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		1	=encoding utf-8
		2
1	=head1 NAME	3	=head1 NAME
2		4
3	libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C	5	libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C
4		6
5	=head1 SYNOPSIS	7	=head1 SYNOPSIS
…		…
58	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);	60	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
59		61
60	// now wait for events to arrive	62	// now wait for events to arrive
61	ev_run (loop, 0);	63	ev_run (loop, 0);
62		64
63	// unloop was called, so exit	65	// break was called, so exit
64	return 0;	66	return 0;
65	}	67	}
66		68
67	=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT	69	=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
68		70
…		…
82		84
83	=head1 WHAT TO READ WHEN IN A HURRY	85	=head1 WHAT TO READ WHEN IN A HURRY
84		86
85	This manual tries to be very detailed, but unfortunately, this also makes	87	This manual tries to be very detailed, but unfortunately, this also makes
86	it very long. If you just want to know the basics of libev, I suggest	88	it very long. If you just want to know the basics of libev, I suggest
87	reading L<ANATOMY OF A WATCHER>, then the L<EXAMPLE PROGRAM> above and	89	reading L</ANATOMY OF A WATCHER>, then the L</EXAMPLE PROGRAM> above and
88	look up the missing functions in L<GLOBAL FUNCTIONS> and the C<ev_io> and	90	look up the missing functions in L</GLOBAL FUNCTIONS> and the C<ev_io> and
89	C<ev_timer> sections in L<WATCHER TYPES>.	91	C<ev_timer> sections in L</WATCHER TYPES>.
90		92
91	=head1 ABOUT LIBEV	93	=head1 ABOUT LIBEV
92		94
93	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a	95	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
94	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage	96	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
…		…
103	details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the	105	details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the
104	watcher.	106	watcher.
105		107
106	=head2 FEATURES	108	=head2 FEATURES
107		109
108	Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the	110	Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific aio and C<epoll>
109	BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms	111	interfaces, the BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port
110	for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface	112	mechanisms for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify>
111	(for C<ev_stat>), Linux eventfd/signalfd (for faster and cleaner	113	interface (for C<ev_stat>), Linux eventfd/signalfd (for faster and cleaner
112	inter-thread wakeup (C<ev_async>)/signal handling (C<ev_signal>)) relative	114	inter-thread wakeup (C<ev_async>)/signal handling (C<ev_signal>)) relative
113	timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers with customised rescheduling	115	timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers with customised rescheduling
114	(C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals (C<ev_signal>), process status	116	(C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals (C<ev_signal>), process status
115	change events (C<ev_child>), and event watchers dealing with the event	117	change events (C<ev_child>), and event watchers dealing with the event
116	loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and	118	loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and
…		…
174	=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()	176	=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()
175		177
176	Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the	178	Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
177	C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp	179	C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
178	you actually want to know. Also interesting is the combination of	180	you actually want to know. Also interesting is the combination of
179	C<ev_update_now> and C<ev_now>.	181	C<ev_now_update> and C<ev_now>.
180		182
181	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)	183	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
182		184
183	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until	185	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked
184	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically	186	until either it is interrupted or the given time interval has
		187	passed (approximately - it might return a bit earlier even if not
		188	interrupted). Returns immediately if C<< interval <= 0 >>.
		189
185	this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.	190	Basically this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
		191
		192	The range of the C<interval> is limited - libev only guarantees to work
		193	with sleep times of up to one day (C<< interval <= 86400 >>).
186		194
187	=item int ev_version_major ()	195	=item int ev_version_major ()
188		196
189	=item int ev_version_minor ()	197	=item int ev_version_minor ()
190		198
…		…
241	the current system, you would need to look at C<ev_embeddable_backends ()	249	the current system, you would need to look at C<ev_embeddable_backends ()
242	& ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for recommended ones.	250	& ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for recommended ones.
243		251
244	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	252	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
245		253
246	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))	254	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size) throw ())
247		255
248	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the	256	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
249	semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is	257	semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
250	used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero	258	used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
251	when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort	259	when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
…		…
257		265
258	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,	266	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
259	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,	267	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
260	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.	268	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
261		269
		270	Example: The following is the C<realloc> function that libev itself uses
		271	which should work with C<realloc> and C<free> functions of all kinds and
		272	is probably a good basis for your own implementation.
		273
		274	static void *
		275	ev_realloc_emul (void *ptr, long size) EV_NOEXCEPT
		276	{
		277	if (size)
		278	return realloc (ptr, size);
		279
		280	free (ptr);
		281	return 0;
		282	}
		283
262	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then	284	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
263	retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).	285	retries.
264		286
265	static void *	287	static void *
266	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)	288	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
267	{	289	{
		290	if (!size)
		291	{
		292	free (ptr);
		293	return 0;
		294	}
		295
268	for (;;)	296	for (;;)
269	{	297	{
270	void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size);	298	void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size);
271		299
272	if (newptr)	300	if (newptr)
…		…
277	}	305	}
278		306
279	...	307	...
280	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);	308	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
281		309
282	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg))	310	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg) throw ())
283		311
284	Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such	312	Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
285	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string	313	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
286	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this	314	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
287	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no	315	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
…		…
390		418
391	If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid	419	If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
392	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable	420	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
393	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will	421	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
394	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is	422	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
395	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work	423	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, to work
396	around bugs.	424	around bugs, or to make libev threadsafe (accessing environment variables
		425	cannot be done in a threadsafe way, but usually it works if no other
		426	thread modifies them).
397		427
398	=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>	428	=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
399		429
400	Instead of calling C<ev_loop_fork> manually after a fork, you can also	430	Instead of calling C<ev_loop_fork> manually after a fork, you can also
401	make libev check for a fork in each iteration by enabling this flag.	431	make libev check for a fork in each iteration by enabling this flag.
402		432
403	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,	433	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
404	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop	434	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
405	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my	435	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
406	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence	436	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn
407	without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has	437	sequence without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux
408	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).	438	system also has C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster). (Update: glibc
		439	versions 2.25 apparently removed the C<getpid> optimisation again).
409		440
410	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and	441	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
411	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this	442	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking, although you still
412	flag.	443	have to ignore C<SIGPIPE>) when you use this flag.
413		444
414	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>	445	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
415	environment variable.	446	environment variable.
416		447
417	=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY>	448	=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY>
…		…
435	example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks.	466	example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks.
436		467
437	=item C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>	468	=item C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>
438		469
439	When this flag is specified, then libev will avoid to modify the signal	470	When this flag is specified, then libev will avoid to modify the signal
440	mask. Specifically, this means you ahve to make sure signals are unblocked	471	mask. Specifically, this means you have to make sure signals are unblocked
441	when you want to receive them.	472	when you want to receive them.
442		473
443	This behaviour is useful when you want to do your own signal handling, or	474	This behaviour is useful when you want to do your own signal handling, or
444	want to handle signals only in specific threads and want to avoid libev	475	want to handle signals only in specific threads and want to avoid libev
445	unblocking the signals.	476	unblocking the signals.
		477
		478	It's also required by POSIX in a threaded program, as libev calls
		479	C<sigprocmask>, whose behaviour is officially unspecified.
446		480
447	This flag's behaviour will become the default in future versions of libev.	481	This flag's behaviour will become the default in future versions of libev.
448		482
449	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)	483	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
450		484
…		…
480	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)	514	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
481		515
482	Use the linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9	516	Use the linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9
483	kernels).	517	kernels).
484		518
485	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,	519	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, but
486	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale	520	it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like
487	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),	521	O(total_fds) where total_fds is the total number of fds (or the highest
488	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).	522	fd), epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
489		523
490	The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned	524	The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
491	of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently	525	of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
492	dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file	526	dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
493	descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup,	527	descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup,
…		…
496	0.1ms) and so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program	530	0.1ms) and so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program
497	forks then I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll	531	forks then I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll
498	set, which can take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor)	532	set, which can take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor)
499	and is of course hard to detect.	533	and is of course hard to detect.
500		534
501	Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but	535	Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work,
502	of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally	536	but of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for
503	I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot	537	totally I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so
504	even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially	538	one cannot even remove them from the set) than registered in the set
505	on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by	539	(especially on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious
506	employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the	540	notifications by employing an additional generation counter and comparing
507	events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required. Last	541	that against the events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set
		542	when required. Epoll also erroneously rounds down timeouts, but gives you
		543	no way to know when and by how much, so sometimes you have to busy-wait
		544	because epoll returns immediately despite a nonzero timeout. And last
508	not least, it also refuses to work with some file descriptors which work	545	not least, it also refuses to work with some file descriptors which work
509	perfectly fine with C<select> (files, many character devices...).	546	perfectly fine with C<select> (files, many character devices...).
510		547
511	Epoll is truly the train wreck analog among event poll mechanisms,	548	Epoll is truly the train wreck among event poll mechanisms, a frankenpoll,
512	a frankenpoll, cobbled together in a hurry, no thought to design or	549	cobbled together in a hurry, no thought to design or interaction with
513	interaction with others.	550	others. Oh, the pain, will it ever stop...
514		551
515	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration	552	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
516	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such	553	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
517	incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different	554	incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
518	I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed	555	I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
…		…
530	All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or	567	All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
531	faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on	568	faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
532	the usage. So sad.	569	the usage. So sad.
533		570
534	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in	571	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
535	all kernel versions tested so far.	572	a lot of kernel revisions, but probably(!) works in current versions.
		573
		574	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		575	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
		576
		577	=item C<EVBACKEND_LINUXAIO> (value 64, Linux)
		578
		579	Use the linux-specific linux aio (I<not> C<< aio(7) >>) event interface
		580	available in post-4.18 kernels.
		581
		582	If this backend works for you (as of this writing, it was very
		583	experimental and only supports a subset of file types), it is the best
		584	event interface available on linux and might be well worth it enabling it
		585	- if it isn't available in your kernel this will be detected and another
		586	backend will be chosen.
		587
		588	This backend can batch oneshot requests and uses a user-space ring buffer
		589	to receive events. It also doesn't suffer from most of the design problems
		590	of epoll (such as not being able to remove event sources from the epoll
		591	set), and generally sounds too good to be true. Because, this being the
		592	linux kernel, of course it suffers from a whole new set of limitations.
		593
		594	For one, it is not easily embeddable (but probably could be done using
		595	an event fd at some extra overhead). It also is subject to various
		596	arbitrary limits that can be configured in F</proc/sys/fs/aio-max-nr>
		597	and F</proc/sys/fs/aio-nr>), which could lead to it being skipped during
		598	initialisation.
		599
		600	Most problematic in practise, however, is that, like kqueue, it requires
		601	special support from drivers, and, not surprisingly, not all drivers
		602	implement it. For example, in linux 4.19, tcp sockets, pipes, event fds,
		603	files, F</dev/null> and a few others are supported, but ttys are not, so
		604	this is not (yet?) a generic event polling interface but is probably still
		605	be very useful in a web server or similar program.
536		606
537	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as	607	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
538	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	608	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
539		609
540	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)	610	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
…		…
555		625
556	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the	626	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
557	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of	627	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
558	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never	628	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
559	cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to	629	cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
560	two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but	630	two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (you
561	sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect	631	might have to leak fd's on fork, but it's more sane than epoll) and it
562	cases	632	drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.
563		633
564	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.	634	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
565		635
566	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work	636	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
567	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken	637	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
…		…
596	among the OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed	666	among the OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed
597	hacks).	667	hacks).
598		668
599	On the negative side, the interface is I<bizarre> - so bizarre that	669	On the negative side, the interface is I<bizarre> - so bizarre that
600	even sun itself gets it wrong in their code examples: The event polling	670	even sun itself gets it wrong in their code examples: The event polling
601	function sometimes returning events to the caller even though an error	671	function sometimes returns events to the caller even though an error
602	occurred, but with no indication whether it has done so or not (yes, it's	672	occurred, but with no indication whether it has done so or not (yes, it's
603	even documented that way) - deadly for edge-triggered interfaces where	673	even documented that way) - deadly for edge-triggered interfaces where you
604	you absolutely have to know whether an event occurred or not because you	674	absolutely have to know whether an event occurred or not because you have
605	have to re-arm the watcher.	675	to re-arm the watcher.
606		676
607	Fortunately libev seems to be able to work around these idiocies.	677	Fortunately libev seems to be able to work around these idiocies.
608		678
609	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as	679	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
610	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	680	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
…		…
640		710
641	Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is	711	Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
642	used if available.	712	used if available.
643		713
644	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_loop_new (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);	714	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_loop_new (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
		715
		716	Example: Similarly, on linux, you mgiht want to take advantage of the
		717	linux aio backend if possible, but fall back to something else if that
		718	isn't available.
		719
		720	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_loop_new (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_LINUXAIO);
645		721
646	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)	722	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
647		723
648	Destroys an event loop object (frees all memory and kernel state	724	Destroys an event loop object (frees all memory and kernel state
649	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal	725	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
…		…
666	If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use C<ev_loop_new>	742	If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use C<ev_loop_new>
667	and C<ev_loop_destroy>.	743	and C<ev_loop_destroy>.
668		744
669	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)	745	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
670		746
671	This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_run> iterations to	747	This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_run> iterations
672	reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the	748	to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite
673	name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in	749	the name, you can call it anytime you are allowed to start or stop
674	the child process. You I<must> call it (or use C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>) in the	750	watchers (except inside an C<ev_prepare> callback), but it makes most
		751	sense after forking, in the child process. You I<must> call it (or use
675	child before resuming or calling C<ev_run>.	752	C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>) in the child before resuming or calling C<ev_run>.
676		753
		754	In addition, if you want to reuse a loop (via this function or
		755	C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>), you I<also> have to ignore C<SIGPIPE>.
		756
677	Again, you I<have> to call it on I<any> loop that you want to re-use after	757	Again, you I<have> to call it on I<any> loop that you want to re-use after
678	a fork, I<even if you do not plan to use the loop in the parent>. This is	758	a fork, I<even if you do not plan to use the loop in the parent>. This is
679	because some kernel interfaces *cough* I<kqueue> *cough* do funny things	759	because some kernel interfaces *cough* I<kqueue> *cough* do funny things
680	during fork.	760	during fork.
681		761
682	On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child	762	On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
…		…
752		832
753	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a	833	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
754	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of	834	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
755	the current time is a good idea.	835	the current time is a good idea.
756		836
757	See also L<The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.	837	See also L</The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.
758		838
759	=item ev_suspend (loop)	839	=item ev_suspend (loop)
760		840
761	=item ev_resume (loop)	841	=item ev_resume (loop)
762		842
…		…
780	without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.	860	without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
781		861
782	Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the	862	Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
783	event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).	863	event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
784		864
785	=item ev_run (loop, int flags)	865	=item bool ev_run (loop, int flags)
786		866
787	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called	867	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
788	after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start	868	after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start
789	handling events. It will ask the operating system for any new events, call	869	handling events. It will ask the operating system for any new events, call
790	the watcher callbacks, an then repeat the whole process indefinitely: This	870	the watcher callbacks, and then repeat the whole process indefinitely: This
791	is why event loops are called I<loops>.	871	is why event loops are called I<loops>.
792		872
793	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will keep handling events	873	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will keep handling events
794	until either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_break> was	874	until either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_break> was
795	called.	875	called.
		876
		877	The return value is false if there are no more active watchers (which
		878	usually means "all jobs done" or "deadlock"), and true in all other cases
		879	(which usually means " you should call C<ev_run> again").
796		880
797	Please note that an explicit C<ev_break> is usually better than	881	Please note that an explicit C<ev_break> is usually better than
798	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has	882	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
799	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program	883	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
800	that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue	884	that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
801	of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of	885	of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
802	beauty.	886	beauty.
803		887
804	This function is also I<mostly> exception-safe - you can break out of	888	This function is I<mostly> exception-safe - you can break out of a
805	a C<ev_run> call by calling C<longjmp> in a callback, throwing a C++	889	C<ev_run> call by calling C<longjmp> in a callback, throwing a C++
806	exception and so on. This does not decrement the C<ev_depth> value, nor	890	exception and so on. This does not decrement the C<ev_depth> value, nor
807	will it clear any outstanding C<EVBREAK_ONE> breaks.	891	will it clear any outstanding C<EVBREAK_ONE> breaks.
808		892
809	A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle	893	A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle
810	those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and	894	those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and
…		…
822	This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction	906	This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
823	with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your	907	with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
824	own C<ev_run>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is	908	own C<ev_run>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
825	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.	909	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
826		910
827	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does:	911	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does (this is for your
		912	understanding, not a guarantee that things will work exactly like this in
		913	future versions):
828		914
829	- Increment loop depth.	915	- Increment loop depth.
830	- Reset the ev_break status.	916	- Reset the ev_break status.
831	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.	917	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
832	LOOP:	918	LOOP:
…		…
865	anymore.	951	anymore.
866		952
867	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long	953	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
868	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)	954	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
869	ev_run (my_loop, 0);	955	ev_run (my_loop, 0);
870	... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!	956	... jobs done or somebody called break. yeah!
871		957
872	=item ev_break (loop, how)	958	=item ev_break (loop, how)
873		959
874	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it	960	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it
875	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either	961	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
…		…
938	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.	1024	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
939		1025
940	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more	1026	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
941	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,	1027	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
942	at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and	1028	at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
943	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will	1029	C<ev_timer>) will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
944	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The	1030	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
945	sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then	1031	sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
946	once per this interval, on average.	1032	once per this interval, on average (as long as the host time resolution is
		1033	good enough).
947		1034
948	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev	1035	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
949	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased	1036	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
950	latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called	1037	latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
951	later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null	1038	later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
…		…
997	invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).	1084	invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
998		1085
999	If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new	1086	If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
1000	callback.	1087	callback.
1001		1088
1002	=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P), void (*acquire)(EV_P))	1089	=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P) throw (), void (*acquire)(EV_P) throw ())
1003		1090
1004	Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This	1091	Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
1005	can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around	1092	can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
1006	each call to a libev function.	1093	each call to a libev function.
1007		1094
1008	However, C<ev_run> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible	1095	However, C<ev_run> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible
1009	to wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the event	1096	to wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the event
1010	loop via C<ev_break> and C<av_async_send>, another way is to set these	1097	loop via C<ev_break> and C<ev_async_send>, another way is to set these
1011	I<release> and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.	1098	I<release> and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
1012		1099
1013	When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is	1100	When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
1014	suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just	1101	suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
1015	afterwards.	1102	afterwards.
…		…
1155		1242
1156	=item C<EV_PREPARE>	1243	=item C<EV_PREPARE>
1157		1244
1158	=item C<EV_CHECK>	1245	=item C<EV_CHECK>
1159		1246
1160	All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_run> starts	1247	All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_run> starts to
1161	to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after	1248	gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are queued (not invoked)
1162	C<ev_run> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any	1249	just after C<ev_run> has gathered them, but before it queues any callbacks
		1250	for any received events. That means C<ev_prepare> watchers are the last
		1251	watchers invoked before the event loop sleeps or polls for new events, and
		1252	C<ev_check> watchers will be invoked before any other watchers of the same
		1253	or lower priority within an event loop iteration.
		1254
1163	received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as	1255	Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as many watchers as
1164	many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account	1256	they want, and all of them will be taken into account (for example, a
1165	(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep	1257	C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep C<ev_run> from
1166	C<ev_run> from blocking).	1258	blocking).
1167		1259
1168	=item C<EV_EMBED>	1260	=item C<EV_EMBED>
1169		1261
1170	The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.	1262	The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.
1171		1263
…		…
1294		1386
1295	=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1387	=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
1296		1388
1297	Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.	1389	Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
1298		1390
1299	=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	1391	=item ev_set_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
1300		1392
1301	Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time	1393	Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
1302	(modulo threads).	1394	(modulo threads).
1303		1395
1304	=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority)	1396	=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority)
…		…
1322	or might not have been clamped to the valid range.	1414	or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
1323		1415
1324	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is	1416	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
1325	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).	1417	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
1326		1418
1327	See L<WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of	1419	See L</WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of
1328	priorities.	1420	priorities.
1329		1421
1330	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)	1422	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1331		1423
1332	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither	1424	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
…		…
1357	See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related	1449	See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related
1358	functions that do not need a watcher.	1450	functions that do not need a watcher.
1359		1451
1360	=back	1452	=back
1361		1453
1362	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER	1454	See also the L</ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER> and L</BUILDING YOUR
1363		1455	OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS> idioms.
1364	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
1365	and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
1366	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
1367	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
1368	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
1369	data:
1370
1371	struct my_io
1372	{
1373	ev_io io;
1374	int otherfd;
1375	void *somedata;
1376	struct whatever *mostinteresting;
1377	};
1378
1379	...
1380	struct my_io w;
1381	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
1382
1383	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
1384	can cast it back to your own type:
1385
1386	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
1387	{
1388	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
1389	...
1390	}
1391
1392	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
1393	instead have been omitted.
1394
1395	Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
1396	embedded watchers:
1397
1398	struct my_biggy
1399	{
1400	int some_data;
1401	ev_timer t1;
1402	ev_timer t2;
1403	}
1404
1405	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
1406	complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
1407	in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
1408	some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
1409	programmers):
1410
1411	#include <stddef.h>
1412
1413	static void
1414	t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1415	{
1416	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1417	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
1418	}
1419
1420	static void
1421	t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1422	{
1423	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1424	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
1425	}
1426		1456
1427	=head2 WATCHER STATES	1457	=head2 WATCHER STATES
1428		1458
1429	There are various watcher states mentioned throughout this manual -	1459	There are various watcher states mentioned throughout this manual -
1430	active, pending and so on. In this section these states and the rules to	1460	active, pending and so on. In this section these states and the rules to
1431	transition between them will be described in more detail - and while these	1461	transition between them will be described in more detail - and while these
1432	rules might look complicated, they usually do "the right thing".	1462	rules might look complicated, they usually do "the right thing".
1433		1463
1434	=over 4	1464	=over 4
1435		1465
1436	=item initialiased	1466	=item initialised
1437		1467
1438	Before a watcher can be registered with the event looop it has to be	1468	Before a watcher can be registered with the event loop it has to be
1439	initialised. This can be done with a call to C<ev_TYPE_init>, or calls to	1469	initialised. This can be done with a call to C<ev_TYPE_init>, or calls to
1440	C<ev_init> followed by the watcher-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> function.	1470	C<ev_init> followed by the watcher-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> function.
1441		1471
1442	In this state it is simply some block of memory that is suitable for use	1472	In this state it is simply some block of memory that is suitable for
1443	in an event loop. It can be moved around, freed, reused etc. at will.	1473	use in an event loop. It can be moved around, freed, reused etc. at
		1474	will - as long as you either keep the memory contents intact, or call
		1475	C<ev_TYPE_init> again.
1444		1476
1445	=item started/running/active	1477	=item started/running/active
1446		1478
1447	Once a watcher has been started with a call to C<ev_TYPE_start> it becomes	1479	Once a watcher has been started with a call to C<ev_TYPE_start> it becomes
1448	property of the event loop, and is actively waiting for events. While in	1480	property of the event loop, and is actively waiting for events. While in
…		…
1476	latter will clear any pending state the watcher might be in, regardless	1508	latter will clear any pending state the watcher might be in, regardless
1477	of whether it was active or not, so stopping a watcher explicitly before	1509	of whether it was active or not, so stopping a watcher explicitly before
1478	freeing it is often a good idea.	1510	freeing it is often a good idea.
1479		1511
1480	While stopped (and not pending) the watcher is essentially in the	1512	While stopped (and not pending) the watcher is essentially in the
1481	initialised state, that is it can be reused, moved, modified in any way	1513	initialised state, that is, it can be reused, moved, modified in any way
1482	you wish.	1514	you wish (but when you trash the memory block, you need to C<ev_TYPE_init>
		1515	it again).
1483		1516
1484	=back	1517	=back
1485		1518
1486	=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS	1519	=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
1487		1520
…		…
1636		1669
1637	But really, best use non-blocking mode.	1670	But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1638		1671
1639	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors	1672	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1640		1673
1641	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file	1674	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll, linuxaio) need to be told about closing
1642	descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means,	1675	a file descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other
1643	such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file	1676	means, such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some
1644	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop	1677	file descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently
1645	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is	1678	drop this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then
1646	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in	1679	is registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is,
1647	fact, a different file descriptor.	1680	in fact, a different file descriptor.
1648		1681
1649	To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows	1682	To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows
1650	the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev	1683	the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev
1651	will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise	1684	will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise
1652	it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that	1685	it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that
…		…
1680	always get a readiness notification instantly, and your read (or possibly	1713	always get a readiness notification instantly, and your read (or possibly
1681	write) will still block on the disk I/O.	1714	write) will still block on the disk I/O.
1682		1715
1683	Another way to view it is that in the case of sockets, pipes, character	1716	Another way to view it is that in the case of sockets, pipes, character
1684	devices and so on, there is another party (the sender) that delivers data	1717	devices and so on, there is another party (the sender) that delivers data
1685	on it's own, but in the case of files, there is no such thing: the disk	1718	on its own, but in the case of files, there is no such thing: the disk
1686	will not send data on it's own, simply because it doesn't know what you	1719	will not send data on its own, simply because it doesn't know what you
1687	wish to read - you would first have to request some data.	1720	wish to read - you would first have to request some data.
1688		1721
1689	Since files are typically not-so-well supported by advanced notification	1722	Since files are typically not-so-well supported by advanced notification
1690	mechanism, libev tries hard to emulate POSIX behaviour with respect	1723	mechanism, libev tries hard to emulate POSIX behaviour with respect
1691	to files, even though you should not use it. The reason for this is	1724	to files, even though you should not use it. The reason for this is
…		…
1701	when you rarely read from a file instead of from a socket, and want to	1734	when you rarely read from a file instead of from a socket, and want to
1702	reuse the same code path.	1735	reuse the same code path.
1703		1736
1704	=head3 The special problem of fork	1737	=head3 The special problem of fork
1705		1738
1706	Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit	1739	Some backends (epoll, kqueue, probably linuxaio) do not support C<fork ()>
1707	useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about	1740	at all or exhibit useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs
1708	it in the child if you want to continue to use it in the child.	1741	to be told about it in the child if you want to continue to use it in the
		1742	child.
1709		1743
1710	To support fork in your child processes, you have to call C<ev_loop_fork	1744	To support fork in your child processes, you have to call C<ev_loop_fork
1711	()> after a fork in the child, enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to	1745	()> after a fork in the child, enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to
1712	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	1746	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1713		1747
…		…
1815	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the	1849	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1816	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).	1850	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1817		1851
1818	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has	1852	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1819	passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this	1853	passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
1820	might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the	1854	might introduce a small delay, see "the special problem of being too
		1855	early", below). If multiple timers become ready during the same loop
1821	same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked	1856	iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked before
1822	before ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is	1857	ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is no
1823	no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).	1858	longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1824		1859
1825	=head3 Be smart about timeouts	1860	=head3 Be smart about timeouts
1826		1861
1827	Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error	1862	Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
1828	recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,	1863	recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
…		…
1903		1938
1904	In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,	1939	In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
1905	but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only	1940	but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
1906	within the callback:	1941	within the callback:
1907		1942
		1943	ev_tstamp timeout = 60.;
1908	ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity	1944	ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
		1945	ev_timer timer;
1909		1946
1910	static void	1947	static void
1911	callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	1948	callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1912	{	1949	{
1913	ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);	1950	// calculate when the timeout would happen
1914	ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;	1951	ev_tstamp after = last_activity - ev_now (EV_A) + timeout;
1915		1952
1916	// if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out	1953	// if negative, it means we the timeout already occurred
1917	if (timeout < now)	1954	if (after < 0.)
1918	{	1955	{
1919	// timeout occurred, take action	1956	// timeout occurred, take action
1920	}	1957	}
1921	else	1958	else
1922	{	1959	{
1923	// callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm	1960	// callback was invoked, but there was some recent
1924	// the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is	1961	// activity. simply restart the timer to time out
1925	// guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:	1962	// after "after" seconds, which is the earliest time
1926	w->repeat = timeout - now;	1963	// the timeout can occur.
		1964	ev_timer_set (w, after, 0.);
1927	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);	1965	ev_timer_start (EV_A_ w);
1928	}	1966	}
1929	}	1967	}
1930		1968
1931	To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined	1969	To summarise the callback: first calculate in how many seconds the
1932	as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has	1970	timeout will occur (by calculating the absolute time when it would occur,
1933	been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise	1971	C<last_activity + timeout>, and subtracting the current time, C<ev_now
1934	the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so	1972	(EV_A)> from that).
1935	re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
1936	a timeout then.
1937		1973
1938	Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the	1974	If this value is negative, then we are already past the timeout, i.e. we
1939	C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.	1975	timed out, and need to do whatever is needed in this case.
		1976
		1977	Otherwise, we now the earliest time at which the timeout would trigger,
		1978	and simply start the timer with this timeout value.
		1979
		1980	In other words, each time the callback is invoked it will check whether
		1981	the timeout occurred. If not, it will simply reschedule itself to check
		1982	again at the earliest time it could time out. Rinse. Repeat.
1940		1983
1941	This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds	1984	This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
1942	minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to	1985	minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
1943	libev to change the timeout.	1986	libev to change the timeout.
1944		1987
1945	To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>	1988	To start the machinery, simply initialise the watcher and set
1946	to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the	1989	C<last_activity> to the current time (meaning there was some activity just
1947	callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:	1990	now), then call the callback, which will "do the right thing" and start
		1991	the timer:
1948		1992
		1993	last_activity = ev_now (EV_A);
1949	ev_init (timer, callback);	1994	ev_init (&timer, callback);
1950	last_activity = ev_now (loop);	1995	callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0);
1951	callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMER);
1952		1996
1953	And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in	1997	When there is some activity, simply store the current time in
1954	C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:	1998	C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
1955		1999
		2000	if (activity detected)
1956	last_activity = ev_now (loop);	2001	last_activity = ev_now (EV_A);
		2002
		2003	When your timeout value changes, then the timeout can be changed by simply
		2004	providing a new value, stopping the timer and calling the callback, which
		2005	will again do the right thing (for example, time out immediately :).
		2006
		2007	timeout = new_value;
		2008	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &timer);
		2009	callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0);
1957		2010
1958	This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the	2011	This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
1959	time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.	2012	time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
1960
1961	Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
1962	callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
1963	fix things for you.
1964		2013
1965	=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.	2014	=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
1966		2015
1967	If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all	2016	If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
1968	employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can	2017	employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
…		…
1995	Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is	2044	Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
1996	rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays	2045	rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
1997	off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually	2046	off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
1998	overkill :)	2047	overkill :)
1999		2048
		2049	=head3 The special problem of being too early
		2050
		2051	If you ask a timer to call your callback after three seconds, then
		2052	you expect it to be invoked after three seconds - but of course, this
		2053	cannot be guaranteed to infinite precision. Less obviously, it cannot be
		2054	guaranteed to any precision by libev - imagine somebody suspending the
		2055	process with a STOP signal for a few hours for example.
		2056
		2057	So, libev tries to invoke your callback as soon as possible I<after> the
		2058	delay has occurred, but cannot guarantee this.
		2059
		2060	A less obvious failure mode is calling your callback too early: many event
		2061	loops compare timestamps with a "elapsed delay >= requested delay", but
		2062	this can cause your callback to be invoked much earlier than you would
		2063	expect.
		2064
		2065	To see why, imagine a system with a clock that only offers full second
		2066	resolution (think windows if you can't come up with a broken enough OS
		2067	yourself). If you schedule a one-second timer at the time 500.9, then the
		2068	event loop will schedule your timeout to elapse at a system time of 500
		2069	(500.9 truncated to the resolution) + 1, or 501.
		2070
		2071	If an event library looks at the timeout 0.1s later, it will see "501 >=
		2072	501" and invoke the callback 0.1s after it was started, even though a
		2073	one-second delay was requested - this is being "too early", despite best
		2074	intentions.
		2075
		2076	This is the reason why libev will never invoke the callback if the elapsed
		2077	delay equals the requested delay, but only when the elapsed delay is
		2078	larger than the requested delay. In the example above, libev would only invoke
		2079	the callback at system time 502, or 1.1s after the timer was started.
		2080
		2081	So, while libev cannot guarantee that your callback will be invoked
		2082	exactly when requested, it I<can> and I<does> guarantee that the requested
		2083	delay has actually elapsed, or in other words, it always errs on the "too
		2084	late" side of things.
		2085
2000	=head3 The special problem of time updates	2086	=head3 The special problem of time updates
2001		2087
2002	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at	2088	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes
2003	least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current	2089	at least one system call): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
2004	time only before and after C<ev_run> collects new events, which causes a	2090	time only before and after C<ev_run> collects new events, which causes a
2005	growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling	2091	growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
2006	lots of events in one iteration.	2092	lots of events in one iteration.
2007		2093
2008	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>	2094	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
2009	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time	2095	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
2010	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If	2096	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
2011	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the	2097	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
2012	timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:	2098	timeout on the current time, use something like the following to adjust
		2099	for it:
2013		2100
2014	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);	2101	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + (ev_time () - ev_now ()), 0.);
2015		2102
2016	If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an	2103	If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
2017	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update	2104	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
2018	()>.	2105	()>, although that will push the event time of all outstanding events
		2106	further into the future.
		2107
		2108	=head3 The special problem of unsynchronised clocks
		2109
		2110	Modern systems have a variety of clocks - libev itself uses the normal
		2111	"wall clock" clock and, if available, the monotonic clock (to avoid time
		2112	jumps).
		2113
		2114	Neither of these clocks is synchronised with each other or any other clock
		2115	on the system, so C<ev_time ()> might return a considerably different time
		2116	than C<gettimeofday ()> or C<time ()>. On a GNU/Linux system, for example,
		2117	a call to C<gettimeofday> might return a second count that is one higher
		2118	than a directly following call to C<time>.
		2119
		2120	The moral of this is to only compare libev-related timestamps with
		2121	C<ev_time ()> and C<ev_now ()>, at least if you want better precision than
		2122	a second or so.
		2123
		2124	One more problem arises due to this lack of synchronisation: if libev uses
		2125	the system monotonic clock and you compare timestamps from C<ev_time>
		2126	or C<ev_now> from when you started your timer and when your callback is
		2127	invoked, you will find that sometimes the callback is a bit "early".
		2128
		2129	This is because C<ev_timer>s work in real time, not wall clock time, so
		2130	libev makes sure your callback is not invoked before the delay happened,
		2131	I<measured according to the real time>, not the system clock.
		2132
		2133	If your timeouts are based on a physical timescale (e.g. "time out this
		2134	connection after 100 seconds") then this shouldn't bother you as it is
		2135	exactly the right behaviour.
		2136
		2137	If you want to compare wall clock/system timestamps to your timers, then
		2138	you need to use C<ev_periodic>s, as these are based on the wall clock
		2139	time, where your comparisons will always generate correct results.
2019		2140
2020	=head3 The special problems of suspended animation	2141	=head3 The special problems of suspended animation
2021		2142
2022	When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that	2143	When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that
2023	can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?	2144	can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?
…		…
2053		2174
2054	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	2175	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
2055		2176
2056	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	2177	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
2057		2178
2058	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>	2179	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds (fractional and
2059	is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is	2180	negative values are supported). If C<repeat> is C<0.>, then it will
2060	reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be	2181	automatically be stopped once the timeout is reached. If it is positive,
2061	configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,	2182	then the timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat>
2062	until stopped manually.	2183	seconds later, again, and again, until stopped manually.
2063		2184
2064	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if	2185	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
2065	you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally	2186	you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
2066	trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot	2187	trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
2067	keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to	2188	keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
2068	do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.	2189	do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
2069		2190
2070	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)	2191	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
2071		2192
2072	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is	2193	This will act as if the timer timed out, and restarts it again if it is
2073	repeating. The exact semantics are:	2194	repeating. It basically works like calling C<ev_timer_stop>, updating the
		2195	timeout to the C<repeat> value and calling C<ev_timer_start>.
2074		2196
		2197	The exact semantics are as in the following rules, all of which will be
		2198	applied to the watcher:
		2199
		2200	=over 4
		2201
2075	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.	2202	=item If the timer is pending, the pending status is always cleared.
2076		2203
2077	If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).	2204	=item If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed
		2205	out, without invoking it).
2078		2206
2079	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the	2207	=item If the timer is repeating, make the C<repeat> value the new timeout
2080	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.	2208	and start the timer, if necessary.
2081		2209
		2210	=back
		2211
2082	This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a	2212	This sounds a bit complicated, see L</Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
2083	usage example.	2213	usage example.
2084		2214
2085	=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)	2215	=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
2086		2216
2087	Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,	2217	Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
…		…
2140	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile	2270	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
2141	(and unfortunately a bit complex).	2271	(and unfortunately a bit complex).
2142		2272
2143	Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or	2273	Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
2144	relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time	2274	relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
2145	(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calender or clock). The	2275	(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calendar or clock). The
2146	difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real	2276	difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
2147	time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your	2277	time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
2148	wrist-watch).	2278	wrist-watch).
2149		2279
2150	You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point	2280	You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
…		…
2155	C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting	2285	C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting
2156	it, as it uses a relative timeout).	2286	it, as it uses a relative timeout).
2157		2287
2158	C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex	2288	C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex
2159	timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or	2289	timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or
2160	other complicated rules. This cannot be done with C<ev_timer> watchers, as	2290	other complicated rules. This cannot easily be done with C<ev_timer>
2161	those cannot react to time jumps.	2291	watchers, as those cannot react to time jumps.
2162		2292
2163	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the	2293	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
2164	point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple	2294	point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
2165	timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with	2295	timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
2166	earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values	2296	earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
…		…
2207		2337
2208	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that	2338	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
2209	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible	2339	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
2210	time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.	2340	time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
2211		2341
2212	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<offset> value is near	2342	The C<interval> I<MUST> be positive, and for numerical stability, the
2213	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for	2343	interval value should be higher than C<1/8192> (which is around 100
2214	this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.	2344	microseconds) and C<offset> should be higher than C<0> and should have
		2345	at most a similar magnitude as the current time (say, within a factor of
		2346	ten). Typical values for offset are, in fact, C<0> or something between
		2347	C<0> and C<interval>, which is also the recommended range.
2215		2348
2216	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU	2349	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
2217	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability	2350	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
2218	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one	2351	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
2219	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).	2352	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
…		…
2249		2382
2250	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or	2383	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
2251	equal to the passed C<now> value >>.	2384	equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
2252		2385
2253	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that	2386	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
2254	triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the	2387	triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate
2255	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How	2388	the next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for
2256	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main	2389	this. Here is a (completely untested, no error checking) example on how to
2257	reason I omitted it as an example).	2390	do this:
		2391
		2392	#include <time.h>
		2393
		2394	static ev_tstamp
		2395	my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
		2396	{
		2397	time_t tnow = (time_t)now;
		2398	struct tm tm;
		2399	localtime_r (&tnow, &tm);
		2400
		2401	tm.tm_sec = tm.tm_min = tm.tm_hour = 0; // midnight current day
		2402	++tm.tm_mday; // midnight next day
		2403
		2404	return mktime (&tm);
		2405	}
		2406
		2407	Note: this code might run into trouble on days that have more then two
		2408	midnights (beginning and end).
2258		2409
2259	=back	2410	=back
2260		2411
2261	=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *)	2412	=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *)
2262		2413
…		…
2327		2478
2328	ev_periodic hourly_tick;	2479	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
2329	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,	2480	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
2330	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);	2481	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
2331	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	2482	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
2332		2483
2333		2484
2334	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!	2485	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
2335		2486
2336	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific	2487	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
2337	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev	2488	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
…		…
2347	only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your	2498	only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your
2348	default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for	2499	default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for
2349	C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At	2500	C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At
2350	the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop.	2501	the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop.
2351		2502
2352	When the first watcher gets started will libev actually register something	2503	Only after the first watcher for a signal is started will libev actually
2353	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as	2504	register something with the kernel. It thus coexists with your own signal
2354	you don't register any with libev for the same signal).	2505	handlers as long as you don't register any with libev for the same signal.
2355		2506
2356	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with	2507	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
2357	C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should	2508	C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
2358	not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting	2509	not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
2359	interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher	2510	interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
…		…
2362	=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create	2513	=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create
2363		2514
2364	Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition	2515	Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition
2365	(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after	2516	(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
2366	stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,	2517	stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
2367	and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler.	2518	and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler (but
		2519	see C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>).
2368		2520
2369	While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never	2521	While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never
2370	sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on	2522	sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on
2371	C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect	2523	C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect
2372	certain signals to be blocked.	2524	certain signals to be blocked.
…		…
2543		2695
2544	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?	2696	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
2545		2697
2546	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls	2698	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
2547	C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)	2699	C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
2548	and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if	2700	and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback
2549	it did.	2701	if it did. Starting the watcher C<stat>'s the file, so only changes that
		2702	happen after the watcher has been started will be reported.
2550		2703
2551	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does	2704	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
2552	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not	2705	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
2553	exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the	2706	exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
2554	C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at	2707	C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
…		…
2784	Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful	2937	Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
2785	effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do	2938	effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do
2786	"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the	2939	"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
2787	event loop has handled all outstanding events.	2940	event loop has handled all outstanding events.
2788		2941
		2942	=head3 Abusing an C<ev_idle> watcher for its side-effect
		2943
		2944	As long as there is at least one active idle watcher, libev will never
		2945	sleep unnecessarily. Or in other words, it will loop as fast as possible.
		2946	For this to work, the idle watcher doesn't need to be invoked at all - the
		2947	lowest priority will do.
		2948
		2949	This mode of operation can be useful together with an C<ev_check> watcher,
		2950	to do something on each event loop iteration - for example to balance load
		2951	between different connections.
		2952
		2953	See L</Abusing an ev_check watcher for its side-effect> for a longer
		2954	example.
		2955
2789	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2956	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2790		2957
2791	=over 4	2958	=over 4
2792		2959
2793	=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)	2960	=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
…		…
2804	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.	2971	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
2805		2972
2806	static void	2973	static void
2807	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)	2974	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
2808	{	2975	{
		2976	// stop the watcher
		2977	ev_idle_stop (loop, w);
		2978
		2979	// now we can free it
2809	free (w);	2980	free (w);
		2981
2810	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has	2982	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has
2811	// no longer anything immediate to do.	2983	// no longer anything immediate to do.
2812	}	2984	}
2813		2985
2814	ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));	2986	ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
…		…
2816	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);	2988	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
2817		2989
2818		2990
2819	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!	2991	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
2820		2992
2821	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:	2993	Prepare and check watchers are often (but not always) used in pairs:
2822	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers	2994	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
2823	afterwards.	2995	afterwards.
2824		2996
2825	You I<must not> call C<ev_run> or similar functions that enter	2997	You I<must not> call C<ev_run> (or similar functions that enter the
2826	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>	2998	current event loop) or C<ev_loop_fork> from either C<ev_prepare> or
2827	watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The	2999	C<ev_check> watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine,
2828	rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in	3000	however. The rationale behind this is that you do not need to check
2829	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,	3001	for recursion in those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be
2830	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be	3002	C<ev_prepare>, blocking, C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each
2831	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.	3003	kind they will always be called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
2832		3004
2833	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and	3005	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
2834	their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track	3006	their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
2835	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a	3007	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
2836	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if	3008	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
…		…
2854	with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine	3026	with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
2855	of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event	3027	of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
2856	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping	3028	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
2857	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).	3029	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
2858		3030
2859	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)	3031	When used for this purpose, it is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers
2860	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers	3032	highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>) priority, to ensure that they are being run before
2861	after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).	3033	any other watchers after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare>
		3034	watchers).
2862		3035
2863	Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not	3036	Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
2864	activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they	3037	activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
2865	might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As	3038	might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
2866	C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event	3039	C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
2867	loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their	3040	loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
2868	C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with	3041	C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
2869	others).	3042	others).
		3043
		3044	=head3 Abusing an C<ev_check> watcher for its side-effect
		3045
		3046	C<ev_check> (and less often also C<ev_prepare>) watchers can also be
		3047	useful because they are called once per event loop iteration. For
		3048	example, if you want to handle a large number of connections fairly, you
		3049	normally only do a bit of work for each active connection, and if there
		3050	is more work to do, you wait for the next event loop iteration, so other
		3051	connections have a chance of making progress.
		3052
		3053	Using an C<ev_check> watcher is almost enough: it will be called on the
		3054	next event loop iteration. However, that isn't as soon as possible -
		3055	without external events, your C<ev_check> watcher will not be invoked.
		3056
		3057	This is where C<ev_idle> watchers come in handy - all you need is a
		3058	single global idle watcher that is active as long as you have one active
		3059	C<ev_check> watcher. The C<ev_idle> watcher makes sure the event loop
		3060	will not sleep, and the C<ev_check> watcher makes sure a callback gets
		3061	invoked. Neither watcher alone can do that.
2870		3062
2871	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	3063	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2872		3064
2873	=over 4	3065	=over 4
2874		3066
…		…
3075		3267
3076	=over 4	3268	=over 4
3077		3269
3078	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)	3270	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
3079		3271
3080	=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)	3272	=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
3081		3273
3082	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be	3274	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
3083	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be	3275	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
3084	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback	3276	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
3085	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,	3277	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
…		…
3106	used).	3298	used).
3107		3299
3108	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);	3300	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
3109	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;	3301	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
3110	ev_embed embed;	3302	ev_embed embed;
3111		3303
3112	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works	3304	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
3113	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)	3305	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
3114	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()	3306	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
3115	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())	3307	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
3116	: 0;	3308	: 0;
…		…
3130	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).	3322	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
3131		3323
3132	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	3324	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
3133	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;	3325	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
3134	ev_embed embed;	3326	ev_embed embed;
3135		3327
3136	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)	3328	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
3137	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))	3329	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
3138	{	3330	{
3139	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);	3331	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
3140	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);	3332	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
…		…
3148		3340
3149	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork	3341	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
3150		3342
3151	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because	3343	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
3152	whoever is a good citizen cared to tell libev about it by calling	3344	whoever is a good citizen cared to tell libev about it by calling
3153	C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork>). The invocation is done before the	3345	C<ev_loop_fork>). The invocation is done before the event loop blocks next
3154	event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,	3346	and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called, and only in the child
3155	and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling	3347	after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling C<ev_default_fork> cheats
3156	C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork	3348	and calls it in the wrong process, the fork handlers will be invoked, too,
3157	handlers will be invoked, too, of course.	3349	of course.
3158		3350
3159	=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?	3351	=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
3160		3352
3161	Most uses of C<fork()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to set	3353	Most uses of C<fork ()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to set
3162	up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This	3354	up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
3163	sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.	3355	sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
3164		3356
3165	This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling	3357	This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
3166	in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the	3358	in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
…		…
3243	atexit (program_exits);	3435	atexit (program_exits);
3244		3436
3245		3437
3246	=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop	3438	=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop
3247		3439
3248	In general, you cannot use an C<ev_run> from multiple threads or other	3440	In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
3249	asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event	3441	asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
3250	loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).	3442	loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
3251		3443
3252	Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control,	3444	Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control,
3253	for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async>	3445	for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async>
…		…
3255	it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe.	3447	it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe.
3256		3448
3257	This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,	3449	This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
3258	too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed	3450	too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
3259	(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of	3451	(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
3260	C<ev_async_sent> calls). In fact, you could use signal watchers as a kind	3452	C<ev_async_send> calls). In fact, you could use signal watchers as a kind
3261	of "global async watchers" by using a watcher on an otherwise unused	3453	of "global async watchers" by using a watcher on an otherwise unused
3262	signal, and C<ev_feed_signal> to signal this watcher from another thread,	3454	signal, and C<ev_feed_signal> to signal this watcher from another thread,
3263	even without knowing which loop owns the signal.	3455	even without knowing which loop owns the signal.
3264
3265	Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
3266	just the default loop.
3267		3456
3268	=head3 Queueing	3457	=head3 Queueing
3269		3458
3270	C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason	3459	C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
3271	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a	3460	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
…		…
3363	trust me.	3552	trust me.
3364		3553
3365	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)	3554	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
3366		3555
3367	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds	3556	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
3368	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike	3557	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop, and instantly
		3558	returns.
		3559
3369	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or	3560	Unlike C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads,
3370	similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding	3561	signal or similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the
3371	section below on what exactly this means).	3562	embedding section below on what exactly this means).
3372		3563
3373	Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get	3564	Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
3374	compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this	3565	compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at
3375	is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>,	3566	this is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered: they are set on
3376	reset when the event loop detects that).	3567	C<ev_async_send>, reset when the event loop detects that).
3377		3568
3378	This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per event loop	3569	This call incurs the overhead of at most one extra system call per event
3379	iteration, so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to	3570	loop iteration, if the event loop is blocked, and no syscall at all if
3380	repeated calls to C<ev_async_send> for the same event loop.	3571	the event loop (or your program) is processing events. That means that
		3572	repeated calls are basically free (there is no need to avoid calls for
		3573	performance reasons) and that the overhead becomes smaller (typically
		3574	zero) under load.
3381		3575
3382	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)	3576	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
3383		3577
3384	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the	3578	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
3385	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the	3579	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
…		…
3402		3596
3403	There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.	3597	There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
3404		3598
3405	=over 4	3599	=over 4
3406		3600
3407	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)	3601	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback, arg)
3408		3602
3409	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your	3603	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
3410	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both	3604	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
3411	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd	3605	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
3412	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or	3606	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
…		…
3440	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);	3634	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
3441		3635
3442	=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)	3636	=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
3443		3637
3444	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected	3638	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
3445	the given events it.	3639	the given events.
3446		3640
3447	=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)	3641	=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
3448		3642
3449	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred. See also C<ev_feed_signal>,	3643	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred. See also C<ev_feed_signal>,
3450	which is async-safe.	3644	which is async-safe.
…		…
3456		3650
3457	This section explains some common idioms that are not immediately	3651	This section explains some common idioms that are not immediately
3458	obvious. Note that examples are sprinkled over the whole manual, and this	3652	obvious. Note that examples are sprinkled over the whole manual, and this
3459	section only contains stuff that wouldn't fit anywhere else.	3653	section only contains stuff that wouldn't fit anywhere else.
3460		3654
3461	=over 4	3655	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
3462		3656
3463	=item Model/nested event loop invocations and exit conditions.	3657	Each watcher has, by default, a C<void *data> member that you can read
		3658	or modify at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
		3659	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
		3660	don't want to allocate memory separately and store a pointer to it in that
		3661	data member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
		3662	data:
		3663
		3664	struct my_io
		3665	{
		3666	ev_io io;
		3667	int otherfd;
		3668	void *somedata;
		3669	struct whatever *mostinteresting;
		3670	};
		3671
		3672	...
		3673	struct my_io w;
		3674	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
		3675
		3676	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
		3677	can cast it back to your own type:
		3678
		3679	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
		3680	{
		3681	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
		3682	...
		3683	}
		3684
		3685	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback
		3686	function type instead have been omitted.
		3687
		3688	=head2 BUILDING YOUR OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS
		3689
		3690	Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
		3691	embedded watchers, in effect creating your own watcher that combines
		3692	multiple libev event sources into one "super-watcher":
		3693
		3694	struct my_biggy
		3695	{
		3696	int some_data;
		3697	ev_timer t1;
		3698	ev_timer t2;
		3699	}
		3700
		3701	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
		3702	complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct in
		3703	the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies or C++ coders), or you need
		3704	to use some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for
		3705	real programmers):
		3706
		3707	#include <stddef.h>
		3708
		3709	static void
		3710	t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		3711	{
		3712	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
		3713	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
		3714	}
		3715
		3716	static void
		3717	t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		3718	{
		3719	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
		3720	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
		3721	}
		3722
		3723	=head2 AVOIDING FINISHING BEFORE RETURNING
		3724
		3725	Often you have structures like this in event-based programs:
		3726
		3727	callback ()
		3728	{
		3729	free (request);
		3730	}
		3731
		3732	request = start_new_request (..., callback);
		3733
		3734	The intent is to start some "lengthy" operation. The C<request> could be
		3735	used to cancel the operation, or do other things with it.
		3736
		3737	It's not uncommon to have code paths in C<start_new_request> that
		3738	immediately invoke the callback, for example, to report errors. Or you add
		3739	some caching layer that finds that it can skip the lengthy aspects of the
		3740	operation and simply invoke the callback with the result.
		3741
		3742	The problem here is that this will happen I<before> C<start_new_request>
		3743	has returned, so C<request> is not set.
		3744
		3745	Even if you pass the request by some safer means to the callback, you
		3746	might want to do something to the request after starting it, such as
		3747	canceling it, which probably isn't working so well when the callback has
		3748	already been invoked.
		3749
		3750	A common way around all these issues is to make sure that
		3751	C<start_new_request> I<always> returns before the callback is invoked. If
		3752	C<start_new_request> immediately knows the result, it can artificially
		3753	delay invoking the callback by using a C<prepare> or C<idle> watcher for
		3754	example, or more sneakily, by reusing an existing (stopped) watcher and
		3755	pushing it into the pending queue:
		3756
		3757	ev_set_cb (watcher, callback);
		3758	ev_feed_event (EV_A_ watcher, 0);
		3759
		3760	This way, C<start_new_request> can safely return before the callback is
		3761	invoked, while not delaying callback invocation too much.
		3762
		3763	=head2 MODEL/NESTED EVENT LOOP INVOCATIONS AND EXIT CONDITIONS
3464		3764
3465	Often (especially in GUI toolkits) there are places where you have	3765	Often (especially in GUI toolkits) there are places where you have
3466	I<modal> interaction, which is most easily implemented by recursively	3766	I<modal> interaction, which is most easily implemented by recursively
3467	invoking C<ev_run>.	3767	invoking C<ev_run>.
3468		3768
3469	This brings the problem of exiting - a callback might want to finish the	3769	This brings the problem of exiting - a callback might want to finish the
3470	main C<ev_run> call, but not the nested one (e.g. user clicked "Quit", but	3770	main C<ev_run> call, but not the nested one (e.g. user clicked "Quit", but
3471	a modal "Are you sure?" dialog is still waiting), or just the nested one	3771	a modal "Are you sure?" dialog is still waiting), or just the nested one
3472	and not the main one (e.g. user clocked "Ok" in a modal dialog), or some	3772	and not the main one (e.g. user clocked "Ok" in a modal dialog), or some
3473	other combination: In these cases, C<ev_break> will not work alone.	3773	other combination: In these cases, a simple C<ev_break> will not work.
3474		3774
3475	The solution is to maintain "break this loop" variable for each C<ev_run>	3775	The solution is to maintain "break this loop" variable for each C<ev_run>
3476	invocation, and use a loop around C<ev_run> until the condition is	3776	invocation, and use a loop around C<ev_run> until the condition is
3477	triggered, using C<EVRUN_ONCE>:	3777	triggered, using C<EVRUN_ONCE>:
3478		3778
…		…
3480	int exit_main_loop = 0;	3780	int exit_main_loop = 0;
3481		3781
3482	while (!exit_main_loop)	3782	while (!exit_main_loop)
3483	ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ EVRUN_ONCE);	3783	ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3484		3784
3485	// in a model watcher	3785	// in a modal watcher
3486	int exit_nested_loop = 0;	3786	int exit_nested_loop = 0;
3487		3787
3488	while (!exit_nested_loop)	3788	while (!exit_nested_loop)
3489	ev_run (EV_A_ EVRUN_ONCE);	3789	ev_run (EV_A_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3490		3790
…		…
3497	exit_main_loop = 1;	3797	exit_main_loop = 1;
3498		3798
3499	// exit both	3799	// exit both
3500	exit_main_loop = exit_nested_loop = 1;	3800	exit_main_loop = exit_nested_loop = 1;
3501		3801
3502	=item Thread locking example	3802	=head2 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE
3503		3803
3504	Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different	3804	Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
3505	thread than where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are	3805	thread from where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
3506	created/added/removed.	3806	created/added/removed.
3507		3807
3508	For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,	3808	For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
3509	which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level	3809	which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
3510	languages).	3810	languages).
…		…
3536	// now associate this with the loop	3836	// now associate this with the loop
3537	ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);	3837	ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
3538	ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);	3838	ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
3539	ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);	3839	ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
3540		3840
3541	// then create the thread running ev_loop	3841	// then create the thread running ev_run
3542	pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);	3842	pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
3543	}	3843	}
3544		3844
3545	The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used	3845	The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
3546	solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers	3846	solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
…		…
3635	Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise	3935	Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
3636	an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge	3936	an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
3637	about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new	3937	about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
3638	watchers in the next event loop iteration.	3938	watchers in the next event loop iteration.
3639		3939
3640	=back	3940	=head2 THREADS, COROUTINES, CONTINUATIONS, QUEUES... INSTEAD OF CALLBACKS
		3941
		3942	While the overhead of a callback that e.g. schedules a thread is small, it
		3943	is still an overhead. If you embed libev, and your main usage is with some
		3944	kind of threads or coroutines, you might want to customise libev so that
		3945	doesn't need callbacks anymore.
		3946
		3947	Imagine you have coroutines that you can switch to using a function
		3948	C<switch_to (coro)>, that libev runs in a coroutine called C<libev_coro>
		3949	and that due to some magic, the currently active coroutine is stored in a
		3950	global called C<current_coro>. Then you can build your own "wait for libev
		3951	event" primitive by changing C<EV_CB_DECLARE> and C<EV_CB_INVOKE> (note
		3952	the differing C<;> conventions):
		3953
		3954	#define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
		3955	#define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb)
		3956
		3957	That means instead of having a C callback function, you store the
		3958	coroutine to switch to in each watcher, and instead of having libev call
		3959	your callback, you instead have it switch to that coroutine.
		3960
		3961	A coroutine might now wait for an event with a function called
		3962	C<wait_for_event>. (the watcher needs to be started, as always, but it doesn't
		3963	matter when, or whether the watcher is active or not when this function is
		3964	called):
		3965
		3966	void
		3967	wait_for_event (ev_watcher *w)
		3968	{
		3969	ev_set_cb (w, current_coro);
		3970	switch_to (libev_coro);
		3971	}
		3972
		3973	That basically suspends the coroutine inside C<wait_for_event> and
		3974	continues the libev coroutine, which, when appropriate, switches back to
		3975	this or any other coroutine.
		3976
		3977	You can do similar tricks if you have, say, threads with an event queue -
		3978	instead of storing a coroutine, you store the queue object and instead of
		3979	switching to a coroutine, you push the watcher onto the queue and notify
		3980	any waiters.
		3981
		3982	To embed libev, see L</EMBEDDING>, but in short, it's easiest to create two
		3983	files, F<my_ev.h> and F<my_ev.c> that include the respective libev files:
		3984
		3985	// my_ev.h
		3986	#define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
		3987	#define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb)
		3988	#include "../libev/ev.h"
		3989
		3990	// my_ev.c
		3991	#define EV_H "my_ev.h"
		3992	#include "../libev/ev.c"
		3993
		3994	And then use F<my_ev.h> when you would normally use F<ev.h>, and compile
		3995	F<my_ev.c> into your project. When properly specifying include paths, you
		3996	can even use F<ev.h> as header file name directly.
3641		3997
3642		3998
3643	=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION	3999	=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION
3644		4000
3645	Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot	4001	Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot
…		…
3675		4031
3676	=back	4032	=back
3677		4033
3678	=head1 C++ SUPPORT	4034	=head1 C++ SUPPORT
3679		4035
		4036	=head2 C API
		4037
		4038	The normal C API should work fine when used from C++: both ev.h and the
		4039	libev sources can be compiled as C++. Therefore, code that uses the C API
		4040	will work fine.
		4041
		4042	Proper exception specifications might have to be added to callbacks passed
		4043	to libev: exceptions may be thrown only from watcher callbacks, all other
		4044	callbacks (allocator, syserr, loop acquire/release and periodic reschedule
		4045	callbacks) must not throw exceptions, and might need a C<noexcept>
		4046	specification. If you have code that needs to be compiled as both C and
		4047	C++ you can use the C<EV_NOEXCEPT> macro for this:
		4048
		4049	static void
		4050	fatal_error (const char *msg) EV_NOEXCEPT
		4051	{
		4052	perror (msg);
		4053	abort ();
		4054	}
		4055
		4056	...
		4057	ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
		4058
		4059	The only API functions that can currently throw exceptions are C<ev_run>,
		4060	C<ev_invoke>, C<ev_invoke_pending> and C<ev_loop_destroy> (the latter
		4061	because it runs cleanup watchers).
		4062
		4063	Throwing exceptions in watcher callbacks is only supported if libev itself
		4064	is compiled with a C++ compiler or your C and C++ environments allow
		4065	throwing exceptions through C libraries (most do).
		4066
		4067	=head2 C++ API
		4068
3680	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow	4069	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
3681	you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change	4070	you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
3682	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.	4071	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
3683		4072
3684	To use it,	4073	To use it,
3685		4074
3686	#include <ev++.h>	4075	#include <ev++.h>
3687		4076
3688	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many	4077	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
3689	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are	4078	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
3690	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding	4079	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
…		…
3699	with C<operator ()> can be used as callbacks. Other types should be easy	4088	with C<operator ()> can be used as callbacks. Other types should be easy
3700	to add as long as they only need one additional pointer for context. If	4089	to add as long as they only need one additional pointer for context. If
3701	you need support for other types of functors please contact the author	4090	you need support for other types of functors please contact the author
3702	(preferably after implementing it).	4091	(preferably after implementing it).
3703		4092
		4093	For all this to work, your C++ compiler either has to use the same calling
		4094	conventions as your C compiler (for static member functions), or you have
		4095	to embed libev and compile libev itself as C++.
		4096
3704	Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:	4097	Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
3705		4098
3706	=over 4	4099	=over 4
3707		4100
3708	=item C<ev::READ>, C<ev::WRITE> etc.	4101	=item C<ev::READ>, C<ev::WRITE> etc.
…		…
3717	=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc.	4110	=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc.
3718		4111
3719	For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of	4112	For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of
3720	the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal>	4113	the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal>
3721	which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro	4114	which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro
3722	defines by many implementations.	4115	defined by many implementations.
3723		4116
3724	All of those classes have these methods:	4117	All of those classes have these methods:
3725		4118
3726	=over 4	4119	=over 4
3727		4120
…		…
3789	void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)	4182	void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
3790	{	4183	{
3791	...	4184	...
3792	}	4185	}
3793	}	4186	}
3794		4187
3795	myfunctor f;	4188	myfunctor f;
3796		4189
3797	ev::io w;	4190	ev::io w;
3798	w.set (&f);	4191	w.set (&f);
3799		4192
…		…
3817	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only	4210	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
3818	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).	4211	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
3819		4212
3820	=item w->set ([arguments])	4213	=item w->set ([arguments])
3821		4214
3822	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Either this	4215	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set> (except for C<ev::embed> watchers>),
3823	method or a suitable start method must be called at least once. Unlike the	4216	with the same arguments. Either this method or a suitable start method
3824	C counterpart, an active watcher gets automatically stopped and restarted	4217	must be called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher
3825	when reconfiguring it with this method.	4218	gets automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
		4219	method.
		4220
		4221	For C<ev::embed> watchers this method is called C<set_embed>, to avoid
		4222	clashing with the C<set (loop)> method.
3826		4223
3827	=item w->start ()	4224	=item w->start ()
3828		4225
3829	Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the	4226	Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
3830	constructor already stores the event loop.	4227	constructor already stores the event loop.
…		…
3860	watchers in the constructor.	4257	watchers in the constructor.
3861		4258
3862	class myclass	4259	class myclass
3863	{	4260	{
3864	ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);	4261	ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
3865	ev::io2 io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);	4262	ev::io io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
3866	ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);	4263	ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
3867		4264
3868	myclass (int fd)	4265	myclass (int fd)
3869	{	4266	{
3870	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);	4267	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
…		…
3921	L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.	4318	L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
3922		4319
3923	=item D	4320	=item D
3924		4321
3925	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to	4322	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
3926	be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.	4323	be found at L<http://www.llucax.com.ar/proj/ev.d/index.html>.
3927		4324
3928	=item Ocaml	4325	=item Ocaml
3929		4326
3930	Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at	4327	Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
3931	L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.	4328	L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
…		…
3934		4331
3935	Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the	4332	Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the
3936	time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at	4333	time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at
3937	L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>.	4334	L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>.
3938		4335
		4336	=item Javascript
		4337
		4338	Node.js (L<http://nodejs.org>) uses libev as the underlying event library.
		4339
		4340	=item Others
		4341
		4342	There are others, and I stopped counting.
		4343
3939	=back	4344	=back
3940		4345
3941		4346
3942	=head1 MACRO MAGIC	4347	=head1 MACRO MAGIC
3943		4348
…		…
3979	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.	4384	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
3980		4385
3981	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>	4386	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
3982		4387
3983	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default	4388	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
3984	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").	4389	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). The default loop
		4390	will be initialised if it isn't already initialised.
		4391
		4392	For non-multiplicity builds, these macros do nothing, so you always have
		4393	to initialise the loop somewhere.
3985		4394
3986	=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>	4395	=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
3987		4396
3988	Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the	4397	Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
3989	default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour	4398	default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
…		…
4056	ev_vars.h	4465	ev_vars.h
4057	ev_wrap.h	4466	ev_wrap.h
4058		4467
4059	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only	4468	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
4060		4469
4061	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)	4470	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled
4062	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	4471	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled
4063	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	4472	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled
		4473	ev_linuxaio.c only when the linux aio backend is enabled
4064	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)	4474	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled
4065	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)	4475	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled
4066		4476
4067	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need	4477	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
4068	to compile this single file.	4478	to compile this single file.
4069		4479
4070	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API	4480	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
…		…
4134	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in	4544	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
4135	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.	4545	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
4136		4546
4137	In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the	4547	In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
4138	configuration, but has to be more conservative.	4548	configuration, but has to be more conservative.
		4549
		4550	=item EV_USE_FLOOR
		4551
		4552	If defined to be C<1>, libev will use the C<floor ()> function for its
		4553	periodic reschedule calculations, otherwise libev will fall back on a
		4554	portable (slower) implementation. If you enable this, you usually have to
		4555	link against libm or something equivalent. Enabling this when the C<floor>
		4556	function is not available will fail, so the safe default is to not enable
		4557	this.
4139		4558
4140	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC	4559	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
4141		4560
4142	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	4561	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
4143	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no	4562	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
…		…
4229	If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this	4648	If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this
4230	macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister	4649	macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister
4231	file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close	4650	file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close
4232	the underlying OS handle.	4651	the underlying OS handle.
4233		4652
		4653	=item EV_USE_WSASOCKET
		4654
		4655	If defined to be C<1>, libev will use C<WSASocket> to create its internal
		4656	communication socket, which works better in some environments. Otherwise,
		4657	the normal C<socket> function will be used, which works better in other
		4658	environments.
		4659
4234	=item EV_USE_POLL	4660	=item EV_USE_POLL
4235		4661
4236	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)	4662	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
4237	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It	4663	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
4238	takes precedence over select.	4664	takes precedence over select.
…		…
4242	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux	4668	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
4243	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,	4669	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
4244	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred	4670	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
4245	backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the	4671	backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
4246	headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.	4672	headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
		4673
		4674	=item EV_USE_LINUXAIO
		4675
		4676	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
		4677	aio backend. Due to it's currenbt limitations it has to be requested
		4678	explicitly. If undefined, it will be enabled on linux, otherwise
		4679	disabled.
4247		4680
4248	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE	4681	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
4249		4682
4250	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style	4683	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
4251	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,	4684	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
…		…
4273	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify	4706	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
4274	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will	4707	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
4275	be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers	4708	be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
4276	indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.	4709	indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
4277		4710
		4711	=item EV_NO_SMP
		4712
		4713	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that memory is always coherent
		4714	between threads, that is, threads can be used, but threads never run on
		4715	different cpus (or different cpu cores). This reduces dependencies
		4716	and makes libev faster.
		4717
		4718	=item EV_NO_THREADS
		4719
		4720	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that it will never be called from
		4721	different threads (that includes signal handlers), which is a stronger
		4722	assumption than C<EV_NO_SMP>, above. This reduces dependencies and makes
		4723	libev faster.
		4724
4278	=item EV_ATOMIC_T	4725	=item EV_ATOMIC_T
4279		4726
4280	Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose	4727	Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
4281	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such	4728	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No
4282	type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type	4729	such type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own
4283	that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"	4730	type that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal
4284	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.	4731	handler "locking" as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async>
		4732	watchers.
4285		4733
4286	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>	4734	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
4287	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.	4735	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
4288		4736
4289	=item EV_H (h)	4737	=item EV_H (h)
…		…
4316	will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create	4764	will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
4317	additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support	4765	additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
4318	for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer	4766	for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
4319	argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.	4767	argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
4320		4768
		4769	Note that C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_> will no longer provide a
		4770	default loop when multiplicity is switched off - you always have to
		4771	initialise the loop manually in this case.
		4772
4321	=item EV_MINPRI	4773	=item EV_MINPRI
4322		4774
4323	=item EV_MAXPRI	4775	=item EV_MAXPRI
4324		4776
4325	The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to	4777	The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to
…		…
4361	#define EV_USE_POLL 1	4813	#define EV_USE_POLL 1
4362	#define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1	4814	#define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
4363	#define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1	4815	#define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
4364		4816
4365	The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following	4817	The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
4366	values:	4818	values (by default, all of these are enabled):
4367		4819
4368	=over 4	4820	=over 4
4369		4821
4370	=item C<1> - faster/larger code	4822	=item C<1> - faster/larger code
4371		4823
…		…
4375	code size by roughly 30% on amd64).	4827	code size by roughly 30% on amd64).
4376		4828
4377	When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with	4829	When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with
4378	gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of	4830	gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
4379	assertions.	4831	assertions.
		4832
		4833	The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
		4834	(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
4380		4835
4381	=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures	4836	=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
4382		4837
4383	Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger	4838	Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger
4384	hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size	4839	hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size
4385	and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at	4840	and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
4386	runtime.	4841	runtime.
4387		4842
		4843	The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
		4844	(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
		4845
4388	=item C<4> - full API configuration	4846	=item C<4> - full API configuration
4389		4847
4390	This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and	4848	This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
4391	enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).	4849	enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).
4392		4850
…		…
4422		4880
4423	With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough	4881	With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough
4424	when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by	4882	when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by
4425	your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an	4883	your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an
4426	I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb.	4884	I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb.
		4885
		4886	=item EV_API_STATIC
		4887
		4888	If this symbol is defined (by default it is not), then all identifiers
		4889	will have static linkage. This means that libev will not export any
		4890	identifiers, and you cannot link against libev anymore. This can be useful
		4891	when you embed libev, only want to use libev functions in a single file,
		4892	and do not want its identifiers to be visible.
		4893
		4894	To use this, define C<EV_API_STATIC> and include F<ev.c> in the file that
		4895	wants to use libev.
		4896
		4897	This option only works when libev is compiled with a C compiler, as C++
		4898	doesn't support the required declaration syntax.
4427		4899
4428	=item EV_AVOID_STDIO	4900	=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
4429		4901
4430	If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio	4902	If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio
4431	functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size	4903	functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size
…		…
4575	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:	5047	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
4576		5048
4577	#include "ev_cpp.h"	5049	#include "ev_cpp.h"
4578	#include "ev.c"	5050	#include "ev.c"
4579		5051
4580	=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES	5052	=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS, LIBRARIES OR THE ENVIRONMENT
4581		5053
4582	=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES	5054	=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
4583		5055
4584	=head3 THREADS	5056	=head3 THREADS
4585		5057
…		…
4636	default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop	5108	default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
4637	watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.	5109	watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
4638		5110
4639	=back	5111	=back
4640		5112
4641	See also L<Thread locking example>.	5113	See also L</THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE>.
4642		5114
4643	=head3 COROUTINES	5115	=head3 COROUTINES
4644		5116
4645	Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):	5117	Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
4646	libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different	5118	libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
…		…
4811	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX	5283	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
4812	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in	5284	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
4813	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket	5285	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
4814	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using	5286	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
4815	e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers,	5287	e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers,
4816	as every compielr comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible	5288	as every compiler comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible
4817	environment.	5289	environment.
4818		5290
4819	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full	5291	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
4820	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing,	5292	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing,
4821	then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note	5293	then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note
…		…
4915	structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also	5387	structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
4916	assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher	5388	assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
4917	callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev	5389	callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
4918	calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.	5390	calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
4919		5391
		5392	=item null pointers and integer zero are represented by 0 bytes
		5393
		5394	Libev uses C<memset> to initialise structs and arrays to C<0> bytes, and
		5395	relies on this setting pointers and integers to null.
		5396
4920	=item pointer accesses must be thread-atomic	5397	=item pointer accesses must be thread-atomic
4921		5398
4922	Accessing a pointer value must be atomic, it must both be readable and	5399	Accessing a pointer value must be atomic, it must both be readable and
4923	writable in one piece - this is the case on all current architectures.	5400	writable in one piece - this is the case on all current architectures.
4924		5401
…		…
4937	thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would	5414	thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
4938	be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and	5415	be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
4939	C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.	5416	C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
4940		5417
4941	The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads	5418	The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
4942	except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as	5419	except the initial one, and run the signal handling loop in the initial
4943	well.	5420	thread as well.
4944		5421
4945	=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes	5422	=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
4946		5423
4947	To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally	5424	To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
4948	instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX	5425	instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
…		…
4954		5431
4955	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to	5432	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
4956	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is	5433	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is
4957	good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy	5434	good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy
4958	(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by	5435	(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by
4959	implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones. With	5436	implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones.
		5437
4960	IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least 2200.	5438	With IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least the
		5439	year 2255 (and millisecond accuracy till the year 287396 - by then, libev
		5440	is either obsolete or somebody patched it to use C<long double> or
		5441	something like that, just kidding).
4961		5442
4962	=back	5443	=back
4963		5444
4964	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.	5445	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
4965		5446
…		…
5027	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)	5508	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
5028		5509
5029	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)	5510	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
5030		5511
5031	Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>	5512	Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
5032	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events	5513	calls in the current loop iteration and the loop is currently
		5514	blocked. Checking for async and signal events involves iterating over all
5033	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.	5515	running async watchers or all signal numbers.
5034		5516
5035	=back	5517	=back
5036		5518
5037		5519
5038	=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X	5520	=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X
…		…
5047	=over 4	5529	=over 4
5048		5530
5049	=item C<EV_COMPAT3> backwards compatibility mechanism	5531	=item C<EV_COMPAT3> backwards compatibility mechanism
5050		5532
5051	The backward compatibility mechanism can be controlled by	5533	The backward compatibility mechanism can be controlled by
5052	C<EV_COMPAT3>. See L<PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS> in the L<EMBEDDING>	5534	C<EV_COMPAT3>. See L</"PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS"> in the L</EMBEDDING>
5053	section.	5535	section.
5054		5536
5055	=item C<ev_default_destroy> and C<ev_default_fork> have been removed	5537	=item C<ev_default_destroy> and C<ev_default_fork> have been removed
5056		5538
5057	These calls can be replaced easily by their C<ev_loop_xxx> counterparts:	5539	These calls can be replaced easily by their C<ev_loop_xxx> counterparts:
…		…
5100	=over 4	5582	=over 4
5101		5583
5102	=item active	5584	=item active
5103		5585
5104	A watcher is active as long as it has been started and not yet stopped.	5586	A watcher is active as long as it has been started and not yet stopped.
5105	See L<WATCHER STATES> for details.	5587	See L</WATCHER STATES> for details.
5106		5588
5107	=item application	5589	=item application
5108		5590
5109	In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.	5591	In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
5110		5592
…		…
5146	watchers and events.	5628	watchers and events.
5147		5629
5148	=item pending	5630	=item pending
5149		5631
5150	A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been	5632	A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been
5151	detected. See L<WATCHER STATES> for details.	5633	detected. See L</WATCHER STATES> for details.
5152		5634
5153	=item real time	5635	=item real time
5154		5636
5155	The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)	5637	The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
5156		5638
5157	=item wall-clock time	5639	=item wall-clock time
5158		5640
5159	The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually	5641	The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
5160	be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when the you adjust your	5642	be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when you adjust your
5161	clock.	5643	clock.
5162		5644
5163	=item watcher	5645	=item watcher
5164		5646
5165	A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need	5647	A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
…		…
5168	=back	5650	=back
5169		5651
5170	=head1 AUTHOR	5652	=head1 AUTHOR
5171		5653
5172	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael	5654	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael
5173	Magnusson and Emanuele Giaquinta.	5655	Magnusson and Emanuele Giaquinta, and minor corrections by many others.
5174		5656

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