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Revision 1.259 by root, Sun Jul 19 01:36:34 2009 UTC

…		…
2		2
3	libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C	3	libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C
4		4
5	=head1 SYNOPSIS	5	=head1 SYNOPSIS
6		6
7	#include <ev.h>	7	#include <ev.h>
8		8
9	=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM	9	=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10		10
		11	// a single header file is required
11	#include <ev.h>	12	#include <ev.h>
12		13
		14	#include <stdio.h> // for puts
		15
		16	// every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
		17	// with the name ev_TYPE
13	ev_io stdin_watcher;	18	ev_io stdin_watcher;
14	ev_timer timeout_watcher;	19	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
15		20
16	/* called when data readable on stdin */	21	// all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
		22	// this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
17	static void	23	static void
18	stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents)	24	stdin_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
19	{	25	{
20	/* puts ("stdin ready"); */	26	puts ("stdin ready");
21	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); /* just a syntax example */	27	// for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
22	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); /* leave all loop calls */	28	// with its corresponding stop function.
		29	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
		30
		31	// this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating
		32	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);
23	}	33	}
24		34
		35	// another callback, this time for a time-out
25	static void	36	static void
26	timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	37	timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
27	{	38	{
28	/* puts ("timeout"); */	39	puts ("timeout");
29	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); /* leave one loop call */	40	// this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating
		41	ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);
30	}	42	}
31		43
32	int	44	int
33	main (void)	45	main (void)
34	{	46	{
		47	// use the default event loop unless you have special needs
35	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	48	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
36		49
37	/* initialise an io watcher, then start it */	50	// initialise an io watcher, then start it
		51	// this one will watch for stdin to become readable
38	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);	52	ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
39	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	53	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
40		54
		55	// initialise a timer watcher, then start it
41	/* simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout */	56	// simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
42	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);	57	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
43	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);	58	ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
44		59
45	/* loop till timeout or data ready */	60	// now wait for events to arrive
46	ev_loop (loop, 0);	61	ev_loop (loop, 0);
47		62
		63	// unloop was called, so exit
48	return 0;	64	return 0;
49	}	65	}
50		66
51	=head1 DESCRIPTION	67	=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
52		68
		69	This document documents the libev software package.
		70
53	The newest version of this document is also available as a html-formatted	71	The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted
54	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first	72	web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
55	time: L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>.	73	time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
		74
		75	While this document tries to be as complete as possible in documenting
		76	libev, its usage and the rationale behind its design, it is not a tutorial
		77	on event-based programming, nor will it introduce event-based programming
		78	with libev.
		79
		80	Familarity with event based programming techniques in general is assumed
		81	throughout this document.
		82
		83	=head1 ABOUT LIBEV
56		84
57	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a	85	Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
58	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occuring), and it will manage	86	file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
59	these event sources and provide your program with events.	87	these event sources and provide your program with events.
60		88
61	To do this, it must take more or less complete control over your process	89	To do this, it must take more or less complete control over your process
62	(or thread) by executing the I<event loop> handler, and will then	90	(or thread) by executing the I<event loop> handler, and will then
63	communicate events via a callback mechanism.	91	communicate events via a callback mechanism.
…		…
65	You register interest in certain events by registering so-called I<event	93	You register interest in certain events by registering so-called I<event
66	watchers>, which are relatively small C structures you initialise with the	94	watchers>, which are relatively small C structures you initialise with the
67	details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the	95	details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the
68	watcher.	96	watcher.
69		97
70	=head1 FEATURES	98	=head2 FEATURES
71		99
72	Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the	100	Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the
73	BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms	101	BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms
74	for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface	102	for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface
75	(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers	103	(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers
…		…
82		110
83	It also is quite fast (see this	111	It also is quite fast (see this
84	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent	112	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
85	for example).	113	for example).
86		114
87	=head1 CONVENTIONS	115	=head2 CONVENTIONS
88		116
89	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will	117	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
90	be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about	118	configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
91	various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in	119	more info about various configuration options please have a look at
92	this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event	120	B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
93	loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of name C<loop>	121	for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
94	(which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have this argument.	122	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<ev_loop *>) will not have
		123	this argument.
95		124
96	=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION	125	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
97		126
98	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the	127	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing
99	(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near	128	the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere
100	the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is	129	near the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This
101	called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases	130	type is called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually
102	to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on	131	aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do any calculations
103	it, you should treat it as such.	132	on it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name
		133	component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences
		134	throughout libev.
		135
		136	=head1 ERROR HANDLING
		137
		138	Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
		139	and internal errors (bugs).
		140
		141	When libev catches an operating system error it cannot handle (for example
		142	a system call indicating a condition libev cannot fix), it calls the callback
		143	set via C<ev_set_syserr_cb>, which is supposed to fix the problem or
		144	abort. The default is to print a diagnostic message and to call C<abort
		145	()>.
		146
		147	When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
		148	it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
		149	so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
		150	the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
		151
		152	Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has
		153	extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
		154	circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse.
		155
104		156
105	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS	157	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
106		158
107	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the	159	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
108	library in any way.	160	library in any way.
…		…
113		165
114	Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the	166	Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
115	C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp	167	C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
116	you actually want to know.	168	you actually want to know.
117		169
		170	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
		171
		172	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
		173	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
		174	this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
		175
118	=item int ev_version_major ()	176	=item int ev_version_major ()
119		177
120	=item int ev_version_minor ()	178	=item int ev_version_minor ()
121		179
122	You can find out the major and minor version numbers of the library	180	You can find out the major and minor ABI version numbers of the library
123	you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and	181	you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and
124	C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global	182	C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global
125	symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the	183	symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the
126	version of the library your program was compiled against.	184	version of the library your program was compiled against.
127		185
		186	These version numbers refer to the ABI version of the library, not the
		187	release version.
		188
128	Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch,	189	Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch,
129	as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually	190	as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
130	compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually	191	compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
131	not a problem.	192	not a problem.
132		193
133	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong	194	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
134	version.	195	version.
135		196
136	assert (("libev version mismatch",	197	assert (("libev version mismatch",
137	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR	198	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
138	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));	199	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
139		200
140	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()	201	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
141		202
142	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>	203	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>
143	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their	204	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
…		…
145	a description of the set values.	206	a description of the set values.
146		207
147	Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and	208	Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and
148	a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11	209	a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11
149		210
150	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",	211	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
151	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));	212	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
152		213
153	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()	214	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
154		215
155	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also	216	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also
156	recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one	217	recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one
157	returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on	218	returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on
158	most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it	219	most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it
159	(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that	220	(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that
160	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.	221	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
161		222
162	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()	223	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
163		224
…		…
167	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for	228	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for
168	recommended ones.	229	recommended ones.
169		230
170	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	231	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
171		232
172	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))	233	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT]
173		234
174	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the	235	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
175	semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to	236	semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
176	allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when	237	used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
177	memory needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some	238	when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
178	potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc	239	or take some potentially destructive action.
179	function.	240
		241	Since some systems (at least OpenBSD and Darwin) fail to implement
		242	correct C<realloc> semantics, libev will use a wrapper around the system
		243	C<realloc> and C<free> functions by default.
180		244
181	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,	245	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
182	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,	246	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
183	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.	247	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
184		248
185	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then	249	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
186	retries).	250	retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
187		251
188	static void *	252	static void *
189	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)	253	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
190	{	254	{
191	for (;;)	255	for (;;)
…		…
200	}	264	}
201		265
202	...	266	...
203	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);	267	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
204		268
205	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));	269	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT]
206		270
207	Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such	271	Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
208	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string	272	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
209	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this	273	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
210	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no	274	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
211	matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the	275	matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
212	requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff	276	requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
213	(such as abort).	277	(such as abort).
214		278
215	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.	279	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
…		…
226		290
227	=back	291	=back
228		292
229	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP	293	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
230		294
231	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two	295	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct>
232	types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child	296	is I<not> optional in this case, as there is also an C<ev_loop>
233	events, and dynamically created loops which do not.	297	I<function>).
234		298
235	If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop	299	The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
236	in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you	300	supports signals and child events, and dynamically created loops which do
237	create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking	301	not.
238	whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different
239	threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if
240	done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient).
241		302
242	=over 4	303	=over 4
243		304
244	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)	305	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
245		306
…		…
249	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).	310	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
250		311
251	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this	312	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
252	function.	313	function.
253		314
		315	Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
		316	from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
		317	as loops cannot be shared easily between threads anyway).
		318
		319	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
		320	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
		321	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
		322	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
		323	can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
		324	C<ev_default_init>.
		325
254	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific	326	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
255	backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).	327	backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
256		328
257	The following flags are supported:	329	The following flags are supported:
258		330
…		…
263	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right	335	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
264	thing, believe me).	336	thing, believe me).
265		337
266	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>	338	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
267		339
268	If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid	340	If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
269	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable	341	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
270	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will	342	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
271	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is	343	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
272	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work	344	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
273	around bugs.	345	around bugs.
…		…
279	enabling this flag.	351	enabling this flag.
280		352
281	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,	353	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
282	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop	354	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
283	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my	355	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
284	Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence	356	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
285	without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my Linux system also has	357	without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
286	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).	358	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
287		359
288	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and	360	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
289	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this	361	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
290	flag.	362	flag.
291		363
292	This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>	364	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
293	environment variable.	365	environment variable.
294		366
295	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)	367	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
296		368
297	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as	369	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
298	libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,	370	libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
299	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when	371	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
300	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its usually	372	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
301	the fastest backend for a low number of fds.	373	usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
		374
		375	To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
		376	parallelism (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
		377	writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
		378	connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
		379	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
		380	readiness notifications you get per iteration.
		381
		382	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to the C<readfds> set and C<EV_WRITE> to the
		383	C<writefds> set (and to work around Microsoft Windows bugs, also onto the
		384	C<exceptfds> set on that platform).
302		385
303	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)	386	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
304		387
305	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated than	388	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
306	select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial limit on the	389	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
307	number of fds you can use (except it will slow down considerably with a	390	limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
308	lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select, i.e. O(total_fds).	391	considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
		392	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
		393	performance tips.
		394
		395	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
		396	C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
309		397
310	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)	398	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
311		399
312	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,	400	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
313	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like	401	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
314	O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), epoll scales	402	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
315	either O(1) or O(active_fds).	403	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
316		404
		405	The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
		406	of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
		407	dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
		408	descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup and
		409	so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program forks then
		410	I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll set, which can
		411	take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course
		412	hard to detect.
		413
		414	Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but
		415	of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
		416	I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
		417	even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
		418	on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
		419	employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
		420	events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required.
		421
317	While stopping and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration will	422	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
318	result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident	423	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
319	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its	424	incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
320	best to avoid that. Also, dup()ed file descriptors might not work very	425	I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
321	well if you register events for both fds.	426	file descriptors might not work very well if you register events for both
		427	file descriptors.
322		428
323	Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you	429	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
324	need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data	430	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
325	(or space) is available.	431	i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
		432	starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
		433	extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
		434	as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
		435	take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
		436
		437	All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
		438	faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
		439	the usage. So sad.
		440
		441	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
		442	all kernel versions tested so far.
		443
		444	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		445	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
326		446
327	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)	447	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
328		448
329	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it	449	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
330	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work with	450	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
331	anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course its	451	with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
332	completely useless). For this reason its not being "autodetected"	452	it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose brokenness
		453	is by design, these kqueue bugs can (and eventually will) be fixed
		454	without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not being
333	unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using	455	"auto-detected" unless you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using
334	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>).	456	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
		457	system like NetBSD.
		458
		459	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
		460	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
		461	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
335		462
336	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the	463	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
337	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of	464	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
338	course). While starting and stopping an I/O watcher does not cause an	465	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
339	extra syscall as with epoll, it still adds up to four event changes per	466	cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
340	incident, so its best to avoid that.	467	two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but
		468	sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect
		469	cases
		470
		471	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
		472
		473	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
		474	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
		475	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
		476	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
		477	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (but C<poll> is of course
		478	also broken on OS X)) and, did I mention it, using it only for sockets.
		479
		480	This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
		481	C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
		482	C<NOTE_EOF>.
341		483
342	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)	484	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
343		485
344	This is not implemented yet (and might never be).	486	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
		487	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
		488	and is not embeddable, which would limit the usefulness of this backend
		489	immensely.
345		490
346	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)	491	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
347		492
348	This uses the Solaris 10 port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,	493	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
349	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).	494	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
350		495
351	Please note that solaris ports can result in a lot of spurious	496	Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
352	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid	497	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
353	blocking when no data (or space) is available.	498	blocking when no data (or space) is available.
		499
		500	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
		501	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
		502	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
		503	might perform better.
		504
		505	On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
		506	notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
		507	in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
		508	OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks).
		509
		510	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		511	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
354		512
355	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>	513	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
356		514
357	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried	515	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
358	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as	516	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
359	C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.	517	C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
360		518
		519	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
		520
361	=back	521	=back
362		522
363	If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these	523	If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these
364	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If none are	524	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are
365	specified, most compiled-in backend will be tried, usually in reverse	525	specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.
366	order of their flag values :)
367		526
368	The most typical usage is like this:	527	Example: This is the most typical usage.
369		528
370	if (!ev_default_loop (0))	529	if (!ev_default_loop (0))
371	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");	530	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
372		531
373	Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow	532	Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
374	environment settings to be taken into account:	533	environment settings to be taken into account:
375		534
376	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);	535	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
377		536
378	Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if	537	Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
379	available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private	538	used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
380	event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):	539	private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
		540	fds):
381		541
382	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);	542	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
383		543
384	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)	544	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
385		545
386	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is	546	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
387	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot	547	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
388	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by	548	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
389	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).	549	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
390		550
		551	Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
		552	libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
		553	default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
		554
391	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.	555	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
392		556
393	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);	557	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
394	if (!epoller)	558	if (!epoller)
395	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");	559	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
396		560
397	=item ev_default_destroy ()	561	=item ev_default_destroy ()
398		562
399	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state	563	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
400	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal	564	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
401	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your	565	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
402	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before>	566	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
403	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually	567	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
404	the easiest thing, youc na just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them	568	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
405	for example).	569	for example).
		570
		571	Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
		572	handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
		573	as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
		574
		575	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
		576	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
		577	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
		578	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).
406		579
407	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)	580	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
408		581
409	Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an	582	Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
410	earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.	583	earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
411		584
412	=item ev_default_fork ()	585	=item ev_default_fork ()
413		586
		587	This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations
414	This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have	588	to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
415	one. Despite the name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense	589	name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in
416	after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that	590	the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little
417	again makes little sense).	591	sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev
		592	functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration.
418		593
419	You I<must> call this function in the child process after forking if and	594	On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
420	only if you want to use the event library in both processes. If you just	595	process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If
421	fork+exec, you don't have to call it.	596	you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all.
422		597
423	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call	598	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
424	it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in	599	it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in
425	quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:	600	quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
426		601
427	pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);	602	pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
428		603
429	At the moment, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL> are safe to use
430	without calling this function, so if you force one of those backends you
431	do not need to care.
432
433	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)	604	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
434		605
435	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by	606	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
436	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop	607	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
437	after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.	608	after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is
		609	entirely your own problem.
		610
		611	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
		612
		613	Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
		614	otherwise.
438		615
439	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)	616	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
440		617
441	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to	618	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
442	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and	619	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
443	happily wraps around with enough iterations.	620	happily wraps around with enough iterations.
444		621
445	This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it	622	This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
446	"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with	623	"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
447	C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls.	624	C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls.
		625
		626	=item unsigned int ev_loop_depth (loop)
		627
		628	Returns the number of times C<ev_loop> was entered minus the number of
		629	times C<ev_loop> was exited, in other words, the recursion depth.
		630
		631	Outside C<ev_loop>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is
		632	C<1>, unless C<ev_loop> was invoked recursively (or from another thread),
		633	in which case it is higher.
		634
		635	Leaving C<ev_loop> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread
		636	etc.), doesn't count as exit.
448		637
449	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)	638	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
450		639
451	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in	640	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
452	use.	641	use.
…		…
455		644
456	Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop	645	Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop
457	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not	646	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
458	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base	647	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
459	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the	648	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
460	event occuring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).	649	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
		650
		651	=item ev_now_update (loop)
		652
		653	Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
		654	returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
		655	is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>.
		656
		657	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
		658	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
		659	the current time is a good idea.
		660
		661	See also L<The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.
		662
		663	=item ev_suspend (loop)
		664
		665	=item ev_resume (loop)
		666
		667	These two functions suspend and resume a loop, for use when the loop is
		668	not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
		669
		670	A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
		671	the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
		672	would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
		673	the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend>
		674	in your C<SIGTSTP> handler, sending yourself a C<SIGSTOP> and calling
		675	C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing.
		676
		677	Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend
		678	between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers
		679	will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
		680	occured while suspended).
		681
		682	After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the
		683	given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume>
		684	without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
		685
		686	Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
		687	event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
461		688
462	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)	689	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
463		690
464	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called	691	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
465	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling	692	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
…		…
468	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until	695	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until
469	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.	696	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.
470		697
471	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than	698	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than
472	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has	699	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
473	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that	700	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
474	automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of	701	that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
475	relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty.	702	of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
		703	beauty.
476		704
477	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle	705	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle
478	those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in	706	those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your
479	case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.	707	process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of
		708	the loop.
480		709
481	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if	710	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
482	neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block	711	necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
483	your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after	712	will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
484	one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some	713	be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
485	external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other	714	user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
		715	iteration of the loop.
		716
		717	This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
		718	with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
486	libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is	719	own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
487	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.	720	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
488		721
489	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:	722	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
490		723
491	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.	724	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
492	* If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return.	725	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
493	- Queue all prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers.	726	- If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
		727	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.
494	- If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.	728	- If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
		729	as to not disturb the other process.
495	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.	730	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
496	- Update the "event loop time".	731	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
497	- Calculate for how long to block.	732	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
		733	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
		734	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
		735	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
498	- Block the process, waiting for any events.	736	- Block the process, waiting for any events.
499	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.	737	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
500	- Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling.	738	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
501	- Queue all outstanding timers.	739	- Queue all expired timers.
502	- Queue all outstanding periodics.	740	- Queue all expired periodics.
503	- If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.	741	- Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
504	- Queue all check watchers.	742	- Queue all check watchers.
505	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).	743	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
506	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will	744	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
507	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.	745	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
508	- If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK	746	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
509	were used, return, otherwise continue with step *.	747	were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise
		748	continue with step *.
510		749
511	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding	750	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
512	anymore.	751	anymore.
513		752
514	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long	753	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
515	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)	754	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
516	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);	755	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
517	... jobs done. yeah!	756	... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
518		757
519	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)	758	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
520		759
521	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it	760	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
522	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either	761	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
523	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or	762	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
524	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.	763	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
525		764
		765	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.
		766
		767	It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls.
		768
526	=item ev_ref (loop)	769	=item ev_ref (loop)
527		770
528	=item ev_unref (loop)	771	=item ev_unref (loop)
529		772
530	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event	773	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
531	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference	774	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
532	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. If you have	775	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own.
		776
533	a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> from	777	If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop>
534	returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For	778	from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before
		779	stopping it.
		780
535	example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not	781	As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
536	visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if	782	is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from
537	no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent	783	exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
538	way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party	784	excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
539	libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>.	785	third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref
		786	before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active
		787	before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself
		788	(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref>
		789	in the callback).
540		790
541	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>	791	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
542	running when nothing else is active.	792	running when nothing else is active.
543		793
544	struct ev_signal exitsig;	794	ev_signal exitsig;
545	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);	795	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
546	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);	796	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
547	evf_unref (loop);	797	evf_unref (loop);
548		798
549	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.	799	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
550		800
551	ev_ref (loop);	801	ev_ref (loop);
552	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);	802	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
		803
		804	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
		805
		806	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
		807
		808	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
		809	for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
		810	will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
		811	latency.
		812
		813	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
		814	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
		815	to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
		816	opportunities).
		817
		818	The idea is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to handle
		819	one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes the
		820	program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
		821	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
		822	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
		823
		824	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
		825	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
		826	at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
		827	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
		828	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
		829	sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
		830	once per this interval, on average.
		831
		832	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
		833	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
		834	latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
		835	later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
		836	value will not introduce any overhead in libev.
		837
		838	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
		839	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
		840	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
		841	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
		842	as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. Note that if
		843	you do transactions with the outside world and you can't increase the
		844	parallelity, then this setting will limit your transaction rate (if you
		845	need to poll once per transaction and the I/O collect interval is 0.01,
		846	then you can't do more than 100 transations per second).
		847
		848	Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
		849	saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
		850	are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
		851	times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
		852	reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
		853	they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
		854
		855	Example: we only need 0.1s timeout granularity, and we wish not to poll
		856	more often than 100 times per second:
		857
		858	ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.1);
		859	ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01);
		860
		861	=item ev_invoke_pending (loop)
		862
		863	This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their
		864	pending state. Normally, C<ev_loop> does this automatically when required,
		865	but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy.
		866
		867	=item int ev_pending_count (loop)
		868
		869	Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers
		870	are pending.
		871
		872	=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P))
		873
		874	This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of
		875	invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_loop> will call
		876	this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to
		877	invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
		878
		879	If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
		880	callback.
		881
		882	=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P), void (*acquire)(EV_P))
		883
		884	Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
		885	can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
		886	each call to a libev function.
		887
		888	However, C<ev_loop> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible to
		889	wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the loop via
		890	C<ev_unloop> and C<av_async_send>, another way is to set these I<release>
		891	and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
		892
		893	When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
		894	suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
		895	afterwards.
		896
		897	Ideally, C<release> will just call your mutex_unlock function, and
		898	C<acquire> will just call the mutex_lock function again.
		899
		900	While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of
		901	C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no
		902	modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will
		903	have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time
		904	waited. USe an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_loop> when you want it
		905	to take note of any changes you made.
		906
		907	In theory, threads executing C<ev_loop> will be async-cancel safe between
		908	invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>.
		909
		910	See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this
		911	document.
		912
		913	=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data)
		914
		915	=item ev_userdata (loop)
		916
		917	Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When
		918	C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns
		919	C<0.>
		920
		921	These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop,
		922	and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and
		923	C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for
		924	any other purpose as well.
		925
		926	=item ev_loop_verify (loop)
		927
		928	This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
		929	compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
		930	through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
		931	is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
		932	error and call C<abort ()>.
		933
		934	This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
		935	circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
		936	data structures consistent.
553		937
554	=back	938	=back
555		939
556		940
557	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER	941	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
		942
		943	In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
		944	watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
		945	watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
558		946
559	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your	947	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
560	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to	948	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
561	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:	949	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
562		950
563	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	951	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
564	{	952	{
565	ev_io_stop (w);	953	ev_io_stop (w);
566	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	954	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
567	}	955	}
568		956
569	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	957	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
		958
570	struct ev_io stdin_watcher;	959	ev_io stdin_watcher;
		960
571	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);	961	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
572	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	962	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
573	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	963	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
		964
574	ev_loop (loop, 0);	965	ev_loop (loop, 0);
575		966
576	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your	967	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
577	watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack,	968	watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
578	although this can sometimes be quite valid).	969	stack).
		970
		971	Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
		972	or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
579		973
580	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init	974	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init
581	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This	975	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
582	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io	976	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O
583	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given	977	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
584	is readable and/or writable).	978	is readable and/or writable).
585		979
586	Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro	980	Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
587	with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro	981	macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
588	to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< ev_<type>_init	982	is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
589	(watcher *, callback, ...) >>.	983	ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
590		984
591	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it	985	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it
592	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_<type>_start (loop, watcher	986	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
593	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the	987	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
594	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.	988	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
595		989
596	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you	990	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
597	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never	991	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
598	reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro.	992	reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
599		993
600	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the	994	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
601	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as	995	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
602	third argument.	996	third argument.
603		997
…		…
657	=item C<EV_FORK>	1051	=item C<EV_FORK>
658		1052
659	The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see	1053	The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
660	C<ev_fork>).	1054	C<ev_fork>).
661		1055
		1056	=item C<EV_ASYNC>
		1057
		1058	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
		1059
		1060	=item C<EV_CUSTOM>
		1061
		1062	Not ever sent (or otherwise used) by libev itself, but can be freely used
		1063	by libev users to signal watchers (e.g. via C<ev_feed_event>).
		1064
662	=item C<EV_ERROR>	1065	=item C<EV_ERROR>
663		1066
664	An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might	1067	An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
665	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev	1068	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
666	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other	1069	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
		1070	problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
		1071
667	problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping	1072	You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
668	with the watcher being stopped.	1073	watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
		1074	an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
		1075	bug in your program.
669		1076
670	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error,	1077	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
671	for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if	1078	example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
672	your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope	1079	callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
673	with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded	1080	the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
674	programs, though, so beware.	1081	programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
		1082	thing, so beware.
675		1083
676	=back	1084	=back
677		1085
678	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS	1086	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
679
680	In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
681	e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
682		1087
683	=over 4	1088	=over 4
684		1089
685	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	1090	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
686		1091
…		…
692	which rolls both calls into one.	1097	which rolls both calls into one.
693		1098
694	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped	1099	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
695	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.	1100	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
696		1101
697	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,	1102	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
698	int revents)>.	1103	int revents)>.
		1104
		1105	Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
		1106
		1107	ev_io w;
		1108	ev_init (&w, my_cb);
		1109	ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
699		1110
700	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])	1111	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])
701		1112
702	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to	1113	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
703	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can	1114	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
…		…
706	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).	1117	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
707		1118
708	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments	1119	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
709	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.	1120	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
710		1121
		1122	See C<ev_init>, above, for an example.
		1123
711	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])	1124	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
712		1125
713	This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro	1126	This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
714	calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise	1127	calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
715	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.	1128	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
		1129
		1130	Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
		1131
		1132	ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
716		1133
717	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1134	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
718		1135
719	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive	1136	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
720	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.	1137	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
721		1138
		1139	Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
		1140	whole section.
		1141
		1142	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
		1143
722	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1144	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
723		1145
724	Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending	1146	Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
		1147	the watcher was active or not).
		1148
725	status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example,	1149	It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
726	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but	1150	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending - but
727	C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If	1151	calling C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor
728	you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a	1152	pending. If you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is
729	good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.	1153	therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
730		1154
731	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1155	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
732		1156
733	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started	1157	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
734	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify	1158	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
…		…
760	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>	1184	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
761	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked	1185	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
762	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers	1186	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
763	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).	1187	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
764		1188
765	This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
766	invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
767	example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
768	watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
769
770	If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending	1189	If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
771	you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.	1190	you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
772		1191
773	You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or	1192	You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
774	pending.	1193	pending.
775		1194
		1195	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
		1196	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
		1197	or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
		1198
776	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is	1199	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
777	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).	1200	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
778		1201
779	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is	1202	See L<WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of
780	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might	1203	priorities.
781	or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.
782		1204
783	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)	1205	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
784		1206
785	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither	1207	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
786	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback	1208	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
787	can deal with that fact.	1209	can deal with that fact, as both are simply passed through to the
		1210	callback.
788		1211
789	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1212	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
790		1213
791	If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status	1214	If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
792	and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the	1215	returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
793	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.	1216	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
794		1217
		1218	Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
		1219	callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
		1220
795	=back	1221	=back
796		1222
797		1223
798	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER	1224	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
799		1225
800	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change	1226	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
801	and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used	1227	and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
802	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and	1228	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
803	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data	1229	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
804	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own	1230	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
805	data:	1231	data:
806		1232
807	struct my_io	1233	struct my_io
808	{	1234	{
809	struct ev_io io;	1235	ev_io io;
810	int otherfd;	1236	int otherfd;
811	void *somedata;	1237	void *somedata;
812	struct whatever *mostinteresting;	1238	struct whatever *mostinteresting;
813	}	1239	};
		1240
		1241	...
		1242	struct my_io w;
		1243	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
814		1244
815	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you	1245	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
816	can cast it back to your own type:	1246	can cast it back to your own type:
817		1247
818	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents)	1248	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
819	{	1249	{
820	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;	1250	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
821	...	1251	...
822	}	1252	}
823		1253
824	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type	1254	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
825	instead have been omitted.	1255	instead have been omitted.
826		1256
827	Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple	1257	Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
828	watchers:	1258	embedded watchers:
829		1259
830	struct my_biggy	1260	struct my_biggy
831	{	1261	{
832	int some_data;	1262	int some_data;
833	ev_timer t1;	1263	ev_timer t1;
834	ev_timer t2;	1264	ev_timer t2;
835	}	1265	}
836		1266
837	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,	1267	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
838	you need to use C<offsetof>:	1268	complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
		1269	in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
		1270	some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
		1271	programmers):
839		1272
840	#include <stddef.h>	1273	#include <stddef.h>
841		1274
842	static void	1275	static void
843	t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1276	t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
844	{	1277	{
845	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1278	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
846	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));	1279	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
847	}	1280	}
848		1281
849	static void	1282	static void
850	t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1283	t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
851	{	1284	{
852	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1285	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
853	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));	1286	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
854	}	1287	}
		1288
		1289	=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
		1290
		1291	Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small
		1292	integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation
		1293	between watchers in some way, all else being equal.
		1294
		1295	In libev, Watcher priorities can be set using C<ev_set_priority>. See its
		1296	description for the more technical details such as the actual priority
		1297	range.
		1298
		1299	There are two common ways how these these priorities are being interpreted
		1300	by event loops:
		1301
		1302	In the more common lock-out model, higher priorities "lock out" invocation
		1303	of lower priority watchers, which means as long as higher priority
		1304	watchers receive events, lower priority watchers are not being invoked.
		1305
		1306	The less common only-for-ordering model uses priorities solely to order
		1307	callback invocation within a single event loop iteration: Higher priority
		1308	watchers are invoked before lower priority ones, but they all get invoked
		1309	before polling for new events.
		1310
		1311	Libev uses the second (only-for-ordering) model for all its watchers
		1312	except for idle watchers (which use the lock-out model).
		1313
		1314	The rationale behind this is that implementing the lock-out model for
		1315	watchers is not well supported by most kernel interfaces, and most event
		1316	libraries will just poll for the same events again and again as long as
		1317	their callbacks have not been executed, which is very inefficient in the
		1318	common case of one high-priority watcher locking out a mass of lower
		1319	priority ones.
		1320
		1321	Static (ordering) priorities are most useful when you have two or more
		1322	watchers handling the same resource: a typical usage example is having an
		1323	C<ev_io> watcher to receive data, and an associated C<ev_timer> to handle
		1324	timeouts. Under load, data might be received while the program handles
		1325	other jobs, but since timers normally get invoked first, the timeout
		1326	handler will be executed before checking for data. In that case, giving
		1327	the timer a lower priority than the I/O watcher ensures that I/O will be
		1328	handled first even under adverse conditions (which is usually, but not
		1329	always, what you want).
		1330
		1331	Since idle watchers use the "lock-out" model, meaning that idle watchers
		1332	will only be executed when no same or higher priority watchers have
		1333	received events, they can be used to implement the "lock-out" model when
		1334	required.
		1335
		1336	For example, to emulate how many other event libraries handle priorities,
		1337	you can associate an C<ev_idle> watcher to each such watcher, and in
		1338	the normal watcher callback, you just start the idle watcher. The real
		1339	processing is done in the idle watcher callback. This causes libev to
		1340	continously poll and process kernel event data for the watcher, but when
		1341	the lock-out case is known to be rare (which in turn is rare :), this is
		1342	workable.
		1343
		1344	Usually, however, the lock-out model implemented that way will perform
		1345	miserably under the type of load it was designed to handle. In that case,
		1346	it might be preferable to stop the real watcher before starting the
		1347	idle watcher, so the kernel will not have to process the event in case
		1348	the actual processing will be delayed for considerable time.
		1349
		1350	Here is an example of an I/O watcher that should run at a strictly lower
		1351	priority than the default, and which should only process data when no
		1352	other events are pending:
		1353
		1354	ev_idle idle; // actual processing watcher
		1355	ev_io io; // actual event watcher
		1356
		1357	static void
		1358	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
		1359	{
		1360	// stop the I/O watcher, we received the event, but
		1361	// are not yet ready to handle it.
		1362	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
		1363
		1364	// start the idle watcher to ahndle the actual event.
		1365	// it will not be executed as long as other watchers
		1366	// with the default priority are receiving events.
		1367	ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle);
		1368	}
		1369
		1370	static void
		1371	idle_cb (EV_P_ ev_idle *w, int revents)
		1372	{
		1373	// actual processing
		1374	read (STDIN_FILENO, ...);
		1375
		1376	// have to start the I/O watcher again, as
		1377	// we have handled the event
		1378	ev_io_start (EV_P_ &io);
		1379	}
		1380
		1381	// initialisation
		1382	ev_idle_init (&idle, idle_cb);
		1383	ev_io_init (&io, io_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
		1384	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &io);
		1385
		1386	In the "real" world, it might also be beneficial to start a timer, so that
		1387	low-priority connections can not be locked out forever under load. This
		1388	enables your program to keep a lower latency for important connections
		1389	during short periods of high load, while not completely locking out less
		1390	important ones.
855		1391
856		1392
857	=head1 WATCHER TYPES	1393	=head1 WATCHER TYPES
858		1394
859	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat	1395	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
…		…
883	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per	1419	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
884	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file	1420	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
885	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not	1421	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
886	required if you know what you are doing).	1422	required if you know what you are doing).
887		1423
888	You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends	1424	If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
889	(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file	1425	known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
890	descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing	1426	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). The same applies to file
891	to the same underlying file/socket/etc. description (that is, they share	1427	descriptors for which non-blocking operation makes no sense (such as
892	the same underlying "file open").	1428	files) - libev doesn't guarentee any specific behaviour in that case.
893
894	If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
895	(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
896	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
897		1429
898	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to	1430	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
899	receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might	1431	receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
900	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block	1432	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
901	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a	1433	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
902	lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into	1434	lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
903	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus	1435	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
904	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning	1436	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
905	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.	1437	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
906		1438
907	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not	1439	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
908	play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test	1440	not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
909	whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface	1441	re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
910	such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on	1442	interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already
911	its own, so its quite safe to use).	1443	does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
		1444	use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
		1445	indefinitely.
		1446
		1447	But really, best use non-blocking mode.
		1448
		1449	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
		1450
		1451	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
		1452	descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means,
		1453	such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
		1454	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
		1455	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
		1456	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
		1457	fact, a different file descriptor.
		1458
		1459	To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows
		1460	the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev
		1461	will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise
		1462	it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that
		1463	you I<have> to call C<ev_io_set> (or C<ev_io_init>) when you change the
		1464	descriptor even if the file descriptor number itself did not change.
		1465
		1466	This is how one would do it normally anyway, the important point is that
		1467	the libev application should not optimise around libev but should leave
		1468	optimisations to libev.
		1469
		1470	=head3 The special problem of dup'ed file descriptors
		1471
		1472	Some backends (e.g. epoll), cannot register events for file descriptors,
		1473	but only events for the underlying file descriptions. That means when you
		1474	have C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors or weirder constellations, and register
		1475	events for them, only one file descriptor might actually receive events.
		1476
		1477	There is no workaround possible except not registering events
		1478	for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
		1479	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
		1480
		1481	=head3 The special problem of fork
		1482
		1483	Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit
		1484	useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about
		1485	it in the child.
		1486
		1487	To support fork in your programs, you either have to call
		1488	C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,
		1489	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
		1490	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
		1491
		1492	=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
		1493
		1494	While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
		1495	when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
		1496	sent a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
		1497	this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
		1498
		1499	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
		1500	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
		1501	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
		1502
		1503
		1504	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
912		1505
913	=over 4	1506	=over 4
914		1507
915	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)	1508	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
916		1509
917	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)	1510	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
918		1511
919	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to	1512	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
920	rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or	1513	receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
921	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.	1514	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.
922		1515
923	=item int fd [read-only]	1516	=item int fd [read-only]
924		1517
925	The file descriptor being watched.	1518	The file descriptor being watched.
926		1519
927	=item int events [read-only]	1520	=item int events [read-only]
928		1521
929	The events being watched.	1522	The events being watched.
930		1523
931	=back	1524	=back
		1525
		1526	=head3 Examples
932		1527
933	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well	1528	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
934	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could	1529	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
935	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.	1530	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
936		1531
937	static void	1532	static void
938	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1533	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
939	{	1534	{
940	ev_io_stop (loop, w);	1535	ev_io_stop (loop, w);
941	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors	1536	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
942	}	1537	}
943		1538
944	...	1539	...
945	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	1540	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
946	struct ev_io stdin_readable;	1541	ev_io stdin_readable;
947	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1542	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
948	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);	1543	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
949	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1544	ev_loop (loop, 0);
950		1545
951		1546
952	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts	1547	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
953		1548
954	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a	1549	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
955	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.	1550	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
956		1551
957	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that	1552	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
958	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years	1553	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
959	time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because	1554	year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
960	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the	1555	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
961	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).	1556	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
		1557
		1558	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
		1559	passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
		1560	might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the
		1561	same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked
		1562	before ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is
		1563	no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively).
		1564
		1565	=head3 Be smart about timeouts
		1566
		1567	Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
		1568	recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
		1569	you want to raise some error after a while.
		1570
		1571	What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
		1572	inefficient to smart and efficient.
		1573
		1574	In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
		1575	gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
		1576	data or other life sign was received).
		1577
		1578	=over 4
		1579
		1580	=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
		1581
		1582	This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
		1583	start the watcher:
		1584
		1585	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
		1586	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1587
		1588	Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
		1589	and start it again:
		1590
		1591	ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
		1592	ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
		1593	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1594
		1595	This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
		1596	some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
		1597	data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
		1598	still not a constant-time operation.
		1599
		1600	=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
		1601
		1602	This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
		1603	C<ev_timer_start>.
		1604
		1605	To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
		1606	of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
		1607	successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
		1608	you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
		1609	the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
		1610
		1611	That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
		1612	C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
		1613	member and C<ev_timer_again>.
		1614
		1615	At start:
		1616
		1617	ev_init (timer, callback);
		1618	timer->repeat = 60.;
		1619	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1620
		1621	Each time there is some activity:
		1622
		1623	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1624
		1625	It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
		1626	whether the watcher is active or not:
		1627
		1628	timer->repeat = 30.;
		1629	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1630
		1631	This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
		1632	you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
		1633	remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
		1634
		1635	It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
		1636
		1637	=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
		1638
		1639	This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
		1640	relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
		1641	our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
		1642	associated activity resets.
		1643
		1644	In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
		1645	but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
		1646	within the callback:
		1647
		1648	ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
		1649
		1650	static void
		1651	callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		1652	{
		1653	ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);
		1654	ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
		1655
		1656	// if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
		1657	if (timeout < now)
		1658	{
		1659	// timeout occured, take action
		1660	}
		1661	else
		1662	{
		1663	// callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
		1664	// the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
		1665	// guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
		1666	w->repeat = timeout - now;
		1667	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
		1668	}
		1669	}
		1670
		1671	To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
		1672	as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has
		1673	been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise
		1674	the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so
		1675	re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
		1676	a timeout then.
		1677
		1678	Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the
		1679	C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.
		1680
		1681	This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
		1682	minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
		1683	libev to change the timeout.
		1684
		1685	To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
		1686	to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
		1687	callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
		1688
		1689	ev_init (timer, callback);
		1690	last_activity = ev_now (loop);
		1691	callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMEOUT);
		1692
		1693	And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
		1694	C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
		1695
		1696	last_actiivty = ev_now (loop);
		1697
		1698	This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
		1699	time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
		1700
		1701	Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
		1702	callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
		1703	fix things for you.
		1704
		1705	=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
		1706
		1707	If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
		1708	employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
		1709	do even better:
		1710
		1711	When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
		1712	at the I<end> of the list.
		1713
		1714	Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
		1715	the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
		1716
		1717	When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
		1718	the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
		1719	update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
		1720
		1721	This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
		1722	starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
		1723	complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
		1724	ensures that the list stays sorted.
		1725
		1726	=back
		1727
		1728	So which method the best?
		1729
		1730	Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
		1731	situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
		1732	better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
		1733	one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
		1734
		1735	Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
		1736	rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
		1737	off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
		1738	overkill :)
		1739
		1740	=head3 The special problem of time updates
		1741
		1742	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
		1743	least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
		1744	time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a
		1745	growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
		1746	lots of events in one iteration.
962		1747
963	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>	1748	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
964	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time	1749	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
965	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If	1750	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
966	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout	1751	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
967	on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:	1752	timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
968		1753
969	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);	1754	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
970		1755
971	The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed,	1756	If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
972	but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then	1757	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
973	order of execution is undefined.	1758	()>.
		1759
		1760	=head3 The special problems of suspended animation
		1761
		1762	When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that
		1763	can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?
		1764
		1765	Some quick tests made with a Linux 2.6.28 indicate that a suspend freezes
		1766	all processes, while the clocks (C<times>, C<CLOCK_MONOTONIC>) continue
		1767	to run until the system is suspended, but they will not advance while the
		1768	system is suspended. That means, on resume, it will be as if the program
		1769	was frozen for a few seconds, but the suspend time will not be counted
		1770	towards C<ev_timer> when a monotonic clock source is used. The real time
		1771	clock advanced as expected, but if it is used as sole clocksource, then a
		1772	long suspend would be detected as a time jump by libev, and timers would
		1773	be adjusted accordingly.
		1774
		1775	I would not be surprised to see different behaviour in different between
		1776	operating systems, OS versions or even different hardware.
		1777
		1778	The other form of suspend (job control, or sending a SIGSTOP) will see a
		1779	time jump in the monotonic clocks and the realtime clock. If the program
		1780	is suspended for a very long time, and monotonic clock sources are in use,
		1781	then you can expect C<ev_timer>s to expire as the full suspension time
		1782	will be counted towards the timers. When no monotonic clock source is in
		1783	use, then libev will again assume a timejump and adjust accordingly.
		1784
		1785	It might be beneficial for this latter case to call C<ev_suspend>
		1786	and C<ev_resume> in code that handles C<SIGTSTP>, to at least get
		1787	deterministic behaviour in this case (you can do nothing against
		1788	C<SIGSTOP>).
		1789
		1790	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
974		1791
975	=over 4	1792	=over 4
976		1793
977	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1794	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
978		1795
979	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1796	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
980		1797
981	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is	1798	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
982	C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the	1799	is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
983	timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds	1800	reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
984	later, again, and again, until stopped manually.	1801	configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
		1802	until stopped manually.
985		1803
986	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you	1804	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
987	configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at	1805	you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
988	exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with	1806	trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
989	the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the	1807	keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
990	timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.	1808	do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
991		1809
992	=item ev_timer_again (loop)	1810	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
993		1811
994	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is	1812	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
995	repeating. The exact semantics are:	1813	repeating. The exact semantics are:
996		1814
997	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.	1815	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
998		1816
999	If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out).	1817	If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
1000		1818
1001	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the	1819	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
1002	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.	1820	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1003		1821
1004	This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical	1822	This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
1005	example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle	1823	usage example.
1006	timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
1007	seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
1008	configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
1009	C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
1010	you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
1011	socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
1012	automatically restart it if need be.
1013		1824
1014	That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>	1825	=item ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
1015	altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
1016		1826
1017	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);	1827	Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
1018	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);	1828	then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's
1019	...	1829	the timeout value currently configured.
1020	timer->again = 17.;
1021	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1022	...
1023	timer->again = 10.;
1024	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1025		1830
1026	This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time	1831	That is, after an C<ev_timer_set (w, 5, 7)>, C<ev_timer_remaining> returns
1027	you want to modify its timeout value.	1832	C<5>. When the timer is started and one second passes, C<ev_timer_remain>
		1833	will return C<4>. When the timer expires and is restarted, it will return
		1834	roughly C<7> (likely slightly less as callback invocation takes some time,
		1835	too), and so on.
1028		1836
1029	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]	1837	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1030		1838
1031	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out	1839	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1032	or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),	1840	or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1033	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.	1841	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
1034		1842
1035	=back	1843	=back
1036		1844
		1845	=head3 Examples
		1846
1037	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.	1847	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1038		1848
1039	static void	1849	static void
1040	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1850	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1041	{	1851	{
1042	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here	1852	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1043	}	1853	}
1044		1854
1045	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1855	ev_timer mytimer;
1046	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);	1856	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1047	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);	1857	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1048		1858
1049	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of	1859	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1050	inactivity.	1860	inactivity.
1051		1861
1052	static void	1862	static void
1053	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1863	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1054	{	1864	{
1055	.. ten seconds without any activity	1865	.. ten seconds without any activity
1056	}	1866	}
1057		1867
1058	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1868	ev_timer mytimer;
1059	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */	1869	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1060	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */	1870	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1061	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1871	ev_loop (loop, 0);
1062		1872
1063	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":	1873	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1064	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds	1874	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1065	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);	1875	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1066		1876
1067		1877
1068	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?	1878	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1069		1879
1070	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile	1880	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1071	(and unfortunately a bit complex).	1881	(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1072		1882
1073	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)	1883	Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
1074	but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher	1884	relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
1075	to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a	1885	(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calender or clock). The
1076	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now ()	1886	difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
1077	+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will	1887	time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
1078	take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger	1888	wrist-watch).
1079	roughly 10 seconds later).
1080		1889
1081	They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as	1890	You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
1082	triggering an event on each midnight, local time or other, complicated,	1891	in time: for example, if you tell a periodic watcher to trigger "in 10
1083	rules.	1892	seconds" (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now () + 10.>, that is, an absolute time
		1893	not a delay) and then reset your system clock to January of the previous
		1894	year, then it will take a year or more to trigger the event (unlike an
		1895	C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting
		1896	it, as it uses a relative timeout).
1084		1897
		1898	C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex
		1899	timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or
		1900	other complicated rules. This cannot be done with C<ev_timer> watchers, as
		1901	those cannot react to time jumps.
		1902
1085	As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the	1903	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1086	time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready	1904	point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
1087	during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.	1905	timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
		1906	earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
		1907	(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively).
		1908
		1909	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1088		1910
1089	=over 4	1911	=over 4
1090		1912
1091	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)	1913	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1092		1914
1093	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)	1915	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1094		1916
1095	Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of	1917	Lots of arguments, let's sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1096	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:	1918	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1097		1919
1098	=over 4	1920	=over 4
1099		1921
1100	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)	1922	=item * absolute timer (offset = absolute time, interval = 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1101		1923
1102	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time	1924	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1103	C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs,	1925	time C<offset> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a
1104	that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the	1926	time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it
1105	system time reaches or surpasses this time.	1927	will be stopped and invoked when the system clock reaches or surpasses
		1928	this point in time.
1106		1929
1107	=item * non-repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)	1930	=item * repeating interval timer (offset = offset within interval, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1108		1931
1109	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next	1932	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1110	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)	1933	C<offset + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be
1111	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.	1934	negative) and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. The C<offset>
		1935	argument is merely an offset into the C<interval> periods.
1112		1936
1113	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system	1937	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1114	time:	1938	system clock, for example, here is an C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
		1939	hour, on the hour (with respect to UTC):
1115		1940
1116	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);	1941	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1117		1942
1118	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,	1943	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1119	but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a	1944	but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1120	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible	1945	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1121	by 3600.	1946	by 3600.
1122		1947
1123	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that	1948	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1124	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible	1949	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1125	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.	1950	time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1126		1951
1127	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near	1952	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<offset> value is near
1128	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for	1953	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1129	this value.	1954	this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
1130		1955
		1956	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
		1957	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
		1958	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
		1959	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
		1960
1131	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)	1961	=item * manual reschedule mode (offset ignored, interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1132		1962
1133	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being	1963	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<offset> are both being
1134	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the	1964	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1135	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the	1965	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1136	current time as second argument.	1966	current time as second argument.
1137		1967
1138	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,	1968	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, ever,
1139	ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it,	1969	or make ANY other event loop modifications whatsoever, unless explicitly
1140	return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by	1970	allowed by documentation here>.
1141	starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is legal).
1142		1971
		1972	If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
		1973	it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
		1974	only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
		1975
1143	Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,	1976	The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1144	ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:	1977	*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1145		1978
		1979	static ev_tstamp
1146	static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	1980	my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1147	{	1981	{
1148	return now + 60.;	1982	return now + 60.;
1149	}	1983	}
1150		1984
1151	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value	1985	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1152	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It	1986	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
1153	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but	1987	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1154	might be called at other times, too.	1988	might be called at other times, too.
1155		1989
1156	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the	1990	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1157	passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger.	1991	equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1158		1992
1159	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that	1993	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1160	triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the	1994	triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
1161	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How	1995	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
1162	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main	1996	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
1163	reason I omitted it as an example).	1997	reason I omitted it as an example).
1164		1998
1165	=back	1999	=back
…		…
1169	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful	2003	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1170	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return	2004	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1171	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like	2005	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1172	program when the crontabs have changed).	2006	program when the crontabs have changed).
1173		2007
		2008	=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
		2009
		2010	When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed
		2011	to trigger next. This is not the same as the C<offset> argument to
		2012	C<ev_periodic_set>, but indeed works even in interval and manual
		2013	rescheduling modes.
		2014
1174	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]	2015	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1175		2016
1176	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the	2017	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1177	absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).	2018	absolute point in time (the C<offset> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>,
		2019	although libev might modify this value for better numerical stability).
1178		2020
1179	Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic	2021	Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
1180	timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	2022	timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1181		2023
1182	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]	2024	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1183		2025
1184	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only	2026	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1185	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being	2027	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1186	called.	2028	called.
1187		2029
1188	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]	2030	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1189		2031
1190	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is	2032	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1191	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when	2033	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1192	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	2034	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1193		2035
1194	=back	2036	=back
1195		2037
		2038	=head3 Examples
		2039
1196	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the	2040	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1197	system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have	2041	system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1198	potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.	2042	potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1199		2043
1200	static void	2044	static void
1201	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	2045	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1202	{	2046	{
1203	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)	2047	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1204	}	2048	}
1205		2049
1206	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	2050	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1207	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);	2051	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1208	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	2052	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1209		2053
1210	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:	2054	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1211		2055
1212	#include <math.h>	2056	#include <math.h>
1213		2057
1214	static ev_tstamp	2058	static ev_tstamp
1215	my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	2059	my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1216	{	2060	{
1217	return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;	2061	return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1218	}	2062	}
1219		2063
1220	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);	2064	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1221		2065
1222	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:	2066	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1223		2067
1224	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	2068	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1225	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,	2069	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1226	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);	2070	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1227	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	2071	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1228		2072
1229		2073
1230	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!	2074	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1231		2075
1232	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific	2076	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1233	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev	2077	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1234	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the	2078	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1235	normal event processing, like any other event.	2079	normal event processing, like any other event.
1236		2080
		2081	Note that only the default loop supports registering signal watchers
		2082	currently.
		2083
		2084	If you want signals asynchronously, just use C<sigaction> as you would
		2085	do without libev and forget about sharing the signal. You can even use
		2086	C<ev_async> from a signal handler to synchronously wake up an event loop.
		2087
1237	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the	2088	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the
1238	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher	2089	first watcher gets started will libev actually register something with
1239	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long	2090	the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as you
1240	as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal	2091	don't register any with libev for the same signal).
1241	watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to	2092
1242	SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).	2093	Both the signal mask state (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal handler state
		2094	(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
		2095	sotpping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
		2096	and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler.
		2097
		2098	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
		2099	C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
		2100	not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
		2101	interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
		2102	and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
		2103
		2104	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1243		2105
1244	=over 4	2106	=over 4
1245		2107
1246	=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)	2108	=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)
1247		2109
…		…
1254		2116
1255	The signal the watcher watches out for.	2117	The signal the watcher watches out for.
1256		2118
1257	=back	2119	=back
1258		2120
		2121	=head3 Examples
		2122
		2123	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
		2124
		2125	static void
		2126	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
		2127	{
		2128	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
		2129	}
		2130
		2131	ev_signal signal_watcher;
		2132	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
		2133	ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
		2134
1259		2135
1260	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes	2136	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1261		2137
1262	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to	2138	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1263	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies).	2139	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
		2140	exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
		2141	has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
		2142	as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
		2143	forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
		2144	but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later or
		2145	in the next callback invocation is not.
		2146
		2147	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
		2148	you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
		2149
		2150	Due to some design glitches inside libev, child watchers will always be
		2151	handled at maximum priority (their priority is set to C<EV_MAXPRI> by
		2152	libev)
		2153
		2154	=head3 Process Interaction
		2155
		2156	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
		2157	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if the
		2158	first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
		2159	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
		2160	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
		2161	children, even ones not watched.
		2162
		2163	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
		2164
		2165	Libev offers no special support for overriding the built-in child
		2166	processing, but if your application collides with libev's default child
		2167	handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
		2168	C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
		2169	default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
		2170	event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
		2171	that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
		2172
		2173	=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
		2174
		2175	Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
		2176	child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
		2177	callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
		2178	when a child exit is detected (calling C<ev_child_stop> twice is not a
		2179	problem).
		2180
		2181	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1264		2182
1265	=over 4	2183	=over 4
1266		2184
1267	=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid)	2185	=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid, int trace)
1268		2186
1269	=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid)	2187	=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid, int trace)
1270		2188
1271	Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or	2189	Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or
1272	I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look	2190	I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look
1273	at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see	2191	at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see
1274	the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems	2192	the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems
1275	C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the	2193	C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the
1276	process causing the status change.	2194	process causing the status change. C<trace> must be either C<0> (only
		2195	activate the watcher when the process terminates) or C<1> (additionally
		2196	activate the watcher when the process is stopped or continued).
1277		2197
1278	=item int pid [read-only]	2198	=item int pid [read-only]
1279		2199
1280	The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.	2200	The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.
1281		2201
…		…
1288	The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems	2208	The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems
1289	C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).	2209	C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).
1290		2210
1291	=back	2211	=back
1292		2212
1293	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.	2213	=head3 Examples
1294		2214
		2215	Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
		2216	its completion.
		2217
		2218	ev_child cw;
		2219
1295	static void	2220	static void
1296	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)	2221	child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1297	{	2222	{
1298	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	2223	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
		2224	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1299	}	2225	}
1300		2226
1301	struct ev_signal signal_watcher;	2227	pid_t pid = fork ();
1302	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);	2228
1303	ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);	2229	if (pid < 0)
		2230	// error
		2231	else if (pid == 0)
		2232	{
		2233	// the forked child executes here
		2234	exit (1);
		2235	}
		2236	else
		2237	{
		2238	ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
		2239	ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
		2240	}
1304		2241
1305		2242
1306	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?	2243	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1307		2244
1308	This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls	2245	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1309	C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed	2246	C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
1310	compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.	2247	and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if
		2248	it did.
1311		2249
1312	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does	2250	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1313	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does	2251	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
1314	not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is	2252	exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
1315	otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of	2253	C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
1316	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.	2254	least one) and all the other fields of the stat buffer having unspecified
		2255	contents.
1317		2256
1318	The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is	2257	The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
		2258	C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
1319	relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.	2259	your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
1320		2260
1321	Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply	2261	Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
1322	calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You	2262	portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
1323	can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify	2263	to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
1324	a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,	2264	interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
1325	unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around	2265	recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
1326	five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also	2266	(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
1327	impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats	2267	change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
1328	usually overkill.	2268	currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
1329		2269
1330	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,	2270	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1331	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be	2271	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1332	resource-intensive.	2272	resource-intensive.
1333		2273
1334	At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is	2274	At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1335	implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the	2275	is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as an
1336	reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the	2276	exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way of
1337	semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs	2277	implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue, except as a hint).
1338	to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are	2278
1339	usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no	2279	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1340	polling.	2280
		2281	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
		2282	compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
		2283	support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
		2284	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
		2285	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
		2286	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
		2287	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
		2288	most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
		2289
		2290	The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
		2291	file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
		2292	optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
		2293	to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
		2294	default compilation environment.
		2295
		2296	=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
		2297
		2298	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev and present at
		2299	runtime, it will be used to speed up change detection where possible. The
		2300	inotify descriptor will be created lazily when the first C<ev_stat>
		2301	watcher is being started.
		2302
		2303	Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
		2304	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
		2305	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
		2306	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
		2307	but as long as kernel 2.6.25 or newer is used (2.6.24 and older have too
		2308	many bugs), the path exists (i.e. stat succeeds), and the path resides on
		2309	a local filesystem (libev currently assumes only ext2/3, jfs, reiserfs and
		2310	xfs are fully working) libev usually gets away without polling.
		2311
		2312	There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
		2313	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
		2314	descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
		2315	etc. is difficult.
		2316
		2317	=head3 C<stat ()> is a synchronous operation
		2318
		2319	Libev doesn't normally do any kind of I/O itself, and so is not blocking
		2320	the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat
		2321	()>, which is a synchronous operation.
		2322
		2323	For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very
		2324	busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast,
		2325	as the path data is usually in memory already (except when starting the
		2326	watcher).
		2327
		2328	For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
		2329	time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call
		2330	often takes multiple milliseconds.
		2331
		2332	Therefore, it is best to avoid using C<ev_stat> watchers on networked
		2333	paths, although this is fully supported by libev.
		2334
		2335	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
		2336
		2337	The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
		2338	and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
		2339	still only support whole seconds.
		2340
		2341	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
		2342	easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
		2343	calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
		2344	within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
		2345	stat data does change in other ways (e.g. file size).
		2346
		2347	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
		2348	than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
		2349	a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
		2350	ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
		2351
		2352	The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
		2353	of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
		2354	might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
		2355	C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
		2356	a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
		2357	update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
		2358	the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
		2359	the timer callback).
		2360
		2361	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1341		2362
1342	=over 4	2363	=over 4
1343		2364
1344	=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)	2365	=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)
1345		2366
…		…
1349	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to	2370	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1350	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose	2371	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1351	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same	2372	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1352	path for as long as the watcher is active.	2373	path for as long as the watcher is active.
1353		2374
1354	The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected,	2375	The callback will receive an C<EV_STAT> event when a change was detected,
1355	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the	2376	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1356	last change was detected).	2377	last change was detected).
1357		2378
1358	=item ev_stat_stat (ev_stat *)	2379	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1359		2380
1360	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the	2381	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1361	watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid	2382	watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1362	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be	2383	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1363	useful simply to find out the new values.	2384	the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
		2385	new values.
1364		2386
1365	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]	2387	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1366		2388
1367	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of	2389	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
1368	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types	2390	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1369	suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there	2391	suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
		2392	members to be present. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there was
1370	was some error while C<stat>ing the file.	2393	some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1371		2394
1372	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]	2395	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1373		2396
1374	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever	2397	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1375	C<prev> != C<attr>.	2398	C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
		2399	differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
		2400	C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
1376		2401
1377	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]	2402	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1378		2403
1379	The specified interval.	2404	The specified interval.
1380		2405
1381	=item const char *path [read-only]	2406	=item const char *path [read-only]
1382		2407
1383	The filesystem path that is being watched.	2408	The file system path that is being watched.
1384		2409
1385	=back	2410	=back
1386		2411
		2412	=head3 Examples
		2413
1387	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.	2414	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1388		2415
1389	static void	2416	static void
1390	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)	2417	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1391	{	2418	{
1392	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */	2419	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1393	if (w->attr.st_nlink)	2420	if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1394	{	2421	{
1395	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);	2422	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1396	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2423	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1397	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2424	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1398	}	2425	}
1399	else	2426	else
1400	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */	2427	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1401	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "	2428	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1402	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");	2429	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1403	}	2430	}
1404		2431
1405	...	2432	...
1406	ev_stat passwd;	2433	ev_stat passwd;
1407		2434
1408	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd");	2435	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1409	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	2436	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
		2437
		2438	Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
		2439	miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
		2440	one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
		2441	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
		2442
		2443	static ev_stat passwd;
		2444	static ev_timer timer;
		2445
		2446	static void
		2447	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		2448	{
		2449	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
		2450
		2451	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
		2452	}
		2453
		2454	static void
		2455	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
		2456	{
		2457	/* reset the one-second timer */
		2458	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
		2459	}
		2460
		2461	...
		2462	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
		2463	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
		2464	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1410		2465
1411		2466
1412	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...	2467	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1413		2468
1414	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher	2469	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1415	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not	2470	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count
1416	count).	2471	as receiving "events").
1417		2472
1418	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts	2473	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1419	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be	2474	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1420	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers	2475	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1421	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop	2476	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
…		…
1428	Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful	2483	Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
1429	effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do	2484	effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do
1430	"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the	2485	"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
1431	event loop has handled all outstanding events.	2486	event loop has handled all outstanding events.
1432		2487
		2488	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
		2489
1433	=over 4	2490	=over 4
1434		2491
1435	=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback)	2492	=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
1436		2493
1437	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any	2494	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1438	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	2495	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1439	believe me.	2496	believe me.
1440		2497
1441	=back	2498	=back
1442		2499
		2500	=head3 Examples
		2501
1443	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the	2502	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1444	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.	2503	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1445		2504
1446	static void	2505	static void
1447	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)	2506	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1448	{	2507	{
1449	free (w);	2508	free (w);
1450	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has	2509	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1451	// no longer asnything immediate to do.	2510	// no longer anything immediate to do.
1452	}	2511	}
1453		2512
1454	struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));	2513	ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1455	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);	2514	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1456	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);	2515	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
1457		2516
1458		2517
1459	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!	2518	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1460		2519
1461	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:	2520	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
1462	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers	2521	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1463	afterwards.	2522	afterwards.
1464		2523
1465	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter	2524	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter
1466	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>	2525	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
…		…
1469	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,	2528	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1470	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be	2529	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1471	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.	2530	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1472		2531
1473	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and	2532	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1474	their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track	2533	their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
1475	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a	2534	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1476	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if	2535	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1477	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,	2536	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1478	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>	2537	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1479	watcher).	2538	watcher).
1480		2539
1481	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need	2540	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors
1482	to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for	2541	need to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers
1483	them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries	2542	for them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many
1484	provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for	2543	libraries provide exactly this functionality). Then, in the check watcher,
1485	any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers	2544	you check for any events that occurred (by checking the pending status
1486	and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer	2545	of all watchers and stopping them) and call back into the library. The
1487	callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,	2546	I/O and timer callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid
1488	because you never know, you know?).	2547	nevertheless, because you never know, you know?).
1489		2548
1490	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate	2549	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1491	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines	2550	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
1492	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines	2551	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
1493	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines	2552	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
…		…
1496	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping	2555	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1497	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).	2556	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1498		2557
1499	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)	2558	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
1500	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers	2559	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
		2560	after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).
		2561
1501	after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers,	2562	Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
1502	too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully	2563	activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
1503	supports this, they will be called before other C<ev_check> watchers did	2564	might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
1504	their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other event	2565	C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
1505	loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their	2566	loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
1506	C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with	2567	C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
1507	others).	2568	others).
1508		2569
		2570	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
		2571
1509	=over 4	2572	=over 4
1510		2573
1511	=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)	2574	=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
1512		2575
1513	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)	2576	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1514		2577
1515	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no	2578	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
1516	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>	2579	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1517	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.	2580	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly, utterly and completely
		2581	pointless.
1518		2582
1519	=back	2583	=back
		2584
		2585	=head3 Examples
1520		2586
1521	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules	2587	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
1522	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev	2588	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
1523	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could	2589	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
1524	use for an actually working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib>	2590	use as a working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> embeds a
1525	embeds a Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV	2591	Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
1526	into the Glib event loop).	2592	Glib event loop).
1527		2593
1528	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,	2594	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1529	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows	2595	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1530	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low	2596	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
1531	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as	2597	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
1532	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.	2598	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1533		2599
1534	static ev_io iow [nfd];	2600	static ev_io iow [nfd];
1535	static ev_timer tw;	2601	static ev_timer tw;
1536		2602
1537	static void	2603	static void
1538	io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)	2604	io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1539	{	2605	{
1540	}	2606	}
1541		2607
1542	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking	2608	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1543	static void	2609	static void
1544	adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)	2610	adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1545	{	2611	{
1546	int timeout = 3600000;	2612	int timeout = 3600000;
1547	struct pollfd fds [nfd];	2613	struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1548	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.	2614	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1549	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));	2615	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1550		2616
1551	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */	2617	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1552	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);	2618	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3, 0.);
1553	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);	2619	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1554		2620
1555	// create one ev_io per pollfd	2621	// create one ev_io per pollfd
1556	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2622	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1557	{	2623	{
1558	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,	2624	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1559	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)	2625	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1560	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));	2626	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1561		2627
1562	fds [i].revents = 0;	2628	fds [i].revents = 0;
1563	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);	2629	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1564	}	2630	}
1565	}	2631	}
1566		2632
1567	// stop all watchers after blocking	2633	// stop all watchers after blocking
1568	static void	2634	static void
1569	adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)	2635	adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1570	{	2636	{
1571	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);	2637	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1572		2638
1573	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2639	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1574	{	2640	{
1575	// set the relevant poll flags	2641	// set the relevant poll flags
1576	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here	2642	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1577	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;	2643	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
1578	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);	2644	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
1579	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;	2645	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1580	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;	2646	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1581		2647
1582	// now stop the watcher	2648	// now stop the watcher
1583	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);	2649	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1584	}	2650	}
1585		2651
1586	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));	2652	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1587	}	2653	}
1588		2654
1589	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>	2655	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
1590	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.	2656	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
1591		2657
1592	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event	2658	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
1593	notification (adns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher	2659	notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
1594	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.	2660	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
1595		2661
1596	static void	2662	static void
1597	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2663	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1598	{	2664	{
1599	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2665	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1600	update_now (EV_A);	2666	update_now (EV_A);
1601		2667
1602	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);	2668	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
1603	}	2669	}
1604		2670
1605	static void	2671	static void
1606	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)	2672	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1607	{	2673	{
1608	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2674	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1609	update_now (EV_A);	2675	update_now (EV_A);
1610		2676
1611	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2677	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1612	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2678	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1613	}	2679	}
1614		2680
1615	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll	2681	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll
1616		2682
1617	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you	2683	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
1618	want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, youc na override	2684	want to embed is not flexible enough to support it. Instead, you can
1619	their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main	2685	override their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the
1620	loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does	2686	main loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module uses
1621	this.	2687	this approach, effectively embedding EV as a client into the horrible
		2688	libglib event loop.
1622		2689
1623	static gint	2690	static gint
1624	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)	2691	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
1625	{	2692	{
1626	int got_events = 0;	2693	int got_events = 0;
1627		2694
1628	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2695	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1629	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events	2696	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
1630		2697
1631	if (timeout >= 0)	2698	if (timeout >= 0)
1632	// create/start timer	2699	// create/start timer
1633		2700
1634	// poll	2701	// poll
1635	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	2702	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1636		2703
1637	// stop timer again	2704	// stop timer again
1638	if (timeout >= 0)	2705	if (timeout >= 0)
1639	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);	2706	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
1640		2707
1641	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set	2708	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
1642	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2709	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1643	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);	2710	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
1644		2711
1645	return got_events;	2712	return got_events;
1646	}	2713	}
1647		2714
1648		2715
1649	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...	2716	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1650		2717
1651	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop	2718	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
…		…
1657	prioritise I/O.	2724	prioritise I/O.
1658		2725
1659	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support	2726	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
1660	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you	2727	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
1661	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales	2728	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
1662	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it	2729	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed
1663	into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will	2730	it into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation
1664	be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but	2731	will be a bit slower because first libev has to call C<poll> and then
1665	at least you can use both at what they are best.	2732	C<kevent>, but at least you can use both mechanisms for what they are
		2733	best: C<kqueue> for scalable sockets and C<poll> if you want it to work :)
1666		2734
1667	As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have	2735	As for prioritising I/O: under rare circumstances you have the case where
1668	to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even	2736	some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
1669	priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case	2737	and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
1670	you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in	2738	this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
1671	a second one, and embed the second one in the first.	2739	the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
1672		2740
1673	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time	2741	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every
1674	there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then	2742	time there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback
1675	call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke	2743	must then call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single
1676	their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded	2744	sweep and invoke their callbacks (the callback doesn't need to invoke the
1677	loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback	2745	C<ev_embed_sweep> function directly, it could also start an idle watcher
1678	to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the	2746	to give the embedded loop strictly lower priority for example).
1679	embedded loop sweep.
1680		2747
1681	As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The	2748	You can also set the callback to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher
1682	callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can	2749	will automatically execute the embedded loop sweep whenever necessary.
1683	set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
1684	interested in that.
1685		2750
1686	Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:	2751	Fork detection will be handled transparently while the C<ev_embed> watcher
1687	when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,	2752	is active, i.e., the embedded loop will automatically be forked when the
1688	but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers	2753	embedding loop forks. In other cases, the user is responsible for calling
1689	yourself.	2754	C<ev_loop_fork> on the embedded loop.
1690		2755
1691	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by	2756	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
1692	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any	2757	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
1693	portable one.	2758	portable one.
1694		2759
1695	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared	2760	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
1696	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around	2761	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
1697	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to	2762	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
1698	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything:	2763	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
1699		2764
1700	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);	2765	=head3 C<ev_embed> and fork
1701	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
1702	struct ev_embed embed;
1703
1704	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
1705	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
1706	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
1707	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
1708	: 0;
1709		2766
1710	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi	2767	While the C<ev_embed> watcher is running, forks in the embedding loop will
1711	if (loop_lo)	2768	automatically be applied to the embedded loop as well, so no special
1712	{	2769	fork handling is required in that case. When the watcher is not running,
1713	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);	2770	however, it is still the task of the libev user to call C<ev_loop_fork ()>
1714	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);	2771	as applicable.
1715	}	2772
1716	else	2773	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1717	loop_lo = loop_hi;
1718		2774
1719	=over 4	2775	=over 4
1720		2776
1721	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)	2777	=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
1722		2778
…		…
1724		2780
1725	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be	2781	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1726	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be	2782	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
1727	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback	2783	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1728	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,	2784	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
1729	if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).	2785	if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
1730		2786
1731	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)	2787	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
1732		2788
1733	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works	2789	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1734	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most	2790	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
1735	apropriate way for embedded loops.	2791	appropriate way for embedded loops.
1736		2792
1737	=item struct ev_loop *loop [read-only]	2793	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
1738		2794
1739	The embedded event loop.	2795	The embedded event loop.
1740		2796
1741	=back	2797	=back
		2798
		2799	=head3 Examples
		2800
		2801	Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
		2802	event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
		2803	loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
		2804	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
		2805	used).
		2806
		2807	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
		2808	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
		2809	ev_embed embed;
		2810
		2811	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
		2812	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
		2813	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
		2814	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
		2815	: 0;
		2816
		2817	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
		2818	if (loop_lo)
		2819	{
		2820	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
		2821	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
		2822	}
		2823	else
		2824	loop_lo = loop_hi;
		2825
		2826	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
		2827	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
		2828	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
		2829	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
		2830
		2831	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
		2832	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
		2833	ev_embed embed;
		2834
		2835	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
		2836	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
		2837	{
		2838	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
		2839	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
		2840	}
		2841
		2842	if (!loop_socket)
		2843	loop_socket = loop;
		2844
		2845	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
1742		2846
1743		2847
1744	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork	2848	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
1745		2849
1746	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because	2850	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
…		…
1749	event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,	2853	event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
1750	and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling	2854	and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
1751	C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork	2855	C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
1752	handlers will be invoked, too, of course.	2856	handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
1753		2857
		2858	=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
		2859
		2860	Most uses of C<fork()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to ste
		2861	up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
		2862	sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
		2863
		2864	This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
		2865	in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
		2866	fork.
		2867
		2868	The default mode of operation (for libev, with application help to detect
		2869	forks) is to duplicate all the state in the child, as would be expected
		2870	when I<either> the parent I<or> the child process continues.
		2871
		2872	When both processes want to continue using libev, then this is usually the
		2873	wrong result. In that case, usually one process (typically the parent) is
		2874	supposed to continue with all watchers in place as before, while the other
		2875	process typically wants to start fresh, i.e. without any active watchers.
		2876
		2877	The cleanest and most efficient way to achieve that with libev is to
		2878	simply create a new event loop, which of course will be "empty", and
		2879	use that for new watchers. This has the advantage of not touching more
		2880	memory than necessary, and thus avoiding the copy-on-write, and the
		2881	disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support
		2882	signal watchers).
		2883
		2884	When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for
		2885	other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call
		2886	C<ev_default_destroy ()> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>. Destroying
		2887	the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered watchers, so you
		2888	have to be careful not to execute code that modifies those watchers. Note
		2889	also that in that case, you have to re-register any signal watchers.
		2890
		2891	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
		2892
1754	=over 4	2893	=over 4
1755		2894
1756	=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)	2895	=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1757		2896
1758	Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any	2897	Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
…		…
1760	believe me.	2899	believe me.
1761		2900
1762	=back	2901	=back
1763		2902
1764		2903
		2904	=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop
		2905
		2906	In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
		2907	asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
		2908	loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
		2909
		2910	Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not
		2911	control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what
		2912	C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you
		2913	can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal
		2914	safe.
		2915
		2916	This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
		2917	too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
		2918	(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
		2919	C<ev_async_sent> calls).
		2920
		2921	Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
		2922	just the default loop.
		2923
		2924	=head3 Queueing
		2925
		2926	C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
		2927	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
		2928	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
		2929	need elaborate support such as pthreads.
		2930
		2931	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
		2932	queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
		2933	queue:
		2934
		2935	=over 4
		2936
		2937	=item queueing from a signal handler context
		2938
		2939	To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
		2940	handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is
		2941	an example that does that for some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
		2942
		2943	static ev_async mysig;
		2944
		2945	static void
		2946	sigusr1_handler (void)
		2947	{
		2948	sometype data;
		2949
		2950	// no locking etc.
		2951	queue_put (data);
		2952	ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
		2953	}
		2954
		2955	static void
		2956	mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		2957	{
		2958	sometype data;
		2959	sigset_t block, prev;
		2960
		2961	sigemptyset (&block);
		2962	sigaddset (&block, SIGUSR1);
		2963	sigprocmask (SIG_BLOCK, &block, &prev);
		2964
		2965	while (queue_get (&data))
		2966	process (data);
		2967
		2968	if (sigismember (&prev, SIGUSR1)
		2969	sigprocmask (SIG_UNBLOCK, &block, 0);
		2970	}
		2971
		2972	(Note: pthreads in theory requires you to use C<pthread_setmask>
		2973	instead of C<sigprocmask> when you use threads, but libev doesn't do it
		2974	either...).
		2975
		2976	=item queueing from a thread context
		2977
		2978	The strategy for threads is different, as you cannot (easily) block
		2979	threads but you can easily preempt them, so to queue safely you need to
		2980	employ a traditional mutex lock, such as in this pthread example:
		2981
		2982	static ev_async mysig;
		2983	static pthread_mutex_t mymutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
		2984
		2985	static void
		2986	otherthread (void)
		2987	{
		2988	// only need to lock the actual queueing operation
		2989	pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
		2990	queue_put (data);
		2991	pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
		2992
		2993	ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
		2994	}
		2995
		2996	static void
		2997	mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		2998	{
		2999	pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
		3000
		3001	while (queue_get (&data))
		3002	process (data);
		3003
		3004	pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
		3005	}
		3006
		3007	=back
		3008
		3009
		3010	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
		3011
		3012	=over 4
		3013
		3014	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
		3015
		3016	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
		3017	kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
		3018	trust me.
		3019
		3020	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
		3021
		3022	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
		3023	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
		3024	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or
		3025	similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
		3026	section below on what exactly this means).
		3027
		3028	Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
		3029	compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this
		3030	is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>,
		3031	reset when the event loop detects that).
		3032
		3033	This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per event loop
		3034	iteration, so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to
		3035	repeated calls to C<ev_async_send> for the same event loop.
		3036
		3037	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
		3038
		3039	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
		3040	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
		3041	event loop.
		3042
		3043	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
		3044	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
		3045	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
		3046	quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
		3047
		3048	Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending,
		3049	only whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending: there
		3050	is a time window between the event loop checking and resetting the async
		3051	notification, and the callback being invoked.
		3052
		3053	=back
		3054
		3055
1765	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS	3056	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
1766		3057
1767	There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.	3058	There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
1768		3059
1769	=over 4	3060	=over 4
1770		3061
1771	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)	3062	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
1772		3063
1773	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your	3064	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
1774	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both	3065	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
1775	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd	3066	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
1776	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or	3067	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
1777	more watchers yourself.	3068	more watchers yourself.
1778		3069
1779	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events	3070	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and the
1780	is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and	3071	C<events> argument is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for
1781	C<events> set will be craeted and started.	3072	the given C<fd> and C<events> set will be created and started.
1782		3073
1783	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be	3074	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
1784	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and	3075	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
1785	repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of	3076	repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
1786	dubious value.
1787		3077
1788	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets	3078	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
1789	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of	3079	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
1790	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>	3080	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
1791	value passed to C<ev_once>:	3081	value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
		3082	a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
		3083	events precedence.
1792		3084
		3085	Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
		3086
1793	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)	3087	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
1794	{	3088	{
1795	if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
1796	/* doh, nothing entered */;
1797	else if (revents & EV_READ)	3089	if (revents & EV_READ)
1798	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;	3090	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
		3091	else if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
		3092	/* doh, nothing entered */;
1799	}	3093	}
1800		3094
1801	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);	3095	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
1802		3096
1803	=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)	3097	=item ev_feed_event (struct ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
1804		3098
1805	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event	3099	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1806	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an	3100	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1807	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).	3101	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
1808		3102
1809	=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)	3103	=item ev_feed_fd_event (struct ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)
1810		3104
1811	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected	3105	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
1812	the given events it.	3106	the given events it.
1813		3107
1814	=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)	3108	=item ev_feed_signal_event (struct ev_loop *loop, int signum)
1815		3109
1816	Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default	3110	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
1817	loop!).	3111	loop!).
1818		3112
1819	=back	3113	=back
1820		3114
1821		3115
…		…
1837		3131
1838	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities	3132	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
1839	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there	3133	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
1840	is an ev_pri field.	3134	is an ev_pri field.
1841		3135
		3136	=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
		3137	first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.
		3138
1842	=item * Other members are not supported.	3139	=item * Other members are not supported.
1843		3140
1844	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need	3141	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
1845	to use the libev header file and library.	3142	to use the libev header file and library.
1846		3143
1847	=back	3144	=back
1848		3145
1849	=head1 C++ SUPPORT	3146	=head1 C++ SUPPORT
1850		3147
1851	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow	3148	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
1852	you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change	3149	you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
1853	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.	3150	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
1854		3151
1855	To use it,	3152	To use it,
1856		3153
1857	#include <ev++.h>	3154	#include <ev++.h>
1858		3155
1859	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many	3156	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
1860	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are	3157	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
1861	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding	3158	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
1862	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.	3159	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
…		…
1929	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the	3226	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
1930	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.	3227	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
1931		3228
1932	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation	3229	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
1933		3230
1934	struct myclass	3231	struct myclass
1935	{	3232	{
1936	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	3233	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
1937	}	3234	}
1938		3235
1939	myclass obj;	3236	myclass obj;
1940	ev::io iow;	3237	ev::io iow;
1941	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);	3238	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
		3239
		3240	=item w->set (object *)
		3241
		3242	This is an B<experimental> feature that might go away in a future version.
		3243
		3244	This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
		3245	will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
		3246	functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
		3247	the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
		3248	list.
		3249
		3250	The C<operator ()> method prototype must be C<void operator ()(watcher &w,
		3251	int revents)>.
		3252
		3253	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
		3254
		3255	Example: use a functor object as callback.
		3256
		3257	struct myfunctor
		3258	{
		3259	void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
		3260	{
		3261	...
		3262	}
		3263	}
		3264
		3265	myfunctor f;
		3266
		3267	ev::io w;
		3268	w.set (&f);
1942		3269
1943	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)	3270	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
1944		3271
1945	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as	3272	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
1946	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's	3273	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
…		…
1948		3275
1949	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.	3276	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
1950		3277
1951	See the method-C<set> above for more details.	3278	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
1952		3279
1953	Example:	3280	Example: Use a plain function as callback.
1954		3281
1955	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	3282	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
1956	iow.set <io_cb> ();	3283	iow.set <io_cb> ();
1957		3284
1958	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)	3285	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
1959		3286
1960	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only	3287	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
1961	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).	3288	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
1962		3289
1963	=item w->set ([args])	3290	=item w->set ([arguments])
1964		3291
1965	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be	3292	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be
1966	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets	3293	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
1967	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this	3294	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
1968	method.	3295	method.
1969		3296
1970	=item w->start ()	3297	=item w->start ()
…		…
1974		3301
1975	=item w->stop ()	3302	=item w->stop ()
1976		3303
1977	Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.	3304	Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
1978		3305
1979	=item w->again () C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only	3306	=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
1980		3307
1981	For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding	3308	For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding
1982	C<ev_TYPE_again> function.	3309	C<ev_TYPE_again> function.
1983		3310
1984	=item w->sweep () C<ev::embed> only	3311	=item w->sweep () (C<ev::embed> only)
1985		3312
1986	Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>.	3313	Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>.
1987		3314
1988	=item w->update () C<ev::stat> only	3315	=item w->update () (C<ev::stat> only)
1989		3316
1990	Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>.	3317	Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>.
1991		3318
1992	=back	3319	=back
1993		3320
1994	=back	3321	=back
1995		3322
1996	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in	3323	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
1997	the constructor.	3324	the constructor.
1998		3325
1999	class myclass	3326	class myclass
2000	{	3327	{
2001	ev_io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);	3328	ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2002	ev_idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);	3329	ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2003		3330
2004	myclass ();	3331	myclass (int fd)
2005	}	3332	{
2006
2007	myclass::myclass (int fd)
2008	{
2009	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);	3333	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
2010	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);	3334	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2011		3335
2012	io.start (fd, ev::READ);	3336	io.start (fd, ev::READ);
		3337	}
2013	}	3338	};
		3339
		3340
		3341	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
		3342
		3343	Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
		3344	number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
		3345	any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
		3346	me a note.
		3347
		3348	=over 4
		3349
		3350	=item Perl
		3351
		3352	The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
		3353	libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
		3354	there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
		3355	to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>, but C<AnyEvent::DNS> is preferred nowadays),
		3356	C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV>
		3357	and C<EV::Glib>).
		3358
		3359	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
		3360	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
		3361
		3362	=item Python
		3363
		3364	Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
		3365	seems to be quite complete and well-documented.
		3366
		3367	=item Ruby
		3368
		3369	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
		3370	of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
		3371	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
		3372	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
		3373
		3374	Roger Pack reports that using the link order C<-lws2_32 -lmsvcrt-ruby-190>
		3375	makes rev work even on mingw.
		3376
		3377	=item Haskell
		3378
		3379	A haskell binding to libev is available at
		3380	L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
		3381
		3382	=item D
		3383
		3384	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
		3385	be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
		3386
		3387	=item Ocaml
		3388
		3389	Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
		3390	L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
		3391
		3392	=back
2014		3393
2015		3394
2016	=head1 MACRO MAGIC	3395	=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2017		3396
2018	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundemantal is	3397	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
2019	C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most) functions and	3398	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
2020	callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.	3399	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
2021		3400
2022	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the	3401	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
2023	following macros are defined:	3402	following macros are defined:
2024		3403
2025	=over 4	3404	=over 4
…		…
2028		3407
2029	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev	3408	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2030	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,	3409	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2031	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:	3410	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2032		3411
2033	ev_unref (EV_A);	3412	ev_unref (EV_A);
2034	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);	3413	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2035	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	3414	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
2036		3415
2037	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,	3416	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2038	which is often provided by the following macro.	3417	which is often provided by the following macro.
2039		3418
2040	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>	3419	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
2041		3420
2042	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev	3421	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2043	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,	3422	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
2044	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:	3423	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
2045		3424
2046	// this is how ev_unref is being declared	3425	// this is how ev_unref is being declared
2047	static void ev_unref (EV_P);	3426	static void ev_unref (EV_P);
2048		3427
2049	// this is how you can declare your typical callback	3428	// this is how you can declare your typical callback
2050	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	3429	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2051		3430
2052	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite	3431	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
2053	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.	3432	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
2054		3433
2055	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>	3434	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
2056		3435
2057	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default	3436	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
2058	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").	3437	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
		3438
		3439	=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
		3440
		3441	Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
		3442	default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
		3443	is undefined when the default loop has not been initialised by a previous
		3444	execution of C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> or C<ev_default_init (...)>.
		3445
		3446	It is often prudent to use C<EV_DEFAULT> when initialising the first
		3447	watcher in a function but use C<EV_DEFAULT_UC> afterwards.
2059		3448
2060	=back	3449	=back
2061		3450
2062	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above	3451	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
2063	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported	3452	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2064	or not.	3453	or not.
2065		3454
2066	static void	3455	static void
2067	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	3456	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2068	{	3457	{
2069	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);	3458	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
2070	}	3459	}
2071		3460
2072	ev_check check;	3461	ev_check check;
2073	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);	3462	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
2074	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);	3463	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
2075	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);	3464	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
2076		3465
2077	=head1 EMBEDDING	3466	=head1 EMBEDDING
2078		3467
2079	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host	3468	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
2080	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra	3469	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
2081	Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe)	3470	Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe)
2082	and rxvt-unicode.	3471	and rxvt-unicode.
2083		3472
2084	The goal is to enable you to just copy the neecssary files into your	3473	The goal is to enable you to just copy the necessary files into your
2085	source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so	3474	source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so
2086	you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of	3475	you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of
2087	libev somewhere in your source tree).	3476	libev somewhere in your source tree).
2088		3477
2089	=head2 FILESETS	3478	=head2 FILESETS
2090		3479
2091	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files	3480	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
2092	in your app.	3481	in your application.
2093		3482
2094	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP	3483	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
2095		3484
2096	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual	3485	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
2097	configuration (no autoconf):	3486	configuration (no autoconf):
2098		3487
2099	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3488	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2100	#include "ev.c"	3489	#include "ev.c"
2101		3490
2102	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a	3491	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
2103	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use	3492	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
2104	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best	3493	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
2105	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and	3494	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
2106	where you can put other configuration options):	3495	where you can put other configuration options):
2107		3496
2108	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3497	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2109	#include "ev.h"	3498	#include "ev.h"
2110		3499
2111	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++	3500	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
2112	compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated	3501	compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2113	as a bug).	3502	as a bug).
2114		3503
2115	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory	3504	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
2116	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):	3505	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2117		3506
2118	ev.h	3507	ev.h
2119	ev.c	3508	ev.c
2120	ev_vars.h	3509	ev_vars.h
2121	ev_wrap.h	3510	ev_wrap.h
2122		3511
2123	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only	3512	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
2124		3513
2125	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)	3514	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
2126	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3515	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2127	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3516	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2128	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3517	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2129	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3518	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2130		3519
2131	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need	3520	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
2132	to compile this single file.	3521	to compile this single file.
2133		3522
2134	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API	3523	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
2135		3524
2136	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:	3525	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
2137		3526
2138	#include "event.c"	3527	#include "event.c"
2139		3528
2140	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:	3529	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
2141		3530
2142	#include "event.h"	3531	#include "event.h"
2143		3532
2144	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.	3533	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
2145		3534
2146	You need the following additional files for this:	3535	You need the following additional files for this:
2147		3536
2148	event.h	3537	event.h
2149	event.c	3538	event.c
2150		3539
2151	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT	3540	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
2152		3541
2153	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in	3542	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
2154	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your	3543	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
2155	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then	3544	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
2156	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.	3545	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
2157		3546
2158	For this of course you need the m4 file:	3547	For this of course you need the m4 file:
2159		3548
2160	libev.m4	3549	libev.m4
2161		3550
2162	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS	3551	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2163		3552
2164	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define	3553	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
2165	before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity	3554	define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of
2166	and only include the select backend.	3555	autoconf is documented for every option.
2167		3556
2168	=over 4	3557	=over 4
2169		3558
2170	=item EV_STANDALONE	3559	=item EV_STANDALONE
2171		3560
…		…
2173	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy	3562	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
2174	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not	3563	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
2175	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in	3564	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
2176	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.	3565	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2177		3566
		3567	In stanbdalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
		3568	configuration, but has to be more conservative.
		3569
2178	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC	3570	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2179		3571
2180	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3572	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2181	monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use	3573	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
2182	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you	3574	use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this,
2183	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when	3575	you usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it
2184	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, althoguh you have	3576	when the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2185	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>	3577	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2186	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).	3578	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). See also C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
2187		3579
2188	=item EV_USE_REALTIME	3580	=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2189		3581
2190	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3582	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2191	realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at	3583	real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability
2192	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will	3584	at runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock
2193	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get	3585	option will be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday>
2194	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See tzhe note about libraries	3586	by C<clock_get (CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect
2195	in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.	3587	correctness. See the note about libraries in the description of
		3588	C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. Defaults to the opposite value of
		3589	C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
		3590
		3591	=item EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL
		3592
		3593	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to use a direct syscall instead
		3594	of calling the system-provided C<clock_gettime> function. This option
		3595	exists because on GNU/Linux, C<clock_gettime> is in C<librt>, but C<librt>
		3596	unconditionally pulls in C<libpthread>, slowing down single-threaded
		3597	programs needlessly. Using a direct syscall is slightly slower (in
		3598	theory), because no optimised vdso implementation can be used, but avoids
		3599	the pthread dependency. Defaults to C<1> on GNU/Linux with glibc 2.x or
		3600	higher, as it simplifies linking (no need for C<-lrt>).
		3601
		3602	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
		3603
		3604	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
		3605	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
		3606
		3607	=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
		3608
		3609	If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
		3610	available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
		3611	C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
		3612	If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
		3613	2.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2196		3614
2197	=item EV_USE_SELECT	3615	=item EV_USE_SELECT
2198		3616
2199	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the	3617	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
2200	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no	3618	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
2201	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend	3619	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
2202	will not be compiled in.	3620	will not be compiled in.
2203		3621
2204	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET	3622	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2205		3623
2206	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>	3624	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
2207	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing	3625	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
2208	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on	3626	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout
2209	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some	3627	on exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to
2210	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only	3628	some low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket
2211	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might	3629	only allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation,
2212	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.	3630	configures the maximum size of the C<fd_set>.
2213		3631
2214	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET	3632	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
2215		3633
2216	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that	3634	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
2217	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but	3635	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
…		…
2219	be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call	3637	be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
2220	C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,	3638	C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
2221	it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even	3639	it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
2222	on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.	3640	on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
2223		3641
		3642	=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE
		3643
		3644	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
		3645	file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
		3646	default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
		3647	correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
		3648	in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
		3649
2224	=item EV_USE_POLL	3650	=item EV_USE_POLL
2225		3651
2226	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)	3652	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
2227	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It	3653	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
2228	takes precedence over select.	3654	takes precedence over select.
2229		3655
2230	=item EV_USE_EPOLL	3656	=item EV_USE_EPOLL
2231		3657
2232	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux	3658	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
2233	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,	3659	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2234	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the	3660	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2235	preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems.	3661	backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
		3662	headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2236		3663
2237	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE	3664	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2238		3665
2239	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style	3666	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
2240	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,	3667	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
…		…
2253	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred	3680	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2254	backend for Solaris 10 systems.	3681	backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2255		3682
2256	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL	3683	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2257		3684
2258	reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.	3685	Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2259		3686
2260	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY	3687	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2261		3688
2262	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify	3689	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2263	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will	3690	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2264	be detected at runtime.	3691	be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
		3692	indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
		3693
		3694	=item EV_ATOMIC_T
		3695
		3696	Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
		3697	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
		3698	type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
		3699	that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
		3700	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
		3701
		3702	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
		3703	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2265		3704
2266	=item EV_H	3705	=item EV_H
2267		3706
2268	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if	3707	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2269	undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This	3708	undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
2270	can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.	3709	used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2271		3710
2272	=item EV_CONFIG_H	3711	=item EV_CONFIG_H
2273		3712
2274	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override	3713	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
2275	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to	3714	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2276	C<EV_H>, above.	3715	C<EV_H>, above.
2277		3716
2278	=item EV_EVENT_H	3717	=item EV_EVENT_H
2279		3718
2280	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea	3719	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
2281	of how the F<event.h> header can be found.	3720	of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
2282		3721
2283	=item EV_PROTOTYPES	3722	=item EV_PROTOTYPES
2284		3723
2285	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function	3724	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
2286	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is	3725	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
…		…
2307	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search	3746	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
2308	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space	3747	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
2309	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually	3748	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
2310	fine.	3749	fine.
2311		3750
2312	If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to	3751	If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
2313	C<0> will save some memory and cpu.	3752	both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
2314		3753
2315	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE	3754	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
2316		3755
2317	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If	3756	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
2318	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of	3757	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
…		…
2325	code.	3764	code.
2326		3765
2327	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE	3766	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2328		3767
2329	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If	3768	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2330	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3769	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Embed watchers rely on most other
		3770	watcher types, which therefore must not be disabled.
2331		3771
2332	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE	3772	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
2333		3773
2334	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If	3774	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
2335	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3775	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
…		…
2337	=item EV_FORK_ENABLE	3777	=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2338		3778
2339	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If	3779	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2340	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.	3780	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2341		3781
		3782	=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
		3783
		3784	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
		3785	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
		3786
2342	=item EV_MINIMAL	3787	=item EV_MINIMAL
2343		3788
2344	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some	3789	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2345	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override	3790	speed (but with the full API), define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this
2346	some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64.	3791	is used to override some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size
		3792	on amd64. It also selects a much smaller 2-heap for timer management over
		3793	the default 4-heap.
		3794
		3795	You can save even more by disabling watcher types you do not need
		3796	and setting C<EV_MAXPRI> == C<EV_MINPRI>. Also, disabling C<assert>
		3797	(C<-DNDEBUG>) will usually reduce code size a lot.
		3798
		3799	Defining C<EV_MINIMAL> to C<2> will additionally reduce the core API to
		3800	provide a bare-bones event library. See C<ev.h> for details on what parts
		3801	of the API are still available, and do not complain if this subset changes
		3802	over time.
2347		3803
2348	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE	3804	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2349		3805
2350	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	3806	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2351	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more	3807	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
2352	than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to	3808	than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to
2353	increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).	3809	increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
2354		3810
2355	=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE	3811	=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
2356		3812
2357	C<ev_staz> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	3813	C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2358	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),	3814	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
2359	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>	3815	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
2360	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of	3816	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
2361	two).	3817	two).
2362		3818
		3819	=item EV_USE_4HEAP
		3820
		3821	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		3822	timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
		3823	to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
		3824	faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
		3825
		3826	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
		3827	(disabled).
		3828
		3829	=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
		3830
		3831	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		3832	timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
		3833	the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
		3834	which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
		3835	but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
		3836	noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
		3837
		3838	The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
		3839	(disabled).
		3840
		3841	=item EV_VERIFY
		3842
		3843	Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will
		3844	be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
		3845	in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
		3846	called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
		3847	called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
		3848	verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
		3849	libev considerably.
		3850
		3851	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be
		3852	C<0>.
		3853
2363	=item EV_COMMON	3854	=item EV_COMMON
2364		3855
2365	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining	3856	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2366	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of	3857	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2367	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,	3858	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2368	though, and it must be identical each time.	3859	though, and it must be identical each time.
2369		3860
2370	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:	3861	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2371		3862
2372	#define EV_COMMON \	3863	#define EV_COMMON \
2373	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \	3864	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2374	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */	3865	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2375		3866
2376	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)	3867	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2377		3868
2378	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)	3869	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2379		3870
2380	=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb)	3871	=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb)
2381		3872
2382	Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher,	3873	Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher,
2383	and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member	3874	and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member
2384	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.v> header file for	3875	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
2385	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to	3876	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
2386	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use	3877	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2387	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.	3878	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
		3879
		3880	=back
		3881
		3882	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
		3883
		3884	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
		3885	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
		3886	all public symbols, one per line:
		3887
		3888	Symbols.ev for libev proper
		3889	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
		3890
		3891	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
		3892	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
		3893	itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
		3894
		3895	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
		3896	include before including F<ev.h>:
		3897
		3898	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
		3899
		3900	This would create a file F<wrap.h> which essentially looks like this:
		3901
		3902	#define ev_backend myprefix_ev_backend
		3903	#define ev_check_start myprefix_ev_check_start
		3904	#define ev_check_stop myprefix_ev_check_stop
		3905	...
2388		3906
2389	=head2 EXAMPLES	3907	=head2 EXAMPLES
2390		3908
2391	For a real-world example of a program the includes libev	3909	For a real-world example of a program the includes libev
2392	verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module	3910	verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module
…		…
2397	file.	3915	file.
2398		3916
2399	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file	3917	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
2400	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:	3918	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2401		3919
2402	#define EV_MINIMAL 1	3920	#define EV_MINIMAL 1
2403	#define EV_USE_POLL 0	3921	#define EV_USE_POLL 0
2404	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0	3922	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2405	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0	3923	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
2406	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0	3924	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
2407	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0	3925	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
2408	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>	3926	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
2409	#define EV_MINPRI 0	3927	#define EV_MINPRI 0
2410	#define EV_MAXPRI 0	3928	#define EV_MAXPRI 0
2411		3929
2412	#include "ev++.h"	3930	#include "ev++.h"
2413		3931
2414	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:	3932	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
2415		3933
2416	#include "ev_cpp.h"	3934	#include "ev_cpp.h"
2417	#include "ev.c"	3935	#include "ev.c"
2418		3936
		3937	=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES
2419		3938
		3939	=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
		3940
		3941	=head3 THREADS
		3942
		3943	All libev functions are reentrant and thread-safe unless explicitly
		3944	documented otherwise, but libev implements no locking itself. This means
		3945	that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as there
		3946	are no concurrent calls into any libev function with the same loop
		3947	parameter (C<ev_default_*> calls have an implicit default loop parameter,
		3948	of course): libev guarantees that different event loops share no data
		3949	structures that need any locking.
		3950
		3951	Or to put it differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done
		3952	concurrently from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter
		3953	must be done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as
		3954	only one thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using
		3955	a mutex per loop).
		3956
		3957	Specifically to support threads (and signal handlers), libev implements
		3958	so-called C<ev_async> watchers, which allow some limited form of
		3959	concurrency on the same event loop, namely waking it up "from the
		3960	outside".
		3961
		3962	If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
		3963	without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
		3964	help you, but here is some generic advice:
		3965
		3966	=over 4
		3967
		3968	=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
		3969	in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
		3970
		3971	This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
		3972	themselves and don't care/know about threading.
		3973
		3974	=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
		3975
		3976	Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
		3977	exists, but it is always a good start.
		3978
		3979	=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
		3980	loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
		3981
		3982	Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
		3983	better than you currently do :-)
		3984
		3985	=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
		3986	event loop.
		3987
		3988	C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other threads safely
		3989	(or from signal contexts...).
		3990
		3991	An example use would be to communicate signals or other events that only
		3992	work in the default loop by registering the signal watcher with the
		3993	default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
		3994	watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
		3995
		3996	=back
		3997
		3998	=head4 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE
		3999
		4000	Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
		4001	thread than where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
		4002	created/added/removed.
		4003
		4004	For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
		4005	which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
		4006	languages).
		4007
		4008	The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
		4009	variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
		4010	event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
		4011
		4012	First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
		4013
		4014	typedef struct {
		4015	mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
		4016	ev_async async_w;
		4017	thread_t tid;
		4018	cond_t invoke_cv;
		4019	} userdata;
		4020
		4021	void prepare_loop (EV_P)
		4022	{
		4023	// for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
		4024	static userdata u;
		4025
		4026	ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
		4027	ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
		4028
		4029	pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
		4030	pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
		4031
		4032	// now associate this with the loop
		4033	ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
		4034	ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
		4035	ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
		4036
		4037	// then create the thread running ev_loop
		4038	pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
		4039	}
		4040
		4041	The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
		4042	solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
		4043	that might have been added:
		4044
		4045	static void
		4046	async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		4047	{
		4048	// just used for the side effects
		4049	}
		4050
		4051	The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
		4052	protecting the loop data, respectively.
		4053
		4054	static void
		4055	l_release (EV_P)
		4056	{
		4057	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4058	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		4059	}
		4060
		4061	static void
		4062	l_acquire (EV_P)
		4063	{
		4064	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4065	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		4066	}
		4067
		4068	The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
		4069	into C<ev_loop>:
		4070
		4071	void *
		4072	l_run (void *thr_arg)
		4073	{
		4074	struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
		4075
		4076	l_acquire (EV_A);
		4077	pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
		4078	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
		4079	l_release (EV_A);
		4080
		4081	return 0;
		4082	}
		4083
		4084	Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
		4085	signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
		4086	writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
		4087	have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
		4088	and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
		4089	watchers is very beneficial):
		4090
		4091	static void
		4092	l_invoke (EV_P)
		4093	{
		4094	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4095
		4096	while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
		4097	{
		4098	wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
		4099	pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
		4100	}
		4101	}
		4102
		4103	Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
		4104	will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
		4105	thread to continue:
		4106
		4107	static void
		4108	real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
		4109	{
		4110	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4111
		4112	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		4113	ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
		4114	pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
		4115	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		4116	}
		4117
		4118	Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
		4119	event loop, you will now have to lock:
		4120
		4121	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
		4122	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4123
		4124	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
		4125
		4126	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		4127	ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
		4128	ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
		4129	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		4130
		4131	Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
		4132	an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
		4133	about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
		4134	watchers in the next event loop iteration.
		4135
		4136	=head3 COROUTINES
		4137
		4138	Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
		4139	libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
		4140	coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two
		4141	different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running
		4142	the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is
		4143	that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
		4144
		4145	Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
		4146	C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
		4147	they do not call any callbacks.
		4148
		4149	=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
		4150
		4151	Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
		4152	lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
		4153	scared by this.
		4154
		4155	However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
		4156	has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
		4157	warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
		4158	targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
		4159
		4160	Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
		4161	workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
		4162	maintainable.
		4163
		4164	And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
		4165	wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
		4166	seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
		4167	warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have
		4168	been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
		4169	such buggy versions.
		4170
		4171	While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
		4172	"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
		4173	with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
		4174	them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
		4175	warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
		4176
		4177
		4178	=head2 VALGRIND
		4179
		4180	Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
		4181	highly useful. Unfortunately, valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
		4182
		4183	If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
		4184	in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
		4185
		4186	==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		4187	==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		4188	==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
		4189
		4190	Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
		4191	is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
		4192
		4193	Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
		4194	as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
		4195	although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
		4196	confused.
		4197
		4198	Keep in mind that valgrind is a very good tool, but only a tool. Don't
		4199	make it into some kind of religion.
		4200
		4201	If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
		4202	with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this
		4203	is a bug in libev (best check the archives, too :). However, don't be
		4204	annoyed when you get a brisk "this is no bug" answer and take the chance
		4205	of learning how to interpret valgrind properly.
		4206
		4207	If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
		4208	I suggest using suppression lists.
		4209
		4210
		4211	=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
		4212
		4213	=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
		4214
		4215	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
		4216	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
		4217	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
		4218	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
		4219	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
		4220	e.g. cygwin.
		4221
		4222	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
		4223	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of
		4224	things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable
		4225	way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
		4226
		4227	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
		4228	embedding it into other applications.
		4229
		4230	Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev
		4231	tries its best, but under most conditions, signals will simply not work.
		4232
		4233	Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
		4234	accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
		4235	either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
		4236	so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
		4237	megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
		4238	available).
		4239
		4240	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
		4241	the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
		4242	is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
		4243	more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
		4244	different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
		4245	notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
		4246	(due to Microsoft monopoly games).
		4247
		4248	A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
		4249	section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
		4250	of F<ev.h>:
		4251
		4252	#define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
		4253	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
		4254
		4255	#include "ev.h"
		4256
		4257	And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
		4258	you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
		4259
		4260	#include "evwrap.h"
		4261	#include "ev.c"
		4262
		4263	=over 4
		4264
		4265	=item The winsocket select function
		4266
		4267	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
		4268	requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
		4269	also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
		4270	requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
		4271	C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
		4272	discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
		4273	C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
		4274
		4275	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
		4276	libraries and raw winsocket select is:
		4277
		4278	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1
		4279	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
		4280
		4281	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
		4282	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
		4283
		4284	=item Limited number of file descriptors
		4285
		4286	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
		4287
		4288	Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
		4289	of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
		4290	can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
		4291	recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
		4292	previous thread in each. Sounds great!).
		4293
		4294	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
		4295	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
		4296	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl and many
		4297	other interpreters do their own select emulation on windows).
		4298
		4299	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
		4300	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64>
		4301	fetish or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this
		4302	by calling C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048>
		4303	(another arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft
		4304	runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets
		4305	(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more,
		4306	you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but
		4307	the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
		4308
		4309	=back
		4310
		4311	=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
		4312
		4313	In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
		4314	backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
		4315
		4316	=over 4
		4317
		4318	=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
		4319	calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
		4320
		4321	Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
		4322	structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
		4323	assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
		4324	callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
		4325	calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
		4326
		4327	=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
		4328
		4329	The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
		4330	C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
		4331	threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
		4332	believed to be sufficiently portable.
		4333
		4334	=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
		4335
		4336	Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
		4337	allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
		4338	pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
		4339	thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
		4340	be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
		4341	C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
		4342
		4343	The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
		4344	except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
		4345	well.
		4346
		4347	=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
		4348
		4349	To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
		4350	instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
		4351	systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but is still at
		4352	least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of millions of
		4353	watchers.
		4354
		4355	=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
		4356
		4357	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
		4358	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good
		4359	enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by
		4360	implementations implementing IEEE 754, which is basically all existing
		4361	ones. With IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least
		4362	2200.
		4363
		4364	=back
		4365
		4366	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
		4367
		4368
2420	=head1 COMPLEXITIES	4369	=head1 ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITIES
2421		4370
2422	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside	4371	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
2423	libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the	4372	libev will be documented. For complexity discussions about backends see
2424	documentation for C<ev_default_init>.	4373	the documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
2425		4374
2426	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be	4375	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
2427	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this	4376	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
2428	happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might	4377	happens asymptotically rarer with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
2429	mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average	4378	mean that libev does a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on
2430	it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.	4379	average it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
2431		4380
2432	=over 4	4381	=over 4
2433		4382
2434	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)	4383	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
2435		4384
2436	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and	4385	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
2437	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will	4386	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that, then inserting will
2438	have to skip those 100 watchers.	4387	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
2439		4388
2440	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat, again): O(log skipped_other_timers)	4389	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
2441		4390
2442	That means that for changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them	4391	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them,
2443	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.	4392	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
2444		4393
2445	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1)	4394	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2446		4395
2447	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.	4396	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
		4397
2448	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1)	4398	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2449		4399
2450	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))	4400	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
2451		4401
2452	These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the	4402	These watchers are stored in lists, so they need to be walked to find the
2453	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually	4403	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
2454	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).	4404	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal: one is typical, two
		4405	is rare).
2455		4406
2456	=item Finding the next timer per loop iteration: O(1)	4407	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
		4408
		4409	By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
		4410	fixed position in the storage array.
2457		4411
2458	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)	4412	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
2459		4413
2460	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires	4414	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
2461	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel).	4415	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
		4416	on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
2462		4417
2463	=item Activating one watcher: O(1)	4418	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
2464		4419
2465	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)	4420	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
2466		4421
2467	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each	4422	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
2468	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to	4423	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
2469	linearly search all the priorities.	4424	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
		4425	watchers becomes O(1) with respect to priority handling.
		4426
		4427	=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
		4428
		4429	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
		4430
		4431	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
		4432
		4433	Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
		4434	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
		4435	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
2470		4436
2471	=back	4437	=back
2472		4438
2473		4439
		4440	=head1 GLOSSARY
		4441
		4442	=over 4
		4443
		4444	=item active
		4445
		4446	A watcher is active as long as it has been started (has been attached to
		4447	an event loop) but not yet stopped (disassociated from the event loop).
		4448
		4449	=item application
		4450
		4451	In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
		4452
		4453	=item callback
		4454
		4455	The address of a function that is called when some event has been
		4456	detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that
		4457	received the event, and the actual event bitset.
		4458
		4459	=item callback invocation
		4460
		4461	The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
		4462
		4463	=item event
		4464
		4465	A change of state of some external event, such as data now being available
		4466	for reading on a file descriptor, time having passed or simply not having
		4467	any other events happening anymore.
		4468
		4469	In libev, events are represented as single bits (such as C<EV_READ> or
		4470	C<EV_TIMEOUT>).
		4471
		4472	=item event library
		4473
		4474	A software package implementing an event model and loop.
		4475
		4476	=item event loop
		4477
		4478	An entity that handles and processes external events and converts them
		4479	into callback invocations.
		4480
		4481	=item event model
		4482
		4483	The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes
		4484	watchers and events.
		4485
		4486	=item pending
		4487
		4488	A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been detected,
		4489	and stops being pending as soon as the watcher will be invoked or its
		4490	pending status is explicitly cleared by the application.
		4491
		4492	A watcher can be pending, but not active. Stopping a watcher also clears
		4493	its pending status.
		4494
		4495	=item real time
		4496
		4497	The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
		4498
		4499	=item wall-clock time
		4500
		4501	The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
		4502	be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when the you adjust your
		4503	clock.
		4504
		4505	=item watcher
		4506
		4507	A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
		4508	to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events.
		4509
		4510	=item watcher invocation
		4511
		4512	The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
		4513
		4514	=back
		4515
2474	=head1 AUTHOR	4516	=head1 AUTHOR
2475		4517
2476	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.	4518	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael Magnusson.
2477		4519

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