	4466	workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
3267	happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might	4467	maintainable.
3268	mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average
3269	it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
3270		4468
3271	=over 4	4469	And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
		4470	wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
		4471	seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
		4472	warnings that resulted in an extreme number of false positives. These have
		4473	been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
		4474	such buggy versions.
3272		4475
3273	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)	4476	While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
		4477	"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
		4478	with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
		4479	them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
		4480	warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
3274		4481
3275	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
3276	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will
3277	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
3278		4482
3279	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)	4483	=head2 VALGRIND
3280		4484
3281	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them	4485	Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
3282	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.	4486	highly useful. Unfortunately, valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
3283		4487
3284	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)	4488	If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
		4489	in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
3285		4490
3286	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.	4491	==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		4492	==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		4493	==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
3287		4494
3288	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)	4495	Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
		4496	is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
3289		4497
3290	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))	4498	Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
		4499	as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
		4500	although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
		4501	confused.
3291		4502
3292	These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the	4503	Keep in mind that valgrind is a very good tool, but only a tool. Don't
3293	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually	4504	make it into some kind of religion.
3294	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).
3295		4505
3296	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)	4506	If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
		4507	with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this
		4508	is a bug in libev (best check the archives, too :). However, don't be
		4509	annoyed when you get a brisk "this is no bug" answer and take the chance
		4510	of learning how to interpret valgrind properly.
3297		4511
3298	By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a	4512	If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
3299	fixed position in the storage array.	4513	I suggest using suppression lists.
3300		4514
3301	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
3302		4515
3303	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires	4516	=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
3304	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
3305	on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
3306		4517
3307	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)	4518	=head2 GNU/LINUX 32 BIT LIMITATIONS
3308		4519
3309	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)	4520	GNU/Linux is the only common platform that supports 64 bit file/large file
		4521	interfaces but I<disables> them by default.
3310		4522
3311	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each	4523	That means that libev compiled in the default environment doesn't support
3312	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to	4524	files larger than 2GiB or so, which mainly affects C<ev_stat> watchers.
3313	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
3314	watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. priority handling.
3315		4525
3316	=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)	4526	Unfortunately, many programs try to work around this GNU/Linux issue
		4527	by enabling the large file API, which makes them incompatible with the
		4528	standard libev compiled for their system.
3317		4529
3318	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)	4530	Likewise, libev cannot enable the large file API itself as this would
		4531	suddenly make it incompatible to the default compile time environment,
		4532	i.e. all programs not using special compile switches.
3319		4533
3320	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)	4534	=head2 OS/X AND DARWIN BUGS
3321		4535
3322	Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>	4536	The whole thing is a bug if you ask me - basically any system interface
3323	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events	4537	you touch is broken, whether it is locales, poll, kqueue or even the
3324	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.	4538	OpenGL drivers.
3325		4539
3326	=back	4540	=head3 C<kqueue> is buggy
3327		4541
		4542	The kqueue syscall is broken in all known versions - most versions support
		4543	only sockets, many support pipes.
3328		4544
		4545	Libev tries to work around this by not using C<kqueue> by default on this
		4546	rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating a
		4547	loop - embedding a socket-only kqueue loop into a select-based one is
		4548	probably going to work well.
		4549
		4550	=head3 C<poll> is buggy
		4551
		4552	Instead of fixing C<kqueue>, Apple replaced their (working) C<poll>
		4553	implementation by something calling C<kqueue> internally around the 10.5.6
		4554	release, so now C<kqueue> I<and> C<poll> are broken.
		4555
		4556	Libev tries to work around this by not using C<poll> by default on
		4557	this rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating
		4558	a loop.
		4559
		4560	=head3 C<select> is buggy
		4561
		4562	All that's left is C<select>, and of course Apple found a way to fuck this
		4563	one up as well: On OS/X, C<select> actively limits the number of file
		4564	descriptors you can pass in to 1024 - your program suddenly crashes when
		4565	you use more.
		4566
		4567	There is an undocumented "workaround" for this - defining
		4568	C<_DARWIN_UNLIMITED_SELECT>, which libev tries to use, so select I<should>
		4569	work on OS/X.
		4570
		4571	=head2 SOLARIS PROBLEMS AND WORKAROUNDS
		4572
		4573	=head3 C<errno> reentrancy
		4574
		4575	The default compile environment on Solaris is unfortunately so
		4576	thread-unsafe that you can't even use components/libraries compiled
		4577	without C<-D_REENTRANT> in a threaded program, which, of course, isn't
		4578	defined by default. A valid, if stupid, implementation choice.
		4579
		4580	If you want to use libev in threaded environments you have to make sure
		4581	it's compiled with C<_REENTRANT> defined.
		4582
		4583	=head3 Event port backend
		4584
		4585	The scalable event interface for Solaris is called "event
		4586	ports". Unfortunately, this mechanism is very buggy in all major
		4587	releases. If you run into high CPU usage, your program freezes or you get
		4588	a large number of spurious wakeups, make sure you have all the relevant
		4589	and latest kernel patches applied. No, I don't know which ones, but there
		4590	are multiple ones to apply, and afterwards, event ports actually work
		4591	great.
		4592
		4593	If you can't get it to work, you can try running the program by setting
		4594	the environment variable C<LIBEV_FLAGS=3> to only allow C<poll> and
		4595	C<select> backends.
		4596
		4597	=head2 AIX POLL BUG
		4598
		4599	AIX unfortunately has a broken C<poll.h> header. Libev works around
		4600	this by trying to avoid the poll backend altogether (i.e. it's not even
		4601	compiled in), which normally isn't a big problem as C<select> works fine
		4602	with large bitsets on AIX, and AIX is dead anyway.
		4603
3329	=head1 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS	4604	=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
		4605
		4606	=head3 General issues
3330		4607
3331	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev	4608	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
3332	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX	4609	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
3333	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in	4610	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
3334	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket	4611	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
3335	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using	4612	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
3336	e.g. cygwin.	4613	e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers,
		4614	as every compielr comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible
		4615	environment.
3337		4616
3338	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full	4617	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
3339	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of	4618	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing,
3340	things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable	4619	then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note
3341	way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).	4620	also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
3342		4621
3343	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except	4622	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
3344	embedding it into other applications.	4623	embedding it into other applications.
		4624
		4625	Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev
		4626	tries its best, but under most conditions, signals will simply not work.
3345		4627
3346	Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't	4628	Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
3347	accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will	4629	accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
3348	either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,	4630	either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
3349	so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a	4631	so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
3350	megabyte seems safe, but thsi apparently depends on the amount of memory	4632	megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
3351	available).	4633	available).
3352		4634
3353	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and	4635	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
3354	the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets	4636	the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
3355	is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use	4637	is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
3356	more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally	4638	more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
3357	different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness	4639	different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
3358	notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows	4640	notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
3359	(Microsoft monopoly games).	4641	(due to Microsoft monopoly games).
3360		4642
3361	A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding	4643	A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
3362	section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead	4644	section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
3363	of F<ev.h>:	4645	of F<ev.h>:
3364		4646
…		…
3366	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */	4648	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
3367		4649
3368	#include "ev.h"	4650	#include "ev.h"
3369		4651
3370	And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure	4652	And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
3371	you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded soruce files!):	4653	you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
3372		4654
3373	#include "evwrap.h"	4655	#include "evwrap.h"
3374	#include "ev.c"	4656	#include "ev.c"
3375		4657
3376	=over 4
3377
3378	=item The winsocket select function	4658	=head3 The winsocket C<select> function
3379		4659
3380	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it	4660	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
3381	requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is	4661	requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
3382	also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also	4662	also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
3383	requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft	4663	requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
…		…
3392	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */	4672	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
3393		4673
3394	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a	4674	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
3395	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.	4675	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
3396		4676
3397	=item Limited number of file descriptors	4677	=head3 Limited number of file descriptors
3398		4678
3399	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.	4679	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
3400		4680
3401	Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum	4681	Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
3402	of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels	4682	of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
3403	can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft	4683	can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
3404	recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the	4684	recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
3405	previous thread in each. Great).	4685	previous thread in each. Sounds great!).
3406		4686
3407	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>	4687	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
3408	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select	4688	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
3409	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own	4689	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl and many
3410	select emulation on windows).	4690	other interpreters do their own select emulation on windows).
3411		4691
3412	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime	4692	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
3413	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish	4693	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64>
3414	or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this by calling	4694	fetish or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this
3415	C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another	4695	by calling C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048>
3416	arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft runtime	4696	(another arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft
3417	libraries.
3418
3419	This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on	4697	runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets
3420	windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to	4698	(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more,
3421	wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of	4699	you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but
3422	calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.	4700	the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
3423		4701
3424	=back
3425
3426
3427	=head1 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS	4702	=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
3428		4703
3429	In addition to a working ISO-C implementation, libev relies on a few	4704	In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
3430	additional extensions:	4705	backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
3431		4706
3432	=over 4	4707	=over 4
3433		4708
3434	=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible	4709	=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
3435	calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.	4710	calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
…		…
3441	calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.	4716	calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
3442		4717
3443	=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well	4718	=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
3444		4719
3445	The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as	4720	The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
3446	C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic w.r.t. accesses from different	4721	C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
3447	threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is	4722	threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
3448	believed to be sufficiently portable.	4723	believed to be sufficiently portable.
3449		4724
3450	=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment	4725	=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
3451		4726
…		…
3460	except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as	4735	except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
3461	well.	4736	well.
3462		4737
3463	=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes	4738	=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
3464		4739
3465	To improve portability and simplify using libev, libev uses C<long>	4740	To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
3466	internally instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On	4741	instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
3467	non-POSIX systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but	4742	systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but is still at
3468	is still at least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of	4743	least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of millions of
3469	millions of watchers.	4744	watchers.
3470		4745
3471	=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy	4746	=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
3472		4747
3473	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to	4748	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
3474	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good	4749	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is
3475	enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by	4750	good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy
		4751	(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by
3476	implementations implementing IEEE 754 (basically all existing ones).	4752	implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones. With
		4753	IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least 2200.
3477		4754
3478	=back	4755	=back
3479		4756
3480	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.	4757	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
3481		4758
3482		4759
3483	=head1 COMPILER WARNINGS	4760	=head1 ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITIES
3484		4761
3485	Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a	4762	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
3486	lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently	4763	libev will be documented. For complexity discussions about backends see
3487	scared by this.	4764	the documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
3488		4765
3489	However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler	4766	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
3490	has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding	4767	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
3491	warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when	4768	happens asymptotically rarer with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
3492	targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.	4769	mean that libev does a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on
		4770	average it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
3493		4771
3494	Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate	4772	=over 4
3495	workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
3496	maintainable.
3497		4773
3498	And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply	4774	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
3499	wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
3500	seems to warn about).
3501		4775
3502	While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,	4776	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
3503	"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev	4777	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that, then inserting will
3504	with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with	4778	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
3505	them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
3506	warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
3507		4779
		4780	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
3508		4781
3509	=head1 VALGRIND	4782	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them,
		4783	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
3510		4784
3511	Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is	4785	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
3512	highly useful, but valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
3513		4786
3514	If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)	4787	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
3515	in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
3516		4788
3517	==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.	4789	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
3518	==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3519	==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
3520		4790
3521	Then there is no memory leak. Similarly, under some circumstances,	4791	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
3522	valgrind might report kernel bugs as if it were a bug in libev, or it
3523	might be confused (it is a very good tool, but only a tool).
3524		4792
3525	If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list	4793	These watchers are stored in lists, so they need to be walked to find the
3526	with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this is	4794	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
3527	a bug in libev. However, don't be annoyed when you get a brisk "this is	4795	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal: one is typical, two
3528	no bug" answer and take the chance of learning how to interpret valgrind	4796	is rare).
3529	properly.
3530		4797
3531	If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project	4798	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
3532	I suggest using suppression lists.
3533		4799
		4800	By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
		4801	fixed position in the storage array.
		4802
		4803	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
		4804
		4805	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
		4806	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
		4807	on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
		4808
		4809	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
		4810
		4811	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
		4812
		4813	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
		4814	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
		4815	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
		4816	watchers becomes O(1) with respect to priority handling.
		4817
		4818	=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
		4819
		4820	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
		4821
		4822	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
		4823
		4824	Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
		4825	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
		4826	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
		4827
		4828	=back
		4829
		4830
		4831	=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X
		4832
		4833	The major version 4 introduced some minor incompatible changes to the API.
		4834
		4835	At the moment, the C<ev.h> header file tries to implement superficial
		4836	compatibility, so most programs should still compile. Those might be
		4837	removed in later versions of libev, so better update early than late.
		4838
		4839	=over 4
		4840
		4841	=item C<ev_default_destroy> and C<ev_default_fork> have been removed
		4842
		4843	These calls can be replaced easily by their C<ev_loop_xxx> counterparts:
		4844
		4845	ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT);
		4846	ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
		4847
		4848	=item function/symbol renames
		4849
		4850	A number of functions and symbols have been renamed:
		4851
		4852	ev_loop => ev_run
		4853	EVLOOP_NONBLOCK => EVRUN_NOWAIT
		4854	EVLOOP_ONESHOT => EVRUN_ONCE
		4855
		4856	ev_unloop => ev_break
		4857	EVUNLOOP_CANCEL => EVBREAK_CANCEL
		4858	EVUNLOOP_ONE => EVBREAK_ONE
		4859	EVUNLOOP_ALL => EVBREAK_ALL
		4860
		4861	EV_TIMEOUT => EV_TIMER
		4862
		4863	ev_loop_count => ev_iteration
		4864	ev_loop_depth => ev_depth
		4865	ev_loop_verify => ev_verify
		4866
		4867	Most functions working on C<struct ev_loop> objects don't have an
		4868	C<ev_loop_> prefix, so it was removed; C<ev_loop>, C<ev_unloop> and
		4869	associated constants have been renamed to not collide with the C<struct
		4870	ev_loop> anymore and C<EV_TIMER> now follows the same naming scheme
		4871	as all other watcher types. Note that C<ev_loop_fork> is still called
		4872	C<ev_loop_fork> because it would otherwise clash with the C<ev_fork>
		4873	typedef.
		4874
		4875	=item C<EV_COMPAT3> backwards compatibility mechanism
		4876
		4877	The backward compatibility mechanism can be controlled by
		4878	C<EV_COMPAT3>. See L<PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS> in the L<EMBEDDING>
		4879	section.
		4880
		4881	=item C<EV_MINIMAL> mechanism replaced by C<EV_FEATURES>
		4882
		4883	The preprocessor symbol C<EV_MINIMAL> has been replaced by a different
		4884	mechanism, C<EV_FEATURES>. Programs using C<EV_MINIMAL> usually compile
		4885	and work, but the library code will of course be larger.
		4886
		4887	=back
		4888
		4889
		4890	=head1 GLOSSARY
		4891
		4892	=over 4
		4893
		4894	=item active
		4895
		4896	A watcher is active as long as it has been started and not yet stopped.
		4897	See L<WATCHER STATES> for details.
		4898
		4899	=item application
		4900
		4901	In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
		4902
		4903	=item backend
		4904
		4905	The part of the code dealing with the operating system interfaces.
		4906
		4907	=item callback
		4908
		4909	The address of a function that is called when some event has been
		4910	detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that
		4911	received the event, and the actual event bitset.
		4912
		4913	=item callback/watcher invocation
		4914
		4915	The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
		4916
		4917	=item event
		4918
		4919	A change of state of some external event, such as data now being available
		4920	for reading on a file descriptor, time having passed or simply not having
		4921	any other events happening anymore.
		4922
		4923	In libev, events are represented as single bits (such as C<EV_READ> or
		4924	C<EV_TIMER>).
		4925
		4926	=item event library
		4927
		4928	A software package implementing an event model and loop.
		4929
		4930	=item event loop
		4931
		4932	An entity that handles and processes external events and converts them
		4933	into callback invocations.
		4934
		4935	=item event model
		4936
		4937	The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes
		4938	watchers and events.
		4939
		4940	=item pending
		4941
		4942	A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been
		4943	detected. See L<WATCHER STATES> for details.
		4944
		4945	=item real time
		4946
		4947	The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
		4948
		4949	=item wall-clock time
		4950
		4951	The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
		4952	be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when the you adjust your
		4953	clock.
		4954
		4955	=item watcher
		4956
		4957	A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
		4958	to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events.
		4959
		4960	=back
3534		4961
3535	=head1 AUTHOR	4962	=head1 AUTHOR
3536		4963
3537	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.	4964	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael Magnusson.
3538		4965

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