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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
…		…
8		10
9	=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM	11	=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10		12
11	// a single header file is required	13	// a single header file is required
12	#include <ev.h>	14	#include <ev.h>
		15
		16	#include <stdio.h> // for puts
13		17
14	// every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct	18	// every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
15	// with the name ev_TYPE	19	// with the name ev_TYPE
16	ev_io stdin_watcher;	20	ev_io stdin_watcher;
17	ev_timer timeout_watcher;	21	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
…		…
24	puts ("stdin ready");	28	puts ("stdin ready");
25	// for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher	29	// for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
26	// with its corresponding stop function.	30	// with its corresponding stop function.
27	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);	31	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
28		32
29	// this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating	33	// this causes all nested ev_run's to stop iterating
30	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);	34	ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ALL);
31	}	35	}
32		36
33	// another callback, this time for a time-out	37	// another callback, this time for a time-out
34	static void	38	static void
35	timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	39	timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
36	{	40	{
37	puts ("timeout");	41	puts ("timeout");
38	// this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating	42	// this causes the innermost ev_run to stop iterating
39	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);	43	ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ONE);
40	}	44	}
41		45
42	int	46	int
43	main (void)	47	main (void)
44	{	48	{
45	// use the default event loop unless you have special needs	49	// use the default event loop unless you have special needs
46	ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	50	struct ev_loop *loop = EV_DEFAULT;
47		51
48	// initialise an io watcher, then start it	52	// initialise an io watcher, then start it
49	// this one will watch for stdin to become readable	53	// this one will watch for stdin to become readable
50	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);	54	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
51	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	55	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
…		…
54	// simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout	58	// simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
55	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);	59	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
56	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);	60	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
57		61
58	// now wait for events to arrive	62	// now wait for events to arrive
59	ev_loop (loop, 0);	63	ev_run (loop, 0);
60		64
61	// unloop was called, so exit	65	// break was called, so exit
62	return 0;	66	return 0;
63	}	67	}
64		68
65	=head1 DESCRIPTION	69	=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
		70
		71	This document documents the libev software package.
66		72
67	The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted	73	The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted
68	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first	74	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
69	time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.	75	time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
		76
		77	While this document tries to be as complete as possible in documenting
		78	libev, its usage and the rationale behind its design, it is not a tutorial
		79	on event-based programming, nor will it introduce event-based programming
		80	with libev.
		81
		82	Familiarity with event based programming techniques in general is assumed
		83	throughout this document.
		84
		85	=head1 WHAT TO READ WHEN IN A HURRY
		86
		87	This manual tries to be very detailed, but unfortunately, this also makes
		88	it very long. If you just want to know the basics of libev, I suggest
		89	reading L</ANATOMY OF A WATCHER>, then the L</EXAMPLE PROGRAM> above and
		90	look up the missing functions in L</GLOBAL FUNCTIONS> and the C<ev_io> and
		91	C<ev_timer> sections in L</WATCHER TYPES>.
		92
		93	=head1 ABOUT LIBEV
70		94
71	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
72	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
73	these event sources and provide your program with events.	97	these event sources and provide your program with events.
74		98
…		…
81	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
82	watcher.	106	watcher.
83		107
84	=head2 FEATURES	108	=head2 FEATURES
85		109
86	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>
87	BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms	111	interfaces, the BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port
88	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>
89	(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers	113	interface (for C<ev_stat>), Linux eventfd/signalfd (for faster and cleaner
90	with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals	114	inter-thread wakeup (C<ev_async>)/signal handling (C<ev_signal>)) relative
91	(C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and event	115	timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers with customised rescheduling
92	watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>,	116	(C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals (C<ev_signal>), process status
93	C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> watchers) as well as	117	change events (C<ev_child>), and event watchers dealing with the event
94	file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even limited support for fork events	118	loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and
95	(C<ev_fork>).	119	C<ev_check> watchers) as well as file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even
		120	limited support for fork events (C<ev_fork>).
96		121
97	It also is quite fast (see this	122	It also is quite fast (see this
98	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent	123	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
99	for example).	124	for example).
100		125
…		…
103	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)	128	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
104	configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For	129	configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
105	more info about various configuration options please have a look at	130	more info about various configuration options please have a look at
106	B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support	131	B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
107	for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of	132	for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
108	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<ev_loop *>) will not have	133	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have
109	this argument.	134	this argument.
110		135
111	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION	136	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
112		137
113	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the	138	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing
114	(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near	139	the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (in practice
115	the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is	140	somewhere near the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't
116	called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases	141	ask). This type is called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use
117	to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on	142	too. It usually aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do
118	it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name	143	any calculations on it, you should treat it as some floating point value.
		144
119	component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences	145	Unlike the name component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for
120	throughout libev.	146	time differences (e.g. delays) throughout libev.
121		147
122	=head1 ERROR HANDLING	148	=head1 ERROR HANDLING
123		149
124	Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors	150	Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
125	and internal errors (bugs).	151	and internal errors (bugs).
…		…
133	When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then	159	When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
134	it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,	160	it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
135	so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in	161	so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
136	the libev caller and need to be fixed there.	162	the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
137		163
		164	Via the C<EV_FREQUENT> macro you can compile in and/or enable extensive
		165	consistency checking code inside libev that can be used to check for
		166	internal inconsistencies, suually caused by application bugs.
		167
138	Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has	168	Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions. These do not
139	extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
140	circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse.	169	trigger under normal circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev
		170	or worse.
141		171
142		172
143	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS	173	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
144		174
145	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the	175	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
…		…
149		179
150	=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()	180	=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()
151		181
152	Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the	182	Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
153	C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp	183	C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
154	you actually want to know.	184	you actually want to know. Also interesting is the combination of
		185	C<ev_now_update> and C<ev_now>.
155		186
156	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)	187	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
157		188
158	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until	189	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked
159	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically	190	until either it is interrupted or the given time interval has
		191	passed (approximately - it might return a bit earlier even if not
		192	interrupted). Returns immediately if C<< interval <= 0 >>.
		193
160	this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.	194	Basically this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
		195
		196	The range of the C<interval> is limited - libev only guarantees to work
		197	with sleep times of up to one day (C<< interval <= 86400 >>).
161		198
162	=item int ev_version_major ()	199	=item int ev_version_major ()
163		200
164	=item int ev_version_minor ()	201	=item int ev_version_minor ()
165		202
…		…
176	as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually	213	as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
177	compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually	214	compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
178	not a problem.	215	not a problem.
179		216
180	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong	217	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
181	version.	218	version (note, however, that this will not detect other ABI mismatches,
		219	such as LFS or reentrancy).
182		220
183	assert (("libev version mismatch",	221	assert (("libev version mismatch",
184	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR	222	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
185	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));	223	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
186		224
…		…
197	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",	235	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
198	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));	236	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
199		237
200	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()	238	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
201		239
202	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also	240	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and
203	recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one	241	also recommended for this platform, meaning it will work for most file
		242	descriptor types. This set is often smaller than the one returned by
204	returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on	243	C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on most BSDs
205	most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it	244	and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it (assuming
206	(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that	245	you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that libev will
207	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.	246	probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
208		247
209	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()	248	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
210		249
211	Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This	250	Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This
212	is the theoretical, all-platform, value. To find which backends	251	value is platform-specific but can include backends not available on the
213	might be supported on the current system, you would need to look at	252	current system. To find which embeddable backends might be supported on
214	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for	253	the current system, you would need to look at C<ev_embeddable_backends ()
215	recommended ones.	254	& ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for recommended ones.
216		255
217	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	256	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
218		257
219	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT]	258	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size) throw ())
220		259
221	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the	260	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
222	semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is	261	semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
223	used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero	262	used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
224	when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort	263	when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
…		…
230		269
231	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,	270	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
232	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,	271	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
233	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.	272	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
234		273
		274	Example: The following is the C<realloc> function that libev itself uses
		275	which should work with C<realloc> and C<free> functions of all kinds and
		276	is probably a good basis for your own implementation.
		277
		278	static void *
		279	ev_realloc_emul (void *ptr, long size) EV_NOEXCEPT
		280	{
		281	if (size)
		282	return realloc (ptr, size);
		283
		284	free (ptr);
		285	return 0;
		286	}
		287
235	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then	288	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
236	retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).	289	retries.
237		290
238	static void *	291	static void *
239	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)	292	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
240	{	293	{
		294	if (!size)
		295	{
		296	free (ptr);
		297	return 0;
		298	}
		299
241	for (;;)	300	for (;;)
242	{	301	{
243	void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size);	302	void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size);
244		303
245	if (newptr)	304	if (newptr)
…		…
250	}	309	}
251		310
252	...	311	...
253	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);	312	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
254		313
255	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT]	314	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg) throw ())
256		315
257	Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such	316	Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
258	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string	317	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
259	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this	318	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
260	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no	319	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
…		…
272	}	331	}
273		332
274	...	333	...
275	ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);	334	ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
276		335
		336	=item ev_feed_signal (int signum)
		337
		338	This function can be used to "simulate" a signal receive. It is completely
		339	safe to call this function at any time, from any context, including signal
		340	handlers or random threads.
		341
		342	Its main use is to customise signal handling in your process, especially
		343	in the presence of threads. For example, you could block signals
		344	by default in all threads (and specifying C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK> when
		345	creating any loops), and in one thread, use C<sigwait> or any other
		346	mechanism to wait for signals, then "deliver" them to libev by calling
		347	C<ev_feed_signal>.
		348
277	=back	349	=back
278		350
279	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP	351	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING EVENT LOOPS
280		352
281	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct>	353	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct> is
282	is I<not> optional in this case, as there is also an C<ev_loop>	354	I<not> optional in this case unless libev 3 compatibility is disabled, as
283	I<function>).	355	libev 3 had an C<ev_loop> function colliding with the struct name).
284		356
285	The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which	357	The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
286	supports signals and child events, and dynamically created loops which do	358	supports child process events, and dynamically created event loops which
287	not.	359	do not.
288		360
289	=over 4	361	=over 4
290		362
291	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)	363	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
292		364
293	This will initialise the default event loop if it hasn't been initialised	365	This returns the "default" event loop object, which is what you should
294	yet and return it. If the default loop could not be initialised, returns	366	normally use when you just need "the event loop". Event loop objects and
295	false. If it already was initialised it simply returns it (and ignores the	367	the C<flags> parameter are described in more detail in the entry for
296	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).	368	C<ev_loop_new>.
		369
		370	If the default loop is already initialised then this function simply
		371	returns it (and ignores the flags. If that is troubling you, check
		372	C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). Otherwise it will create it with the given
		373	flags, which should almost always be C<0>, unless the caller is also the
		374	one calling C<ev_run> or otherwise qualifies as "the main program".
297		375
298	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this	376	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
299	function.	377	function (or via the C<EV_DEFAULT> macro).
300		378
301	Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it	379	Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
302	from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,	380	from multiple threads, you have to employ some kind of mutex (note also
303	as loops cannot bes hared easily between threads anyway).	381	that this case is unlikely, as loops cannot be shared easily between
		382	threads anyway).
304		383
305	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and	384	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_child> watchers,
306	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler	385	and to do this, it always registers a handler for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is
307	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either	386	a problem for your application you can either create a dynamic loop with
308	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you	387	C<ev_loop_new> which doesn't do that, or you can simply overwrite the
309	can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling	388	C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling C<ev_default_init>.
310	C<ev_default_init>.	389
		390	Example: This is the most typical usage.
		391
		392	if (!ev_default_loop (0))
		393	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
		394
		395	Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
		396	environment settings to be taken into account:
		397
		398	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
		399
		400	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
		401
		402	This will create and initialise a new event loop object. If the loop
		403	could not be initialised, returns false.
		404
		405	This function is thread-safe, and one common way to use libev with
		406	threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the default
		407	loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
311		408
312	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific	409	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
313	backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).	410	backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
314		411
315	The following flags are supported:	412	The following flags are supported:
…		…
325		422
326	If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid	423	If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
327	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable	424	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
328	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will	425	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
329	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is	426	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
330	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work	427	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, to work
331	around bugs.	428	around bugs, or to make libev threadsafe (accessing environment variables
		429	cannot be done in a threadsafe way, but usually it works if no other
		430	thread modifies them).
332		431
333	=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>	432	=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
334		433
335	Instead of calling C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork> manually after	434	Instead of calling C<ev_loop_fork> manually after a fork, you can also
336	a fork, you can also make libev check for a fork in each iteration by	435	make libev check for a fork in each iteration by enabling this flag.
337	enabling this flag.
338		436
339	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,	437	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
340	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop	438	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
341	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my	439	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
342	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence	440	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn
343	without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has	441	sequence without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux
344	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).	442	system also has C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster). (Update: glibc
		443	versions 2.25 apparently removed the C<getpid> optimisation again).
345		444
346	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and	445	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
347	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this	446	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking, although you still
348	flag.	447	have to ignore C<SIGPIPE>) when you use this flag.
349		448
350	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>	449	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
351	environment variable.	450	environment variable.
		451
		452	=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY>
		453
		454	When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the
		455	I<inotify> API for its C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and
		456	testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as
		457	otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle.
		458
		459	=item C<EVFLAG_SIGNALFD>
		460
		461	When this flag is specified, then libev will attempt to use the
		462	I<signalfd> API for its C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This API
		463	delivers signals synchronously, which makes it both faster and might make
		464	it possible to get the queued signal data. It can also simplify signal
		465	handling with threads, as long as you properly block signals in your
		466	threads that are not interested in handling them.
		467
		468	Signalfd will not be used by default as this changes your signal mask, and
		469	there are a lot of shoddy libraries and programs (glib's threadpool for
		470	example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks.
		471
		472	=item C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>
		473
		474	When this flag is specified, then libev will avoid to modify the signal
		475	mask. Specifically, this means you have to make sure signals are unblocked
		476	when you want to receive them.
		477
		478	This behaviour is useful when you want to do your own signal handling, or
		479	want to handle signals only in specific threads and want to avoid libev
		480	unblocking the signals.
		481
		482	It's also required by POSIX in a threaded program, as libev calls
		483	C<sigprocmask>, whose behaviour is officially unspecified.
		484
		485	=item C<EVFLAG_NOTIMERFD>
		486
		487	When this flag is specified, the libev will avoid using a C<timerfd> to
		488	detect time jumps. It will still be able to detect time jumps, but takes
		489	longer and has a lower accuracy in doing so, but saves a file descriptor
		490	per loop.
		491
		492	The current implementation only tries to use a C<timerfd> when the first
		493	C<ev_periodic> watcher is started and falls back on other methods if it
		494	cannot be created, but this behaviour might change in the future.
352		495
353	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)	496	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
354		497
355	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as	498	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
356	libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,	499	libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
…		…
381	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and	524	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
382	C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.	525	C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
383		526
384	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)	527	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
385		528
		529	Use the Linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9
		530	kernels).
		531
386	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,	532	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, but
387	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale	533	it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like
388	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),	534	O(total_fds) where total_fds is the total number of fds (or the highest
389	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).	535	fd), epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
390		536
391	The epoll syscalls are the most misdesigned of the more advanced	537	The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
392	event mechanisms: probelsm include silently dropping events in some	538	of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
393	hard-to-detect cases, requiring a system call per fd change, no fork	539	dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
394	support, problems with dup and so on.	540	descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup,
		541	returning before the timeout value, resulting in additional iterations
		542	(and only giving 5ms accuracy while select on the same platform gives
		543	0.1ms) and so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program
		544	forks then I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll
		545	set, which can take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor)
		546	and is of course hard to detect.
395		547
396	Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds should work, but	548	Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work,
397	of course doesn't, and epoll just loves to report events for totally	549	but of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for
398	I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot	550	totally I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so
399	even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially	551	one cannot even remove them from the set) than registered in the set
400	on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by	552	(especially on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious
401	employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the	553	notifications by employing an additional generation counter and comparing
402	events to filter out spurious ones.	554	that against the events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set
		555	when required. Epoll also erroneously rounds down timeouts, but gives you
		556	no way to know when and by how much, so sometimes you have to busy-wait
		557	because epoll returns immediately despite a nonzero timeout. And last
		558	not least, it also refuses to work with some file descriptors which work
		559	perfectly fine with C<select> (files, many character devices...).
		560
		561	Epoll is truly the train wreck among event poll mechanisms, a frankenpoll,
		562	cobbled together in a hurry, no thought to design or interaction with
		563	others. Oh, the pain, will it ever stop...
403		564
404	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration	565	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
405	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such incident	566	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
406	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its	567	incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
407	best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work	568	I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
408	very well if you register events for both fds.	569	file descriptors might not work very well if you register events for both
		570	file descriptors.
409		571
410	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all	572	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
411	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,	573	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
412	i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and	574	i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
413	starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause	575	starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
414	extra overhead.	576	extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
		577	as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
		578	take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
		579
		580	All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
		581	faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
		582	the usage. So sad.
415		583
416	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in	584	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
417	all kernel versions tested so far.	585	a lot of kernel revisions, but probably(!) works in current versions.
418		586
419	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as	587	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
420	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	588	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
421		589
		590	=item C<EVBACKEND_LINUXAIO> (value 64, Linux)
		591
		592	Use the Linux-specific Linux AIO (I<not> C<< aio(7) >> but C<<
		593	io_submit(2) >>) event interface available in post-4.18 kernels (but libev
		594	only tries to use it in 4.19+).
		595
		596	This is another Linux train wreck of an event interface.
		597
		598	If this backend works for you (as of this writing, it was very
		599	experimental), it is the best event interface available on Linux and might
		600	be well worth enabling it - if it isn't available in your kernel this will
		601	be detected and this backend will be skipped.
		602
		603	This backend can batch oneshot requests and supports a user-space ring
		604	buffer to receive events. It also doesn't suffer from most of the design
		605	problems of epoll (such as not being able to remove event sources from
		606	the epoll set), and generally sounds too good to be true. Because, this
		607	being the Linux kernel, of course it suffers from a whole new set of
		608	limitations, forcing you to fall back to epoll, inheriting all its design
		609	issues.
		610
		611	For one, it is not easily embeddable (but probably could be done using
		612	an event fd at some extra overhead). It also is subject to a system wide
		613	limit that can be configured in F</proc/sys/fs/aio-max-nr>. If no AIO
		614	requests are left, this backend will be skipped during initialisation, and
		615	will switch to epoll when the loop is active.
		616
		617	Most problematic in practice, however, is that not all file descriptors
		618	work with it. For example, in Linux 5.1, TCP sockets, pipes, event fds,
		619	files, F</dev/null> and many others are supported, but ttys do not work
		620	properly (a known bug that the kernel developers don't care about, see
		621	L<https://lore.kernel.org/patchwork/patch/1047453/>), so this is not
		622	(yet?) a generic event polling interface.
		623
		624	Overall, it seems the Linux developers just don't want it to have a
		625	generic event handling mechanism other than C<select> or C<poll>.
		626
		627	To work around all these problem, the current version of libev uses its
		628	epoll backend as a fallback for file descriptor types that do not work. Or
		629	falls back completely to epoll if the kernel acts up.
		630
		631	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		632	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
		633
422	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)	634	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
423		635
424	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it was	636	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time this backend was
425	broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably with	637	implemented, it was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't
426	anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course it's	638	work reliably with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin,
427	completely useless). For this reason it's not being "auto-detected" unless	639	where of course it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose
428	you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or	640	brokenness is by design, these kqueue bugs can be (and mostly have been)
		641	fixed without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not
		642	being "auto-detected" on all platforms unless you explicitly specify it
		643	in the flags (i.e. using C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a
429	libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough) system like NetBSD.	644	known-to-be-good (-enough) system like NetBSD.
430		645
431	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it	646	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
432	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on	647	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
433	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	648	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
434		649
435	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the	650	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
436	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of	651	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
437	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never	652	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
438	cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to	653	cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
439	two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it	654	two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (you
		655	might have to leak fds on fork, but it's more sane than epoll) and it
440	drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.	656	drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.
441		657
442	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.	658	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
443		659
444	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work	660	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
445	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken	661	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
446	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets	662	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
447	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop	663	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
448	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and, did I mention it,	664	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (but C<poll> is of course
449	using it only for sockets.	665	also broken on OS X)) and, did I mention it, using it only for sockets.
450		666
451	This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with	667	This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
452	C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with	668	C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
453	C<NOTE_EOF>.	669	C<NOTE_EOF>.
454		670
…		…
462	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)	678	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
463		679
464	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,	680	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
465	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).	681	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
466		682
467	Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
468	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
469	blocking when no data (or space) is available.
470
471	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active	683	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
472	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file	684	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
473	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend	685	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
474	might perform better.	686	might perform better.
475		687
476	On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness	688	On the positive side, this backend actually performed fully to
477	notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
478	in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the	689	specification in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat
479	OS-specific backends.	690	among the OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed
		691	hacks).
		692
		693	On the negative side, the interface is I<bizarre> - so bizarre that
		694	even sun itself gets it wrong in their code examples: The event polling
		695	function sometimes returns events to the caller even though an error
		696	occurred, but with no indication whether it has done so or not (yes, it's
		697	even documented that way) - deadly for edge-triggered interfaces where you
		698	absolutely have to know whether an event occurred or not because you have
		699	to re-arm the watcher.
		700
		701	Fortunately libev seems to be able to work around these idiocies.
480		702
481	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as	703	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
482	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	704	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
483		705
484	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>	706	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
485		707
486	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried	708	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
487	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as	709	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
488	C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.	710	C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
489		711
490	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.	712	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag, use whatever
		713	C<ev_recommended_backends ()> returns, or simply do not specify a backend
		714	at all.
		715
		716	=item C<EVBACKEND_MASK>
		717
		718	Not a backend at all, but a mask to select all backend bits from a
		719	C<flags> value, in case you want to mask out any backends from a flags
		720	value (e.g. when modifying the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> environment variable).
491		721
492	=back	722	=back
493		723
494	If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these	724	If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value,
495	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are	725	then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed
496	specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.	726	here). If none are specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends
497		727	()> will be tried.
498	Example: This is the most typical usage.
499
500	if (!ev_default_loop (0))
501	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
502
503	Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
504	environment settings to be taken into account:
505
506	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
507
508	Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
509	used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
510	private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
511	fds):
512
513	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
514
515	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
516
517	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
518	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
519	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
520	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
521
522	Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
523	libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
524	default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
525		728
526	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.	729	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
527		730
528	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);	731	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
529	if (!epoller)	732	if (!epoller)
530	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");	733	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
531		734
		735	Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
		736	used if available.
		737
		738	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_loop_new (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
		739
		740	Example: Similarly, on linux, you mgiht want to take advantage of the
		741	linux aio backend if possible, but fall back to something else if that
		742	isn't available.
		743
		744	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_loop_new (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_LINUXAIO);
		745
532	=item ev_default_destroy ()	746	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
533		747
534	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state	748	Destroys an event loop object (frees all memory and kernel state
535	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal	749	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
536	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your	750	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
537	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>	751	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
538	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually	752	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
539	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them	753	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
…		…
541		755
542	Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal	756	Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
543	handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such	757	handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
544	as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.	758	as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
545		759
546	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the	760	This function is normally used on loop objects allocated by
547	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling	761	C<ev_loop_new>, but it can also be used on the default loop returned by
		762	C<ev_default_loop>, in which case it is not thread-safe.
		763
		764	Note that it is not advisable to call this function on the default loop
		765	except in the rare occasion where you really need to free its resources.
548	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use	766	If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use C<ev_loop_new>
549	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).	767	and C<ev_loop_destroy>.
550		768
551	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)	769	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
552		770
553	Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
554	earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
555
556	=item ev_default_fork ()
557
558	This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations	771	This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_run> iterations
559	to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the	772	to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite
560	name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in	773	the name, you can call it anytime you are allowed to start or stop
561	the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little	774	watchers (except inside an C<ev_prepare> callback), but it makes most
562	sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev	775	sense after forking, in the child process. You I<must> call it (or use
563	functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration.	776	C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>) in the child before resuming or calling C<ev_run>.
		777
		778	In addition, if you want to reuse a loop (via this function or
		779	C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>), you I<also> have to ignore C<SIGPIPE>.
		780
		781	Again, you I<have> to call it on I<any> loop that you want to re-use after
		782	a fork, I<even if you do not plan to use the loop in the parent>. This is
		783	because some kernel interfaces *cough* I<kqueue> *cough* do funny things
		784	during fork.
564		785
565	On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child	786	On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
566	process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If	787	process if and only if you want to use the event loop in the child. If
567	you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all.	788	you just fork+exec or create a new loop in the child, you don't have to
		789	call it at all (in fact, C<epoll> is so badly broken that it makes a
		790	difference, but libev will usually detect this case on its own and do a
		791	costly reset of the backend).
568		792
569	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call	793	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
570	it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in	794	it just in case after a fork.
571	quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
572		795
		796	Example: Automate calling C<ev_loop_fork> on the default loop when
		797	using pthreads.
		798
		799	static void
		800	post_fork_child (void)
		801	{
		802	ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
		803	}
		804
		805	...
573	pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);	806	pthread_atfork (0, 0, post_fork_child);
574
575	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
576
577	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
578	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
579	after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is
580	entirely your own problem.
581		807
582	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)	808	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
583		809
584	Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false	810	Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
585	otherwise.	811	otherwise.
586		812
587	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)	813	=item unsigned int ev_iteration (loop)
588		814
589	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to	815	Returns the current iteration count for the event loop, which is identical
590	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and	816	to the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0>
591	happily wraps around with enough iterations.	817	and happily wraps around with enough iterations.
592		818
593	This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it	819	This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
594	"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with	820	"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
595	C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls.	821	C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls - and is incremented between the
		822	prepare and check phases.
		823
		824	=item unsigned int ev_depth (loop)
		825
		826	Returns the number of times C<ev_run> was entered minus the number of
		827	times C<ev_run> was exited normally, in other words, the recursion depth.
		828
		829	Outside C<ev_run>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is
		830	C<1>, unless C<ev_run> was invoked recursively (or from another thread),
		831	in which case it is higher.
		832
		833	Leaving C<ev_run> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread,
		834	throwing an exception etc.), doesn't count as "exit" - consider this
		835	as a hint to avoid such ungentleman-like behaviour unless it's really
		836	convenient, in which case it is fully supported.
596		837
597	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)	838	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
598		839
599	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in	840	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
600	use.	841	use.
…		…
609		850
610	=item ev_now_update (loop)	851	=item ev_now_update (loop)
611		852
612	Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time	853	Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
613	returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and	854	returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
614	is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>.	855	is usually done automatically within C<ev_run ()>.
615		856
616	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a	857	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
617	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of	858	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
618	the current time is a good idea.	859	the current time is a good idea.
619		860
620	See also "The special problem of time updates" in the C<ev_timer> section.	861	See also L</The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.
621		862
		863	=item ev_suspend (loop)
		864
		865	=item ev_resume (loop)
		866
		867	These two functions suspend and resume an event loop, for use when the
		868	loop is not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
		869
		870	A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
		871	the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
		872	would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
		873	the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend>
		874	in your C<SIGTSTP> handler, sending yourself a C<SIGSTOP> and calling
		875	C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing.
		876
		877	Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend
		878	between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers
		879	will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
		880	occurred while suspended).
		881
		882	After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the
		883	given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume>
		884	without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
		885
		886	Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
		887	event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
		888
622	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)	889	=item bool ev_run (loop, int flags)
623		890
624	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called	891	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
625	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling	892	after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start
626	events.	893	handling events. It will ask the operating system for any new events, call
		894	the watcher callbacks, and then repeat the whole process indefinitely: This
		895	is why event loops are called I<loops>.
627		896
628	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until	897	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will keep handling events
629	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.	898	until either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_break> was
		899	called.
630		900
		901	The return value is false if there are no more active watchers (which
		902	usually means "all jobs done" or "deadlock"), and true in all other cases
		903	(which usually means " you should call C<ev_run> again").
		904
631	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than	905	Please note that an explicit C<ev_break> is usually better than
632	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has	906	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
633	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program	907	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
634	that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue	908	that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
635	of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of	909	of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
636	beauty.	910	beauty.
637		911
		912	This function is I<mostly> exception-safe - you can break out of a
		913	C<ev_run> call by calling C<longjmp> in a callback, throwing a C++
		914	exception and so on. This does not decrement the C<ev_depth> value, nor
		915	will it clear any outstanding C<EVBREAK_ONE> breaks.
		916
638	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle	917	A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle
639	those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your	918	those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and
640	process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of	919	block your process in case there are no events and will return after one
641	the loop.	920	iteration of the loop. This is sometimes useful to poll and handle new
		921	events while doing lengthy calculations, to keep the program responsive.
642		922
643	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if	923	A flags value of C<EVRUN_ONCE> will look for new events (waiting if
644	necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It	924	necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
645	will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could	925	will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
646	be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarentee that a	926	be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
647	user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one	927	user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
648	iteration of the loop.	928	iteration of the loop.
649		929
650	This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction	930	This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
651	with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your	931	with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
652	own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is	932	own C<ev_run>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
653	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.	933	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
654		934
655	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:	935	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does (this is for your
		936	understanding, not a guarantee that things will work exactly like this in
		937	future versions):
656		938
		939	- Increment loop depth.
		940	- Reset the ev_break status.
657	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.	941	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
		942	LOOP:
658	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.	943	- If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
659	- If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.	944	- If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
660	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.	945	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.
		946	- If ev_break was called, goto FINISH.
661	- If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state	947	- If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
662	as to not disturb the other process.	948	as to not disturb the other process.
663	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.	949	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
664	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).	950	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
665	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all	951	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
666	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having	952	(active idle watchers, EVRUN_NOWAIT or not having
667	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).	953	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
668	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.	954	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
		955	- Increment loop iteration counter.
669	- Block the process, waiting for any events.	956	- Block the process, waiting for any events.
670	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.	957	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
671	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.	958	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
672	- Queue all expired timers.	959	- Queue all expired timers.
673	- Queue all expired periodics.	960	- Queue all expired periodics.
674	- Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.	961	- Queue all idle watchers with priority higher than that of pending events.
675	- Queue all check watchers.	962	- Queue all check watchers.
676	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).	963	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
677	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will	964	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
678	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.	965	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
679	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK	966	- If ev_break has been called, or EVRUN_ONCE or EVRUN_NOWAIT
680	were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise	967	were used, or there are no active watchers, goto FINISH, otherwise
681	continue with step *.	968	continue with step LOOP.
		969	FINISH:
		970	- Reset the ev_break status iff it was EVBREAK_ONE.
		971	- Decrement the loop depth.
		972	- Return.
682		973
683	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding	974	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
684	anymore.	975	anymore.
685		976
686	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long	977	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
687	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)	978	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
688	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);	979	ev_run (my_loop, 0);
689	... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!	980	... jobs done or somebody called break. yeah!
690		981
691	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)	982	=item ev_break (loop, how)
692		983
693	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it	984	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it
694	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either	985	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
695	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or	986	C<EVBREAK_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_run> call return, or
696	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.	987	C<EVBREAK_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_run> calls return.
697		988
698	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.	989	This "break state" will be cleared on the next call to C<ev_run>.
699		990
700	It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls.	991	It is safe to call C<ev_break> from outside any C<ev_run> calls, too, in
		992	which case it will have no effect.
701		993
702	=item ev_ref (loop)	994	=item ev_ref (loop)
703		995
704	=item ev_unref (loop)	996	=item ev_unref (loop)
705		997
706	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event	998	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
707	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference	999	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
708	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own.	1000	count is nonzero, C<ev_run> will not return on its own.
709		1001
710	If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop>	1002	This is useful when you have a watcher that you never intend to
711	from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before	1003	unregister, but that nevertheless should not keep C<ev_run> from
		1004	returning. In such a case, call C<ev_unref> after starting, and C<ev_ref>
712	stopping it.	1005	before stopping it.
713		1006
714	As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is	1007	As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
715	not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting	1008	is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_run> from
716	if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent	1009	exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
717	way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party	1010	excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
718	libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>	1011	third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref
719	(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,	1012	before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active
720	respectively).	1013	before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself
		1014	(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref>
		1015	in the callback).
721		1016
722	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>	1017	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_run>
723	running when nothing else is active.	1018	running when nothing else is active.
724		1019
725	ev_signal exitsig;	1020	ev_signal exitsig;
726	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);	1021	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
727	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);	1022	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
728	evf_unref (loop);	1023	ev_unref (loop);
729		1024
730	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.	1025	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
731		1026
732	ev_ref (loop);	1027	ev_ref (loop);
733	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);	1028	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
…		…
753	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.	1048	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
754		1049
755	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more	1050	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
756	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,	1051	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
757	at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and	1052	at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
758	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will	1053	C<ev_timer>) will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
759	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.	1054	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
		1055	sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
		1056	once per this interval, on average (as long as the host time resolution is
		1057	good enough).
760		1058
761	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev	1059	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
762	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased	1060	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
763	latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called	1061	latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
764	later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null	1062	later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
…		…
766		1064
767	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect	1065	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
768	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for	1066	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
769	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It	1067	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
770	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,	1068	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
771	as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems.	1069	as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. Note that if
		1070	you do transactions with the outside world and you can't increase the
		1071	parallelity, then this setting will limit your transaction rate (if you
		1072	need to poll once per transaction and the I/O collect interval is 0.01,
		1073	then you can't do more than 100 transactions per second).
772		1074
773	Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for	1075	Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
774	saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that	1076	saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
775	are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of	1077	are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
776	times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to	1078	times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
777	reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure	1079	reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
778	they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.	1080	they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
779		1081
		1082	Example: we only need 0.1s timeout granularity, and we wish not to poll
		1083	more often than 100 times per second:
		1084
		1085	ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.1);
		1086	ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01);
		1087
		1088	=item ev_invoke_pending (loop)
		1089
		1090	This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their
		1091	pending state. Normally, C<ev_run> does this automatically when required,
		1092	but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy. This
		1093	function can be invoked from a watcher - this can be useful for example
		1094	when you want to do some lengthy calculation and want to pass further
		1095	event handling to another thread (you still have to make sure only one
		1096	thread executes within C<ev_invoke_pending> or C<ev_run> of course).
		1097
		1098	=item int ev_pending_count (loop)
		1099
		1100	Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers
		1101	are pending.
		1102
		1103	=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P))
		1104
		1105	This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of
		1106	invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_run> will call
		1107	this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to
		1108	invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
		1109
		1110	If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
		1111	callback.
		1112
		1113	=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P) throw (), void (*acquire)(EV_P) throw ())
		1114
		1115	Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
		1116	can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
		1117	each call to a libev function.
		1118
		1119	However, C<ev_run> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible
		1120	to wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the event
		1121	loop via C<ev_break> and C<ev_async_send>, another way is to set these
		1122	I<release> and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
		1123
		1124	When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
		1125	suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
		1126	afterwards.
		1127
		1128	Ideally, C<release> will just call your mutex_unlock function, and
		1129	C<acquire> will just call the mutex_lock function again.
		1130
		1131	While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of
		1132	C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no
		1133	modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will
		1134	have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time
		1135	waited. Use an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_run> when you want it
		1136	to take note of any changes you made.
		1137
		1138	In theory, threads executing C<ev_run> will be async-cancel safe between
		1139	invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>.
		1140
		1141	See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this
		1142	document.
		1143
		1144	=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data)
		1145
		1146	=item void *ev_userdata (loop)
		1147
		1148	Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When
		1149	C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns
		1150	C<0>.
		1151
		1152	These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop,
		1153	and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and
		1154	C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for
		1155	any other purpose as well.
		1156
780	=item ev_loop_verify (loop)	1157	=item ev_verify (loop)
781		1158
782	This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been	1159	This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
783	compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go	1160	compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
784	through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything	1161	through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
785	is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard	1162	is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
…		…
796		1173
797	In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the	1174	In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
798	watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer	1175	watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
799	watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.	1176	watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
800		1177
801	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your	1178	A watcher is an opaque structure that you allocate and register to record
802	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to	1179	your interest in some event. To make a concrete example, imagine you want
803	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:	1180	to wait for STDIN to become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher
		1181	for that:
804		1182
805	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)	1183	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
806	{	1184	{
807	ev_io_stop (w);	1185	ev_io_stop (w);
808	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	1186	ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
809	}	1187	}
810		1188
811	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	1189	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
812		1190
813	ev_io stdin_watcher;	1191	ev_io stdin_watcher;
814		1192
815	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);	1193	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
816	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1194	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
817	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	1195	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
818		1196
819	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1197	ev_run (loop, 0);
820		1198
821	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your	1199	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
822	watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the	1200	watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
823	stack).	1201	stack).
824		1202
825	Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>	1203	Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
826	or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).	1204	or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
827		1205
828	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init	1206	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init (watcher
829	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This	1207	*, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This callback is
830	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O	1208	invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O watchers, each
831	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given	1209	time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given is readable
832	is readable and/or writable).	1210	and/or writable).
833		1211
834	Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>	1212	Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
835	macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There	1213	macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
836	is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<	1214	is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
837	ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.	1215	ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
…		…
860	=item C<EV_WRITE>	1238	=item C<EV_WRITE>
861		1239
862	The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or	1240	The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or
863	writable.	1241	writable.
864		1242
865	=item C<EV_TIMEOUT>	1243	=item C<EV_TIMER>
866		1244
867	The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.	1245	The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.
868		1246
869	=item C<EV_PERIODIC>	1247	=item C<EV_PERIODIC>
870		1248
…		…
888		1266
889	=item C<EV_PREPARE>	1267	=item C<EV_PREPARE>
890		1268
891	=item C<EV_CHECK>	1269	=item C<EV_CHECK>
892		1270
893	All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_loop> starts	1271	All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_run> starts to
894	to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after	1272	gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are queued (not invoked)
895	C<ev_loop> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any	1273	just after C<ev_run> has gathered them, but before it queues any callbacks
		1274	for any received events. That means C<ev_prepare> watchers are the last
		1275	watchers invoked before the event loop sleeps or polls for new events, and
		1276	C<ev_check> watchers will be invoked before any other watchers of the same
		1277	or lower priority within an event loop iteration.
		1278
896	received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as	1279	Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as many watchers as
897	many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account	1280	they want, and all of them will be taken into account (for example, a
898	(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep	1281	C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep C<ev_run> from
899	C<ev_loop> from blocking).	1282	blocking).
900		1283
901	=item C<EV_EMBED>	1284	=item C<EV_EMBED>
902		1285
903	The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.	1286	The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.
904		1287
905	=item C<EV_FORK>	1288	=item C<EV_FORK>
906		1289
907	The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see	1290	The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
908	C<ev_fork>).	1291	C<ev_fork>).
909		1292
		1293	=item C<EV_CLEANUP>
		1294
		1295	The event loop is about to be destroyed (see C<ev_cleanup>).
		1296
910	=item C<EV_ASYNC>	1297	=item C<EV_ASYNC>
911		1298
912	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).	1299	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
		1300
		1301	=item C<EV_CUSTOM>
		1302
		1303	Not ever sent (or otherwise used) by libev itself, but can be freely used
		1304	by libev users to signal watchers (e.g. via C<ev_feed_event>).
913		1305
914	=item C<EV_ERROR>	1306	=item C<EV_ERROR>
915		1307
916	An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might	1308	An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
917	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev	1309	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
…		…
955		1347
956	ev_io w;	1348	ev_io w;
957	ev_init (&w, my_cb);	1349	ev_init (&w, my_cb);
958	ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1350	ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
959		1351
960	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])	1352	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *watcher, [args])
961		1353
962	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to	1354	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
963	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can	1355	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
964	call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this	1356	call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this
965	macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a	1357	macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a
…		…
978		1370
979	Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.	1371	Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
980		1372
981	ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1373	ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
982		1374
983	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1375	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
984		1376
985	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive	1377	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
986	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.	1378	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
987		1379
988	Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this	1380	Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
989	whole section.	1381	whole section.
990		1382
991	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);	1383	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
992		1384
993	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1385	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
994		1386
995	Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether	1387	Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
996	the watcher was active or not).	1388	the watcher was active or not).
997		1389
998	It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,	1390	It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
…		…
1018		1410
1019	=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1411	=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
1020		1412
1021	Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.	1413	Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
1022		1414
1023	=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	1415	=item ev_set_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
1024		1416
1025	Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time	1417	Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
1026	(modulo threads).	1418	(modulo threads).
1027		1419
1028	=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority)	1420	=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority)
1029		1421
1030	=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1422	=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
1031		1423
1032	Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small	1424	Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
1033	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>	1425	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
1034	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked	1426	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
1035	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers	1427	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
1036	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).	1428	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
1037		1429
1038	This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
1039	invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
1040	example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
1041	watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
1042
1043	If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending	1430	If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
1044	you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.	1431	you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
1045		1432
1046	You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or	1433	You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
1047	pending.	1434	pending.
1048
1049	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
1050	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
1051		1435
1052	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is	1436	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
1053	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might	1437	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
1054	or might not have been clamped to the valid range.	1438	or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
		1439
		1440	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
		1441	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
		1442
		1443	See L</WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of
		1444	priorities.
1055		1445
1056	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)	1446	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1057		1447
1058	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither	1448	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
1059	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback	1449	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
…		…
1067	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.	1457	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
1068		1458
1069	Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its	1459	Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
1070	callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.	1460	callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
1071		1461
		1462	=item ev_feed_event (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
		1463
		1464	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
		1465	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
		1466	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). Obviously you must
		1467	not free the watcher as long as it has pending events.
		1468
		1469	Stopping the watcher, letting libev invoke it, or calling
		1470	C<ev_clear_pending> will clear the pending event, even if the watcher was
		1471	not started in the first place.
		1472
		1473	See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related
		1474	functions that do not need a watcher.
		1475
1072	=back	1476	=back
1073		1477
		1478	See also the L</ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER> and L</BUILDING YOUR
		1479	OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS> idioms.
1074		1480
1075	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER	1481	=head2 WATCHER STATES
1076		1482
1077	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change	1483	There are various watcher states mentioned throughout this manual -
1078	and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used	1484	active, pending and so on. In this section these states and the rules to
1079	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and	1485	transition between them will be described in more detail - and while these
1080	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data	1486	rules might look complicated, they usually do "the right thing".
1081	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
1082	data:
1083		1487
1084	struct my_io	1488	=over 4
		1489
		1490	=item initialised
		1491
		1492	Before a watcher can be registered with the event loop it has to be
		1493	initialised. This can be done with a call to C<ev_TYPE_init>, or calls to
		1494	C<ev_init> followed by the watcher-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> function.
		1495
		1496	In this state it is simply some block of memory that is suitable for
		1497	use in an event loop. It can be moved around, freed, reused etc. at
		1498	will - as long as you either keep the memory contents intact, or call
		1499	C<ev_TYPE_init> again.
		1500
		1501	=item started/running/active
		1502
		1503	Once a watcher has been started with a call to C<ev_TYPE_start> it becomes
		1504	property of the event loop, and is actively waiting for events. While in
		1505	this state it cannot be accessed (except in a few documented ways), moved,
		1506	freed or anything else - the only legal thing is to keep a pointer to it,
		1507	and call libev functions on it that are documented to work on active watchers.
		1508
		1509	=item pending
		1510
		1511	If a watcher is active and libev determines that an event it is interested
		1512	in has occurred (such as a timer expiring), it will become pending. It will
		1513	stay in this pending state until either it is stopped or its callback is
		1514	about to be invoked, so it is not normally pending inside the watcher
		1515	callback.
		1516
		1517	The watcher might or might not be active while it is pending (for example,
		1518	an expired non-repeating timer can be pending but no longer active). If it
		1519	is stopped, it can be freely accessed (e.g. by calling C<ev_TYPE_set>),
		1520	but it is still property of the event loop at this time, so cannot be
		1521	moved, freed or reused. And if it is active the rules described in the
		1522	previous item still apply.
		1523
		1524	It is also possible to feed an event on a watcher that is not active (e.g.
		1525	via C<ev_feed_event>), in which case it becomes pending without being
		1526	active.
		1527
		1528	=item stopped
		1529
		1530	A watcher can be stopped implicitly by libev (in which case it might still
		1531	be pending), or explicitly by calling its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function. The
		1532	latter will clear any pending state the watcher might be in, regardless
		1533	of whether it was active or not, so stopping a watcher explicitly before
		1534	freeing it is often a good idea.
		1535
		1536	While stopped (and not pending) the watcher is essentially in the
		1537	initialised state, that is, it can be reused, moved, modified in any way
		1538	you wish (but when you trash the memory block, you need to C<ev_TYPE_init>
		1539	it again).
		1540
		1541	=back
		1542
		1543	=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
		1544
		1545	Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small
		1546	integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation
		1547	between watchers in some way, all else being equal.
		1548
		1549	In libev, watcher priorities can be set using C<ev_set_priority>. See its
		1550	description for the more technical details such as the actual priority
		1551	range.
		1552
		1553	There are two common ways how these these priorities are being interpreted
		1554	by event loops:
		1555
		1556	In the more common lock-out model, higher priorities "lock out" invocation
		1557	of lower priority watchers, which means as long as higher priority
		1558	watchers receive events, lower priority watchers are not being invoked.
		1559
		1560	The less common only-for-ordering model uses priorities solely to order
		1561	callback invocation within a single event loop iteration: Higher priority
		1562	watchers are invoked before lower priority ones, but they all get invoked
		1563	before polling for new events.
		1564
		1565	Libev uses the second (only-for-ordering) model for all its watchers
		1566	except for idle watchers (which use the lock-out model).
		1567
		1568	The rationale behind this is that implementing the lock-out model for
		1569	watchers is not well supported by most kernel interfaces, and most event
		1570	libraries will just poll for the same events again and again as long as
		1571	their callbacks have not been executed, which is very inefficient in the
		1572	common case of one high-priority watcher locking out a mass of lower
		1573	priority ones.
		1574
		1575	Static (ordering) priorities are most useful when you have two or more
		1576	watchers handling the same resource: a typical usage example is having an
		1577	C<ev_io> watcher to receive data, and an associated C<ev_timer> to handle
		1578	timeouts. Under load, data might be received while the program handles
		1579	other jobs, but since timers normally get invoked first, the timeout
		1580	handler will be executed before checking for data. In that case, giving
		1581	the timer a lower priority than the I/O watcher ensures that I/O will be
		1582	handled first even under adverse conditions (which is usually, but not
		1583	always, what you want).
		1584
		1585	Since idle watchers use the "lock-out" model, meaning that idle watchers
		1586	will only be executed when no same or higher priority watchers have
		1587	received events, they can be used to implement the "lock-out" model when
		1588	required.
		1589
		1590	For example, to emulate how many other event libraries handle priorities,
		1591	you can associate an C<ev_idle> watcher to each such watcher, and in
		1592	the normal watcher callback, you just start the idle watcher. The real
		1593	processing is done in the idle watcher callback. This causes libev to
		1594	continuously poll and process kernel event data for the watcher, but when
		1595	the lock-out case is known to be rare (which in turn is rare :), this is
		1596	workable.
		1597
		1598	Usually, however, the lock-out model implemented that way will perform
		1599	miserably under the type of load it was designed to handle. In that case,
		1600	it might be preferable to stop the real watcher before starting the
		1601	idle watcher, so the kernel will not have to process the event in case
		1602	the actual processing will be delayed for considerable time.
		1603
		1604	Here is an example of an I/O watcher that should run at a strictly lower
		1605	priority than the default, and which should only process data when no
		1606	other events are pending:
		1607
		1608	ev_idle idle; // actual processing watcher
		1609	ev_io io; // actual event watcher
		1610
		1611	static void
		1612	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1085	{	1613	{
1086	ev_io io;	1614	// stop the I/O watcher, we received the event, but
1087	int otherfd;	1615	// are not yet ready to handle it.
1088	void *somedata;	1616	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
1089	struct whatever *mostinteresting;	1617
		1618	// start the idle watcher to handle the actual event.
		1619	// it will not be executed as long as other watchers
		1620	// with the default priority are receiving events.
		1621	ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle);
1090	};	1622	}
1091		1623
1092	...	1624	static void
1093	struct my_io w;	1625	idle_cb (EV_P_ ev_idle *w, int revents)
1094	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
1095
1096	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
1097	can cast it back to your own type:
1098
1099	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
1100	{	1626	{
1101	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;	1627	// actual processing
1102	...	1628	read (STDIN_FILENO, ...);
		1629
		1630	// have to start the I/O watcher again, as
		1631	// we have handled the event
		1632	ev_io_start (EV_P_ &io);
1103	}	1633	}
1104		1634
1105	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type	1635	// initialisation
1106	instead have been omitted.	1636	ev_idle_init (&idle, idle_cb);
		1637	ev_io_init (&io, io_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
		1638	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &io);
1107		1639
1108	Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple	1640	In the "real" world, it might also be beneficial to start a timer, so that
1109	embedded watchers:	1641	low-priority connections can not be locked out forever under load. This
1110		1642	enables your program to keep a lower latency for important connections
1111	struct my_biggy	1643	during short periods of high load, while not completely locking out less
1112	{	1644	important ones.
1113	int some_data;
1114	ev_timer t1;
1115	ev_timer t2;
1116	}
1117
1118	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
1119	complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
1120	in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
1121	some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
1122	programmers):
1123
1124	#include <stddef.h>
1125
1126	static void
1127	t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1128	{
1129	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
1130	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
1131	}
1132
1133	static void
1134	t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1135	{
1136	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
1137	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
1138	}
1139		1645
1140		1646
1141	=head1 WATCHER TYPES	1647	=head1 WATCHER TYPES
1142		1648
1143	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat	1649	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
1144	information given in the last section. Any initialisation/set macros,	1650	information given in the last section. Any initialisation/set macros,
1145	functions and members specific to the watcher type are explained.	1651	functions and members specific to the watcher type are explained.
1146		1652
1147	Members are additionally marked with either I<[read-only]>, meaning that,	1653	Most members are additionally marked with either I<[read-only]>, meaning
1148	while the watcher is active, you can look at the member and expect some	1654	that, while the watcher is active, you can look at the member and expect
1149	sensible content, but you must not modify it (you can modify it while the	1655	some sensible content, but you must not modify it (you can modify it while
1150	watcher is stopped to your hearts content), or I<[read-write]>, which	1656	the watcher is stopped to your hearts content), or I<[read-write]>, which
1151	means you can expect it to have some sensible content while the watcher	1657	means you can expect it to have some sensible content while the watcher
1152	is active, but you can also modify it. Modifying it may not do something	1658	is active, but you can also modify it. Modifying it may not do something
1153	sensible or take immediate effect (or do anything at all), but libev will	1659	sensible or take immediate effect (or do anything at all), but libev will
1154	not crash or malfunction in any way.	1660	not crash or malfunction in any way.
1155		1661
		1662	In any case, the documentation for each member will explain what the
		1663	effects are, and if there are any additional access restrictions.
1156		1664
1157	=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable?	1665	=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable?
1158		1666
1159	I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable	1667	I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable
1160	in each iteration of the event loop, or, more precisely, when reading	1668	in each iteration of the event loop, or, more precisely, when reading
…		…
1167	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per	1675	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
1168	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file	1676	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
1169	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not	1677	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1170	required if you know what you are doing).	1678	required if you know what you are doing).
1171		1679
1172	If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
1173	known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
1174	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
1175
1176	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to	1680	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1177	receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might	1681	receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is, your callback might
1178	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block	1682	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1179	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a	1683	because there is no data. It is very easy to get into this situation even
1180	lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into	1684	with a relatively standard program structure. Thus it is best to always
1181	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus	1685	use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning C<EAGAIN> is far
1182	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1183	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.	1686	preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1184		1687
1185	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should	1688	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
1186	not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately	1689	not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
1187	re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good	1690	re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
1188	interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already	1691	interface such as poll (fortunately in the case of Xlib, it already does
1189	does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally	1692	this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
1190	use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block	1693	use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
1191	indefinitely.	1694	indefinitely.
1192		1695
1193	But really, best use non-blocking mode.	1696	But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1194		1697
1195	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors	1698	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1196		1699
1197	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file	1700	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll, linuxaio) need to be told about closing
1198	descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means,	1701	a file descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other
1199	such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file	1702	means, such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some
1200	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop	1703	file descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently
1201	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is	1704	drop this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then
1202	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in	1705	is registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is,
1203	fact, a different file descriptor.	1706	in fact, a different file descriptor.
1204		1707
1205	To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows	1708	To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows
1206	the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev	1709	the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev
1207	will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise	1710	will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise
1208	it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that	1711	it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that
…		…
1222		1725
1223	There is no workaround possible except not registering events	1726	There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1224	for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to	1727	for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1225	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	1728	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1226		1729
		1730	=head3 The special problem of files
		1731
		1732	Many people try to use C<select> (or libev) on file descriptors
		1733	representing files, and expect it to become ready when their program
		1734	doesn't block on disk accesses (which can take a long time on their own).
		1735
		1736	However, this cannot ever work in the "expected" way - you get a readiness
		1737	notification as soon as the kernel knows whether and how much data is
		1738	there, and in the case of open files, that's always the case, so you
		1739	always get a readiness notification instantly, and your read (or possibly
		1740	write) will still block on the disk I/O.
		1741
		1742	Another way to view it is that in the case of sockets, pipes, character
		1743	devices and so on, there is another party (the sender) that delivers data
		1744	on its own, but in the case of files, there is no such thing: the disk
		1745	will not send data on its own, simply because it doesn't know what you
		1746	wish to read - you would first have to request some data.
		1747
		1748	Since files are typically not-so-well supported by advanced notification
		1749	mechanism, libev tries hard to emulate POSIX behaviour with respect
		1750	to files, even though you should not use it. The reason for this is
		1751	convenience: sometimes you want to watch STDIN or STDOUT, which is
		1752	usually a tty, often a pipe, but also sometimes files or special devices
		1753	(for example, C<epoll> on Linux works with F</dev/random> but not with
		1754	F</dev/urandom>), and even though the file might better be served with
		1755	asynchronous I/O instead of with non-blocking I/O, it is still useful when
		1756	it "just works" instead of freezing.
		1757
		1758	So avoid file descriptors pointing to files when you know it (e.g. use
		1759	libeio), but use them when it is convenient, e.g. for STDIN/STDOUT, or
		1760	when you rarely read from a file instead of from a socket, and want to
		1761	reuse the same code path.
		1762
1227	=head3 The special problem of fork	1763	=head3 The special problem of fork
1228		1764
1229	Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit	1765	Some backends (epoll, kqueue, linuxaio, iouring) do not support C<fork ()>
1230	useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about	1766	at all or exhibit useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs
1231	it in the child.	1767	to be told about it in the child if you want to continue to use it in the
		1768	child.
1232		1769
1233	To support fork in your programs, you either have to call	1770	To support fork in your child processes, you have to call C<ev_loop_fork
1234	C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,	1771	()> after a fork in the child, enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to
1235	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or	1772	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1236	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1237		1773
1238	=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE	1774	=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1239		1775
1240	While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:	1776	While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
1241	when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets	1777	when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
…		…
1244		1780
1245	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you	1781	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1246	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon	1782	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1247	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).	1783	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1248		1784
		1785	=head3 The special problem of accept()ing when you can't
		1786
		1787	Many implementations of the POSIX C<accept> function (for example,
		1788	found in post-2004 Linux) have the peculiar behaviour of not removing a
		1789	connection from the pending queue in all error cases.
		1790
		1791	For example, larger servers often run out of file descriptors (because
		1792	of resource limits), causing C<accept> to fail with C<ENFILE> but not
		1793	rejecting the connection, leading to libev signalling readiness on
		1794	the next iteration again (the connection still exists after all), and
		1795	typically causing the program to loop at 100% CPU usage.
		1796
		1797	Unfortunately, the set of errors that cause this issue differs between
		1798	operating systems, there is usually little the app can do to remedy the
		1799	situation, and no known thread-safe method of removing the connection to
		1800	cope with overload is known (to me).
		1801
		1802	One of the easiest ways to handle this situation is to just ignore it
		1803	- when the program encounters an overload, it will just loop until the
		1804	situation is over. While this is a form of busy waiting, no OS offers an
		1805	event-based way to handle this situation, so it's the best one can do.
		1806
		1807	A better way to handle the situation is to log any errors other than
		1808	C<EAGAIN> and C<EWOULDBLOCK>, making sure not to flood the log with such
		1809	messages, and continue as usual, which at least gives the user an idea of
		1810	what could be wrong ("raise the ulimit!"). For extra points one could stop
		1811	the C<ev_io> watcher on the listening fd "for a while", which reduces CPU
		1812	usage.
		1813
		1814	If your program is single-threaded, then you could also keep a dummy file
		1815	descriptor for overload situations (e.g. by opening F</dev/null>), and
		1816	when you run into C<ENFILE> or C<EMFILE>, close it, run C<accept>,
		1817	close that fd, and create a new dummy fd. This will gracefully refuse
		1818	clients under typical overload conditions.
		1819
		1820	The last way to handle it is to simply log the error and C<exit>, as
		1821	is often done with C<malloc> failures, but this results in an easy
		1822	opportunity for a DoS attack.
1249		1823
1250	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions	1824	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1251		1825
1252	=over 4	1826	=over 4
1253		1827
…		…
1257		1831
1258	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to	1832	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
1259	receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or	1833	receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
1260	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.	1834	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.
1261		1835
1262	=item int fd [read-only]	1836	=item ev_io_modify (ev_io *, int events)
1263		1837
1264	The file descriptor being watched.	1838	Similar to C<ev_io_set>, but only changes the event mask. Using this might
		1839	be faster with some backends, as libev can assume that the C<fd> still
		1840	refers to the same underlying file description, something it cannot do
		1841	when using C<ev_io_set>.
1265		1842
		1843	=item int fd [no-modify]
		1844
		1845	The file descriptor being watched. While it can be read at any time, you
		1846	must not modify this member even when the watcher is stopped - always use
		1847	C<ev_io_set> for that.
		1848
1266	=item int events [read-only]	1849	=item int events [no-modify]
1267		1850
1268	The events being watched.	1851	The set of events being watched, among other flags. This field is a
		1852	bit set - to test for C<EV_READ>, use C<< w->events & EV_READ >>, and
		1853	similarly for C<EV_WRITE>.
		1854
		1855	As with C<fd>, you must not modify this member even when the watcher is
		1856	stopped, always use C<ev_io_set> or C<ev_io_modify> for that.
1269		1857
1270	=back	1858	=back
1271		1859
1272	=head3 Examples	1860	=head3 Examples
1273		1861
…		…
1285	...	1873	...
1286	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	1874	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1287	ev_io stdin_readable;	1875	ev_io stdin_readable;
1288	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1876	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1289	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);	1877	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1290	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1878	ev_run (loop, 0);
1291		1879
1292		1880
1293	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts	1881	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1294		1882
1295	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a	1883	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
…		…
1300	year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because	1888	year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
1301	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the	1889	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1302	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).	1890	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1303		1891
1304	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has	1892	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1305	passed, but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration	1893	passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
1306	then order of execution is undefined.	1894	might introduce a small delay, see "the special problem of being too
		1895	early", below). If multiple timers become ready during the same loop
		1896	iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked before
		1897	ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is no
		1898	longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1307		1899
1308	=head3 Be smart about timeouts	1900	=head3 Be smart about timeouts
1309		1901
1310	Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error	1902	Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
1311	recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,	1903	recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
…		…
1355	C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>	1947	C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
1356	member and C<ev_timer_again>.	1948	member and C<ev_timer_again>.
1357		1949
1358	At start:	1950	At start:
1359		1951
1360	ev_timer_init (timer, callback);	1952	ev_init (timer, callback);
1361	timer->repeat = 60.;	1953	timer->repeat = 60.;
1362	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);	1954	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1363		1955
1364	Each time there is some activity:	1956	Each time there is some activity:
1365		1957
…		…
1386		1978
1387	In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,	1979	In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
1388	but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only	1980	but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
1389	within the callback:	1981	within the callback:
1390		1982
		1983	ev_tstamp timeout = 60.;
1391	ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity	1984	ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
		1985	ev_timer timer;
1392		1986
1393	static void	1987	static void
1394	callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	1988	callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1395	{	1989	{
1396	ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);	1990	// calculate when the timeout would happen
1397	ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;	1991	ev_tstamp after = last_activity - ev_now (EV_A) + timeout;
1398		1992
1399	// if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out	1993	// if negative, it means we the timeout already occurred
1400	if (timeout < now)	1994	if (after < 0.)
1401	{	1995	{
1402	// timeout occured, take action	1996	// timeout occurred, take action
1403	}	1997	}
1404	else	1998	else
1405	{	1999	{
1406	// callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm	2000	// callback was invoked, but there was some recent
1407	// the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is	2001	// activity. simply restart the timer to time out
1408	// guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:	2002	// after "after" seconds, which is the earliest time
1409	w->again = timeout - now;	2003	// the timeout can occur.
		2004	ev_timer_set (w, after, 0.);
1410	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);	2005	ev_timer_start (EV_A_ w);
1411	}	2006	}
1412	}	2007	}
1413		2008
1414	To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined	2009	To summarise the callback: first calculate in how many seconds the
1415	as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has	2010	timeout will occur (by calculating the absolute time when it would occur,
1416	been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise	2011	C<last_activity + timeout>, and subtracting the current time, C<ev_now
1417	the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so	2012	(EV_A)> from that).
1418	re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
1419	a timeout then.
1420		2013
1421	Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the	2014	If this value is negative, then we are already past the timeout, i.e. we
1422	C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.	2015	timed out, and need to do whatever is needed in this case.
		2016
		2017	Otherwise, we now the earliest time at which the timeout would trigger,
		2018	and simply start the timer with this timeout value.
		2019
		2020	In other words, each time the callback is invoked it will check whether
		2021	the timeout occurred. If not, it will simply reschedule itself to check
		2022	again at the earliest time it could time out. Rinse. Repeat.
1423		2023
1424	This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds	2024	This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
1425	minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to	2025	minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
1426	libev to change the timeout.	2026	libev to change the timeout.
1427		2027
1428	To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>	2028	To start the machinery, simply initialise the watcher and set
1429	to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the	2029	C<last_activity> to the current time (meaning there was some activity just
1430	callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:	2030	now), then call the callback, which will "do the right thing" and start
		2031	the timer:
1431		2032
		2033	last_activity = ev_now (EV_A);
1432	ev_timer_init (timer, callback);	2034	ev_init (&timer, callback);
1433	last_activity = ev_now (loop);	2035	callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0);
1434	callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMEOUT);
1435		2036
1436	And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in	2037	When there is some activity, simply store the current time in
1437	C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:	2038	C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
1438		2039
		2040	if (activity detected)
1439	last_actiivty = ev_now (loop);	2041	last_activity = ev_now (EV_A);
		2042
		2043	When your timeout value changes, then the timeout can be changed by simply
		2044	providing a new value, stopping the timer and calling the callback, which
		2045	will again do the right thing (for example, time out immediately :).
		2046
		2047	timeout = new_value;
		2048	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &timer);
		2049	callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0);
1440		2050
1441	This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the	2051	This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
1442	time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.	2052	time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
1443
1444	Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
1445	callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
1446	fix things for you.
1447		2053
1448	=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.	2054	=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
1449		2055
1450	If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all	2056	If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
1451	employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can	2057	employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
…		…
1478	Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is	2084	Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
1479	rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays	2085	rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
1480	off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually	2086	off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
1481	overkill :)	2087	overkill :)
1482		2088
		2089	=head3 The special problem of being too early
		2090
		2091	If you ask a timer to call your callback after three seconds, then
		2092	you expect it to be invoked after three seconds - but of course, this
		2093	cannot be guaranteed to infinite precision. Less obviously, it cannot be
		2094	guaranteed to any precision by libev - imagine somebody suspending the
		2095	process with a STOP signal for a few hours for example.
		2096
		2097	So, libev tries to invoke your callback as soon as possible I<after> the
		2098	delay has occurred, but cannot guarantee this.
		2099
		2100	A less obvious failure mode is calling your callback too early: many event
		2101	loops compare timestamps with a "elapsed delay >= requested delay", but
		2102	this can cause your callback to be invoked much earlier than you would
		2103	expect.
		2104
		2105	To see why, imagine a system with a clock that only offers full second
		2106	resolution (think windows if you can't come up with a broken enough OS
		2107	yourself). If you schedule a one-second timer at the time 500.9, then the
		2108	event loop will schedule your timeout to elapse at a system time of 500
		2109	(500.9 truncated to the resolution) + 1, or 501.
		2110
		2111	If an event library looks at the timeout 0.1s later, it will see "501 >=
		2112	501" and invoke the callback 0.1s after it was started, even though a
		2113	one-second delay was requested - this is being "too early", despite best
		2114	intentions.
		2115
		2116	This is the reason why libev will never invoke the callback if the elapsed
		2117	delay equals the requested delay, but only when the elapsed delay is
		2118	larger than the requested delay. In the example above, libev would only invoke
		2119	the callback at system time 502, or 1.1s after the timer was started.
		2120
		2121	So, while libev cannot guarantee that your callback will be invoked
		2122	exactly when requested, it I<can> and I<does> guarantee that the requested
		2123	delay has actually elapsed, or in other words, it always errs on the "too
		2124	late" side of things.
		2125
1483	=head3 The special problem of time updates	2126	=head3 The special problem of time updates
1484		2127
1485	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at	2128	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes
1486	least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current	2129	at least one system call): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
1487	time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a	2130	time only before and after C<ev_run> collects new events, which causes a
1488	growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling	2131	growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
1489	lots of events in one iteration.	2132	lots of events in one iteration.
1490		2133
1491	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>	2134	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1492	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time	2135	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1493	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If	2136	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
1494	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the	2137	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
1495	timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:	2138	timeout on the current time, use something like the following to adjust
		2139	for it:
1496		2140
1497	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);	2141	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + (ev_time () - ev_now ()), 0.);
1498		2142
1499	If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an	2143	If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1500	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update	2144	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1501	()>.	2145	()>, although that will push the event time of all outstanding events
		2146	further into the future.
		2147
		2148	=head3 The special problem of unsynchronised clocks
		2149
		2150	Modern systems have a variety of clocks - libev itself uses the normal
		2151	"wall clock" clock and, if available, the monotonic clock (to avoid time
		2152	jumps).
		2153
		2154	Neither of these clocks is synchronised with each other or any other clock
		2155	on the system, so C<ev_time ()> might return a considerably different time
		2156	than C<gettimeofday ()> or C<time ()>. On a GNU/Linux system, for example,
		2157	a call to C<gettimeofday> might return a second count that is one higher
		2158	than a directly following call to C<time>.
		2159
		2160	The moral of this is to only compare libev-related timestamps with
		2161	C<ev_time ()> and C<ev_now ()>, at least if you want better precision than
		2162	a second or so.
		2163
		2164	One more problem arises due to this lack of synchronisation: if libev uses
		2165	the system monotonic clock and you compare timestamps from C<ev_time>
		2166	or C<ev_now> from when you started your timer and when your callback is
		2167	invoked, you will find that sometimes the callback is a bit "early".
		2168
		2169	This is because C<ev_timer>s work in real time, not wall clock time, so
		2170	libev makes sure your callback is not invoked before the delay happened,
		2171	I<measured according to the real time>, not the system clock.
		2172
		2173	If your timeouts are based on a physical timescale (e.g. "time out this
		2174	connection after 100 seconds") then this shouldn't bother you as it is
		2175	exactly the right behaviour.
		2176
		2177	If you want to compare wall clock/system timestamps to your timers, then
		2178	you need to use C<ev_periodic>s, as these are based on the wall clock
		2179	time, where your comparisons will always generate correct results.
		2180
		2181	=head3 The special problems of suspended animation
		2182
		2183	When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that
		2184	can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?
		2185
		2186	Some quick tests made with a Linux 2.6.28 indicate that a suspend freezes
		2187	all processes, while the clocks (C<times>, C<CLOCK_MONOTONIC>) continue
		2188	to run until the system is suspended, but they will not advance while the
		2189	system is suspended. That means, on resume, it will be as if the program
		2190	was frozen for a few seconds, but the suspend time will not be counted
		2191	towards C<ev_timer> when a monotonic clock source is used. The real time
		2192	clock advanced as expected, but if it is used as sole clocksource, then a
		2193	long suspend would be detected as a time jump by libev, and timers would
		2194	be adjusted accordingly.
		2195
		2196	I would not be surprised to see different behaviour in different between
		2197	operating systems, OS versions or even different hardware.
		2198
		2199	The other form of suspend (job control, or sending a SIGSTOP) will see a
		2200	time jump in the monotonic clocks and the realtime clock. If the program
		2201	is suspended for a very long time, and monotonic clock sources are in use,
		2202	then you can expect C<ev_timer>s to expire as the full suspension time
		2203	will be counted towards the timers. When no monotonic clock source is in
		2204	use, then libev will again assume a timejump and adjust accordingly.
		2205
		2206	It might be beneficial for this latter case to call C<ev_suspend>
		2207	and C<ev_resume> in code that handles C<SIGTSTP>, to at least get
		2208	deterministic behaviour in this case (you can do nothing against
		2209	C<SIGSTOP>).
1502		2210
1503	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2211	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1504		2212
1505	=over 4	2213	=over 4
1506		2214
1507	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	2215	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1508		2216
1509	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	2217	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1510		2218
1511	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>	2219	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds (fractional and
1512	is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is	2220	negative values are supported). If C<repeat> is C<0.>, then it will
1513	reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be	2221	automatically be stopped once the timeout is reached. If it is positive,
1514	configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,	2222	then the timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat>
1515	until stopped manually.	2223	seconds later, again, and again, until stopped manually.
1516		2224
1517	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if	2225	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
1518	you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally	2226	you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
1519	trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot	2227	trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
1520	keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to	2228	keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1521	do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.	2229	do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1522		2230
1523	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)	2231	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1524		2232
1525	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is	2233	This will act as if the timer timed out, and restarts it again if it is
1526	repeating. The exact semantics are:	2234	repeating. It basically works like calling C<ev_timer_stop>, updating the
		2235	timeout to the C<repeat> value and calling C<ev_timer_start>.
1527		2236
		2237	The exact semantics are as in the following rules, all of which will be
		2238	applied to the watcher:
		2239
		2240	=over 4
		2241
1528	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.	2242	=item If the timer is pending, the pending status is always cleared.
1529		2243
1530	If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).	2244	=item If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed
		2245	out, without invoking it).
1531		2246
1532	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the	2247	=item If the timer is repeating, make the C<repeat> value the new timeout
1533	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.	2248	and start the timer, if necessary.
1534		2249
		2250	=back
		2251
1535	This sounds a bit complicated, see "Be smart about timeouts", above, for a	2252	This sounds a bit complicated, see L</Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
1536	usage example.	2253	usage example.
		2254
		2255	=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
		2256
		2257	Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
		2258	then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's
		2259	the timeout value currently configured.
		2260
		2261	That is, after an C<ev_timer_set (w, 5, 7)>, C<ev_timer_remaining> returns
		2262	C<5>. When the timer is started and one second passes, C<ev_timer_remaining>
		2263	will return C<4>. When the timer expires and is restarted, it will return
		2264	roughly C<7> (likely slightly less as callback invocation takes some time,
		2265	too), and so on.
1537		2266
1538	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]	2267	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1539		2268
1540	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out	2269	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1541	or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),	2270	or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
…		…
1567	}	2296	}
1568		2297
1569	ev_timer mytimer;	2298	ev_timer mytimer;
1570	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */	2299	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1571	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */	2300	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1572	ev_loop (loop, 0);	2301	ev_run (loop, 0);
1573		2302
1574	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":	2303	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1575	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds	2304	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1576	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);	2305	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1577		2306
…		…
1579	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?	2308	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1580		2309
1581	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile	2310	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1582	(and unfortunately a bit complex).	2311	(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1583		2312
1584	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)	2313	Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
1585	but on wall clock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher	2314	relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
1586	to trigger after some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a	2315	(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calendar or clock). The
1587	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now ()	2316	difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
1588	+ 10.>, that is, an absolute time not a delay) and then reset your system	2317	time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
1589	clock to January of the previous year, then it will take more than year	2318	wrist-watch).
1590	to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger
1591	roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
1592		2319
		2320	You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
		2321	in time: for example, if you tell a periodic watcher to trigger "in 10
		2322	seconds" (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now () + 10.>, that is, an absolute time
		2323	not a delay) and then reset your system clock to January of the previous
		2324	year, then it will take a year or more to trigger the event (unlike an
		2325	C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting
		2326	it, as it uses a relative timeout).
		2327
1593	C<ev_periodic>s can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers,	2328	C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex
1594	such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other	2329	timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or
1595	complicated rules.	2330	other complicated rules. This cannot easily be done with C<ev_timer>
		2331	watchers, as those cannot react to time jumps.
1596		2332
1597	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the	2333	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1598	time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready	2334	point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
1599	during the same loop iteration, then order of execution is undefined.	2335	timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
		2336	earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
		2337	(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1600		2338
1601	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2339	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1602		2340
1603	=over 4	2341	=over 4
1604		2342
1605	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)	2343	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1606		2344
1607	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)	2345	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1608		2346
1609	Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of	2347	Lots of arguments, let's sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1610	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:	2348	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1611		2349
1612	=over 4	2350	=over 4
1613		2351
1614	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)	2352	=item * absolute timer (offset = absolute time, interval = 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1615		2353
1616	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock	2354	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1617	time C<at> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a time	2355	time C<offset> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a
1618	jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will	2356	time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it
1619	only run when the system clock reaches or surpasses this time.	2357	will be stopped and invoked when the system clock reaches or surpasses
		2358	this point in time.
1620		2359
1621	=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)	2360	=item * repeating interval timer (offset = offset within interval, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1622		2361
1623	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next	2362	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1624	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)	2363	C<offset + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be
1625	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.	2364	negative) and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. The C<offset>
		2365	argument is merely an offset into the C<interval> periods.
1626		2366
1627	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the	2367	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1628	system clock, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each	2368	system clock, for example, here is an C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
1629	hour, on the hour:	2369	hour, on the hour (with respect to UTC):
1630		2370
1631	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);	2371	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1632		2372
1633	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,	2373	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1634	but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a	2374	but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1635	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible	2375	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1636	by 3600.	2376	by 3600.
1637		2377
1638	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that	2378	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1639	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible	2379	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1640	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.	2380	time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1641		2381
1642	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near	2382	The C<interval> I<MUST> be positive, and for numerical stability, the
1643	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for	2383	interval value should be higher than C<1/8192> (which is around 100
1644	this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.	2384	microseconds) and C<offset> should be higher than C<0> and should have
		2385	at most a similar magnitude as the current time (say, within a factor of
		2386	ten). Typical values for offset are, in fact, C<0> or something between
		2387	C<0> and C<interval>, which is also the recommended range.
1645		2388
1646	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU	2389	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
1647	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability	2390	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
1648	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one	2391	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
1649	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).	2392	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
1650		2393
1651	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)	2394	=item * manual reschedule mode (offset ignored, interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1652		2395
1653	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being	2396	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<offset> are both being
1654	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the	2397	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1655	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the	2398	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1656	current time as second argument.	2399	current time as second argument.
1657		2400
1658	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,	2401	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, ever,
1659	ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>.	2402	or make ANY other event loop modifications whatsoever, unless explicitly
		2403	allowed by documentation here>.
1660		2404
1661	If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop	2405	If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
1662	it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the	2406	it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
1663	only event loop modification you are allowed to do).	2407	only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
1664		2408
…		…
1678		2422
1679	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or	2423	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1680	equal to the passed C<now> value >>.	2424	equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1681		2425
1682	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that	2426	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1683	triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the	2427	triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate
1684	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How	2428	the next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for
1685	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main	2429	this. Here is a (completely untested, no error checking) example on how to
1686	reason I omitted it as an example).	2430	do this:
		2431
		2432	#include <time.h>
		2433
		2434	static ev_tstamp
		2435	my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
		2436	{
		2437	time_t tnow = (time_t)now;
		2438	struct tm tm;
		2439	localtime_r (&tnow, &tm);
		2440
		2441	tm.tm_sec = tm.tm_min = tm.tm_hour = 0; // midnight current day
		2442	++tm.tm_mday; // midnight next day
		2443
		2444	return mktime (&tm);
		2445	}
		2446
		2447	Note: this code might run into trouble on days that have more then two
		2448	midnights (beginning and end).
1687		2449
1688	=back	2450	=back
1689		2451
1690	=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *)	2452	=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *)
1691		2453
…		…
1694	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like	2456	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1695	program when the crontabs have changed).	2457	program when the crontabs have changed).
1696		2458
1697	=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)	2459	=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
1698		2460
1699	When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to	2461	When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed
1700	trigger next.	2462	to trigger next. This is not the same as the C<offset> argument to
		2463	C<ev_periodic_set>, but indeed works even in interval and manual
		2464	rescheduling modes.
1701		2465
1702	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]	2466	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1703		2467
1704	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the	2468	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1705	absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).	2469	absolute point in time (the C<offset> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>,
		2470	although libev might modify this value for better numerical stability).
1706		2471
1707	Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic	2472	Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
1708	timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	2473	timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1709		2474
1710	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]	2475	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
…		…
1726	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the	2491	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1727	system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have	2492	system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1728	potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.	2493	potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1729		2494
1730	static void	2495	static void
1731	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)	2496	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_periodic *w, int revents)
1732	{	2497	{
1733	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)	2498	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1734	}	2499	}
1735		2500
1736	ev_periodic hourly_tick;	2501	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
…		…
1753		2518
1754	ev_periodic hourly_tick;	2519	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1755	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,	2520	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1756	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);	2521	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1757	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	2522	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1758		2523
1759		2524
1760	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!	2525	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1761		2526
1762	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific	2527	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1763	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev	2528	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1764	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the	2529	will try its best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1765	normal event processing, like any other event.	2530	normal event processing, like any other event.
1766		2531
1767	If you want signals asynchronously, just use C<sigaction> as you would	2532	If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use
1768	do without libev and forget about sharing the signal. You can even use	2533	C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing
1769	C<ev_async> from a signal handler to synchronously wake up an event loop.	2534	the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to
		2535	synchronously wake up an event loop.
1770		2536
1771	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the	2537	You can configure as many watchers as you like for the same signal, but
1772	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal handler	2538	only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your
1773	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as	2539	default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for
1774	you don't register any with libev for the same signal). Similarly, when	2540	C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At
1775	the last signal watcher for a signal is stopped, libev will reset the	2541	the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop.
1776	signal handler to SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).	2542
		2543	Only after the first watcher for a signal is started will libev actually
		2544	register something with the kernel. It thus coexists with your own signal
		2545	handlers as long as you don't register any with libev for the same signal.
1777		2546
1778	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with	2547	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1779	C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so system calls should not be unduly	2548	C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
1780	interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting interrupted by	2549	not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
1781	signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock	2550	interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
1782	them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.	2551	and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
		2552
		2553	=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create
		2554
		2555	Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition
		2556	(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
		2557	stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
		2558	and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler (but
		2559	see C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>).
		2560
		2561	While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never
		2562	sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on
		2563	C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect
		2564	certain signals to be blocked.
		2565
		2566	This means that before calling C<exec> (from the child) you should reset
		2567	the signal mask to whatever "default" you expect (all clear is a good
		2568	choice usually).
		2569
		2570	The simplest way to ensure that the signal mask is reset in the child is
		2571	to install a fork handler with C<pthread_atfork> that resets it. That will
		2572	catch fork calls done by libraries (such as the libc) as well.
		2573
		2574	In current versions of libev, the signal will not be blocked indefinitely
		2575	unless you use the C<signalfd> API (C<EV_SIGNALFD>). While this reduces
		2576	the window of opportunity for problems, it will not go away, as libev
		2577	I<has> to modify the signal mask, at least temporarily.
		2578
		2579	So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when
		2580	you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This
		2581	is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries.
		2582
		2583	=head3 The special problem of threads signal handling
		2584
		2585	POSIX threads has problematic signal handling semantics, specifically,
		2586	a lot of functionality (sigfd, sigwait etc.) only really works if all
		2587	threads in a process block signals, which is hard to achieve.
		2588
		2589	When you want to use sigwait (or mix libev signal handling with your own
		2590	for the same signals), you can tackle this problem by globally blocking
		2591	all signals before creating any threads (or creating them with a fully set
		2592	sigprocmask) and also specifying the C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK> when creating
		2593	loops. Then designate one thread as "signal receiver thread" which handles
		2594	these signals. You can pass on any signals that libev might be interested
		2595	in by calling C<ev_feed_signal>.
1783		2596
1784	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2597	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1785		2598
1786	=over 4	2599	=over 4
1787		2600
…		…
1803	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.	2616	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
1804		2617
1805	static void	2618	static void
1806	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)	2619	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
1807	{	2620	{
1808	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	2621	ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
1809	}	2622	}
1810		2623
1811	ev_signal signal_watcher;	2624	ev_signal signal_watcher;
1812	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);	2625	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1813	ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);	2626	ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
…		…
1819	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or	2632	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
1820	exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child	2633	exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
1821	has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long	2634	has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
1822	as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,	2635	as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
1823	forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,	2636	forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
1824	but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later is	2637	but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later or
1825	not.	2638	in the next callback invocation is not.
1826		2639
1827	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore	2640	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1828	you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.	2641	you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
1829		2642
		2643	Due to some design glitches inside libev, child watchers will always be
		2644	handled at maximum priority (their priority is set to C<EV_MAXPRI> by
		2645	libev)
		2646
1830	=head3 Process Interaction	2647	=head3 Process Interaction
1831		2648
1832	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is	2649	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1833	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if	2650	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if the
1834	the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence	2651	first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
1835	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done	2652	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1836	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all	2653	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1837	children, even ones not watched.	2654	children, even ones not watched.
1838		2655
1839	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing	2656	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
…		…
1849	=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher	2666	=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
1850		2667
1851	Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the	2668	Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
1852	child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the	2669	child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
1853	callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically	2670	callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
1854	when a child exit is detected.	2671	when a child exit is detected (calling C<ev_child_stop> twice is not a
		2672	problem).
1855		2673
1856	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2674	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1857		2675
1858	=over 4	2676	=over 4
1859		2677
…		…
1916		2734
1917		2735
1918	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?	2736	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1919		2737
1920	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls	2738	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1921	C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed	2739	C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
1922	compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.	2740	and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback
		2741	if it did. Starting the watcher C<stat>'s the file, so only changes that
		2742	happen after the watcher has been started will be reported.
1923		2743
1924	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does	2744	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1925	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does	2745	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
1926	not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is	2746	exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
1927	otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of	2747	C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
1928	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.	2748	least one) and all the other fields of the stat buffer having unspecified
		2749	contents.
1929		2750
1930	The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is	2751	The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
		2752	C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
1931	relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.	2753	your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
1932		2754
1933	Since there is no standard kernel interface to do this, the portable	2755	Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
1934	implementation simply calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if	2756	portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
1935	it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling interval for	2757	to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
1936	this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!)	2758	interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
1937	then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used (which	2759	recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
1938	you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might change	2760	(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
1939	dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is currently	2761	change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
1940	around C<0.1>, but thats usually overkill.	2762	currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
1941		2763
1942	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,	2764	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1943	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be	2765	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1944	resource-intensive.	2766	resource-intensive.
1945		2767
1946	At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented	2768	At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1947	is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as	2769	is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as an
1948	an exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way	2770	exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way of
1949	of implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue).	2771	implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue, except as a hint).
1950		2772
1951	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)	2773	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1952		2774
1953	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default	2775	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
1954	compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file	2776	compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
1955	support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat	2777	support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
1956	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to	2778	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
1957	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to	2779	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
1958	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is	2780	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
1959	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is	2781	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
1960	most noticeably disabled with ev_stat and large file support.	2782	most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
1961		2783
1962	The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large	2784	The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
1963	file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not	2785	file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
1964	optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has	2786	optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
1965	to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the	2787	to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
1966	default compilation environment.	2788	default compilation environment.
1967		2789
1968	=head3 Inotify and Kqueue	2790	=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
1969		2791
1970	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally	2792	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev and present at
1971	only available with Linux 2.6.25 or above due to bugs in earlier	2793	runtime, it will be used to speed up change detection where possible. The
1972	implementations) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up	2794	inotify descriptor will be created lazily when the first C<ev_stat>
1973	change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created	2795	watcher is being started.
1974	lazily when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.
1975		2796
1976	Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers	2797	Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1977	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid	2798	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1978	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support	2799	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1979	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,	2800	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
1980	but as long as the path exists, libev usually gets away without polling.	2801	but as long as kernel 2.6.25 or newer is used (2.6.24 and older have too
		2802	many bugs), the path exists (i.e. stat succeeds), and the path resides on
		2803	a local filesystem (libev currently assumes only ext2/3, jfs, reiserfs and
		2804	xfs are fully working) libev usually gets away without polling.
1981		2805
1982	There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to	2806	There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1983	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file	2807	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1984	descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks	2808	descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
1985	etc. is difficult.	2809	etc. is difficult.
1986		2810
		2811	=head3 C<stat ()> is a synchronous operation
		2812
		2813	Libev doesn't normally do any kind of I/O itself, and so is not blocking
		2814	the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat
		2815	()>, which is a synchronous operation.
		2816
		2817	For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very
		2818	busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast,
		2819	as the path data is usually in memory already (except when starting the
		2820	watcher).
		2821
		2822	For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
		2823	time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call
		2824	often takes multiple milliseconds.
		2825
		2826	Therefore, it is best to avoid using C<ev_stat> watchers on networked
		2827	paths, although this is fully supported by libev.
		2828
1987	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution	2829	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1988		2830
1989	The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably, and	2831	The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
1990	even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems still	2832	and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
1991	only support whole seconds.	2833	still only support whole seconds.
1992		2834
1993	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can	2835	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1994	easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and	2836	easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1995	calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update	2837	calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1996	within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the	2838	within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
…		…
2135	Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful	2977	Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
2136	effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do	2978	effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do
2137	"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the	2979	"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
2138	event loop has handled all outstanding events.	2980	event loop has handled all outstanding events.
2139		2981
		2982	=head3 Abusing an C<ev_idle> watcher for its side-effect
		2983
		2984	As long as there is at least one active idle watcher, libev will never
		2985	sleep unnecessarily. Or in other words, it will loop as fast as possible.
		2986	For this to work, the idle watcher doesn't need to be invoked at all - the
		2987	lowest priority will do.
		2988
		2989	This mode of operation can be useful together with an C<ev_check> watcher,
		2990	to do something on each event loop iteration - for example to balance load
		2991	between different connections.
		2992
		2993	See L</Abusing an ev_check watcher for its side-effect> for a longer
		2994	example.
		2995
2140	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2996	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2141		2997
2142	=over 4	2998	=over 4
2143		2999
2144	=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback)	3000	=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
2145		3001
2146	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any	3002	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
2147	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	3003	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2148	believe me.	3004	believe me.
2149		3005
…		…
2155	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.	3011	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
2156		3012
2157	static void	3013	static void
2158	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)	3014	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
2159	{	3015	{
		3016	// stop the watcher
		3017	ev_idle_stop (loop, w);
		3018
		3019	// now we can free it
2160	free (w);	3020	free (w);
		3021
2161	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has	3022	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has
2162	// no longer anything immediate to do.	3023	// no longer anything immediate to do.
2163	}	3024	}
2164		3025
2165	ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));	3026	ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
2166	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);	3027	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
2167	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);	3028	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
2168		3029
2169		3030
2170	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!	3031	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
2171		3032
2172	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:	3033	Prepare and check watchers are often (but not always) used in pairs:
2173	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers	3034	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
2174	afterwards.	3035	afterwards.
2175		3036
2176	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter	3037	You I<must not> call C<ev_run> (or similar functions that enter the
2177	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>	3038	current event loop) or C<ev_loop_fork> from either C<ev_prepare> or
2178	watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The	3039	C<ev_check> watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine,
2179	rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in	3040	however. The rationale behind this is that you do not need to check
2180	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,	3041	for recursion in those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be
2181	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be	3042	C<ev_prepare>, blocking, C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each
2182	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.	3043	kind they will always be called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
2183		3044
2184	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and	3045	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
2185	their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track	3046	their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
2186	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a	3047	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
2187	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if	3048	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
…		…
2205	with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine	3066	with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
2206	of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event	3067	of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
2207	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping	3068	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
2208	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).	3069	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
2209		3070
2210	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)	3071	When used for this purpose, it is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers
2211	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers	3072	highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>) priority, to ensure that they are being run before
2212	after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).	3073	any other watchers after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare>
		3074	watchers).
2213		3075
2214	Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not	3076	Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
2215	activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they	3077	activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
2216	might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As	3078	might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
2217	C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event	3079	C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
2218	loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their	3080	loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
2219	C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with	3081	C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
2220	others).	3082	others).
		3083
		3084	=head3 Abusing an C<ev_check> watcher for its side-effect
		3085
		3086	C<ev_check> (and less often also C<ev_prepare>) watchers can also be
		3087	useful because they are called once per event loop iteration. For
		3088	example, if you want to handle a large number of connections fairly, you
		3089	normally only do a bit of work for each active connection, and if there
		3090	is more work to do, you wait for the next event loop iteration, so other
		3091	connections have a chance of making progress.
		3092
		3093	Using an C<ev_check> watcher is almost enough: it will be called on the
		3094	next event loop iteration. However, that isn't as soon as possible -
		3095	without external events, your C<ev_check> watcher will not be invoked.
		3096
		3097	This is where C<ev_idle> watchers come in handy - all you need is a
		3098	single global idle watcher that is active as long as you have one active
		3099	C<ev_check> watcher. The C<ev_idle> watcher makes sure the event loop
		3100	will not sleep, and the C<ev_check> watcher makes sure a callback gets
		3101	invoked. Neither watcher alone can do that.
2221		3102
2222	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	3103	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2223		3104
2224	=over 4	3105	=over 4
2225		3106
…		…
2265	struct pollfd fds [nfd];	3146	struct pollfd fds [nfd];
2266	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.	3147	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
2267	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));	3148	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
2268		3149
2269	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */	3150	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
2270	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);	3151	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3, 0.);
2271	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);	3152	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
2272		3153
2273	// create one ev_io per pollfd	3154	// create one ev_io per pollfd
2274	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	3155	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
2275	{	3156	{
…		…
2349		3230
2350	if (timeout >= 0)	3231	if (timeout >= 0)
2351	// create/start timer	3232	// create/start timer
2352		3233
2353	// poll	3234	// poll
2354	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	3235	ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
2355		3236
2356	// stop timer again	3237	// stop timer again
2357	if (timeout >= 0)	3238	if (timeout >= 0)
2358	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);	3239	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
2359		3240
…		…
2388	some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),	3269	some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
2389	and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In	3270	and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
2390	this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all	3271	this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
2391	the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.	3272	the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
2392		3273
2393	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time	3274	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every
2394	there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then	3275	time there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback
2395	call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke	3276	must then call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single
2396	their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded	3277	sweep and invoke their callbacks (the callback doesn't need to invoke the
2397	loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback	3278	C<ev_embed_sweep> function directly, it could also start an idle watcher
2398	to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the	3279	to give the embedded loop strictly lower priority for example).
2399	embedded loop sweep.
2400		3280
2401	As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The	3281	You can also set the callback to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher
2402	callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can	3282	will automatically execute the embedded loop sweep whenever necessary.
2403	set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
2404	interested in that.
2405		3283
2406	Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:	3284	Fork detection will be handled transparently while the C<ev_embed> watcher
2407	when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,	3285	is active, i.e., the embedded loop will automatically be forked when the
2408	but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers	3286	embedding loop forks. In other cases, the user is responsible for calling
2409	yourself - but you can use a fork watcher to handle this automatically,	3287	C<ev_loop_fork> on the embedded loop.
2410	and future versions of libev might do just that.
2411		3288
2412	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by	3289	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
2413	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any	3290	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
2414	portable one.	3291	portable one.
2415		3292
…		…
2430		3307
2431	=over 4	3308	=over 4
2432		3309
2433	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)	3310	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
2434		3311
2435	=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)	3312	=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
2436		3313
2437	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be	3314	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
2438	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be	3315	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
2439	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback	3316	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
2440	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,	3317	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
2441	if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).	3318	if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
2442		3319
2443	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)	3320	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
2444		3321
2445	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works	3322	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
2446	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most	3323	similarly to C<ev_run (embedded_loop, EVRUN_NOWAIT)>, but in the most
2447	appropriate way for embedded loops.	3324	appropriate way for embedded loops.
2448		3325
2449	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]	3326	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
2450		3327
2451	The embedded event loop.	3328	The embedded event loop.
…		…
2461	used).	3338	used).
2462		3339
2463	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);	3340	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2464	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;	3341	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2465	ev_embed embed;	3342	ev_embed embed;
2466		3343
2467	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works	3344	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2468	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)	3345	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2469	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()	3346	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2470	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())	3347	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
2471	: 0;	3348	: 0;
…		…
2485	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).	3362	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2486		3363
2487	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	3364	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2488	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;	3365	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2489	ev_embed embed;	3366	ev_embed embed;
2490		3367
2491	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)	3368	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2492	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))	3369	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2493	{	3370	{
2494	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);	3371	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2495	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);	3372	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
…		…
2503		3380
2504	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork	3381	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
2505		3382
2506	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because	3383	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
2507	whoever is a good citizen cared to tell libev about it by calling	3384	whoever is a good citizen cared to tell libev about it by calling
2508	C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork>). The invocation is done before the	3385	C<ev_loop_fork>). The invocation is done before the event loop blocks next
2509	event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,	3386	and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called, and only in the child
2510	and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling	3387	after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling C<ev_default_fork> cheats
2511	C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork	3388	and calls it in the wrong process, the fork handlers will be invoked, too,
2512	handlers will be invoked, too, of course.	3389	of course.
		3390
		3391	=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
		3392
		3393	Most uses of C<fork ()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to set
		3394	up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
		3395	sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
		3396
		3397	This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
		3398	in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
		3399	fork.
		3400
		3401	The default mode of operation (for libev, with application help to detect
		3402	forks) is to duplicate all the state in the child, as would be expected
		3403	when I<either> the parent I<or> the child process continues.
		3404
		3405	When both processes want to continue using libev, then this is usually the
		3406	wrong result. In that case, usually one process (typically the parent) is
		3407	supposed to continue with all watchers in place as before, while the other
		3408	process typically wants to start fresh, i.e. without any active watchers.
		3409
		3410	The cleanest and most efficient way to achieve that with libev is to
		3411	simply create a new event loop, which of course will be "empty", and
		3412	use that for new watchers. This has the advantage of not touching more
		3413	memory than necessary, and thus avoiding the copy-on-write, and the
		3414	disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support
		3415	signal watchers).
		3416
		3417	When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for
		3418	other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call
		3419	C<ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT)> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>.
		3420	Destroying the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered
		3421	watchers, so you have to be careful not to execute code that modifies
		3422	those watchers. Note also that in that case, you have to re-register any
		3423	signal watchers.
2513		3424
2514	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	3425	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2515		3426
2516	=over 4	3427	=over 4
2517		3428
2518	=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)	3429	=item ev_fork_init (ev_fork *, callback)
2519		3430
2520	Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any	3431	Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
2521	kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	3432	kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2522	believe me.	3433	really.
2523		3434
2524	=back	3435	=back
2525		3436
2526		3437
		3438	=head2 C<ev_cleanup> - even the best things end
		3439
		3440	Cleanup watchers are called just before the event loop is being destroyed
		3441	by a call to C<ev_loop_destroy>.
		3442
		3443	While there is no guarantee that the event loop gets destroyed, cleanup
		3444	watchers provide a convenient method to install cleanup hooks for your
		3445	program, worker threads and so on - you just to make sure to destroy the
		3446	loop when you want them to be invoked.
		3447
		3448	Cleanup watchers are invoked in the same way as any other watcher. Unlike
		3449	all other watchers, they do not keep a reference to the event loop (which
		3450	makes a lot of sense if you think about it). Like all other watchers, you
		3451	can call libev functions in the callback, except C<ev_cleanup_start>.
		3452
		3453	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
		3454
		3455	=over 4
		3456
		3457	=item ev_cleanup_init (ev_cleanup *, callback)
		3458
		3459	Initialises and configures the cleanup watcher - it has no parameters of
		3460	any kind. There is a C<ev_cleanup_set> macro, but using it is utterly
		3461	pointless, I assure you.
		3462
		3463	=back
		3464
		3465	Example: Register an atexit handler to destroy the default loop, so any
		3466	cleanup functions are called.
		3467
		3468	static void
		3469	program_exits (void)
		3470	{
		3471	ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT_UC);
		3472	}
		3473
		3474	...
		3475	atexit (program_exits);
		3476
		3477
2527	=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop	3478	=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop
2528		3479
2529	In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other	3480	In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
2530	asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event	3481	asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
2531	loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).	3482	loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
2532		3483
2533	Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not	3484	Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control,
2534	control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what	3485	for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async>
2535	C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you	3486	watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you can signal
2536	can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal	3487	it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe.
2537	safe.
2538		3488
2539	This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,	3489	This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
2540	too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed	3490	too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
2541	(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of	3491	(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
2542	C<ev_async_sent> calls).	3492	C<ev_async_send> calls). In fact, you could use signal watchers as a kind
2543		3493	of "global async watchers" by using a watcher on an otherwise unused
2544	Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not	3494	signal, and C<ev_feed_signal> to signal this watcher from another thread,
2545	just the default loop.	3495	even without knowing which loop owns the signal.
2546		3496
2547	=head3 Queueing	3497	=head3 Queueing
2548		3498
2549	C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason	3499	C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2550	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a	3500	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2551	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't	3501	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2552	need elaborate support such as pthreads.	3502	need elaborate support such as pthreads or unportable memory access
		3503	semantics.
2553		3504
2554	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own	3505	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2555	queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your	3506	queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2556	queue:	3507	queue:
2557		3508
…		…
2635	=over 4	3586	=over 4
2636		3587
2637	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)	3588	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2638		3589
2639	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any	3590	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2640	kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	3591	kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2641	trust me.	3592	trust me.
2642		3593
2643	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)	3594	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2644		3595
2645	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds	3596	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2646	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike	3597	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop, and instantly
		3598	returns.
		3599
2647	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or	3600	Unlike C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads,
2648	similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding	3601	signal or similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the
2649	section below on what exactly this means).	3602	embedding section below on what exactly this means).
2650		3603
2651	This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per loop iteration,	3604	Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
2652	so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to repeated	3605	compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at
2653	calls to C<ev_async_send>.	3606	this is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered: they are set on
		3607	C<ev_async_send>, reset when the event loop detects that).
		3608
		3609	This call incurs the overhead of at most one extra system call per event
		3610	loop iteration, if the event loop is blocked, and no syscall at all if
		3611	the event loop (or your program) is processing events. That means that
		3612	repeated calls are basically free (there is no need to avoid calls for
		3613	performance reasons) and that the overhead becomes smaller (typically
		3614	zero) under load.
2654		3615
2655	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)	3616	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
2656		3617
2657	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the	3618	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
2658	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the	3619	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
…		…
2661	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When	3622	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
2662	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,	3623	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
2663	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very	3624	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
2664	quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.	3625	quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
2665		3626
2666	Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending, only	3627	Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending,
2667	whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending.	3628	only whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending: there
		3629	is a time window between the event loop checking and resetting the async
		3630	notification, and the callback being invoked.
2668		3631
2669	=back	3632	=back
2670		3633
2671		3634
2672	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS	3635	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
2673		3636
2674	There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.	3637	There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
2675		3638
2676	=over 4	3639	=over 4
2677		3640
2678	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)	3641	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback, arg)
2679		3642
2680	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your	3643	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
2681	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both	3644	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
2682	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd	3645	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
2683	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or	3646	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
…		…
2689		3652
2690	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be	3653	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
2691	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and	3654	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
2692	repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.	3655	repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
2693		3656
2694	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets	3657	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and is
2695	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of	3658	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
2696	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>	3659	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMER>) and the C<arg>
2697	value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>	3660	value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
2698	a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io	3661	a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
2699	events precedence.	3662	events precedence.
2700		3663
2701	Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.	3664	Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
2702		3665
2703	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)	3666	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
2704	{	3667	{
2705	if (revents & EV_READ)	3668	if (revents & EV_READ)
2706	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;	3669	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
2707	else if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)	3670	else if (revents & EV_TIMER)
2708	/* doh, nothing entered */;	3671	/* doh, nothing entered */;
2709	}	3672	}
2710		3673
2711	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);	3674	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
2712		3675
2713	=item ev_feed_event (struct ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
2714
2715	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
2716	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
2717	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
2718
2719	=item ev_feed_fd_event (struct ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)	3676	=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
2720		3677
2721	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected	3678	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
2722	the given events it.	3679	the given events.
2723		3680
2724	=item ev_feed_signal_event (struct ev_loop *loop, int signum)	3681	=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
2725		3682
2726	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default	3683	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred. See also C<ev_feed_signal>,
2727	loop!).	3684	which is async-safe.
2728		3685
2729	=back	3686	=back
		3687
		3688
		3689	=head1 COMMON OR USEFUL IDIOMS (OR BOTH)
		3690
		3691	This section explains some common idioms that are not immediately
		3692	obvious. Note that examples are sprinkled over the whole manual, and this
		3693	section only contains stuff that wouldn't fit anywhere else.
		3694
		3695	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
		3696
		3697	Each watcher has, by default, a C<void *data> member that you can read
		3698	or modify at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
		3699	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
		3700	don't want to allocate memory separately and store a pointer to it in that
		3701	data member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
		3702	data:
		3703
		3704	struct my_io
		3705	{
		3706	ev_io io;
		3707	int otherfd;
		3708	void *somedata;
		3709	struct whatever *mostinteresting;
		3710	};
		3711
		3712	...
		3713	struct my_io w;
		3714	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
		3715
		3716	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
		3717	can cast it back to your own type:
		3718
		3719	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
		3720	{
		3721	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
		3722	...
		3723	}
		3724
		3725	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback
		3726	function type instead have been omitted.
		3727
		3728	=head2 BUILDING YOUR OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS
		3729
		3730	Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
		3731	embedded watchers, in effect creating your own watcher that combines
		3732	multiple libev event sources into one "super-watcher":
		3733
		3734	struct my_biggy
		3735	{
		3736	int some_data;
		3737	ev_timer t1;
		3738	ev_timer t2;
		3739	}
		3740
		3741	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
		3742	complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct in
		3743	the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies or C++ coders), or you need
		3744	to use some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for
		3745	real programmers):
		3746
		3747	#include <stddef.h>
		3748
		3749	static void
		3750	t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		3751	{
		3752	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
		3753	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
		3754	}
		3755
		3756	static void
		3757	t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		3758	{
		3759	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
		3760	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
		3761	}
		3762
		3763	=head2 AVOIDING FINISHING BEFORE RETURNING
		3764
		3765	Often you have structures like this in event-based programs:
		3766
		3767	callback ()
		3768	{
		3769	free (request);
		3770	}
		3771
		3772	request = start_new_request (..., callback);
		3773
		3774	The intent is to start some "lengthy" operation. The C<request> could be
		3775	used to cancel the operation, or do other things with it.
		3776
		3777	It's not uncommon to have code paths in C<start_new_request> that
		3778	immediately invoke the callback, for example, to report errors. Or you add
		3779	some caching layer that finds that it can skip the lengthy aspects of the
		3780	operation and simply invoke the callback with the result.
		3781
		3782	The problem here is that this will happen I<before> C<start_new_request>
		3783	has returned, so C<request> is not set.
		3784
		3785	Even if you pass the request by some safer means to the callback, you
		3786	might want to do something to the request after starting it, such as
		3787	canceling it, which probably isn't working so well when the callback has
		3788	already been invoked.
		3789
		3790	A common way around all these issues is to make sure that
		3791	C<start_new_request> I<always> returns before the callback is invoked. If
		3792	C<start_new_request> immediately knows the result, it can artificially
		3793	delay invoking the callback by using a C<prepare> or C<idle> watcher for
		3794	example, or more sneakily, by reusing an existing (stopped) watcher and
		3795	pushing it into the pending queue:
		3796
		3797	ev_set_cb (watcher, callback);
		3798	ev_feed_event (EV_A_ watcher, 0);
		3799
		3800	This way, C<start_new_request> can safely return before the callback is
		3801	invoked, while not delaying callback invocation too much.
		3802
		3803	=head2 MODEL/NESTED EVENT LOOP INVOCATIONS AND EXIT CONDITIONS
		3804
		3805	Often (especially in GUI toolkits) there are places where you have
		3806	I<modal> interaction, which is most easily implemented by recursively
		3807	invoking C<ev_run>.
		3808
		3809	This brings the problem of exiting - a callback might want to finish the
		3810	main C<ev_run> call, but not the nested one (e.g. user clicked "Quit", but
		3811	a modal "Are you sure?" dialog is still waiting), or just the nested one
		3812	and not the main one (e.g. user clocked "Ok" in a modal dialog), or some
		3813	other combination: In these cases, a simple C<ev_break> will not work.
		3814
		3815	The solution is to maintain "break this loop" variable for each C<ev_run>
		3816	invocation, and use a loop around C<ev_run> until the condition is
		3817	triggered, using C<EVRUN_ONCE>:
		3818
		3819	// main loop
		3820	int exit_main_loop = 0;
		3821
		3822	while (!exit_main_loop)
		3823	ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ EVRUN_ONCE);
		3824
		3825	// in a modal watcher
		3826	int exit_nested_loop = 0;
		3827
		3828	while (!exit_nested_loop)
		3829	ev_run (EV_A_ EVRUN_ONCE);
		3830
		3831	To exit from any of these loops, just set the corresponding exit variable:
		3832
		3833	// exit modal loop
		3834	exit_nested_loop = 1;
		3835
		3836	// exit main program, after modal loop is finished
		3837	exit_main_loop = 1;
		3838
		3839	// exit both
		3840	exit_main_loop = exit_nested_loop = 1;
		3841
		3842	=head2 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE
		3843
		3844	Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
		3845	thread from where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
		3846	created/added/removed.
		3847
		3848	For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
		3849	which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
		3850	languages).
		3851
		3852	The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
		3853	variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
		3854	event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
		3855
		3856	First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
		3857
		3858	typedef struct {
		3859	mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
		3860	ev_async async_w;
		3861	thread_t tid;
		3862	cond_t invoke_cv;
		3863	} userdata;
		3864
		3865	void prepare_loop (EV_P)
		3866	{
		3867	// for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
		3868	static userdata u;
		3869
		3870	ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
		3871	ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
		3872
		3873	pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
		3874	pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
		3875
		3876	// now associate this with the loop
		3877	ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
		3878	ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
		3879	ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
		3880
		3881	// then create the thread running ev_run
		3882	pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
		3883	}
		3884
		3885	The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
		3886	solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
		3887	that might have been added:
		3888
		3889	static void
		3890	async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		3891	{
		3892	// just used for the side effects
		3893	}
		3894
		3895	The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
		3896	protecting the loop data, respectively.
		3897
		3898	static void
		3899	l_release (EV_P)
		3900	{
		3901	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		3902	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		3903	}
		3904
		3905	static void
		3906	l_acquire (EV_P)
		3907	{
		3908	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		3909	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		3910	}
		3911
		3912	The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
		3913	into C<ev_run>:
		3914
		3915	void *
		3916	l_run (void *thr_arg)
		3917	{
		3918	struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
		3919
		3920	l_acquire (EV_A);
		3921	pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
		3922	ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
		3923	l_release (EV_A);
		3924
		3925	return 0;
		3926	}
		3927
		3928	Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
		3929	signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
		3930	writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
		3931	have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
		3932	and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
		3933	watchers is very beneficial):
		3934
		3935	static void
		3936	l_invoke (EV_P)
		3937	{
		3938	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		3939
		3940	while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
		3941	{
		3942	wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
		3943	pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
		3944	}
		3945	}
		3946
		3947	Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
		3948	will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
		3949	thread to continue:
		3950
		3951	static void
		3952	real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
		3953	{
		3954	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		3955
		3956	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		3957	ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
		3958	pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
		3959	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		3960	}
		3961
		3962	Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
		3963	event loop, you will now have to lock:
		3964
		3965	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
		3966	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		3967
		3968	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
		3969
		3970	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		3971	ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
		3972	ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
		3973	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		3974
		3975	Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
		3976	an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
		3977	about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
		3978	watchers in the next event loop iteration.
		3979
		3980	=head2 THREADS, COROUTINES, CONTINUATIONS, QUEUES... INSTEAD OF CALLBACKS
		3981
		3982	While the overhead of a callback that e.g. schedules a thread is small, it
		3983	is still an overhead. If you embed libev, and your main usage is with some
		3984	kind of threads or coroutines, you might want to customise libev so that
		3985	doesn't need callbacks anymore.
		3986
		3987	Imagine you have coroutines that you can switch to using a function
		3988	C<switch_to (coro)>, that libev runs in a coroutine called C<libev_coro>
		3989	and that due to some magic, the currently active coroutine is stored in a
		3990	global called C<current_coro>. Then you can build your own "wait for libev
		3991	event" primitive by changing C<EV_CB_DECLARE> and C<EV_CB_INVOKE> (note
		3992	the differing C<;> conventions):
		3993
		3994	#define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
		3995	#define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb)
		3996
		3997	That means instead of having a C callback function, you store the
		3998	coroutine to switch to in each watcher, and instead of having libev call
		3999	your callback, you instead have it switch to that coroutine.
		4000
		4001	A coroutine might now wait for an event with a function called
		4002	C<wait_for_event>. (the watcher needs to be started, as always, but it doesn't
		4003	matter when, or whether the watcher is active or not when this function is
		4004	called):
		4005
		4006	void
		4007	wait_for_event (ev_watcher *w)
		4008	{
		4009	ev_set_cb (w, current_coro);
		4010	switch_to (libev_coro);
		4011	}
		4012
		4013	That basically suspends the coroutine inside C<wait_for_event> and
		4014	continues the libev coroutine, which, when appropriate, switches back to
		4015	this or any other coroutine.
		4016
		4017	You can do similar tricks if you have, say, threads with an event queue -
		4018	instead of storing a coroutine, you store the queue object and instead of
		4019	switching to a coroutine, you push the watcher onto the queue and notify
		4020	any waiters.
		4021
		4022	To embed libev, see L</EMBEDDING>, but in short, it's easiest to create two
		4023	files, F<my_ev.h> and F<my_ev.c> that include the respective libev files:
		4024
		4025	// my_ev.h
		4026	#define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
		4027	#define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb)
		4028	#include "../libev/ev.h"
		4029
		4030	// my_ev.c
		4031	#define EV_H "my_ev.h"
		4032	#include "../libev/ev.c"
		4033
		4034	And then use F<my_ev.h> when you would normally use F<ev.h>, and compile
		4035	F<my_ev.c> into your project. When properly specifying include paths, you
		4036	can even use F<ev.h> as header file name directly.
2730		4037
2731		4038
2732	=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION	4039	=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION
2733		4040
2734	Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot	4041	Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot
2735	emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints:	4042	emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints:
2736		4043
2737	=over 4	4044	=over 4
		4045
		4046	=item * Only the libevent-1.4.1-beta API is being emulated.
		4047
		4048	This was the newest libevent version available when libev was implemented,
		4049	and is still mostly unchanged in 2010.
2738		4050
2739	=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual.	4051	=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual.
2740		4052
2741	=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback,	4053	=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback,
2742	ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events.	4054	ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events.
…		…
2748	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities	4060	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
2749	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there	4061	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
2750	is an ev_pri field.	4062	is an ev_pri field.
2751		4063
2752	=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the	4064	=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
2753	first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.	4065	base that registered the signal gets the signals.
2754		4066
2755	=item * Other members are not supported.	4067	=item * Other members are not supported.
2756		4068
2757	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need	4069	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
2758	to use the libev header file and library.	4070	to use the libev header file and library.
2759		4071
2760	=back	4072	=back
2761		4073
2762	=head1 C++ SUPPORT	4074	=head1 C++ SUPPORT
		4075
		4076	=head2 C API
		4077
		4078	The normal C API should work fine when used from C++: both ev.h and the
		4079	libev sources can be compiled as C++. Therefore, code that uses the C API
		4080	will work fine.
		4081
		4082	Proper exception specifications might have to be added to callbacks passed
		4083	to libev: exceptions may be thrown only from watcher callbacks, all other
		4084	callbacks (allocator, syserr, loop acquire/release and periodic reschedule
		4085	callbacks) must not throw exceptions, and might need a C<noexcept>
		4086	specification. If you have code that needs to be compiled as both C and
		4087	C++ you can use the C<EV_NOEXCEPT> macro for this:
		4088
		4089	static void
		4090	fatal_error (const char *msg) EV_NOEXCEPT
		4091	{
		4092	perror (msg);
		4093	abort ();
		4094	}
		4095
		4096	...
		4097	ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
		4098
		4099	The only API functions that can currently throw exceptions are C<ev_run>,
		4100	C<ev_invoke>, C<ev_invoke_pending> and C<ev_loop_destroy> (the latter
		4101	because it runs cleanup watchers).
		4102
		4103	Throwing exceptions in watcher callbacks is only supported if libev itself
		4104	is compiled with a C++ compiler or your C and C++ environments allow
		4105	throwing exceptions through C libraries (most do).
		4106
		4107	=head2 C++ API
2763		4108
2764	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow	4109	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
2765	you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change	4110	you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
2766	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.	4111	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
2767		4112
2768	To use it,	4113	To use it,
2769		4114
2770	#include <ev++.h>	4115	#include <ev++.h>
2771		4116
2772	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many	4117	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
2773	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are	4118	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
2774	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding	4119	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
…		…
2777	Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++	4122	Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++
2778	classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer	4123	classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer
2779	that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if	4124	that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if
2780	you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).	4125	you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).
2781		4126
2782	Currently, functions, and static and non-static member functions can be	4127	Currently, functions, static and non-static member functions and classes
2783	used as callbacks. Other types should be easy to add as long as they only	4128	with C<operator ()> can be used as callbacks. Other types should be easy
2784	need one additional pointer for context. If you need support for other	4129	to add as long as they only need one additional pointer for context. If
2785	types of functors please contact the author (preferably after implementing	4130	you need support for other types of functors please contact the author
2786	it).	4131	(preferably after implementing it).
		4132
		4133	For all this to work, your C++ compiler either has to use the same calling
		4134	conventions as your C compiler (for static member functions), or you have
		4135	to embed libev and compile libev itself as C++.
2787		4136
2788	Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:	4137	Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
2789		4138
2790	=over 4	4139	=over 4
2791		4140
…		…
2801	=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc.	4150	=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc.
2802		4151
2803	For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of	4152	For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of
2804	the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal>	4153	the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal>
2805	which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro	4154	which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro
2806	defines by many implementations.	4155	defined by many implementations.
2807		4156
2808	All of those classes have these methods:	4157	All of those classes have these methods:
2809		4158
2810	=over 4	4159	=over 4
2811		4160
2812	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()	4161	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
2813		4162
2814	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *)	4163	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (loop)
2815		4164
2816	=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE	4165	=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
2817		4166
2818	The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher	4167	The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
2819	with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.	4168	with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
…		…
2851		4200
2852	myclass obj;	4201	myclass obj;
2853	ev::io iow;	4202	ev::io iow;
2854	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);	4203	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2855		4204
		4205	=item w->set (object *)
		4206
		4207	This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
		4208	will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
		4209	functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
		4210	the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
		4211	list.
		4212
		4213	The C<operator ()> method prototype must be C<void operator ()(watcher &w,
		4214	int revents)>.
		4215
		4216	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
		4217
		4218	Example: use a functor object as callback.
		4219
		4220	struct myfunctor
		4221	{
		4222	void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
		4223	{
		4224	...
		4225	}
		4226	}
		4227
		4228	myfunctor f;
		4229
		4230	ev::io w;
		4231	w.set (&f);
		4232
2856	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)	4233	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2857		4234
2858	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as	4235	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2859	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's	4236	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
2860	C<data> member and is free for you to use.	4237	C<data> member and is free for you to use.
…		…
2866	Example: Use a plain function as callback.	4243	Example: Use a plain function as callback.
2867		4244
2868	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	4245	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2869	iow.set <io_cb> ();	4246	iow.set <io_cb> ();
2870		4247
2871	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)	4248	=item w->set (loop)
2872		4249
2873	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only	4250	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
2874	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).	4251	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
2875		4252
2876	=item w->set ([arguments])	4253	=item w->set ([arguments])
2877		4254
2878	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be	4255	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set> (except for C<ev::embed> watchers>),
		4256	with the same arguments. Either this method or a suitable start method
2879	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets	4257	must be called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher
2880	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this	4258	gets automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
2881	method.	4259	method.
		4260
		4261	For C<ev::embed> watchers this method is called C<set_embed>, to avoid
		4262	clashing with the C<set (loop)> method.
2882		4263
2883	=item w->start ()	4264	=item w->start ()
2884		4265
2885	Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the	4266	Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
2886	constructor already stores the event loop.	4267	constructor already stores the event loop.
2887		4268
		4269	=item w->start ([arguments])
		4270
		4271	Instead of calling C<set> and C<start> methods separately, it is often
		4272	convenient to wrap them in one call. Uses the same type of arguments as
		4273	the configure C<set> method of the watcher.
		4274
2888	=item w->stop ()	4275	=item w->stop ()
2889		4276
2890	Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.	4277	Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
2891		4278
2892	=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)	4279	=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
…		…
2904		4291
2905	=back	4292	=back
2906		4293
2907	=back	4294	=back
2908		4295
2909	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in	4296	Example: Define a class with two I/O and idle watchers, start the I/O
2910	the constructor.	4297	watchers in the constructor.
2911		4298
2912	class myclass	4299	class myclass
2913	{	4300	{
2914	ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);	4301	ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
		4302	ev::io io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2915	ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);	4303	ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2916		4304
2917	myclass (int fd)	4305	myclass (int fd)
2918	{	4306	{
2919	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);	4307	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
		4308	io2 .set <myclass, &myclass::io2_cb > (this);
2920	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);	4309	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2921		4310
2922	io.start (fd, ev::READ);	4311	io.set (fd, ev::WRITE); // configure the watcher
		4312	io.start (); // start it whenever convenient
		4313
		4314	io2.start (fd, ev::READ); // set + start in one call
2923	}	4315	}
2924	};	4316	};
2925		4317
2926		4318
2927	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS	4319	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
…		…
2946	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.	4338	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2947		4339
2948	=item Python	4340	=item Python
2949		4341
2950	Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It	4342	Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
2951	seems to be quite complete and well-documented. Note, however, that the	4343	seems to be quite complete and well-documented.
2952	patch they require for libev is outright dangerous as it breaks the ABI
2953	for everybody else, and therefore, should never be applied in an installed
2954	libev (if python requires an incompatible ABI then it needs to embed
2955	libev).
2956		4344
2957	=item Ruby	4345	=item Ruby
2958		4346
2959	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset	4347	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2960	of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and	4348	of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2961	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at	4349	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2962	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.	4350	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2963		4351
		4352	Roger Pack reports that using the link order C<-lws2_32 -lmsvcrt-ruby-190>
		4353	makes rev work even on mingw.
		4354
		4355	=item Haskell
		4356
		4357	A haskell binding to libev is available at
		4358	L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
		4359
2964	=item D	4360	=item D
2965		4361
2966	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to	4362	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2967	be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.	4363	be found at L<http://www.llucax.com.ar/proj/ev.d/index.html>.
2968		4364
2969	=item Ocaml	4365	=item Ocaml
2970		4366
2971	Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at	4367	Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
2972	L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.	4368	L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
		4369
		4370	=item Lua
		4371
		4372	Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the
		4373	time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at
		4374	L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>.
		4375
		4376	=item Javascript
		4377
		4378	Node.js (L<http://nodejs.org>) uses libev as the underlying event library.
		4379
		4380	=item Others
		4381
		4382	There are others, and I stopped counting.
2973		4383
2974	=back	4384	=back
2975		4385
2976		4386
2977	=head1 MACRO MAGIC	4387	=head1 MACRO MAGIC
…		…
2991	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,	4401	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2992	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:	4402	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2993		4403
2994	ev_unref (EV_A);	4404	ev_unref (EV_A);
2995	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);	4405	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2996	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	4406	ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
2997		4407
2998	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,	4408	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2999	which is often provided by the following macro.	4409	which is often provided by the following macro.
3000		4410
3001	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>	4411	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
…		…
3014	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.	4424	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
3015		4425
3016	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>	4426	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
3017		4427
3018	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default	4428	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
3019	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").	4429	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). The default loop
		4430	will be initialised if it isn't already initialised.
		4431
		4432	For non-multiplicity builds, these macros do nothing, so you always have
		4433	to initialise the loop somewhere.
3020		4434
3021	=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>	4435	=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
3022		4436
3023	Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the	4437	Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
3024	default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour	4438	default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
…		…
3041	}	4455	}
3042		4456
3043	ev_check check;	4457	ev_check check;
3044	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);	4458	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
3045	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);	4459	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
3046	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);	4460	ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
3047		4461
3048	=head1 EMBEDDING	4462	=head1 EMBEDDING
3049		4463
3050	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host	4464	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
3051	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra	4465	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
…		…
3078		4492
3079	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	4493	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
3080	#include "ev.h"	4494	#include "ev.h"
3081		4495
3082	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++	4496	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
3083	compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated	4497	compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
3084	as a bug).	4498	as a bug).
3085		4499
3086	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory	4500	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
3087	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):	4501	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
3088		4502
…		…
3091	ev_vars.h	4505	ev_vars.h
3092	ev_wrap.h	4506	ev_wrap.h
3093		4507
3094	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only	4508	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
3095		4509
3096	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)	4510	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled
3097	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	4511	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled
3098	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	4512	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled
		4513	ev_linuxaio.c only when the linux aio backend is enabled
		4514	ev_iouring.c only when the linux io_uring backend is enabled
3099	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)	4515	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled
3100	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)	4516	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled
3101		4517
3102	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need	4518	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
3103	to compile this single file.	4519	to compile this single file.
3104		4520
3105	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API	4521	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
…		…
3131	libev.m4	4547	libev.m4
3132		4548
3133	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS	4549	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
3134		4550
3135	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to	4551	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
3136	define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of	4552	define before including (or compiling) any of its files. The default in
3137	autoconf is documented for every option.	4553	the absence of autoconf is documented for every option.
		4554
		4555	Symbols marked with "(h)" do not change the ABI, and can have different
		4556	values when compiling libev vs. including F<ev.h>, so it is permissible
		4557	to redefine them before including F<ev.h> without breaking compatibility
		4558	to a compiled library. All other symbols change the ABI, which means all
		4559	users of libev and the libev code itself must be compiled with compatible
		4560	settings.
3138		4561
3139	=over 4	4562	=over 4
3140		4563
		4564	=item EV_COMPAT3 (h)
		4565
		4566	Backwards compatibility is a major concern for libev. This is why this
		4567	release of libev comes with wrappers for the functions and symbols that
		4568	have been renamed between libev version 3 and 4.
		4569
		4570	You can disable these wrappers (to test compatibility with future
		4571	versions) by defining C<EV_COMPAT3> to C<0> when compiling your
		4572	sources. This has the additional advantage that you can drop the C<struct>
		4573	from C<struct ev_loop> declarations, as libev will provide an C<ev_loop>
		4574	typedef in that case.
		4575
		4576	In some future version, the default for C<EV_COMPAT3> will become C<0>,
		4577	and in some even more future version the compatibility code will be
		4578	removed completely.
		4579
3141	=item EV_STANDALONE	4580	=item EV_STANDALONE (h)
3142		4581
3143	Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which	4582	Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which
3144	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy	4583	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
3145	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not	4584	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
3146	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in	4585	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
3147	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.	4586	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
3148		4587
		4588	In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
		4589	configuration, but has to be more conservative.
		4590
		4591	=item EV_USE_FLOOR
		4592
		4593	If defined to be C<1>, libev will use the C<floor ()> function for its
		4594	periodic reschedule calculations, otherwise libev will fall back on a
		4595	portable (slower) implementation. If you enable this, you usually have to
		4596	link against libm or something equivalent. Enabling this when the C<floor>
		4597	function is not available will fail, so the safe default is to not enable
		4598	this.
		4599
3149	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC	4600	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
3150		4601
3151	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	4602	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
3152	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use	4603	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
3153	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you	4604	use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this,
3154	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when	4605	you usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it
3155	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have	4606	when the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
3156	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>	4607	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
3157	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).	4608	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). See also C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
3158		4609
3159	=item EV_USE_REALTIME	4610	=item EV_USE_REALTIME
3160		4611
3161	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	4612	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
3162	real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at	4613	real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability
3163	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will	4614	at runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock
3164	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get	4615	option will be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday>
3165	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the	4616	by C<clock_get (CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect
3166	note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.	4617	correctness. See the note about libraries in the description of
		4618	C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. Defaults to the opposite value of
		4619	C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
		4620
		4621	=item EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL
		4622
		4623	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to use a direct syscall instead
		4624	of calling the system-provided C<clock_gettime> function. This option
		4625	exists because on GNU/Linux, C<clock_gettime> is in C<librt>, but C<librt>
		4626	unconditionally pulls in C<libpthread>, slowing down single-threaded
		4627	programs needlessly. Using a direct syscall is slightly slower (in
		4628	theory), because no optimised vdso implementation can be used, but avoids
		4629	the pthread dependency. Defaults to C<1> on GNU/Linux with glibc 2.x or
		4630	higher, as it simplifies linking (no need for C<-lrt>).
3167		4631
3168	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP	4632	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
3169		4633
3170	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available	4634	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
3171	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.	4635	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
…		…
3176	available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve	4640	available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
3177	C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.	4641	C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
3178	If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc	4642	If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
3179	2.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.	4643	2.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
3180		4644
		4645	=item EV_USE_SIGNALFD
		4646
		4647	If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<signalfd ()> is
		4648	available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This enables
		4649	the use of EVFLAG_SIGNALFD for faster and simpler signal handling. If
		4650	undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
		4651	2.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
		4652
		4653	=item EV_USE_TIMERFD
		4654
		4655	If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<timerfd ()> is
		4656	available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This allows
		4657	libev to detect time jumps accurately. If undefined, it will be enabled
		4658	if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.8 or newer and define
		4659	C<TFD_TIMER_CANCEL_ON_SET>, otherwise disabled.
		4660
		4661	=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
		4662
		4663	If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
		4664	available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
		4665	C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
		4666	If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
		4667	2.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
		4668
3181	=item EV_USE_SELECT	4669	=item EV_USE_SELECT
3182		4670
3183	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the	4671	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
3184	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no	4672	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
3185	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend	4673	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
…		…
3187		4675
3188	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET	4676	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
3189		4677
3190	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>	4678	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
3191	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing	4679	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
3192	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on	4680	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout
3193	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some	4681	on exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to
3194	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only	4682	some low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket
3195	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might	4683	only allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation,
3196	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.	4684	configures the maximum size of the C<fd_set>.
3197		4685
3198	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET	4686	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
3199		4687
3200	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that	4688	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
3201	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but	4689	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
…		…
3203	be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call	4691	be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
3204	C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,	4692	C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
3205	it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even	4693	it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
3206	on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.	4694	on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
3207		4695
3208	=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE	4696	=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE(fd)
3209		4697
3210	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map	4698	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
3211	file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the	4699	file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
3212	default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually	4700	default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
3213	correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,	4701	correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
3214	in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.	4702	in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
3215		4703
		4704	=item EV_WIN32_HANDLE_TO_FD(handle)
		4705
		4706	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> then libev maps handles to file descriptors
		4707	using the standard C<_open_osfhandle> function. For programs implementing
		4708	their own fd to handle mapping, overwriting this function makes it easier
		4709	to do so. This can be done by defining this macro to an appropriate value.
		4710
		4711	=item EV_WIN32_CLOSE_FD(fd)
		4712
		4713	If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this
		4714	macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister
		4715	file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close
		4716	the underlying OS handle.
		4717
		4718	=item EV_USE_WSASOCKET
		4719
		4720	If defined to be C<1>, libev will use C<WSASocket> to create its internal
		4721	communication socket, which works better in some environments. Otherwise,
		4722	the normal C<socket> function will be used, which works better in other
		4723	environments.
		4724
3216	=item EV_USE_POLL	4725	=item EV_USE_POLL
3217		4726
3218	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)	4727	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
3219	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It	4728	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
3220	takes precedence over select.	4729	takes precedence over select.
…		…
3224	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux	4733	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
3225	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,	4734	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
3226	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred	4735	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
3227	backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the	4736	backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
3228	headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.	4737	headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
		4738
		4739	=item EV_USE_LINUXAIO
		4740
		4741	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux aio
		4742	backend (C<EV_USE_EPOLL> must also be enabled). If undefined, it will be
		4743	enabled on linux, otherwise disabled.
		4744
		4745	=item EV_USE_IOURING
		4746
		4747	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
		4748	io_uring backend (C<EV_USE_EPOLL> must also be enabled). Due to it's
		4749	current limitations it has to be requested explicitly. If undefined, it
		4750	will be enabled on linux, otherwise disabled.
3229		4751
3230	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE	4752	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
3231		4753
3232	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style	4754	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
3233	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,	4755	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
…		…
3255	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify	4777	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
3256	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will	4778	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
3257	be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers	4779	be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
3258	indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.	4780	indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
3259		4781
		4782	=item EV_NO_SMP
		4783
		4784	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that memory is always coherent
		4785	between threads, that is, threads can be used, but threads never run on
		4786	different cpus (or different cpu cores). This reduces dependencies
		4787	and makes libev faster.
		4788
		4789	=item EV_NO_THREADS
		4790
		4791	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that it will never be called from
		4792	different threads (that includes signal handlers), which is a stronger
		4793	assumption than C<EV_NO_SMP>, above. This reduces dependencies and makes
		4794	libev faster.
		4795
3260	=item EV_ATOMIC_T	4796	=item EV_ATOMIC_T
3261		4797
3262	Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose	4798	Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
3263	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such	4799	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No
3264	type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type	4800	such type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own
3265	that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"	4801	type that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal
3266	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.	4802	handler "locking" as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async>
		4803	watchers.
3267		4804
3268	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>	4805	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
3269	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.	4806	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
3270		4807
3271	=item EV_H	4808	=item EV_H (h)
3272		4809
3273	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if	4810	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
3274	undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be	4811	undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
3275	used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.	4812	used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
3276		4813
3277	=item EV_CONFIG_H	4814	=item EV_CONFIG_H (h)
3278		4815
3279	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override	4816	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
3280	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to	4817	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
3281	C<EV_H>, above.	4818	C<EV_H>, above.
3282		4819
3283	=item EV_EVENT_H	4820	=item EV_EVENT_H (h)
3284		4821
3285	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea	4822	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
3286	of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.	4823	of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
3287		4824
3288	=item EV_PROTOTYPES	4825	=item EV_PROTOTYPES (h)
3289		4826
3290	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function	4827	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
3291	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is	4828	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
3292	occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions	4829	occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions
3293	around libev functions.	4830	around libev functions.
…		…
3298	will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create	4835	will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
3299	additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support	4836	additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
3300	for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer	4837	for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
3301	argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.	4838	argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
3302		4839
		4840	Note that C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_> will no longer provide a
		4841	default loop when multiplicity is switched off - you always have to
		4842	initialise the loop manually in this case.
		4843
3303	=item EV_MINPRI	4844	=item EV_MINPRI
3304		4845
3305	=item EV_MAXPRI	4846	=item EV_MAXPRI
3306		4847
3307	The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to	4848	The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to
…		…
3315	fine.	4856	fine.
3316		4857
3317	If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these	4858	If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
3318	both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.	4859	both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
3319		4860
3320	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE	4861	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE, EV_IDLE_ENABLE, EV_EMBED_ENABLE, EV_STAT_ENABLE,
		4862	EV_PREPARE_ENABLE, EV_CHECK_ENABLE, EV_FORK_ENABLE, EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE,
		4863	EV_ASYNC_ENABLE, EV_CHILD_ENABLE.
3321		4864
3322	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If	4865	If undefined or defined to be C<1> (and the platform supports it), then
3323	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of	4866	the respective watcher type is supported. If defined to be C<0>, then it
3324	code.	4867	is not. Disabling watcher types mainly saves code size.
3325		4868
3326	=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE	4869	=item EV_FEATURES
3327
3328	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
3329	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
3330	code.
3331
3332	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
3333
3334	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
3335	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Embed watchers rely on most other
3336	watcher types, which therefore must not be disabled.
3337
3338	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
3339
3340	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
3341	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3342
3343	=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
3344
3345	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
3346	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3347
3348	=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
3349
3350	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
3351	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3352
3353	=item EV_MINIMAL
3354		4870
3355	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some	4871	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
3356	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some	4872	speed (but with the full API), you can define this symbol to request
3357	inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size on amd64. It also selects a	4873	certain subsets of functionality. The default is to enable all features
3358	much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap.	4874	that can be enabled on the platform.
		4875
		4876	A typical way to use this symbol is to define it to C<0> (or to a bitset
		4877	with some broad features you want) and then selectively re-enable
		4878	additional parts you want, for example if you want everything minimal,
		4879	but multiple event loop support, async and child watchers and the poll
		4880	backend, use this:
		4881
		4882	#define EV_FEATURES 0
		4883	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 1
		4884	#define EV_USE_POLL 1
		4885	#define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
		4886	#define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
		4887
		4888	The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
		4889	values (by default, all of these are enabled):
		4890
		4891	=over 4
		4892
		4893	=item C<1> - faster/larger code
		4894
		4895	Use larger code to speed up some operations.
		4896
		4897	Currently this is used to override some inlining decisions (enlarging the
		4898	code size by roughly 30% on amd64).
		4899
		4900	When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with
		4901	gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
		4902	assertions.
		4903
		4904	The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
		4905	(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
		4906
		4907	=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
		4908
		4909	Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger
		4910	hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size
		4911	and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
		4912	runtime.
		4913
		4914	The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
		4915	(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
		4916
		4917	=item C<4> - full API configuration
		4918
		4919	This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
		4920	enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).
		4921
		4922	=item C<8> - full API
		4923
		4924	This enables a lot of the "lesser used" API functions. See C<ev.h> for
		4925	details on which parts of the API are still available without this
		4926	feature, and do not complain if this subset changes over time.
		4927
		4928	=item C<16> - enable all optional watcher types
		4929
		4930	Enables all optional watcher types. If you want to selectively enable
		4931	only some watcher types other than I/O and timers (e.g. prepare,
		4932	embed, async, child...) you can enable them manually by defining
		4933	C<EV_watchertype_ENABLE> to C<1> instead.
		4934
		4935	=item C<32> - enable all backends
		4936
		4937	This enables all backends - without this feature, you need to enable at
		4938	least one backend manually (C<EV_USE_SELECT> is a good choice).
		4939
		4940	=item C<64> - enable OS-specific "helper" APIs
		4941
		4942	Enable inotify, eventfd, signalfd and similar OS-specific helper APIs by
		4943	default.
		4944
		4945	=back
		4946
		4947	Compiling with C<gcc -Os -DEV_STANDALONE -DEV_USE_EPOLL=1 -DEV_FEATURES=0>
		4948	reduces the compiled size of libev from 24.7Kb code/2.8Kb data to 6.5Kb
		4949	code/0.3Kb data on my GNU/Linux amd64 system, while still giving you I/O
		4950	watchers, timers and monotonic clock support.
		4951
		4952	With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough
		4953	when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by
		4954	your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an
		4955	I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb.
		4956
		4957	=item EV_API_STATIC
		4958
		4959	If this symbol is defined (by default it is not), then all identifiers
		4960	will have static linkage. This means that libev will not export any
		4961	identifiers, and you cannot link against libev anymore. This can be useful
		4962	when you embed libev, only want to use libev functions in a single file,
		4963	and do not want its identifiers to be visible.
		4964
		4965	To use this, define C<EV_API_STATIC> and include F<ev.c> in the file that
		4966	wants to use libev.
		4967
		4968	This option only works when libev is compiled with a C compiler, as C++
		4969	doesn't support the required declaration syntax.
		4970
		4971	=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
		4972
		4973	If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio
		4974	functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size
		4975	somewhat, but if your program doesn't otherwise depend on stdio and your
		4976	libc allows it, this avoids linking in the stdio library which is quite
		4977	big.
		4978
		4979	Note that error messages might become less precise when this option is
		4980	enabled.
		4981
		4982	=item EV_NSIG
		4983
		4984	The highest supported signal number, +1 (or, the number of
		4985	signals): Normally, libev tries to deduce the maximum number of signals
		4986	automatically, but sometimes this fails, in which case it can be
		4987	specified. Also, using a lower number than detected (C<32> should be
		4988	good for about any system in existence) can save some memory, as libev
		4989	statically allocates some 12-24 bytes per signal number.
3359		4990
3360	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE	4991	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
3361		4992
3362	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	4993	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3363	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more	4994	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES> disabled),
3364	than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to	4995	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you
3365	increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).	4996	might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
3366		4997
3367	=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE	4998	=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
3368		4999
3369	C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	5000	C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3370	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),	5001	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES>
3371	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>	5002	disabled), usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of
3372	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of	5003	C<ev_stat> watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a
3373	two).	5004	power of two).
3374		5005
3375	=item EV_USE_4HEAP	5006	=item EV_USE_4HEAP
3376		5007
3377	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the	5008	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3378	timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined	5009	timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
3379	to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably	5010	to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
3380	faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.	5011	faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
3381		5012
3382	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>	5013	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3383	(disabled).	5014	will be C<0>.
3384		5015
3385	=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT	5016	=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
3386		5017
3387	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the	5018	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3388	timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within	5019	timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
3389	the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),	5020	the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
3390	which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,	5021	which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
3391	but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance	5022	but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
3392	noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.	5023	noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
3393		5024
3394	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>	5025	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3395	(disabled).	5026	will be C<0>.
3396		5027
3397	=item EV_VERIFY	5028	=item EV_VERIFY
3398		5029
3399	Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will	5030	Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_verify ()>) will
3400	be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled	5031	be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
3401	in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not	5032	in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
3402	called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be	5033	called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
3403	called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the	5034	called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
3404	verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down	5035	verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
3405	libev considerably.	5036	libev considerably.
3406		5037
		5038	Verification errors are reported via C's C<assert> mechanism, so if you
		5039	disable that (e.g. by defining C<NDEBUG>) then no errors will be reported.
		5040
3407	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be	5041	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3408	C<0>.	5042	will be C<0>.
3409		5043
3410	=item EV_COMMON	5044	=item EV_COMMON
3411		5045
3412	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining	5046	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
3413	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of	5047	this macro to something else you can include more and other types of
3414	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,	5048	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
3415	though, and it must be identical each time.	5049	though, and it must be identical each time.
3416		5050
3417	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:	5051	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
3418		5052
…		…
3471	file.	5105	file.
3472		5106
3473	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file	5107	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
3474	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:	5108	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
3475		5109
3476	#define EV_MINIMAL 1	5110	#define EV_FEATURES 8
3477	#define EV_USE_POLL 0	5111	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3478	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
3479	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0	5112	#define EV_PREPARE_ENABLE 1
		5113	#define EV_IDLE_ENABLE 1
3480	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0	5114	#define EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE 1
3481	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0	5115	#define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
		5116	#define EV_USE_STDEXCEPT 0
3482	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>	5117	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
3483	#define EV_MINPRI 0
3484	#define EV_MAXPRI 0
3485		5118
3486	#include "ev++.h"	5119	#include "ev++.h"
3487		5120
3488	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:	5121	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
3489		5122
3490	#include "ev_cpp.h"	5123	#include "ev_cpp.h"
3491	#include "ev.c"	5124	#include "ev.c"
3492		5125
3493	=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES	5126	=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS, LIBRARIES OR THE ENVIRONMENT
3494		5127
3495	=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES	5128	=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
3496		5129
3497	=head3 THREADS	5130	=head3 THREADS
3498		5131
…		…
3549	default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop	5182	default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
3550	watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.	5183	watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
3551		5184
3552	=back	5185	=back
3553		5186
		5187	See also L</THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE>.
		5188
3554	=head3 COROUTINES	5189	=head3 COROUTINES
3555		5190
3556	Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):	5191	Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
3557	libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different	5192	libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
3558	coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two	5193	coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_run> on the same loop from two
3559	different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running the	5194	different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running
3560	loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that	5195	the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is
3561	you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.	5196	that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
3562		5197
3563	Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside	5198	Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
3564	C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as	5199	C<ev_run>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
3565	they do not clal any callbacks.	5200	they do not call any callbacks.
3566		5201
3567	=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS	5202	=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
3568		5203
3569	Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a	5204	Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
3570	lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently	5205	lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
…		…
3580	maintainable.	5215	maintainable.
3581		5216
3582	And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply	5217	And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
3583	wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message	5218	wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
3584	seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some	5219	seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
3585	warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have	5220	warnings that resulted in an extreme number of false positives. These have
3586	been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with	5221	been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
3587	such buggy versions.	5222	such buggy versions.
3588		5223
3589	While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,	5224	While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
3590	"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev	5225	"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
…		…
3604	==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.	5239	==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3605	==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.	5240	==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3606	==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.	5241	==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
3607		5242
3608	Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables	5243	Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
3609	is not a memleak - the memory is still being refernced, and didn't leak.	5244	is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
3610		5245
3611	Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs	5246	Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
3612	as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,	5247	as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
3613	although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be	5248	although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
3614	confused.	5249	confused.
…		…
3626	I suggest using suppression lists.	5261	I suggest using suppression lists.
3627		5262
3628		5263
3629	=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES	5264	=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
3630		5265
		5266	=head2 GNU/LINUX 32 BIT LIMITATIONS
		5267
		5268	GNU/Linux is the only common platform that supports 64 bit file/large file
		5269	interfaces but I<disables> them by default.
		5270
		5271	That means that libev compiled in the default environment doesn't support
		5272	files larger than 2GiB or so, which mainly affects C<ev_stat> watchers.
		5273
		5274	Unfortunately, many programs try to work around this GNU/Linux issue
		5275	by enabling the large file API, which makes them incompatible with the
		5276	standard libev compiled for their system.
		5277
		5278	Likewise, libev cannot enable the large file API itself as this would
		5279	suddenly make it incompatible to the default compile time environment,
		5280	i.e. all programs not using special compile switches.
		5281
		5282	=head2 OS/X AND DARWIN BUGS
		5283
		5284	The whole thing is a bug if you ask me - basically any system interface
		5285	you touch is broken, whether it is locales, poll, kqueue or even the
		5286	OpenGL drivers.
		5287
		5288	=head3 C<kqueue> is buggy
		5289
		5290	The kqueue syscall is broken in all known versions - most versions support
		5291	only sockets, many support pipes.
		5292
		5293	Libev tries to work around this by not using C<kqueue> by default on this
		5294	rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating a
		5295	loop - embedding a socket-only kqueue loop into a select-based one is
		5296	probably going to work well.
		5297
		5298	=head3 C<poll> is buggy
		5299
		5300	Instead of fixing C<kqueue>, Apple replaced their (working) C<poll>
		5301	implementation by something calling C<kqueue> internally around the 10.5.6
		5302	release, so now C<kqueue> I<and> C<poll> are broken.
		5303
		5304	Libev tries to work around this by not using C<poll> by default on
		5305	this rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating
		5306	a loop.
		5307
		5308	=head3 C<select> is buggy
		5309
		5310	All that's left is C<select>, and of course Apple found a way to fuck this
		5311	one up as well: On OS/X, C<select> actively limits the number of file
		5312	descriptors you can pass in to 1024 - your program suddenly crashes when
		5313	you use more.
		5314
		5315	There is an undocumented "workaround" for this - defining
		5316	C<_DARWIN_UNLIMITED_SELECT>, which libev tries to use, so select I<should>
		5317	work on OS/X.
		5318
		5319	=head2 SOLARIS PROBLEMS AND WORKAROUNDS
		5320
		5321	=head3 C<errno> reentrancy
		5322
		5323	The default compile environment on Solaris is unfortunately so
		5324	thread-unsafe that you can't even use components/libraries compiled
		5325	without C<-D_REENTRANT> in a threaded program, which, of course, isn't
		5326	defined by default. A valid, if stupid, implementation choice.
		5327
		5328	If you want to use libev in threaded environments you have to make sure
		5329	it's compiled with C<_REENTRANT> defined.
		5330
		5331	=head3 Event port backend
		5332
		5333	The scalable event interface for Solaris is called "event
		5334	ports". Unfortunately, this mechanism is very buggy in all major
		5335	releases. If you run into high CPU usage, your program freezes or you get
		5336	a large number of spurious wakeups, make sure you have all the relevant
		5337	and latest kernel patches applied. No, I don't know which ones, but there
		5338	are multiple ones to apply, and afterwards, event ports actually work
		5339	great.
		5340
		5341	If you can't get it to work, you can try running the program by setting
		5342	the environment variable C<LIBEV_FLAGS=3> to only allow C<poll> and
		5343	C<select> backends.
		5344
		5345	=head2 AIX POLL BUG
		5346
		5347	AIX unfortunately has a broken C<poll.h> header. Libev works around
		5348	this by trying to avoid the poll backend altogether (i.e. it's not even
		5349	compiled in), which normally isn't a big problem as C<select> works fine
		5350	with large bitsets on AIX, and AIX is dead anyway.
		5351
3631	=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS	5352	=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
		5353
		5354	=head3 General issues
3632		5355
3633	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev	5356	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
3634	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX	5357	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
3635	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in	5358	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
3636	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket	5359	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
3637	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using	5360	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
3638	e.g. cygwin.	5361	e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers,
		5362	as every compiler comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible
		5363	environment.
3639		5364
3640	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full	5365	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
3641	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of	5366	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing,
3642	things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable	5367	then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note
3643	way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).	5368	also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
3644		5369
3645	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except	5370	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
3646	embedding it into other applications.	5371	embedding it into other applications.
		5372
		5373	Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev
		5374	tries its best, but under most conditions, signals will simply not work.
3647		5375
3648	Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't	5376	Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
3649	accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will	5377	accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
3650	either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,	5378	either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
3651	so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a	5379	so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
…		…
3656	the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets	5384	the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
3657	is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use	5385	is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
3658	more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally	5386	more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
3659	different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness	5387	different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
3660	notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows	5388	notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
3661	(Microsoft monopoly games).	5389	(due to Microsoft monopoly games).
3662		5390
3663	A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding	5391	A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
3664	section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead	5392	section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
3665	of F<ev.h>:	5393	of F<ev.h>:
3666		5394
…		…
3673	you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):	5401	you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
3674		5402
3675	#include "evwrap.h"	5403	#include "evwrap.h"
3676	#include "ev.c"	5404	#include "ev.c"
3677		5405
3678	=over 4
3679
3680	=item The winsocket select function	5406	=head3 The winsocket C<select> function
3681		5407
3682	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it	5408	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
3683	requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is	5409	requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
3684	also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also	5410	also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
3685	requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft	5411	requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
…		…
3694	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */	5420	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
3695		5421
3696	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a	5422	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
3697	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.	5423	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
3698		5424
3699	=item Limited number of file descriptors	5425	=head3 Limited number of file descriptors
3700		5426
3701	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.	5427	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
3702		5428
3703	Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum	5429	Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
3704	of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels	5430	of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
3705	can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft	5431	can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
3706	recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the	5432	recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
3707	previous thread in each. Great).	5433	previous thread in each. Sounds great!).
3708		5434
3709	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>	5435	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
3710	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select	5436	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
3711	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own	5437	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl and many
3712	select emulation on windows).	5438	other interpreters do their own select emulation on windows).
3713		5439
3714	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime	5440	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
3715	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish	5441	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64>
3716	or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this by calling	5442	fetish or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this
3717	C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another	5443	by calling C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048>
3718	arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft runtime	5444	(another arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft
3719	libraries.
3720
3721	This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on	5445	runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets
3722	windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to	5446	(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more,
3723	wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of	5447	you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but
3724	calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.	5448	the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
3725
3726	=back
3727		5449
3728	=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS	5450	=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
3729		5451
3730	In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the	5452	In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
3731	backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:	5453	backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
…		…
3738	Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal	5460	Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
3739	structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also	5461	structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
3740	assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher	5462	assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
3741	callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev	5463	callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
3742	calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.	5464	calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
		5465
		5466	=item null pointers and integer zero are represented by 0 bytes
		5467
		5468	Libev uses C<memset> to initialise structs and arrays to C<0> bytes, and
		5469	relies on this setting pointers and integers to null.
		5470
		5471	=item pointer accesses must be thread-atomic
		5472
		5473	Accessing a pointer value must be atomic, it must both be readable and
		5474	writable in one piece - this is the case on all current architectures.
3743		5475
3744	=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well	5476	=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
3745		5477
3746	The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as	5478	The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
3747	C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different	5479	C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
…		…
3756	thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would	5488	thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
3757	be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and	5489	be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
3758	C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.	5490	C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
3759		5491
3760	The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads	5492	The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
3761	except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as	5493	except the initial one, and run the signal handling loop in the initial
3762	well.	5494	thread as well.
3763		5495
3764	=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes	5496	=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
3765		5497
3766	To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally	5498	To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
3767	instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX	5499	instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
…		…
3770	watchers.	5502	watchers.
3771		5503
3772	=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy	5504	=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
3773		5505
3774	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to	5506	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
3775	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good	5507	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is
3776	enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by	5508	good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy
		5509	(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by
3777	implementations implementing IEEE 754 (basically all existing ones).	5510	implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones.
		5511
		5512	With IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least the
		5513	year 2255 (and millisecond accuracy till the year 287396 - by then, libev
		5514	is either obsolete or somebody patched it to use C<long double> or
		5515	something like that, just kidding).
3778		5516
3779	=back	5517	=back
3780		5518
3781	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.	5519	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
3782		5520
…		…
3844	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)	5582	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
3845		5583
3846	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)	5584	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
3847		5585
3848	Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>	5586	Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
3849	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events	5587	calls in the current loop iteration and the loop is currently
		5588	blocked. Checking for async and signal events involves iterating over all
3850	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.	5589	running async watchers or all signal numbers.
3851		5590
3852	=back	5591	=back
3853		5592
3854		5593
		5594	=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X
		5595
		5596	The major version 4 introduced some incompatible changes to the API.
		5597
		5598	At the moment, the C<ev.h> header file provides compatibility definitions
		5599	for all changes, so most programs should still compile. The compatibility
		5600	layer might be removed in later versions of libev, so better update to the
		5601	new API early than late.
		5602
		5603	=over 4
		5604
		5605	=item C<EV_COMPAT3> backwards compatibility mechanism
		5606
		5607	The backward compatibility mechanism can be controlled by
		5608	C<EV_COMPAT3>. See L</"PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS"> in the L</EMBEDDING>
		5609	section.
		5610
		5611	=item C<ev_default_destroy> and C<ev_default_fork> have been removed
		5612
		5613	These calls can be replaced easily by their C<ev_loop_xxx> counterparts:
		5614
		5615	ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT_UC);
		5616	ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
		5617
		5618	=item function/symbol renames
		5619
		5620	A number of functions and symbols have been renamed:
		5621
		5622	ev_loop => ev_run
		5623	EVLOOP_NONBLOCK => EVRUN_NOWAIT
		5624	EVLOOP_ONESHOT => EVRUN_ONCE
		5625
		5626	ev_unloop => ev_break
		5627	EVUNLOOP_CANCEL => EVBREAK_CANCEL
		5628	EVUNLOOP_ONE => EVBREAK_ONE
		5629	EVUNLOOP_ALL => EVBREAK_ALL
		5630
		5631	EV_TIMEOUT => EV_TIMER
		5632
		5633	ev_loop_count => ev_iteration
		5634	ev_loop_depth => ev_depth
		5635	ev_loop_verify => ev_verify
		5636
		5637	Most functions working on C<struct ev_loop> objects don't have an
		5638	C<ev_loop_> prefix, so it was removed; C<ev_loop>, C<ev_unloop> and
		5639	associated constants have been renamed to not collide with the C<struct
		5640	ev_loop> anymore and C<EV_TIMER> now follows the same naming scheme
		5641	as all other watcher types. Note that C<ev_loop_fork> is still called
		5642	C<ev_loop_fork> because it would otherwise clash with the C<ev_fork>
		5643	typedef.
		5644
		5645	=item C<EV_MINIMAL> mechanism replaced by C<EV_FEATURES>
		5646
		5647	The preprocessor symbol C<EV_MINIMAL> has been replaced by a different
		5648	mechanism, C<EV_FEATURES>. Programs using C<EV_MINIMAL> usually compile
		5649	and work, but the library code will of course be larger.
		5650
		5651	=back
		5652
		5653
		5654	=head1 GLOSSARY
		5655
		5656	=over 4
		5657
		5658	=item active
		5659
		5660	A watcher is active as long as it has been started and not yet stopped.
		5661	See L</WATCHER STATES> for details.
		5662
		5663	=item application
		5664
		5665	In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
		5666
		5667	=item backend
		5668
		5669	The part of the code dealing with the operating system interfaces.
		5670
		5671	=item callback
		5672
		5673	The address of a function that is called when some event has been
		5674	detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that
		5675	received the event, and the actual event bitset.
		5676
		5677	=item callback/watcher invocation
		5678
		5679	The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
		5680
		5681	=item event
		5682
		5683	A change of state of some external event, such as data now being available
		5684	for reading on a file descriptor, time having passed or simply not having
		5685	any other events happening anymore.
		5686
		5687	In libev, events are represented as single bits (such as C<EV_READ> or
		5688	C<EV_TIMER>).
		5689
		5690	=item event library
		5691
		5692	A software package implementing an event model and loop.
		5693
		5694	=item event loop
		5695
		5696	An entity that handles and processes external events and converts them
		5697	into callback invocations.
		5698
		5699	=item event model
		5700
		5701	The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes
		5702	watchers and events.
		5703
		5704	=item pending
		5705
		5706	A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been
		5707	detected. See L</WATCHER STATES> for details.
		5708
		5709	=item real time
		5710
		5711	The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
		5712
		5713	=item wall-clock time
		5714
		5715	The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
		5716	be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when you adjust your
		5717	clock.
		5718
		5719	=item watcher
		5720
		5721	A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
		5722	to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events.
		5723
		5724	=back
		5725
3855	=head1 AUTHOR	5726	=head1 AUTHOR
3856		5727
3857	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.	5728	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael
		5729	Magnusson and Emanuele Giaquinta, and minor corrections by many others.
3858		5730

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