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Revision 1.98 by root, Sat Dec 22 06:10:25 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.290 by root, Tue Mar 16 18:03:01 2010 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 occurring), 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
…		…
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>), Linux eventfd/signalfd (for faster and cleaner
76	with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals	104	inter-thread wakeup (C<ev_async>)/signal handling (C<ev_signal>)) relative
77	(C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and event	105	timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers with customised rescheduling
78	watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>,	106	(C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals (C<ev_signal>), process status
79	C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> watchers) as well as	107	change events (C<ev_child>), and event watchers dealing with the event
80	file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even limited support for fork events	108	loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and
81	(C<ev_fork>).	109	C<ev_check> watchers) as well as file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even
		110	limited support for fork events (C<ev_fork>).
82		111
83	It also is quite fast (see this	112	It also is quite fast (see this
84	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent	113	L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
85	for example).	114	for example).
86		115
87	=head1 CONVENTIONS	116	=head2 CONVENTIONS
88		117
89	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will	118	Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
90	be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about	119	configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
91	various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in	120	more info about various configuration options please have a look at
92	this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event	121	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>	122	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.	123	name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have
		124	this argument.
95		125
96	=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION	126	=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
97		127
98	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the	128	Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing
99	(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near	129	the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere
100	the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is	130	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	131	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	132	aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do any calculations
103	it, you should treat it as some floatingpoint value. Unlike the name	133	on it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name
104	component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences	134	component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences
105	throughout libev.	135	throughout libev.
		136
		137	=head1 ERROR HANDLING
		138
		139	Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
		140	and internal errors (bugs).
		141
		142	When libev catches an operating system error it cannot handle (for example
		143	a system call indicating a condition libev cannot fix), it calls the callback
		144	set via C<ev_set_syserr_cb>, which is supposed to fix the problem or
		145	abort. The default is to print a diagnostic message and to call C<abort
		146	()>.
		147
		148	When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
		149	it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
		150	so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
		151	the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
		152
		153	Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has
		154	extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
		155	circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse.
		156
106		157
107	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS	158	=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
108		159
109	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the	160	These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
110	library in any way.	161	library in any way.
…		…
119		170
120	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)	171	=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
121		172
122	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until	173	Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
123	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically	174	either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
124	this is a subsecond-resolution C<sleep ()>.	175	this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
125		176
126	=item int ev_version_major ()	177	=item int ev_version_major ()
127		178
128	=item int ev_version_minor ()	179	=item int ev_version_minor ()
129		180
…		…
142	not a problem.	193	not a problem.
143		194
144	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong	195	Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
145	version.	196	version.
146		197
147	assert (("libev version mismatch",	198	assert (("libev version mismatch",
148	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR	199	ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
149	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));	200	&& ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
150		201
151	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()	202	=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
152		203
153	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>	204	Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>
154	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their	205	value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
…		…
156	a description of the set values.	207	a description of the set values.
157		208
158	Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and	209	Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and
159	a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11	210	a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11
160		211
161	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",	212	assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
162	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));	213	ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
163		214
164	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()	215	=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
165		216
166	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also	217	Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also
167	recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one	218	recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one
168	returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on	219	returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on
169	most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it	220	most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it
170	(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that	221	(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that
171	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.	222	libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
172		223
173	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()	224	=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
174		225
…		…
178	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for	229	C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for
179	recommended ones.	230	recommended ones.
180		231
181	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.	232	See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
182		233
183	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))	234	=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT]
184		235
185	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the	236	Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
186	semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to	237	semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
187	allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when	238	used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
188	memory needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some	239	when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
189	potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc	240	or take some potentially destructive action.
190	function.	241
		242	Since some systems (at least OpenBSD and Darwin) fail to implement
		243	correct C<realloc> semantics, libev will use a wrapper around the system
		244	C<realloc> and C<free> functions by default.
191		245
192	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,	246	You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
193	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,	247	free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
194	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.	248	or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
195		249
196	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then	250	Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
197	retries).	251	retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
198		252
199	static void *	253	static void *
200	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)	254	persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
201	{	255	{
202	for (;;)	256	for (;;)
…		…
211	}	265	}
212		266
213	...	267	...
214	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);	268	ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
215		269
216	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));	270	=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT]
217		271
218	Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such	272	Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
219	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string	273	as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
220	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this	274	indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
221	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no	275	callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
222	matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the	276	matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
223	requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff	277	requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
224	(such as abort).	278	(such as abort).
225		279
226	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.	280	Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
…		…
237		291
238	=back	292	=back
239		293
240	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP	294	=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
241		295
242	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two	296	An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct>
243	types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child	297	is I<not> optional in this case, as there is also an C<ev_loop>
244	events, and dynamically created loops which do not.	298	I<function>).
245		299
246	If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop	300	The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
247	in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you	301	supports signals and child events, and dynamically created loops which do
248	create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking	302	not.
249	whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different
250	threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if
251	done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient).
252		303
253	=over 4	304	=over 4
254		305
255	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)	306	=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
256		307
…		…
260	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).	311	flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
261		312
262	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this	313	If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
263	function.	314	function.
264		315
		316	Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
		317	from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
		318	as loops cannot be shared easily between threads anyway).
		319
		320	The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
		321	C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
		322	for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
		323	create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
		324	can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
		325	C<ev_default_init>.
		326
265	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific	327	The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
266	backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).	328	backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
267		329
268	The following flags are supported:	330	The following flags are supported:
269		331
…		…
274	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right	336	The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
275	thing, believe me).	337	thing, believe me).
276		338
277	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>	339	=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
278		340
279	If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid	341	If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
280	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable	342	or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
281	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will	343	C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
282	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is	344	override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
283	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work	345	useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
284	around bugs.	346	around bugs.
…		…
290	enabling this flag.	352	enabling this flag.
291		353
292	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,	354	This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
293	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop	355	and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
294	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my	356	iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
295	Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence	357	GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
296	without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my Linux system also has	358	without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
297	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).	359	C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
298		360
299	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and	361	The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
300	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this	362	forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
301	flag.	363	flag.
302		364
303	This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>	365	This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
304	environment variable.	366	environment variable.
		367
		368	=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY>
		369
		370	When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the
		371	I<inotify> API for it's C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and
		372	testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as
		373	otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle.
		374
		375	=item C<EVFLAG_SIGNALFD>
		376
		377	When this flag is specified, then libev will attempt to use the
		378	I<signalfd> API for it's C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This API
		379	delivers signals synchronously, which makes it both faster and might make
		380	it possible to get the queued signal data. It can also simplify signal
		381	handling with threads, as long as you properly block signals in your
		382	threads that are not interested in handling them.
		383
		384	Signalfd will not be used by default as this changes your signal mask, and
		385	there are a lot of shoddy libraries and programs (glib's threadpool for
		386	example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks.
305		387
306	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)	388	=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
307		389
308	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as	390	This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
309	libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,	391	libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
310	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when	392	but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
311	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its usually	393	using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
312	the fastest backend for a low number of fds.	394	usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
		395
		396	To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
		397	parallelism (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
		398	writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
		399	connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
		400	a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
		401	readiness notifications you get per iteration.
		402
		403	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to the C<readfds> set and C<EV_WRITE> to the
		404	C<writefds> set (and to work around Microsoft Windows bugs, also onto the
		405	C<exceptfds> set on that platform).
313		406
314	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)	407	=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
315		408
316	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated than	409	And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
317	select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial limit on the	410	than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
318	number of fds you can use (except it will slow down considerably with a	411	limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
319	lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select, i.e. O(total_fds).	412	considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
		413	i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
		414	performance tips.
		415
		416	This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
		417	C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
320		418
321	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)	419	=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
		420
		421	Use the linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9
		422	kernels).
322		423
323	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,	424	For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
324	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale	425	but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
325	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),	426	like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
326	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number	427	epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
327	of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect	428
328	cases and rewiring a syscall per fd change, no fork support and bad	429	The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
329	support for dup:	430	of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
		431	dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
		432	descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup and
		433	so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program forks then
		434	I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll set, which can
		435	take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course
		436	hard to detect.
		437
		438	Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but
		439	of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
		440	I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
		441	even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
		442	on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
		443	employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
		444	events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required.
330		445
331	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration	446	While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
332	will result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident	447	will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
333	(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its	448	incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
334	best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work	449	I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
335	very well if you register events for both fds.	450	file descriptors might not work very well if you register events for both
		451	file descriptors.
336		452
337	Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you	453	Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
338	need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data	454	watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
339	(or space) is available.	455	i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
		456	starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
		457	extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
		458	as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
		459	take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
		460
		461	All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
		462	faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
		463	the usage. So sad.
		464
		465	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
		466	all kernel versions tested so far.
		467
		468	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		469	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
340		470
341	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)	471	=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
342		472
343	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it	473	Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
344	was broken on I<all> BSDs (usually it doesn't work with anything but	474	was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
345	sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course it's completely	475	with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
346	useless. On NetBSD, it seems to work for all the FD types I tested, so it	476	it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose brokenness
347	is used by default there). For this reason it's not being "autodetected"	477	is by design, these kqueue bugs can (and eventually will) be fixed
		478	without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not being
348	unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using	479	"auto-detected" unless you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using
349	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)	480	C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
350	system like NetBSD.	481	system like NetBSD.
351		482
		483	You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
		484	only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
		485	the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
		486
352	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the	487	It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
353	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed,	488	kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
354	of course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does	489	course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
355	never cause an extra syscall as with epoll, it still adds up to two event	490	cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
356	changes per incident, support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it drops fds	491	two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but
357	silently in similarly hard-to-detetc cases.	492	sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect
		493	cases
		494
		495	This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
		496
		497	While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
		498	everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
		499	almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
		500	(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
		501	(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (but C<poll> is of course
		502	also broken on OS X)) and, did I mention it, using it only for sockets.
		503
		504	This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
		505	C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
		506	C<NOTE_EOF>.
358		507
359	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)	508	=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
360		509
361	This is not implemented yet (and might never be).	510	This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
		511	implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
		512	and is not embeddable, which would limit the usefulness of this backend
		513	immensely.
362		514
363	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)	515	=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
364		516
365	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,	517	This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
366	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).	518	it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
367		519
368	Please note that solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious	520	Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
369	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid	521	notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
370	blocking when no data (or space) is available.	522	blocking when no data (or space) is available.
		523
		524	While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
		525	file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
		526	descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
		527	might perform better.
		528
		529	On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
		530	notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
		531	in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
		532	OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks).
		533
		534	This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
		535	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
371		536
372	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>	537	=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
373		538
374	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried	539	Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
375	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as	540	with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
376	C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.	541	C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
377		542
		543	It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
		544
378	=back	545	=back
379		546
380	If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these	547	If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value,
381	backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If none are	548	then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed
382	specified, most compiled-in backend will be tried, usually in reverse	549	here). If none are specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends
383	order of their flag values :)	550	()> will be tried.
384		551
385	The most typical usage is like this:	552	Example: This is the most typical usage.
386		553
387	if (!ev_default_loop (0))	554	if (!ev_default_loop (0))
388	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");	555	fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
389		556
390	Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow	557	Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
391	environment settings to be taken into account:	558	environment settings to be taken into account:
392		559
393	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);	560	ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
394		561
395	Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if	562	Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
396	available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private	563	used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
397	event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):	564	private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
		565	fds):
398		566
399	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);	567	ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
400		568
401	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)	569	=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
402		570
403	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is	571	Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
404	always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot	572	always distinct from the default loop.
405	handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by	573
406	undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).	574	Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and one common way to use
		575	libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
		576	default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
407		577
408	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.	578	Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
409		579
410	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);	580	struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
411	if (!epoller)	581	if (!epoller)
412	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");	582	fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
413		583
414	=item ev_default_destroy ()	584	=item ev_default_destroy ()
415		585
416	Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state	586	Destroys the default loop (frees all memory and kernel state etc.). None
417	etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal	587	of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal sense, so
418	sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your	588	e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your responsibility to
419	responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before>	589	either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before> calling this function,
420	calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually	590	or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually the easiest thing, you
421	the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them	591	can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them for example).
422	for example).
423		592
424	Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by	593	Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
425	this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers)	594	handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
426	would need to be stopped manually.	595	as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
427		596
428	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the	597	In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
429	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling	598	rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
430	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use	599	pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
431	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).	600	C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>.
432		601
433	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)	602	=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
434		603
435	Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an	604	Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
436	earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.	605	earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
437		606
438	=item ev_default_fork ()	607	=item ev_default_fork ()
439		608
		609	This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations
440	This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have	610	to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
441	one. Despite the name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense	611	name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in
442	after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that	612	the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little
443	again makes little sense).	613	sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev
		614	functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration.
444		615
445	You I<must> call this function in the child process after forking if and	616	On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
446	only if you want to use the event library in both processes. If you just	617	process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If
447	fork+exec, you don't have to call it.	618	you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all.
448		619
449	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call	620	The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
450	it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in	621	it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in
451	quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:	622	quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
452		623
453	pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);	624	pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
454		625
455	At the moment, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL> are safe to use
456	without calling this function, so if you force one of those backends you
457	do not need to care.
458
459	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)	626	=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
460		627
461	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by	628	Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
462	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop	629	C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
463	after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.	630	after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is
		631	entirely your own problem.
		632
		633	=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
		634
		635	Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
		636	otherwise.
464		637
465	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)	638	=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
466		639
467	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to	640	Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
468	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and	641	the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
469	happily wraps around with enough iterations.	642	happily wraps around with enough iterations.
470		643
471	This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it	644	This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
472	"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with	645	"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
473	C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls.	646	C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls.
		647
		648	=item unsigned int ev_loop_depth (loop)
		649
		650	Returns the number of times C<ev_loop> was entered minus the number of
		651	times C<ev_loop> was exited, in other words, the recursion depth.
		652
		653	Outside C<ev_loop>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is
		654	C<1>, unless C<ev_loop> was invoked recursively (or from another thread),
		655	in which case it is higher.
		656
		657	Leaving C<ev_loop> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread
		658	etc.), doesn't count as exit.
474		659
475	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)	660	=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
476		661
477	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in	662	Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
478	use.	663	use.
…		…
483	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not	668	received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
484	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base	669	change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
485	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the	670	time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
486	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).	671	event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
487		672
		673	=item ev_now_update (loop)
		674
		675	Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
		676	returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
		677	is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>.
		678
		679	This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
		680	very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
		681	the current time is a good idea.
		682
		683	See also L<The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.
		684
		685	=item ev_suspend (loop)
		686
		687	=item ev_resume (loop)
		688
		689	These two functions suspend and resume a loop, for use when the loop is
		690	not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
		691
		692	A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
		693	the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
		694	would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
		695	the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend>
		696	in your C<SIGTSTP> handler, sending yourself a C<SIGSTOP> and calling
		697	C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing.
		698
		699	Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend
		700	between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers
		701	will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
		702	occured while suspended).
		703
		704	After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the
		705	given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume>
		706	without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
		707
		708	Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
		709	event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
		710
488	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)	711	=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
489		712
490	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called	713	Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
491	after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling	714	after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start
492	events.	715	handling events.
493		716
494	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until	717	If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until
495	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.	718	either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.
496		719
497	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than	720	Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than
498	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has	721	relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
499	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that	722	finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
500	automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of	723	that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
501	relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty.	724	of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
		725	beauty.
502		726
503	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle	727	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle
504	those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in	728	those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your
505	case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.	729	process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of
		730	the loop.
506		731
507	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if	732	A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
508	neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block	733	necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
509	your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after	734	will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
510	one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some	735	be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
511	external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other	736	user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
		737	iteration of the loop.
		738
		739	This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
		740	with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
512	libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is	741	own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
513	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.	742	usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
514		743
515	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:	744	Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
516		745
517	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.	746	- Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
518	* If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return.	747	* If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
519	- Queue all prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers.	748	- If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
		749	- Queue and call all prepare watchers.
520	- If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.	750	- If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
		751	as to not disturb the other process.
521	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.	752	- Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
522	- Update the "event loop time".	753	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
523	- Calculate for how long to block.	754	- Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
		755	(active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
		756	any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
		757	- Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
524	- Block the process, waiting for any events.	758	- Block the process, waiting for any events.
525	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.	759	- Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
526	- Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling.	760	- Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
527	- Queue all outstanding timers.	761	- Queue all expired timers.
528	- Queue all outstanding periodics.	762	- Queue all expired periodics.
529	- If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.	763	- Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
530	- Queue all check watchers.	764	- Queue all check watchers.
531	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).	765	- Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
532	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will	766	Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
533	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.	767	be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
534	- If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK	768	- If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
535	were used, return, otherwise continue with step *.	769	were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise
		770	continue with step *.
536		771
537	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding	772	Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
538	anymore.	773	anymore.
539		774
540	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long	775	... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
541	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)	776	... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
542	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);	777	ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
543	... jobs done. yeah!	778	... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
544		779
545	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)	780	=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
546		781
547	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it	782	Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
548	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either	783	has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
549	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or	784	C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
550	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.	785	C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
551		786
		787	This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.
		788
		789	It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls.
		790
552	=item ev_ref (loop)	791	=item ev_ref (loop)
553		792
554	=item ev_unref (loop)	793	=item ev_unref (loop)
555		794
556	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event	795	Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
557	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference	796	loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
558	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. If you have	797	count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own.
559	a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> from	798
560	returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For	799	This is useful when you have a watcher that you never intend to
		800	unregister, but that nevertheless should not keep C<ev_loop> from
		801	returning. In such a case, call C<ev_unref> after starting, and C<ev_ref>
		802	before stopping it.
		803
561	example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not	804	As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
562	visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if	805	is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from
563	no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent	806	exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
564	way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party	807	excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
565	libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>.	808	third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref
		809	before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active
		810	before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself
		811	(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref>
		812	in the callback).
566		813
567	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>	814	Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
568	running when nothing else is active.	815	running when nothing else is active.
569		816
570	struct ev_signal exitsig;	817	ev_signal exitsig;
571	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);	818	ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
572	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);	819	ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
573	evf_unref (loop);	820	evf_unref (loop);
574		821
575	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.	822	Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
576		823
577	ev_ref (loop);	824	ev_ref (loop);
578	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);	825	ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
579		826
580	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	827	=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
581		828
582	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)	829	=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
583		830
584	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting	831	These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
585	for events. Both are by default C<0>, meaning that libev will try to	832	for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
586	invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum latency.	833	will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
		834	latency.
587		835
588	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)	836	Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
589	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks to	837	allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
590	increase efficiency of loop iterations.	838	to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
		839	opportunities).
591		840
592	The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to	841	The idea is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to handle
593	handle one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes	842	one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes the
594	the program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new	843	program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
595	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high	844	events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
596	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.	845	overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
597		846
598	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more	847	By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
599	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,	848	time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
600	at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and	849	at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
601	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected.	850	C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
		851	introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
		852	sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
		853	once per this interval, on average.
602		854
603	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev	855	Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
604	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased	856	to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
605	latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers	857	latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
606	will not be affected.	858	later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
		859	value will not introduce any overhead in libev.
607		860
608	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the io collect	861	Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
609	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for	862	interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
610	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It	863	interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
611	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,	864	usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
612	as this approsaches the timing granularity of most systems.	865	as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. Note that if
		866	you do transactions with the outside world and you can't increase the
		867	parallelity, then this setting will limit your transaction rate (if you
		868	need to poll once per transaction and the I/O collect interval is 0.01,
		869	then you can't do more than 100 transations per second).
		870
		871	Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
		872	saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
		873	are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
		874	times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
		875	reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
		876	they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
		877
		878	Example: we only need 0.1s timeout granularity, and we wish not to poll
		879	more often than 100 times per second:
		880
		881	ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.1);
		882	ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01);
		883
		884	=item ev_invoke_pending (loop)
		885
		886	This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their
		887	pending state. Normally, C<ev_loop> does this automatically when required,
		888	but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy.
		889
		890	=item int ev_pending_count (loop)
		891
		892	Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers
		893	are pending.
		894
		895	=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P))
		896
		897	This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of
		898	invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_loop> will call
		899	this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to
		900	invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
		901
		902	If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
		903	callback.
		904
		905	=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P), void (*acquire)(EV_P))
		906
		907	Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
		908	can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
		909	each call to a libev function.
		910
		911	However, C<ev_loop> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible to
		912	wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the loop via
		913	C<ev_unloop> and C<av_async_send>, another way is to set these I<release>
		914	and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
		915
		916	When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
		917	suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
		918	afterwards.
		919
		920	Ideally, C<release> will just call your mutex_unlock function, and
		921	C<acquire> will just call the mutex_lock function again.
		922
		923	While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of
		924	C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no
		925	modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will
		926	have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time
		927	waited. Use an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_loop> when you want it
		928	to take note of any changes you made.
		929
		930	In theory, threads executing C<ev_loop> will be async-cancel safe between
		931	invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>.
		932
		933	See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this
		934	document.
		935
		936	=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data)
		937
		938	=item ev_userdata (loop)
		939
		940	Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When
		941	C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns
		942	C<0.>
		943
		944	These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop,
		945	and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and
		946	C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for
		947	any other purpose as well.
		948
		949	=item ev_loop_verify (loop)
		950
		951	This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
		952	compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
		953	through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
		954	is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
		955	error and call C<abort ()>.
		956
		957	This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
		958	circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
		959	data structures consistent.
613		960
614	=back	961	=back
615		962
616		963
617	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER	964	=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
		965
		966	In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
		967	watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
		968	watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
618		969
619	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your	970	A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
620	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to	971	interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
621	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:	972	become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
622		973
623	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	974	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
624	{	975	{
625	ev_io_stop (w);	976	ev_io_stop (w);
626	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	977	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
627	}	978	}
628		979
629	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);	980	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
		981
630	struct ev_io stdin_watcher;	982	ev_io stdin_watcher;
		983
631	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);	984	ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
632	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	985	ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
633	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);	986	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
		987
634	ev_loop (loop, 0);	988	ev_loop (loop, 0);
635		989
636	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your	990	As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
637	watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack,	991	watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
638	although this can sometimes be quite valid).	992	stack).
		993
		994	Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
		995	or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
639		996
640	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init	997	Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init
641	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This	998	(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
642	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io	999	callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O
643	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given	1000	watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
644	is readable and/or writable).	1001	is readable and/or writable).
645		1002
646	Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro	1003	Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
647	with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro	1004	macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
648	to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< ev_<type>_init	1005	is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
649	(watcher *, callback, ...) >>.	1006	ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
650		1007
651	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it	1008	To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it
652	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_<type>_start (loop, watcher	1009	with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
653	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the	1010	*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
654	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.	1011	corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
655		1012
656	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you	1013	As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
657	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never	1014	must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
658	reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro.	1015	reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
659		1016
660	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the	1017	Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
661	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as	1018	registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
662	third argument.	1019	third argument.
663		1020
…		…
672	=item C<EV_WRITE>	1029	=item C<EV_WRITE>
673		1030
674	The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or	1031	The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or
675	writable.	1032	writable.
676		1033
677	=item C<EV_TIMEOUT>	1034	=item C<EV_TIMER>
678		1035
679	The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.	1036	The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.
680		1037
681	=item C<EV_PERIODIC>	1038	=item C<EV_PERIODIC>
682		1039
…		…
717	=item C<EV_FORK>	1074	=item C<EV_FORK>
718		1075
719	The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see	1076	The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
720	C<ev_fork>).	1077	C<ev_fork>).
721		1078
		1079	=item C<EV_ASYNC>
		1080
		1081	The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
		1082
		1083	=item C<EV_CUSTOM>
		1084
		1085	Not ever sent (or otherwise used) by libev itself, but can be freely used
		1086	by libev users to signal watchers (e.g. via C<ev_feed_event>).
		1087
722	=item C<EV_ERROR>	1088	=item C<EV_ERROR>
723		1089
724	An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might	1090	An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
725	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev	1091	happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
726	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other	1092	ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
		1093	problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
		1094
727	problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping	1095	You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
728	with the watcher being stopped.	1096	watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
		1097	an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
		1098	bug in your program.
729		1099
730	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error,	1100	Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
731	for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if	1101	example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
732	your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope	1102	callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
733	with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded	1103	the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
734	programs, though, so beware.	1104	programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
		1105	thing, so beware.
735		1106
736	=back	1107	=back
737		1108
738	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS	1109	=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
739
740	In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
741	e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
742		1110
743	=over 4	1111	=over 4
744		1112
745	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	1113	=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
746		1114
…		…
752	which rolls both calls into one.	1120	which rolls both calls into one.
753		1121
754	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped	1122	You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
755	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.	1123	(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
756		1124
757	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,	1125	The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
758	int revents)>.	1126	int revents)>.
759		1127
		1128	Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
		1129
		1130	ev_io w;
		1131	ev_init (&w, my_cb);
		1132	ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
		1133
760	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])	1134	=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *watcher, [args])
761		1135
762	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to	1136	This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
763	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can	1137	call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
764	call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this	1138	call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this
765	macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a	1139	macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a
766	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).	1140	difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
767		1141
768	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments	1142	Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
769	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.	1143	(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
770		1144
		1145	See C<ev_init>, above, for an example.
		1146
771	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])	1147	=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
772		1148
773	This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro	1149	This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
774	calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise	1150	calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
775	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.	1151	a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
776		1152
		1153	Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
		1154
		1155	ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
		1156
777	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1157	=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
778		1158
779	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive	1159	Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
780	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.	1160	events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
781		1161
		1162	Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
		1163	whole section.
		1164
		1165	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
		1166
782	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1167	=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
783		1168
784	Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending	1169	Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
		1170	the watcher was active or not).
		1171
785	status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example,	1172	It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
786	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but	1173	non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending - but
787	C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If	1174	calling C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor
788	you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a	1175	pending. If you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is
789	good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.	1176	therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
790		1177
791	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1178	=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
792		1179
793	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started	1180	Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
794	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify	1181	and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
…		…
810	=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)	1197	=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
811		1198
812	Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time	1199	Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
813	(modulo threads).	1200	(modulo threads).
814		1201
815	=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority)	1202	=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority)
816		1203
817	=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)	1204	=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
818		1205
819	Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small	1206	Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
820	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>	1207	integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
821	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked	1208	(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
822	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers	1209	before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
823	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).	1210	from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
824		1211
825	This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
826	invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
827	example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
828	watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
829
830	If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending	1212	If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
831	you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.	1213	you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
832		1214
833	You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or	1215	You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
834	pending.	1216	pending.
835		1217
		1218	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
		1219	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
		1220	or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
		1221
836	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is	1222	The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
837	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).	1223	always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
838		1224
839	Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is	1225	See L<WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of
840	fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might	1226	priorities.
841	or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.
842		1227
843	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)	1228	=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
844		1229
845	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither	1230	Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
846	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback	1231	C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
847	can deal with that fact.	1232	can deal with that fact, as both are simply passed through to the
		1233	callback.
848		1234
849	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)	1235	=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
850		1236
851	If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status	1237	If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
852	and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the	1238	returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
853	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.	1239	watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
854		1240
		1241	Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
		1242	callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
		1243
		1244	=item ev_feed_event (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
		1245
		1246	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
		1247	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
		1248	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). Obviously you must
		1249	not free the watcher as long as it has pending events.
		1250
		1251	Stopping the watcher, letting libev invoke it, or calling
		1252	C<ev_clear_pending> will clear the pending event, even if the watcher was
		1253	not started in the first place.
		1254
		1255	See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related
		1256	functions that do not need a watcher.
		1257
855	=back	1258	=back
856		1259
857		1260
858	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER	1261	=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
859		1262
860	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change	1263	Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
861	and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used	1264	and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
862	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and	1265	to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
863	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data	1266	don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
864	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own	1267	member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
865	data:	1268	data:
866		1269
867	struct my_io	1270	struct my_io
868	{	1271	{
869	struct ev_io io;	1272	ev_io io;
870	int otherfd;	1273	int otherfd;
871	void *somedata;	1274	void *somedata;
872	struct whatever *mostinteresting;	1275	struct whatever *mostinteresting;
873	}	1276	};
		1277
		1278	...
		1279	struct my_io w;
		1280	ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
874		1281
875	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you	1282	And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
876	can cast it back to your own type:	1283	can cast it back to your own type:
877		1284
878	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents)	1285	static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
879	{	1286	{
880	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;	1287	struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
881	...	1288	...
882	}	1289	}
883		1290
884	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type	1291	More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
885	instead have been omitted.	1292	instead have been omitted.
886		1293
887	Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple	1294	Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
888	watchers:	1295	embedded watchers:
889		1296
890	struct my_biggy	1297	struct my_biggy
891	{	1298	{
892	int some_data;	1299	int some_data;
893	ev_timer t1;	1300	ev_timer t1;
894	ev_timer t2;	1301	ev_timer t2;
895	}	1302	}
896		1303
897	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,	1304	In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
898	you need to use C<offsetof>:	1305	complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
		1306	in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
		1307	some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
		1308	programmers):
899		1309
900	#include <stddef.h>	1310	#include <stddef.h>
901		1311
902	static void	1312	static void
903	t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1313	t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
904	{	1314	{
905	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1315	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
906	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));	1316	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
907	}	1317	}
908		1318
909	static void	1319	static void
910	t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1320	t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
911	{	1321	{
912	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *	1322	struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
913	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));	1323	(((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
914	}	1324	}
		1325
		1326	=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
		1327
		1328	Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small
		1329	integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation
		1330	between watchers in some way, all else being equal.
		1331
		1332	In libev, Watcher priorities can be set using C<ev_set_priority>. See its
		1333	description for the more technical details such as the actual priority
		1334	range.
		1335
		1336	There are two common ways how these these priorities are being interpreted
		1337	by event loops:
		1338
		1339	In the more common lock-out model, higher priorities "lock out" invocation
		1340	of lower priority watchers, which means as long as higher priority
		1341	watchers receive events, lower priority watchers are not being invoked.
		1342
		1343	The less common only-for-ordering model uses priorities solely to order
		1344	callback invocation within a single event loop iteration: Higher priority
		1345	watchers are invoked before lower priority ones, but they all get invoked
		1346	before polling for new events.
		1347
		1348	Libev uses the second (only-for-ordering) model for all its watchers
		1349	except for idle watchers (which use the lock-out model).
		1350
		1351	The rationale behind this is that implementing the lock-out model for
		1352	watchers is not well supported by most kernel interfaces, and most event
		1353	libraries will just poll for the same events again and again as long as
		1354	their callbacks have not been executed, which is very inefficient in the
		1355	common case of one high-priority watcher locking out a mass of lower
		1356	priority ones.
		1357
		1358	Static (ordering) priorities are most useful when you have two or more
		1359	watchers handling the same resource: a typical usage example is having an
		1360	C<ev_io> watcher to receive data, and an associated C<ev_timer> to handle
		1361	timeouts. Under load, data might be received while the program handles
		1362	other jobs, but since timers normally get invoked first, the timeout
		1363	handler will be executed before checking for data. In that case, giving
		1364	the timer a lower priority than the I/O watcher ensures that I/O will be
		1365	handled first even under adverse conditions (which is usually, but not
		1366	always, what you want).
		1367
		1368	Since idle watchers use the "lock-out" model, meaning that idle watchers
		1369	will only be executed when no same or higher priority watchers have
		1370	received events, they can be used to implement the "lock-out" model when
		1371	required.
		1372
		1373	For example, to emulate how many other event libraries handle priorities,
		1374	you can associate an C<ev_idle> watcher to each such watcher, and in
		1375	the normal watcher callback, you just start the idle watcher. The real
		1376	processing is done in the idle watcher callback. This causes libev to
		1377	continously poll and process kernel event data for the watcher, but when
		1378	the lock-out case is known to be rare (which in turn is rare :), this is
		1379	workable.
		1380
		1381	Usually, however, the lock-out model implemented that way will perform
		1382	miserably under the type of load it was designed to handle. In that case,
		1383	it might be preferable to stop the real watcher before starting the
		1384	idle watcher, so the kernel will not have to process the event in case
		1385	the actual processing will be delayed for considerable time.
		1386
		1387	Here is an example of an I/O watcher that should run at a strictly lower
		1388	priority than the default, and which should only process data when no
		1389	other events are pending:
		1390
		1391	ev_idle idle; // actual processing watcher
		1392	ev_io io; // actual event watcher
		1393
		1394	static void
		1395	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
		1396	{
		1397	// stop the I/O watcher, we received the event, but
		1398	// are not yet ready to handle it.
		1399	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
		1400
		1401	// start the idle watcher to ahndle the actual event.
		1402	// it will not be executed as long as other watchers
		1403	// with the default priority are receiving events.
		1404	ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle);
		1405	}
		1406
		1407	static void
		1408	idle_cb (EV_P_ ev_idle *w, int revents)
		1409	{
		1410	// actual processing
		1411	read (STDIN_FILENO, ...);
		1412
		1413	// have to start the I/O watcher again, as
		1414	// we have handled the event
		1415	ev_io_start (EV_P_ &io);
		1416	}
		1417
		1418	// initialisation
		1419	ev_idle_init (&idle, idle_cb);
		1420	ev_io_init (&io, io_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
		1421	ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &io);
		1422
		1423	In the "real" world, it might also be beneficial to start a timer, so that
		1424	low-priority connections can not be locked out forever under load. This
		1425	enables your program to keep a lower latency for important connections
		1426	during short periods of high load, while not completely locking out less
		1427	important ones.
915		1428
916		1429
917	=head1 WATCHER TYPES	1430	=head1 WATCHER TYPES
918		1431
919	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat	1432	This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
…		…
943	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per	1456	In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
944	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file	1457	fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
945	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not	1458	descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
946	required if you know what you are doing).	1459	required if you know what you are doing).
947		1460
948	You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends	1461	If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
949	(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file	1462	known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
950	descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing	1463	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). The same applies to file
951	to the same underlying file/socket/etc. description (that is, they share	1464	descriptors for which non-blocking operation makes no sense (such as
952	the same underlying "file open").	1465	files) - libev doesn't guarentee any specific behaviour in that case.
953
954	If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
955	(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
956	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
957		1466
958	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to	1467	Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
959	receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might	1468	receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
960	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block	1469	be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
961	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a	1470	because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
962	lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into	1471	lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
963	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus	1472	this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
964	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning	1473	it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
965	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.	1474	C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
966		1475
967	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not	1476	If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
968	play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test	1477	not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
969	whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface	1478	re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
970	such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on	1479	interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already
971	its own, so its quite safe to use).	1480	does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
		1481	use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
		1482	indefinitely.
		1483
		1484	But really, best use non-blocking mode.
972		1485
973	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors	1486	=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
974		1487
975	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file	1488	Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
976	descriptor (either by calling C<close> explicitly or by any other means,	1489	descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means,
977	such as C<dup>). The reason is that you register interest in some file	1490	such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
978	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop	1491	descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
979	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is	1492	this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
980	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in	1493	registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
981	fact, a different file descriptor.	1494	fact, a different file descriptor.
982		1495
…		…
992	optimisations to libev.	1505	optimisations to libev.
993		1506
994	=head3 The special problem of dup'ed file descriptors	1507	=head3 The special problem of dup'ed file descriptors
995		1508
996	Some backends (e.g. epoll), cannot register events for file descriptors,	1509	Some backends (e.g. epoll), cannot register events for file descriptors,
997	but only events for the underlying file descriptions. That menas when you	1510	but only events for the underlying file descriptions. That means when you
998	have C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors and register events for them, only one	1511	have C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors or weirder constellations, and register
999	file descriptor might actually receive events.	1512	events for them, only one file descriptor might actually receive events.
1000		1513
1001	There is no workaorund possible except not registering events	1514	There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1002	for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors or to resort to	1515	for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1003	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	1516	C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1004		1517
1005	=head3 The special problem of fork	1518	=head3 The special problem of fork
1006		1519
1007	Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit	1520	Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit
…		…
1011	To support fork in your programs, you either have to call	1524	To support fork in your programs, you either have to call
1012	C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,	1525	C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,
1013	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or	1526	enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1014	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.	1527	C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1015		1528
		1529	=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
		1530
		1531	While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
		1532	when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
		1533	sent a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
		1534	this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
		1535
		1536	So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
		1537	ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
		1538	somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
		1539
		1540	=head3 The special problem of accept()ing when you can't
		1541
		1542	Many implementations of the POSIX C<accept> function (for example,
		1543	found in port-2004 Linux) have the peculiar behaviour of not removing a
		1544	connection from the pending queue in all error cases.
		1545
		1546	For example, larger servers often run out of file descriptors (because
		1547	of resource limits), causing C<accept> to fail with C<ENFILE> but not
		1548	rejecting the connection, leading to libev signalling readiness on
		1549	the next iteration again (the connection still exists after all), and
		1550	typically causing the program to loop at 100% CPU usage.
		1551
		1552	Unfortunately, the set of errors that cause this issue differs between
		1553	operating systems, there is usually little the app can do to remedy the
		1554	situation, and no known thread-safe method of removing the connection to
		1555	cope with overload is known (to me).
		1556
		1557	One of the easiest ways to handle this situation is to just ignore it
		1558	- when the program encounters an overload, it will just loop until the
		1559	situation is over. While this is a form of busy waiting, no OS offers an
		1560	event-based way to handle this situation, so it's the best one can do.
		1561
		1562	A better way to handle the situation is to log any errors other than
		1563	C<EAGAIN> and C<EWOULDBLOCK>, making sure not to flood the log with such
		1564	messages, and continue as usual, which at least gives the user an idea of
		1565	what could be wrong ("raise the ulimit!"). For extra points one could stop
		1566	the C<ev_io> watcher on the listening fd "for a while", which reduces CPU
		1567	usage.
		1568
		1569	If your program is single-threaded, then you could also keep a dummy file
		1570	descriptor for overload situations (e.g. by opening F</dev/null>), and
		1571	when you run into C<ENFILE> or C<EMFILE>, close it, run C<accept>,
		1572	close that fd, and create a new dummy fd. This will gracefully refuse
		1573	clients under typical overload conditions.
		1574
		1575	The last way to handle it is to simply log the error and C<exit>, as
		1576	is often done with C<malloc> failures, but this results in an easy
		1577	opportunity for a DoS attack.
1016		1578
1017	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions	1579	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1018		1580
1019	=over 4	1581	=over 4
1020		1582
1021	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)	1583	=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
1022		1584
1023	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)	1585	=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
1024		1586
1025	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to	1587	Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
1026	rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or	1588	receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
1027	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.	1589	C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.
1028		1590
1029	=item int fd [read-only]	1591	=item int fd [read-only]
1030		1592
1031	The file descriptor being watched.	1593	The file descriptor being watched.
1032		1594
1033	=item int events [read-only]	1595	=item int events [read-only]
1034		1596
1035	The events being watched.	1597	The events being watched.
1036		1598
1037	=back	1599	=back
		1600
		1601	=head3 Examples
1038		1602
1039	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well	1603	Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
1040	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could	1604	readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
1041	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.	1605	attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
1042		1606
1043	static void	1607	static void
1044	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	1608	stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1045	{	1609	{
1046	ev_io_stop (loop, w);	1610	ev_io_stop (loop, w);
1047	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors	1611	.. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
1048	}	1612	}
1049		1613
1050	...	1614	...
1051	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);	1615	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1052	struct ev_io stdin_readable;	1616	ev_io stdin_readable;
1053	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);	1617	ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1054	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);	1618	ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1055	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1619	ev_loop (loop, 0);
1056		1620
1057		1621
1058	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts	1622	=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1059		1623
1060	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a	1624	Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1061	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.	1625	given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
1062		1626
1063	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that	1627	The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
1064	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years	1628	times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
1065	time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because	1629	year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
1066	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the	1630	detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1067	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).	1631	monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
		1632
		1633	The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
		1634	passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
		1635	might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the
		1636	same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked
		1637	before ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is
		1638	no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively).
		1639
		1640	=head3 Be smart about timeouts
		1641
		1642	Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
		1643	recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
		1644	you want to raise some error after a while.
		1645
		1646	What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
		1647	inefficient to smart and efficient.
		1648
		1649	In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
		1650	gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
		1651	data or other life sign was received).
		1652
		1653	=over 4
		1654
		1655	=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
		1656
		1657	This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
		1658	start the watcher:
		1659
		1660	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
		1661	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1662
		1663	Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
		1664	and start it again:
		1665
		1666	ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
		1667	ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
		1668	ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
		1669
		1670	This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
		1671	some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
		1672	data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
		1673	still not a constant-time operation.
		1674
		1675	=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
		1676
		1677	This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
		1678	C<ev_timer_start>.
		1679
		1680	To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
		1681	of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
		1682	successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
		1683	you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
		1684	the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
		1685
		1686	That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
		1687	C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
		1688	member and C<ev_timer_again>.
		1689
		1690	At start:
		1691
		1692	ev_init (timer, callback);
		1693	timer->repeat = 60.;
		1694	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1695
		1696	Each time there is some activity:
		1697
		1698	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1699
		1700	It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
		1701	whether the watcher is active or not:
		1702
		1703	timer->repeat = 30.;
		1704	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
		1705
		1706	This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
		1707	you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
		1708	remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
		1709
		1710	It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
		1711
		1712	=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
		1713
		1714	This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
		1715	relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
		1716	our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
		1717	associated activity resets.
		1718
		1719	In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
		1720	but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
		1721	within the callback:
		1722
		1723	ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
		1724
		1725	static void
		1726	callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		1727	{
		1728	ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);
		1729	ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
		1730
		1731	// if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
		1732	if (timeout < now)
		1733	{
		1734	// timeout occured, take action
		1735	}
		1736	else
		1737	{
		1738	// callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
		1739	// the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
		1740	// guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
		1741	w->repeat = timeout - now;
		1742	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
		1743	}
		1744	}
		1745
		1746	To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
		1747	as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has
		1748	been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise
		1749	the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so
		1750	re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
		1751	a timeout then.
		1752
		1753	Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the
		1754	C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.
		1755
		1756	This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
		1757	minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
		1758	libev to change the timeout.
		1759
		1760	To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
		1761	to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
		1762	callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
		1763
		1764	ev_init (timer, callback);
		1765	last_activity = ev_now (loop);
		1766	callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMER);
		1767
		1768	And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
		1769	C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
		1770
		1771	last_actiivty = ev_now (loop);
		1772
		1773	This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
		1774	time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
		1775
		1776	Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
		1777	callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
		1778	fix things for you.
		1779
		1780	=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
		1781
		1782	If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
		1783	employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
		1784	do even better:
		1785
		1786	When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
		1787	at the I<end> of the list.
		1788
		1789	Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
		1790	the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
		1791
		1792	When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
		1793	the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
		1794	update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
		1795
		1796	This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
		1797	starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
		1798	complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
		1799	ensures that the list stays sorted.
		1800
		1801	=back
		1802
		1803	So which method the best?
		1804
		1805	Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
		1806	situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
		1807	better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
		1808	one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
		1809
		1810	Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
		1811	rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
		1812	off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
		1813	overkill :)
		1814
		1815	=head3 The special problem of time updates
		1816
		1817	Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
		1818	least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
		1819	time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a
		1820	growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
		1821	lots of events in one iteration.
1068		1822
1069	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>	1823	The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1070	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time	1824	time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1071	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If	1825	of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
1072	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout	1826	you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
1073	on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:	1827	timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
1074		1828
1075	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);	1829	ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
1076		1830
1077	The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed,	1831	If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1078	but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then	1832	update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1079	order of execution is undefined.	1833	()>.
		1834
		1835	=head3 The special problems of suspended animation
		1836
		1837	When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that
		1838	can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?
		1839
		1840	Some quick tests made with a Linux 2.6.28 indicate that a suspend freezes
		1841	all processes, while the clocks (C<times>, C<CLOCK_MONOTONIC>) continue
		1842	to run until the system is suspended, but they will not advance while the
		1843	system is suspended. That means, on resume, it will be as if the program
		1844	was frozen for a few seconds, but the suspend time will not be counted
		1845	towards C<ev_timer> when a monotonic clock source is used. The real time
		1846	clock advanced as expected, but if it is used as sole clocksource, then a
		1847	long suspend would be detected as a time jump by libev, and timers would
		1848	be adjusted accordingly.
		1849
		1850	I would not be surprised to see different behaviour in different between
		1851	operating systems, OS versions or even different hardware.
		1852
		1853	The other form of suspend (job control, or sending a SIGSTOP) will see a
		1854	time jump in the monotonic clocks and the realtime clock. If the program
		1855	is suspended for a very long time, and monotonic clock sources are in use,
		1856	then you can expect C<ev_timer>s to expire as the full suspension time
		1857	will be counted towards the timers. When no monotonic clock source is in
		1858	use, then libev will again assume a timejump and adjust accordingly.
		1859
		1860	It might be beneficial for this latter case to call C<ev_suspend>
		1861	and C<ev_resume> in code that handles C<SIGTSTP>, to at least get
		1862	deterministic behaviour in this case (you can do nothing against
		1863	C<SIGSTOP>).
1080		1864
1081	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1865	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1082		1866
1083	=over 4	1867	=over 4
1084		1868
1085	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1869	=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1086		1870
1087	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)	1871	=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1088		1872
1089	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is	1873	Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
1090	C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the	1874	is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
1091	timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds	1875	reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
1092	later, again, and again, until stopped manually.	1876	configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
		1877	until stopped manually.
1093		1878
1094	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you	1879	The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
1095	configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at	1880	you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
1096	exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with	1881	trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
1097	the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the	1882	keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1098	timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.	1883	do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1099		1884
1100	=item ev_timer_again (loop)	1885	=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1101		1886
1102	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is	1887	This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
1103	repeating. The exact semantics are:	1888	repeating. The exact semantics are:
1104		1889
1105	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.	1890	If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1106		1891
1107	If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out).	1892	If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
1108		1893
1109	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the	1894	If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
1110	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.	1895	C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1111		1896
1112	This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical	1897	This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
1113	example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle	1898	usage example.
1114	timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
1115	seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
1116	configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
1117	C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
1118	you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
1119	socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
1120	automatically restart it if need be.
1121		1899
1122	That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>	1900	=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
1123	altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
1124		1901
1125	ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);	1902	Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
1126	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);	1903	then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's
1127	...	1904	the timeout value currently configured.
1128	timer->again = 17.;
1129	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1130	...
1131	timer->again = 10.;
1132	ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1133		1905
1134	This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time	1906	That is, after an C<ev_timer_set (w, 5, 7)>, C<ev_timer_remaining> returns
1135	you want to modify its timeout value.	1907	C<5>. When the timer is started and one second passes, C<ev_timer_remaining>
		1908	will return C<4>. When the timer expires and is restarted, it will return
		1909	roughly C<7> (likely slightly less as callback invocation takes some time,
		1910	too), and so on.
1136		1911
1137	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]	1912	=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1138		1913
1139	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out	1914	The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1140	or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),	1915	or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1141	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.	1916	which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
1142		1917
1143	=back	1918	=back
1144		1919
		1920	=head3 Examples
		1921
1145	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.	1922	Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1146		1923
1147	static void	1924	static void
1148	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1925	one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1149	{	1926	{
1150	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here	1927	.. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1151	}	1928	}
1152		1929
1153	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1930	ev_timer mytimer;
1154	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);	1931	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1155	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);	1932	ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1156		1933
1157	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of	1934	Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1158	inactivity.	1935	inactivity.
1159		1936
1160	static void	1937	static void
1161	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)	1938	timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1162	{	1939	{
1163	.. ten seconds without any activity	1940	.. ten seconds without any activity
1164	}	1941	}
1165		1942
1166	struct ev_timer mytimer;	1943	ev_timer mytimer;
1167	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */	1944	ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1168	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */	1945	ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1169	ev_loop (loop, 0);	1946	ev_loop (loop, 0);
1170		1947
1171	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":	1948	// and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1172	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds	1949	// reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1173	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);	1950	ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1174		1951
1175		1952
1176	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?	1953	=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1177		1954
1178	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile	1955	Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1179	(and unfortunately a bit complex).	1956	(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1180		1957
1181	Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)	1958	Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
1182	but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher	1959	relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
1183	to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a	1960	(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calender or clock). The
1184	periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now ()	1961	difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
1185	+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will	1962	time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
1186	take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger	1963	wrist-watch).
1187	roughly 10 seconds later).
1188		1964
1189	They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as	1965	You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
1190	triggering an event on each midnight, local time or other, complicated,	1966	in time: for example, if you tell a periodic watcher to trigger "in 10
1191	rules.	1967	seconds" (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now () + 10.>, that is, an absolute time
		1968	not a delay) and then reset your system clock to January of the previous
		1969	year, then it will take a year or more to trigger the event (unlike an
		1970	C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting
		1971	it, as it uses a relative timeout).
1192		1972
		1973	C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex
		1974	timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or
		1975	other complicated rules. This cannot be done with C<ev_timer> watchers, as
		1976	those cannot react to time jumps.
		1977
1193	As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the	1978	As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1194	time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready	1979	point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
1195	during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.	1980	timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
		1981	earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
		1982	(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively).
1196		1983
1197	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	1984	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1198		1985
1199	=over 4	1986	=over 4
1200		1987
1201	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)	1988	=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1202		1989
1203	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)	1990	=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1204		1991
1205	Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of	1992	Lots of arguments, let's sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1206	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:	1993	operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1207		1994
1208	=over 4	1995	=over 4
1209		1996
1210	=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)	1997	=item * absolute timer (offset = absolute time, interval = 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1211		1998
1212	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time	1999	In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1213	C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs,	2000	time C<offset> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a
1214	that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the	2001	time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it
1215	system time reaches or surpasses this time.	2002	will be stopped and invoked when the system clock reaches or surpasses
		2003	this point in time.
1216		2004
1217	=item * non-repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)	2005	=item * repeating interval timer (offset = offset within interval, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1218		2006
1219	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next	2007	In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1220	C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)	2008	C<offset + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be
1221	and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.	2009	negative) and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. The C<offset>
		2010	argument is merely an offset into the C<interval> periods.
1222		2011
1223	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system	2012	This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1224	time:	2013	system clock, for example, here is an C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
		2014	hour, on the hour (with respect to UTC):
1225		2015
1226	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);	2016	ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1227		2017
1228	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,	2018	This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1229	but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a	2019	but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1230	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible	2020	full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1231	by 3600.	2021	by 3600.
1232		2022
1233	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that	2023	Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1234	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible	2024	C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1235	time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.	2025	time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1236		2026
1237	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near	2027	For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<offset> value is near
1238	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for	2028	C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1239	this value.	2029	this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
1240		2030
		2031	Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
		2032	speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
		2033	will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
		2034	millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
		2035
1241	=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)	2036	=item * manual reschedule mode (offset ignored, interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1242		2037
1243	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being	2038	In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<offset> are both being
1244	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the	2039	ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1245	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the	2040	reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1246	current time as second argument.	2041	current time as second argument.
1247		2042
1248	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,	2043	NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, ever,
1249	ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it,	2044	or make ANY other event loop modifications whatsoever, unless explicitly
1250	return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by	2045	allowed by documentation here>.
1251	starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is legal).
1252		2046
		2047	If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
		2048	it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
		2049	only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
		2050
1253	Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,	2051	The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1254	ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:	2052	*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1255		2053
		2054	static ev_tstamp
1256	static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	2055	my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1257	{	2056	{
1258	return now + 60.;	2057	return now + 60.;
1259	}	2058	}
1260		2059
1261	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value	2060	It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1262	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It	2061	(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
1263	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but	2062	will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1264	might be called at other times, too.	2063	might be called at other times, too.
1265		2064
1266	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the	2065	NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1267	passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger.	2066	equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1268		2067
1269	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that	2068	This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1270	triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the	2069	triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
1271	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How	2070	next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
1272	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main	2071	you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
1273	reason I omitted it as an example).	2072	reason I omitted it as an example).
1274		2073
1275	=back	2074	=back
…		…
1279	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful	2078	Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1280	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return	2079	when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1281	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like	2080	a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1282	program when the crontabs have changed).	2081	program when the crontabs have changed).
1283		2082
		2083	=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
		2084
		2085	When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed
		2086	to trigger next. This is not the same as the C<offset> argument to
		2087	C<ev_periodic_set>, but indeed works even in interval and manual
		2088	rescheduling modes.
		2089
1284	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]	2090	=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1285		2091
1286	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the	2092	When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1287	absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).	2093	absolute point in time (the C<offset> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>,
		2094	although libev might modify this value for better numerical stability).
1288		2095
1289	Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic	2096	Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
1290	timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	2097	timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1291		2098
1292	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]	2099	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1293		2100
1294	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only	2101	The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1295	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being	2102	take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1296	called.	2103	called.
1297		2104
1298	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]	2105	=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1299		2106
1300	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is	2107	The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1301	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when	2108	switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1302	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.	2109	the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1303		2110
1304	=item ev_tstamp at [read-only]
1305
1306	When active, contains the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1307	trigger next.
1308
1309	=back	2111	=back
1310		2112
		2113	=head3 Examples
		2114
1311	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the	2115	Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1312	system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have	2116	system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1313	potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.	2117	potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1314		2118
1315	static void	2119	static void
1316	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)	2120	clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1317	{	2121	{
1318	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)	2122	... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1319	}	2123	}
1320		2124
1321	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	2125	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1322	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);	2126	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1323	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	2127	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1324		2128
1325	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:	2129	Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1326		2130
1327	#include <math.h>	2131	#include <math.h>
1328		2132
1329	static ev_tstamp	2133	static ev_tstamp
1330	my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)	2134	my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1331	{	2135	{
1332	return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;	2136	return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1333	}	2137	}
1334		2138
1335	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);	2139	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1336		2140
1337	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:	2141	Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1338		2142
1339	struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;	2143	ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1340	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,	2144	ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1341	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);	2145	fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1342	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);	2146	ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1343		2147
1344		2148
1345	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!	2149	=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1346		2150
1347	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific	2151	Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1348	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev	2152	signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1349	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the	2153	will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1350	normal event processing, like any other event.	2154	normal event processing, like any other event.
1351		2155
		2156	If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use
		2157	C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing
		2158	the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to
		2159	synchronously wake up an event loop.
		2160
1352	You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the	2161	You can configure as many watchers as you like for the same signal, but
		2162	only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your
		2163	default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for
		2164	C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At
		2165	the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop.
		2166
1353	first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher	2167	When the first watcher gets started will libev actually register something
1354	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long	2168	with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as
1355	as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal	2169	you don't register any with libev for the same signal).
1356	watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to	2170
1357	SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).	2171	If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
		2172	C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
		2173	not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
		2174	interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
		2175	and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
		2176
		2177	=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create
		2178
		2179	Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition
		2180	(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
		2181	stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
		2182	and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler.
		2183
		2184	While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never
		2185	sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on
		2186	C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect
		2187	certain signals to be blocked.
		2188
		2189	This means that before calling C<exec> (from the child) you should reset
		2190	the signal mask to whatever "default" you expect (all clear is a good
		2191	choice usually).
		2192
		2193	The simplest way to ensure that the signal mask is reset in the child is
		2194	to install a fork handler with C<pthread_atfork> that resets it. That will
		2195	catch fork calls done by libraries (such as the libc) as well.
		2196
		2197	In current versions of libev, the signal will not be blocked indefinitely
		2198	unless you use the C<signalfd> API (C<EV_SIGNALFD>). While this reduces
		2199	the window of opportunity for problems, it will not go away, as libev
		2200	I<has> to modify the signal mask, at least temporarily.
		2201
		2202	So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when
		2203	you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This
		2204	is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries.
1358		2205
1359	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2206	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1360		2207
1361	=over 4	2208	=over 4
1362		2209
…		…
1371		2218
1372	The signal the watcher watches out for.	2219	The signal the watcher watches out for.
1373		2220
1374	=back	2221	=back
1375		2222
		2223	=head3 Examples
		2224
		2225	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
		2226
		2227	static void
		2228	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
		2229	{
		2230	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
		2231	}
		2232
		2233	ev_signal signal_watcher;
		2234	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
		2235	ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
		2236
1376		2237
1377	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes	2238	=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1378		2239
1379	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to	2240	Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1380	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies).	2241	some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
		2242	exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
		2243	has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
		2244	as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
		2245	forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
		2246	but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later or
		2247	in the next callback invocation is not.
		2248
		2249	Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
		2250	you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
		2251
		2252	Due to some design glitches inside libev, child watchers will always be
		2253	handled at maximum priority (their priority is set to C<EV_MAXPRI> by
		2254	libev)
		2255
		2256	=head3 Process Interaction
		2257
		2258	Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
		2259	initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if the
		2260	first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
		2261	of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
		2262	synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
		2263	children, even ones not watched.
		2264
		2265	=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
		2266
		2267	Libev offers no special support for overriding the built-in child
		2268	processing, but if your application collides with libev's default child
		2269	handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
		2270	C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
		2271	default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
		2272	event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
		2273	that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
		2274
		2275	=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
		2276
		2277	Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
		2278	child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
		2279	callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
		2280	when a child exit is detected (calling C<ev_child_stop> twice is not a
		2281	problem).
1381		2282
1382	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2283	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1383		2284
1384	=over 4	2285	=over 4
1385		2286
1386	=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid)	2287	=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid, int trace)
1387		2288
1388	=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid)	2289	=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid, int trace)
1389		2290
1390	Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or	2291	Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or
1391	I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look	2292	I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look
1392	at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see	2293	at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see
1393	the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems	2294	the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems
1394	C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the	2295	C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the
1395	process causing the status change.	2296	process causing the status change. C<trace> must be either C<0> (only
		2297	activate the watcher when the process terminates) or C<1> (additionally
		2298	activate the watcher when the process is stopped or continued).
1396		2299
1397	=item int pid [read-only]	2300	=item int pid [read-only]
1398		2301
1399	The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.	2302	The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.
1400		2303
…		…
1407	The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems	2310	The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems
1408	C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).	2311	C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).
1409		2312
1410	=back	2313	=back
1411		2314
1412	Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.	2315	=head3 Examples
1413		2316
		2317	Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
		2318	its completion.
		2319
		2320	ev_child cw;
		2321
1414	static void	2322	static void
1415	sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)	2323	child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1416	{	2324	{
1417	ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);	2325	ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
		2326	printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1418	}	2327	}
1419		2328
1420	struct ev_signal signal_watcher;	2329	pid_t pid = fork ();
1421	ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);	2330
1422	ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);	2331	if (pid < 0)
		2332	// error
		2333	else if (pid == 0)
		2334	{
		2335	// the forked child executes here
		2336	exit (1);
		2337	}
		2338	else
		2339	{
		2340	ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
		2341	ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
		2342	}
1423		2343
1424		2344
1425	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?	2345	=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1426		2346
1427	This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls	2347	This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1428	C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed	2348	C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
1429	compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.	2349	and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if
		2350	it did.
1430		2351
1431	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does	2352	The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1432	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does	2353	not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
1433	not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is	2354	exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
1434	otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of	2355	C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
1435	the stat buffer having unspecified contents.	2356	least one) and all the other fields of the stat buffer having unspecified
		2357	contents.
1436		2358
1437	The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is	2359	The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
		2360	C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
1438	relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.	2361	your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
1439		2362
1440	Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply	2363	Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
1441	calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You	2364	portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
1442	can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify	2365	to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
1443	a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,	2366	interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
1444	unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around	2367	recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
1445	five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also	2368	(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
1446	impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats	2369	change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
1447	usually overkill.	2370	currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
1448		2371
1449	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,	2372	This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1450	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be	2373	as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1451	resource-intensive.	2374	resource-intensive.
1452		2375
1453	At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is	2376	At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1454	implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the	2377	is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as an
1455	reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the	2378	exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way of
1456	semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs	2379	implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue, except as a hint).
1457	to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are	2380
1458	usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no	2381	=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1459	polling.	2382
		2383	Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
		2384	compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
		2385	support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
		2386	structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
		2387	use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
		2388	compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
		2389	obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
		2390	most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
		2391
		2392	The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
		2393	file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
		2394	optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
		2395	to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
		2396	default compilation environment.
		2397
		2398	=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
		2399
		2400	When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev and present at
		2401	runtime, it will be used to speed up change detection where possible. The
		2402	inotify descriptor will be created lazily when the first C<ev_stat>
		2403	watcher is being started.
		2404
		2405	Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
		2406	except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
		2407	making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
		2408	there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
		2409	but as long as kernel 2.6.25 or newer is used (2.6.24 and older have too
		2410	many bugs), the path exists (i.e. stat succeeds), and the path resides on
		2411	a local filesystem (libev currently assumes only ext2/3, jfs, reiserfs and
		2412	xfs are fully working) libev usually gets away without polling.
		2413
		2414	There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
		2415	implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
		2416	descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
		2417	etc. is difficult.
		2418
		2419	=head3 C<stat ()> is a synchronous operation
		2420
		2421	Libev doesn't normally do any kind of I/O itself, and so is not blocking
		2422	the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat
		2423	()>, which is a synchronous operation.
		2424
		2425	For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very
		2426	busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast,
		2427	as the path data is usually in memory already (except when starting the
		2428	watcher).
		2429
		2430	For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
		2431	time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call
		2432	often takes multiple milliseconds.
		2433
		2434	Therefore, it is best to avoid using C<ev_stat> watchers on networked
		2435	paths, although this is fully supported by libev.
		2436
		2437	=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
		2438
		2439	The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
		2440	and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
		2441	still only support whole seconds.
		2442
		2443	That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
		2444	easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
		2445	calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
		2446	within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
		2447	stat data does change in other ways (e.g. file size).
		2448
		2449	The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
		2450	than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
		2451	a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
		2452	ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
		2453
		2454	The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
		2455	of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
		2456	might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
		2457	C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
		2458	a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
		2459	update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
		2460	the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
		2461	the timer callback).
1460		2462
1461	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2463	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1462		2464
1463	=over 4	2465	=over 4
1464		2466
…		…
1470	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to	2472	C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1471	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose	2473	be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1472	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same	2474	a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1473	path for as long as the watcher is active.	2475	path for as long as the watcher is active.
1474		2476
1475	The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected,	2477	The callback will receive an C<EV_STAT> event when a change was detected,
1476	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the	2478	relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1477	last change was detected).	2479	last change was detected).
1478		2480
1479	=item ev_stat_stat (ev_stat *)	2481	=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1480		2482
1481	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the	2483	Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1482	watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid	2484	watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1483	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be	2485	detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1484	useful simply to find out the new values.	2486	the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
		2487	new values.
1485		2488
1486	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]	2489	=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1487		2490
1488	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of	2491	The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
1489	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types	2492	C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1490	suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there	2493	suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
		2494	members to be present. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there was
1491	was some error while C<stat>ing the file.	2495	some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1492		2496
1493	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]	2497	=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1494		2498
1495	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever	2499	The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1496	C<prev> != C<attr>.	2500	C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
		2501	differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
		2502	C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
1497		2503
1498	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]	2504	=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1499		2505
1500	The specified interval.	2506	The specified interval.
1501		2507
1502	=item const char *path [read-only]	2508	=item const char *path [read-only]
1503		2509
1504	The filesystem path that is being watched.	2510	The file system path that is being watched.
1505		2511
1506	=back	2512	=back
1507		2513
		2514	=head3 Examples
		2515
1508	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.	2516	Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1509		2517
1510	static void	2518	static void
1511	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)	2519	passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1512	{	2520	{
1513	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */	2521	/* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1514	if (w->attr.st_nlink)	2522	if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1515	{	2523	{
1516	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);	2524	printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1517	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2525	printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1518	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);	2526	printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1519	}	2527	}
1520	else	2528	else
1521	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */	2529	/* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1522	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "	2530	puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1523	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");	2531	"if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1524	}	2532	}
1525		2533
1526	...	2534	...
1527	ev_stat passwd;	2535	ev_stat passwd;
1528		2536
1529	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd");	2537	ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1530	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);	2538	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
		2539
		2540	Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
		2541	miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
		2542	one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
		2543	C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
		2544
		2545	static ev_stat passwd;
		2546	static ev_timer timer;
		2547
		2548	static void
		2549	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
		2550	{
		2551	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
		2552
		2553	/* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
		2554	}
		2555
		2556	static void
		2557	stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
		2558	{
		2559	/* reset the one-second timer */
		2560	ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
		2561	}
		2562
		2563	...
		2564	ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
		2565	ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
		2566	ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1531		2567
1532		2568
1533	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...	2569	=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1534		2570
1535	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher	2571	Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1536	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not	2572	priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count
1537	count).	2573	as receiving "events").
1538		2574
1539	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts	2575	That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1540	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be	2576	(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1541	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers	2577	triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1542	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop	2578	are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
…		…
1553		2589
1554	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2590	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1555		2591
1556	=over 4	2592	=over 4
1557		2593
1558	=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback)	2594	=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
1559		2595
1560	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any	2596	Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1561	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,	2597	kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1562	believe me.	2598	believe me.
1563		2599
1564	=back	2600	=back
1565		2601
		2602	=head3 Examples
		2603
1566	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the	2604	Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1567	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.	2605	callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1568		2606
1569	static void	2607	static void
1570	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)	2608	idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1571	{	2609	{
1572	free (w);	2610	free (w);
1573	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has	2611	// now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1574	// no longer asnything immediate to do.	2612	// no longer anything immediate to do.
1575	}	2613	}
1576		2614
1577	struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));	2615	ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1578	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);	2616	ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1579	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);	2617	ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
1580		2618
1581		2619
1582	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!	2620	=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1583		2621
1584	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:	2622	Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
1585	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers	2623	prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1586	afterwards.	2624	afterwards.
1587		2625
1588	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter	2626	You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter
1589	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>	2627	the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
…		…
1592	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,	2630	those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1593	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be	2631	C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1594	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.	2632	called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1595		2633
1596	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and	2634	Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1597	their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track	2635	their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
1598	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a	2636	variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1599	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if	2637	coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1600	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,	2638	you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1601	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>	2639	in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1602	watcher).	2640	watcher).
1603		2641
1604	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need	2642	This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors
1605	to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for	2643	need to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers
1606	them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries	2644	for them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many
1607	provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for	2645	libraries provide exactly this functionality). Then, in the check watcher,
1608	any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers	2646	you check for any events that occurred (by checking the pending status
1609	and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer	2647	of all watchers and stopping them) and call back into the library. The
1610	callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,	2648	I/O and timer callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid
1611	because you never know, you know?).	2649	nevertheless, because you never know, you know?).
1612		2650
1613	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate	2651	As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1614	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines	2652	coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
1615	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines	2653	during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
1616	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines	2654	are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
…		…
1619	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping	2657	loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1620	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).	2658	low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1621		2659
1622	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)	2660	It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
1623	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers	2661	priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
		2662	after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).
		2663
1624	after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers,	2664	Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
1625	too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully	2665	activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
1626	supports this, they will be called before other C<ev_check> watchers did	2666	might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
1627	their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other event	2667	C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
1628	loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their	2668	loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
1629	C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with	2669	C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
1630	others).	2670	others).
1631		2671
1632	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2672	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
…		…
1637		2677
1638	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)	2678	=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1639		2679
1640	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no	2680	Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
1641	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>	2681	parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1642	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.	2682	macros, but using them is utterly, utterly, utterly and completely
		2683	pointless.
1643		2684
1644	=back	2685	=back
		2686
		2687	=head3 Examples
1645		2688
1646	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules	2689	There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
1647	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev	2690	into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
1648	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could	2691	(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
1649	use for an actually working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib>	2692	use as a working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> embeds a
1650	embeds a Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV	2693	Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
1651	into the Glib event loop).	2694	Glib event loop).
1652		2695
1653	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,	2696	Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1654	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows	2697	and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1655	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low	2698	is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
1656	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as	2699	priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
1657	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.	2700	the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1658		2701
1659	static ev_io iow [nfd];	2702	static ev_io iow [nfd];
1660	static ev_timer tw;	2703	static ev_timer tw;
1661		2704
1662	static void	2705	static void
1663	io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)	2706	io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1664	{	2707	{
1665	}	2708	}
1666		2709
1667	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking	2710	// create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1668	static void	2711	static void
1669	adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)	2712	adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1670	{	2713	{
1671	int timeout = 3600000;	2714	int timeout = 3600000;
1672	struct pollfd fds [nfd];	2715	struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1673	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.	2716	// actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1674	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));	2717	adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1675		2718
1676	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */	2719	/* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1677	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);	2720	ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3, 0.);
1678	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);	2721	ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1679		2722
1680	// create one ev_io per pollfd	2723	// create one ev_io per pollfd
1681	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2724	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1682	{	2725	{
1683	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,	2726	ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1684	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)	2727	((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1685	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));	2728	| (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1686		2729
1687	fds [i].revents = 0;	2730	fds [i].revents = 0;
1688	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);	2731	ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1689	}	2732	}
1690	}	2733	}
1691		2734
1692	// stop all watchers after blocking	2735	// stop all watchers after blocking
1693	static void	2736	static void
1694	adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)	2737	adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1695	{	2738	{
1696	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);	2739	ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1697		2740
1698	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)	2741	for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1699	{	2742	{
1700	// set the relevant poll flags	2743	// set the relevant poll flags
1701	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here	2744	// could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1702	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;	2745	struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
1703	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);	2746	int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
1704	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;	2747	if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1705	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;	2748	if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1706		2749
1707	// now stop the watcher	2750	// now stop the watcher
1708	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);	2751	ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1709	}	2752	}
1710		2753
1711	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));	2754	adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1712	}	2755	}
1713		2756
1714	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>	2757	Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
1715	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.	2758	in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
1716		2759
1717	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event	2760	Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
1718	notification (adns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher	2761	notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
1719	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.	2762	callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
1720		2763
1721	static void	2764	static void
1722	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	2765	timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1723	{	2766	{
1724	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2767	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1725	update_now (EV_A);	2768	update_now (EV_A);
1726		2769
1727	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);	2770	adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
1728	}	2771	}
1729		2772
1730	static void	2773	static void
1731	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)	2774	io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1732	{	2775	{
1733	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;	2776	adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1734	update_now (EV_A);	2777	update_now (EV_A);
1735		2778
1736	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2779	if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1737	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);	2780	if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1738	}	2781	}
1739		2782
1740	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll	2783	// do not ever call adns_afterpoll
1741		2784
1742	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you	2785	Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
1743	want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, youc na override	2786	want to embed is not flexible enough to support it. Instead, you can
1744	their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main	2787	override their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the
1745	loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does	2788	main loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module uses
1746	this.	2789	this approach, effectively embedding EV as a client into the horrible
		2790	libglib event loop.
1747		2791
1748	static gint	2792	static gint
1749	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)	2793	event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
1750	{	2794	{
1751	int got_events = 0;	2795	int got_events = 0;
1752		2796
1753	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2797	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1754	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events	2798	// create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
1755		2799
1756	if (timeout >= 0)	2800	if (timeout >= 0)
1757	// create/start timer	2801	// create/start timer
1758		2802
1759	// poll	2803	// poll
1760	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	2804	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1761		2805
1762	// stop timer again	2806	// stop timer again
1763	if (timeout >= 0)	2807	if (timeout >= 0)
1764	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);	2808	ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
1765		2809
1766	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set	2810	// stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
1767	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)	2811	for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1768	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);	2812	ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
1769		2813
1770	return got_events;	2814	return got_events;
1771	}	2815	}
1772		2816
1773		2817
1774	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...	2818	=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1775		2819
1776	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop	2820	This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
1777	into another (currently only C<ev_io> events are supported in the embedded	2821	into another (currently only C<ev_io> events are supported in the embedded
1778	loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or incorrect	2822	loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or incorrect
1779	fashion and must not be used). (See portability notes, below).	2823	fashion and must not be used).
1780		2824
1781	There are primarily two reasons you would want that: work around bugs and	2825	There are primarily two reasons you would want that: work around bugs and
1782	prioritise I/O.	2826	prioritise I/O.
1783		2827
1784	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support	2828	As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
1785	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you	2829	sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
1786	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales	2830	still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
1787	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it	2831	so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed
1788	into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will	2832	it into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation
1789	be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but	2833	will be a bit slower because first libev has to call C<poll> and then
1790	at least you can use both at what they are best.	2834	C<kevent>, but at least you can use both mechanisms for what they are
		2835	best: C<kqueue> for scalable sockets and C<poll> if you want it to work :)
1791		2836
1792	As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have	2837	As for prioritising I/O: under rare circumstances you have the case where
1793	to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even	2838	some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
1794	priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case	2839	and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
1795	you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in	2840	this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
1796	a second one, and embed the second one in the first.	2841	the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
1797		2842
1798	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time	2843	As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every
1799	there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then	2844	time there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback
1800	call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke	2845	must then call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single
1801	their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded	2846	sweep and invoke their callbacks (the callback doesn't need to invoke the
1802	loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback	2847	C<ev_embed_sweep> function directly, it could also start an idle watcher
1803	to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the	2848	to give the embedded loop strictly lower priority for example).
1804	embedded loop sweep.
1805		2849
1806	As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The	2850	You can also set the callback to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher
1807	callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can	2851	will automatically execute the embedded loop sweep whenever necessary.
1808	set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
1809	interested in that.
1810		2852
1811	Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:	2853	Fork detection will be handled transparently while the C<ev_embed> watcher
1812	when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,	2854	is active, i.e., the embedded loop will automatically be forked when the
1813	but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers	2855	embedding loop forks. In other cases, the user is responsible for calling
1814	yourself.	2856	C<ev_loop_fork> on the embedded loop.
1815		2857
1816	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by	2858	Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
1817	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any	2859	C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
1818	portable one.	2860	portable one.
1819		2861
1820	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared	2862	So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
1821	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around	2863	that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
1822	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to	2864	this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
1823	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything:	2865	create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
1824		2866
1825	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);	2867	=head3 C<ev_embed> and fork
1826	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
1827	struct ev_embed embed;
1828
1829	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
1830	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
1831	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
1832	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
1833	: 0;
1834		2868
1835	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi	2869	While the C<ev_embed> watcher is running, forks in the embedding loop will
1836	if (loop_lo)	2870	automatically be applied to the embedded loop as well, so no special
1837	{	2871	fork handling is required in that case. When the watcher is not running,
1838	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);	2872	however, it is still the task of the libev user to call C<ev_loop_fork ()>
1839	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);	2873	as applicable.
1840	}
1841	else
1842	loop_lo = loop_hi;
1843
1844	=head2 Portability notes
1845
1846	Kqueue is nominally embeddable, but this is broken on all BSDs that I
1847	tried, in various ways. Usually the embedded event loop will simply never
1848	receive events, sometimes it will only trigger a few times, sometimes in a
1849	loop. Epoll is also nominally embeddable, but many Linux kernel versions
1850	will always eport the epoll fd as ready, even when no events are pending.
1851
1852	While libev allows embedding these backends (they are contained in
1853	C<ev_embeddable_backends ()>), take extreme care that it will actually
1854	work.
1855
1856	When in doubt, create a dynamic event loop forced to use sockets (this
1857	usually works) and possibly another thread and a pipe or so to report to
1858	your main event loop.
1859		2874
1860	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2875	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1861		2876
1862	=over 4	2877	=over 4
1863		2878
…		…
1867		2882
1868	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be	2883	Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1869	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be	2884	embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
1870	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback	2885	invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1871	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,	2886	to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
1872	if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).	2887	if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
1873		2888
1874	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)	2889	=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
1875		2890
1876	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works	2891	Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1877	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most	2892	similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
1878	apropriate way for embedded loops.	2893	appropriate way for embedded loops.
1879		2894
1880	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]	2895	=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
1881		2896
1882	The embedded event loop.	2897	The embedded event loop.
1883		2898
1884	=back	2899	=back
		2900
		2901	=head3 Examples
		2902
		2903	Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
		2904	event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
		2905	loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
		2906	C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
		2907	used).
		2908
		2909	struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
		2910	struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
		2911	ev_embed embed;
		2912
		2913	// see if there is a chance of getting one that works
		2914	// (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
		2915	loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
		2916	? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
		2917	: 0;
		2918
		2919	// if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
		2920	if (loop_lo)
		2921	{
		2922	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
		2923	ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
		2924	}
		2925	else
		2926	loop_lo = loop_hi;
		2927
		2928	Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
		2929	a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
		2930	kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
		2931	C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
		2932
		2933	struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
		2934	struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
		2935	ev_embed embed;
		2936
		2937	if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
		2938	if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
		2939	{
		2940	ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
		2941	ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
		2942	}
		2943
		2944	if (!loop_socket)
		2945	loop_socket = loop;
		2946
		2947	// now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
1885		2948
1886		2949
1887	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork	2950	=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
1888		2951
1889	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because	2952	Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
…		…
1892	event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,	2955	event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
1893	and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling	2956	and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
1894	C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork	2957	C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
1895	handlers will be invoked, too, of course.	2958	handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
1896		2959
		2960	=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
		2961
		2962	Most uses of C<fork()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to ste
		2963	up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
		2964	sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
		2965
		2966	This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
		2967	in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
		2968	fork.
		2969
		2970	The default mode of operation (for libev, with application help to detect
		2971	forks) is to duplicate all the state in the child, as would be expected
		2972	when I<either> the parent I<or> the child process continues.
		2973
		2974	When both processes want to continue using libev, then this is usually the
		2975	wrong result. In that case, usually one process (typically the parent) is
		2976	supposed to continue with all watchers in place as before, while the other
		2977	process typically wants to start fresh, i.e. without any active watchers.
		2978
		2979	The cleanest and most efficient way to achieve that with libev is to
		2980	simply create a new event loop, which of course will be "empty", and
		2981	use that for new watchers. This has the advantage of not touching more
		2982	memory than necessary, and thus avoiding the copy-on-write, and the
		2983	disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support
		2984	signal watchers).
		2985
		2986	When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for
		2987	other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call
		2988	C<ev_default_destroy ()> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>. Destroying
		2989	the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered watchers, so you
		2990	have to be careful not to execute code that modifies those watchers. Note
		2991	also that in that case, you have to re-register any signal watchers.
		2992
1897	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members	2993	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1898		2994
1899	=over 4	2995	=over 4
1900		2996
1901	=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)	2997	=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
…		…
1905	believe me.	3001	believe me.
1906		3002
1907	=back	3003	=back
1908		3004
1909		3005
		3006	=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop
		3007
		3008	In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
		3009	asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
		3010	loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
		3011
		3012	Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not
		3013	control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what
		3014	C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you
		3015	can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal
		3016	safe.
		3017
		3018	This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
		3019	too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
		3020	(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
		3021	C<ev_async_sent> calls).
		3022
		3023	Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
		3024	just the default loop.
		3025
		3026	=head3 Queueing
		3027
		3028	C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
		3029	is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
		3030	multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
		3031	need elaborate support such as pthreads or unportable memory access
		3032	semantics.
		3033
		3034	That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
		3035	queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
		3036	queue:
		3037
		3038	=over 4
		3039
		3040	=item queueing from a signal handler context
		3041
		3042	To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
		3043	handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is
		3044	an example that does that for some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
		3045
		3046	static ev_async mysig;
		3047
		3048	static void
		3049	sigusr1_handler (void)
		3050	{
		3051	sometype data;
		3052
		3053	// no locking etc.
		3054	queue_put (data);
		3055	ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
		3056	}
		3057
		3058	static void
		3059	mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		3060	{
		3061	sometype data;
		3062	sigset_t block, prev;
		3063
		3064	sigemptyset (&block);
		3065	sigaddset (&block, SIGUSR1);
		3066	sigprocmask (SIG_BLOCK, &block, &prev);
		3067
		3068	while (queue_get (&data))
		3069	process (data);
		3070
		3071	if (sigismember (&prev, SIGUSR1)
		3072	sigprocmask (SIG_UNBLOCK, &block, 0);
		3073	}
		3074
		3075	(Note: pthreads in theory requires you to use C<pthread_setmask>
		3076	instead of C<sigprocmask> when you use threads, but libev doesn't do it
		3077	either...).
		3078
		3079	=item queueing from a thread context
		3080
		3081	The strategy for threads is different, as you cannot (easily) block
		3082	threads but you can easily preempt them, so to queue safely you need to
		3083	employ a traditional mutex lock, such as in this pthread example:
		3084
		3085	static ev_async mysig;
		3086	static pthread_mutex_t mymutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
		3087
		3088	static void
		3089	otherthread (void)
		3090	{
		3091	// only need to lock the actual queueing operation
		3092	pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
		3093	queue_put (data);
		3094	pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
		3095
		3096	ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
		3097	}
		3098
		3099	static void
		3100	mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		3101	{
		3102	pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
		3103
		3104	while (queue_get (&data))
		3105	process (data);
		3106
		3107	pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
		3108	}
		3109
		3110	=back
		3111
		3112
		3113	=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
		3114
		3115	=over 4
		3116
		3117	=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
		3118
		3119	Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
		3120	kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
		3121	trust me.
		3122
		3123	=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
		3124
		3125	Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
		3126	an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
		3127	C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or
		3128	similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
		3129	section below on what exactly this means).
		3130
		3131	Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
		3132	compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this
		3133	is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>,
		3134	reset when the event loop detects that).
		3135
		3136	This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per event loop
		3137	iteration, so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to
		3138	repeated calls to C<ev_async_send> for the same event loop.
		3139
		3140	=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
		3141
		3142	Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
		3143	watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
		3144	event loop.
		3145
		3146	C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
		3147	the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
		3148	it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
		3149	quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
		3150
		3151	Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending,
		3152	only whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending: there
		3153	is a time window between the event loop checking and resetting the async
		3154	notification, and the callback being invoked.
		3155
		3156	=back
		3157
		3158
1910	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS	3159	=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
1911		3160
1912	There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.	3161	There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
1913		3162
1914	=over 4	3163	=over 4
1915		3164
1916	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)	3165	=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
1917		3166
1918	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your	3167	This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
1919	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both	3168	callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
1920	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd	3169	watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
1921	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or	3170	or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
1922	more watchers yourself.	3171	more watchers yourself.
1923		3172
1924	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events	3173	If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and the
1925	is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and	3174	C<events> argument is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for
1926	C<events> set will be craeted and started.	3175	the given C<fd> and C<events> set will be created and started.
1927		3176
1928	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be	3177	If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
1929	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and	3178	started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
1930	repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of	3179	repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
1931	dubious value.
1932		3180
1933	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets	3181	The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and is
1934	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of	3182	passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
1935	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>	3183	C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMER>) and the C<arg>
1936	value passed to C<ev_once>:	3184	value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
		3185	a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
		3186	events precedence.
1937		3187
		3188	Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
		3189
1938	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)	3190	static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
1939	{	3191	{
1940	if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
1941	/* doh, nothing entered */;
1942	else if (revents & EV_READ)	3192	if (revents & EV_READ)
1943	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;	3193	/* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
		3194	else if (revents & EV_TIMER)
		3195	/* doh, nothing entered */;
1944	}	3196	}
1945		3197
1946	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);	3198	ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
1947		3199
1948	=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
1949
1950	Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1951	had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1952	initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
1953
1954	=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)	3200	=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
1955		3201
1956	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected	3202	Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
1957	the given events it.	3203	the given events it.
1958		3204
1959	=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)	3205	=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
1960		3206
1961	Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default	3207	Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
1962	loop!).	3208	loop!).
1963		3209
1964	=back	3210	=back
1965		3211
1966		3212
…		…
1982		3228
1983	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities	3229	=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
1984	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there	3230	will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
1985	is an ev_pri field.	3231	is an ev_pri field.
1986		3232
		3233	=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
		3234	first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.
		3235
1987	=item * Other members are not supported.	3236	=item * Other members are not supported.
1988		3237
1989	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need	3238	=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
1990	to use the libev header file and library.	3239	to use the libev header file and library.
1991		3240
1992	=back	3241	=back
1993		3242
1994	=head1 C++ SUPPORT	3243	=head1 C++ SUPPORT
1995		3244
1996	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow	3245	Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
1997	you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change	3246	you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
1998	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.	3247	the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
1999		3248
2000	To use it,	3249	To use it,
2001		3250
2002	#include <ev++.h>	3251	#include <ev++.h>
2003		3252
2004	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many	3253	This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
2005	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are	3254	of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
2006	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding	3255	put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
2007	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.	3256	options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
…		…
2041		3290
2042	=over 4	3291	=over 4
2043		3292
2044	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()	3293	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
2045		3294
2046	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *)	3295	=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (loop)
2047		3296
2048	=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE	3297	=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
2049		3298
2050	The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher	3299	The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
2051	with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.	3300	with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
…		…
2074	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the	3323	your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
2075	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.	3324	thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
2076		3325
2077	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation	3326	Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
2078		3327
2079	struct myclass	3328	struct myclass
2080	{	3329	{
2081	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	3330	void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2082	}	3331	}
2083		3332
2084	myclass obj;	3333	myclass obj;
2085	ev::io iow;	3334	ev::io iow;
2086	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);	3335	iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
		3336
		3337	=item w->set (object *)
		3338
		3339	This is an B<experimental> feature that might go away in a future version.
		3340
		3341	This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
		3342	will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
		3343	functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
		3344	the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
		3345	list.
		3346
		3347	The C<operator ()> method prototype must be C<void operator ()(watcher &w,
		3348	int revents)>.
		3349
		3350	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
		3351
		3352	Example: use a functor object as callback.
		3353
		3354	struct myfunctor
		3355	{
		3356	void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
		3357	{
		3358	...
		3359	}
		3360	}
		3361
		3362	myfunctor f;
		3363
		3364	ev::io w;
		3365	w.set (&f);
2087		3366
2088	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)	3367	=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2089		3368
2090	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as	3369	Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2091	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's	3370	callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
…		…
2093		3372
2094	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.	3373	The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
2095		3374
2096	See the method-C<set> above for more details.	3375	See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2097		3376
2098	Example:	3377	Example: Use a plain function as callback.
2099		3378
2100	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }	3379	static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2101	iow.set <io_cb> ();	3380	iow.set <io_cb> ();
2102		3381
2103	=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)	3382	=item w->set (loop)
2104		3383
2105	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only	3384	Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
2106	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).	3385	do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
2107		3386
2108	=item w->set ([args])	3387	=item w->set ([arguments])
2109		3388
2110	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be	3389	Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be
2111	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets	3390	called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
2112	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this	3391	automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
2113	method.	3392	method.
2114		3393
2115	=item w->start ()	3394	=item w->start ()
…		…
2139	=back	3418	=back
2140		3419
2141	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in	3420	Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
2142	the constructor.	3421	the constructor.
2143		3422
2144	class myclass	3423	class myclass
2145	{	3424	{
2146	ev_io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);	3425	ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2147	ev_idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);	3426	ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2148		3427
2149	myclass ();	3428	myclass (int fd)
2150	}	3429	{
2151
2152	myclass::myclass (int fd)
2153	{
2154	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);	3430	io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
2155	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);	3431	idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2156		3432
2157	io.start (fd, ev::READ);	3433	io.start (fd, ev::READ);
		3434	}
2158	}	3435	};
		3436
		3437
		3438	=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
		3439
		3440	Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
		3441	number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
		3442	any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
		3443	me a note.
		3444
		3445	=over 4
		3446
		3447	=item Perl
		3448
		3449	The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
		3450	libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
		3451	there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
		3452	to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>, but C<AnyEvent::DNS> is preferred nowadays),
		3453	C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV>
		3454	and C<EV::Glib>).
		3455
		3456	It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
		3457	L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
		3458
		3459	=item Python
		3460
		3461	Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
		3462	seems to be quite complete and well-documented.
		3463
		3464	=item Ruby
		3465
		3466	Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
		3467	of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
		3468	more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
		3469	L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
		3470
		3471	Roger Pack reports that using the link order C<-lws2_32 -lmsvcrt-ruby-190>
		3472	makes rev work even on mingw.
		3473
		3474	=item Haskell
		3475
		3476	A haskell binding to libev is available at
		3477	L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
		3478
		3479	=item D
		3480
		3481	Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
		3482	be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
		3483
		3484	=item Ocaml
		3485
		3486	Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
		3487	L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
		3488
		3489	=item Lua
		3490
		3491	Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the
		3492	time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at
		3493	L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>.
		3494
		3495	=back
2159		3496
2160		3497
2161	=head1 MACRO MAGIC	3498	=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2162		3499
2163	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal	3500	Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
2164	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)	3501	of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
2165	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.	3502	functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
2166		3503
2167	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the	3504	To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
2168	following macros are defined:	3505	following macros are defined:
…		…
2173		3510
2174	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev	3511	This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2175	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,	3512	loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2176	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:	3513	C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2177		3514
2178	ev_unref (EV_A);	3515	ev_unref (EV_A);
2179	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);	3516	ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2180	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);	3517	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
2181		3518
2182	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,	3519	It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2183	which is often provided by the following macro.	3520	which is often provided by the following macro.
2184		3521
2185	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>	3522	=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
2186		3523
2187	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev	3524	This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2188	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,	3525	loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
2189	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:	3526	C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
2190		3527
2191	// this is how ev_unref is being declared	3528	// this is how ev_unref is being declared
2192	static void ev_unref (EV_P);	3529	static void ev_unref (EV_P);
2193		3530
2194	// this is how you can declare your typical callback	3531	// this is how you can declare your typical callback
2195	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	3532	static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2196		3533
2197	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite	3534	It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
2198	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.	3535	suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
2199		3536
2200	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>	3537	=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
2201		3538
2202	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default	3539	Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
2203	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").	3540	loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
		3541
		3542	=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
		3543
		3544	Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
		3545	default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
		3546	is undefined when the default loop has not been initialised by a previous
		3547	execution of C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> or C<ev_default_init (...)>.
		3548
		3549	It is often prudent to use C<EV_DEFAULT> when initialising the first
		3550	watcher in a function but use C<EV_DEFAULT_UC> afterwards.
2204		3551
2205	=back	3552	=back
2206		3553
2207	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above	3554	Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
2208	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported	3555	macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2209	or not.	3556	or not.
2210		3557
2211	static void	3558	static void
2212	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)	3559	check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2213	{	3560	{
2214	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);	3561	ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
2215	}	3562	}
2216		3563
2217	ev_check check;	3564	ev_check check;
2218	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);	3565	ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
2219	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);	3566	ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
2220	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);	3567	ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
2221		3568
2222	=head1 EMBEDDING	3569	=head1 EMBEDDING
2223		3570
2224	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host	3571	Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
2225	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra	3572	applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
…		…
2232	libev somewhere in your source tree).	3579	libev somewhere in your source tree).
2233		3580
2234	=head2 FILESETS	3581	=head2 FILESETS
2235		3582
2236	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files	3583	Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
2237	in your app.	3584	in your application.
2238		3585
2239	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP	3586	=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
2240		3587
2241	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual	3588	To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
2242	configuration (no autoconf):	3589	configuration (no autoconf):
2243		3590
2244	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3591	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2245	#include "ev.c"	3592	#include "ev.c"
2246		3593
2247	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a	3594	This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
2248	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use	3595	single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
2249	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best	3596	it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
2250	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and	3597	done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
2251	where you can put other configuration options):	3598	where you can put other configuration options):
2252		3599
2253	#define EV_STANDALONE 1	3600	#define EV_STANDALONE 1
2254	#include "ev.h"	3601	#include "ev.h"
2255		3602
2256	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++	3603	Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
2257	compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated	3604	compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2258	as a bug).	3605	as a bug).
2259		3606
2260	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory	3607	You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
2261	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):	3608	in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2262		3609
2263	ev.h	3610	ev.h
2264	ev.c	3611	ev.c
2265	ev_vars.h	3612	ev_vars.h
2266	ev_wrap.h	3613	ev_wrap.h
2267		3614
2268	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only	3615	ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
2269		3616
2270	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)	3617	ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
2271	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3618	ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2272	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3619	ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2273	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3620	ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2274	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)	3621	ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2275		3622
2276	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need	3623	F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
2277	to compile this single file.	3624	to compile this single file.
2278		3625
2279	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API	3626	=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
2280		3627
2281	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:	3628	To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
2282		3629
2283	#include "event.c"	3630	#include "event.c"
2284		3631
2285	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:	3632	in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
2286		3633
2287	#include "event.h"	3634	#include "event.h"
2288		3635
2289	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.	3636	in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
2290		3637
2291	You need the following additional files for this:	3638	You need the following additional files for this:
2292		3639
2293	event.h	3640	event.h
2294	event.c	3641	event.c
2295		3642
2296	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT	3643	=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
2297		3644
2298	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in	3645	Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
2299	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your	3646	whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
2300	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then	3647	F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
2301	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.	3648	include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
2302		3649
2303	For this of course you need the m4 file:	3650	For this of course you need the m4 file:
2304		3651
2305	libev.m4	3652	libev.m4
2306		3653
2307	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS	3654	=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2308		3655
2309	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define	3656	Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
2310	before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity	3657	define before including (or compiling) any of its files. The default in
2311	and only include the select backend.	3658	the absence of autoconf is documented for every option.
		3659
		3660	Symbols marked with "(h)" do not change the ABI, and can have different
		3661	values when compiling libev vs. including F<ev.h>, so it is permissible
		3662	to redefine them before including F<ev.h> without breakign compatibility
		3663	to a compiled library. All other symbols change the ABI, which means all
		3664	users of libev and the libev code itself must be compiled with compatible
		3665	settings.
2312		3666
2313	=over 4	3667	=over 4
2314		3668
2315	=item EV_STANDALONE	3669	=item EV_STANDALONE (h)
2316		3670
2317	Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which	3671	Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which
2318	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy	3672	keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
2319	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not	3673	implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
2320	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in	3674	supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
2321	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.	3675	F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2322		3676
		3677	In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
		3678	configuration, but has to be more conservative.
		3679
2323	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC	3680	=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2324		3681
2325	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3682	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2326	monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use	3683	monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
2327	of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you	3684	use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this,
2328	usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when	3685	you usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it
2329	the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have	3686	when the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2330	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>	3687	to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2331	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).	3688	function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). See also C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
2332		3689
2333	=item EV_USE_REALTIME	3690	=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2334		3691
2335	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the	3692	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2336	realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at	3693	real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability
2337	runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will	3694	at runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock
2338	be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get	3695	option will be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday>
2339	(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the	3696	by C<clock_get (CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect
2340	note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.	3697	correctness. See the note about libraries in the description of
		3698	C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. Defaults to the opposite value of
		3699	C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
		3700
		3701	=item EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL
		3702
		3703	If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to use a direct syscall instead
		3704	of calling the system-provided C<clock_gettime> function. This option
		3705	exists because on GNU/Linux, C<clock_gettime> is in C<librt>, but C<librt>
		3706	unconditionally pulls in C<libpthread>, slowing down single-threaded
		3707	programs needlessly. Using a direct syscall is slightly slower (in
		3708	theory), because no optimised vdso implementation can be used, but avoids
		3709	the pthread dependency. Defaults to C<1> on GNU/Linux with glibc 2.x or
		3710	higher, as it simplifies linking (no need for C<-lrt>).
2341		3711
2342	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP	3712	=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
2343		3713
2344	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available	3714	If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
2345	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.	3715	and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
2346		3716
		3717	=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
		3718
		3719	If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
		3720	available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
		3721	C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
		3722	If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
		3723	2.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
		3724
2347	=item EV_USE_SELECT	3725	=item EV_USE_SELECT
2348		3726
2349	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the	3727	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
2350	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no	3728	C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
2351	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend	3729	other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
2352	will not be compiled in.	3730	will not be compiled in.
2353		3731
2354	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET	3732	=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2355		3733
2356	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>	3734	If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
2357	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing	3735	structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
2358	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on	3736	C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout
2359	exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some	3737	on exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to
2360	low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only	3738	some low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket
2361	allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might	3739	only allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation,
2362	influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.	3740	configures the maximum size of the C<fd_set>.
2363		3741
2364	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET	3742	=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
2365		3743
2366	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that	3744	When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
2367	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but	3745	select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
…		…
2369	be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call	3747	be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
2370	C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,	3748	C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
2371	it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even	3749	it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
2372	on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.	3750	on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
2373		3751
		3752	=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE(fd)
		3753
		3754	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
		3755	file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
		3756	default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
		3757	correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
		3758	in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
		3759
		3760	=item EV_WIN32_HANDLE_TO_FD(handle)
		3761
		3762	If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> then libev maps handles to file descriptors
		3763	using the standard C<_open_osfhandle> function. For programs implementing
		3764	their own fd to handle mapping, overwriting this function makes it easier
		3765	to do so. This can be done by defining this macro to an appropriate value.
		3766
		3767	=item EV_WIN32_CLOSE_FD(fd)
		3768
		3769	If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this
		3770	macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister
		3771	file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close
		3772	the underlying OS handle.
		3773
2374	=item EV_USE_POLL	3774	=item EV_USE_POLL
2375		3775
2376	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)	3776	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
2377	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It	3777	backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
2378	takes precedence over select.	3778	takes precedence over select.
2379		3779
2380	=item EV_USE_EPOLL	3780	=item EV_USE_EPOLL
2381		3781
2382	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux	3782	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
2383	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,	3783	C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2384	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the	3784	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2385	preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems.	3785	backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
		3786	headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2386		3787
2387	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE	3788	=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2388		3789
2389	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style	3790	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
2390	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,	3791	C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
…		…
2403	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred	3804	otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2404	backend for Solaris 10 systems.	3805	backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2405		3806
2406	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL	3807	=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2407		3808
2408	reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.	3809	Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2409		3810
2410	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY	3811	=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2411		3812
2412	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify	3813	If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2413	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will	3814	interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2414	be detected at runtime.	3815	be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
		3816	indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2415		3817
		3818	=item EV_ATOMIC_T
		3819
		3820	Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
		3821	access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
		3822	type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
		3823	that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
		3824	as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
		3825
		3826	In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
		3827	(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
		3828
2416	=item EV_H	3829	=item EV_H (h)
2417		3830
2418	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if	3831	The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2419	undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This	3832	undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
2420	can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.	3833	used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2421		3834
2422	=item EV_CONFIG_H	3835	=item EV_CONFIG_H (h)
2423		3836
2424	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override	3837	If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
2425	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to	3838	F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2426	C<EV_H>, above.	3839	C<EV_H>, above.
2427		3840
2428	=item EV_EVENT_H	3841	=item EV_EVENT_H (h)
2429		3842
2430	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea	3843	Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
2431	of how the F<event.h> header can be found.	3844	of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
2432		3845
2433	=item EV_PROTOTYPES	3846	=item EV_PROTOTYPES (h)
2434		3847
2435	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function	3848	If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
2436	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is	3849	prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
2437	occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions	3850	occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions
2438	around libev functions.	3851	around libev functions.
…		…
2457	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search	3870	When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
2458	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space	3871	all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
2459	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually	3872	and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
2460	fine.	3873	fine.
2461		3874
2462	If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to	3875	If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
2463	C<0> will save some memory and cpu.	3876	both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
2464		3877
2465	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE	3878	=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE, EV_IDLE_ENABLE, EV_EMBED_ENABLE, EV_STAT_ENABLE,
		3879	EV_PREPARE_ENABLE, EV_CHECK_ENABLE, EV_FORK_ENABLE, EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE,
		3880	EV_ASYNC_ENABLE, EV_CHILD_ENABLE.
2466		3881
2467	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If	3882	If undefined or defined to be C<1> (and the platform supports it), then
2468	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of	3883	the respective watcher type is supported. If defined to be C<0>, then it
2469	code.	3884	is not. Disabling watcher types mainly saves codesize.
2470		3885
2471	=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE	3886	=item EV_FEATURES
2472
2473	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
2474	defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
2475	code.
2476
2477	=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2478
2479	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2480	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2481
2482	=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
2483
2484	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
2485	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2486
2487	=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2488
2489	If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2490	defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2491
2492	=item EV_MINIMAL
2493		3887
2494	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some	3888	If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2495	speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override	3889	speed (but with the full API), you can define this symbol to request
2496	some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64.	3890	certain subsets of functionality. The default is to enable all features
		3891	that can be enabled on the platform.
		3892
		3893	A typical way to use this symbol is to define it to C<0> (or to a bitset
		3894	with some broad features you want) and then selectively re-enable
		3895	additional parts you want, for example if you want everything minimal,
		3896	but multiple event loop support, async and child watchers and the poll
		3897	backend, use this:
		3898
		3899	#define EV_FEATURES 0
		3900	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 1
		3901	#define EV_USE_POLL 1
		3902	#define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
		3903	#define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
		3904
		3905	The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
		3906	values:
		3907
		3908	=over 4
		3909
		3910	=item C<1> - faster/larger code
		3911
		3912	Use larger code to speed up some operations.
		3913
		3914	Currently this is used to override some inlining decisions (enlarging the roughly
		3915	30% code size on amd64.
		3916
		3917	When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with
		3918	gcc recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
		3919	assertions.
		3920
		3921	=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
		3922
		3923	Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger
		3924	hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase codesize
		3925	and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
		3926	runtime.
		3927
		3928	=item C<4> - full API configuration
		3929
		3930	This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
		3931	enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).
		3932
		3933	=item C<8> - full API
		3934
		3935	This enables a lot of the "lesser used" API functions. See C<ev.h> for
		3936	details on which parts of the API are still available without this
		3937	feature, and do not complain if this subset changes over time.
		3938
		3939	=item C<16> - enable all optional watcher types
		3940
		3941	Enables all optional watcher types. If you want to selectively enable
		3942	only some watcher types other than I/O and timers (e.g. prepare,
		3943	embed, async, child...) you can enable them manually by defining
		3944	C<EV_watchertype_ENABLE> to C<1> instead.
		3945
		3946	=item C<32> - enable all backends
		3947
		3948	This enables all backends - without this feature, you need to enable at
		3949	least one backend manually (C<EV_USE_SELECT> is a good choice).
		3950
		3951	=item C<64> - enable OS-specific "helper" APIs
		3952
		3953	Enable inotify, eventfd, signalfd and similar OS-specific helper APIs by
		3954	default.
		3955
		3956	=back
		3957
		3958	Compiling with C<gcc -Os -DEV_STANDALONE -DEV_USE_EPOLL=1 -DEV_FEATURES=0>
		3959	reduces the compiled size of libev from 24.7Kb code/2.8Kb data to 6.5Kb
		3960	code/0.3Kb data on my GNU/Linux amd64 system, while still giving you I/O
		3961	watchers, timers and monotonic clock support.
		3962
		3963	With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough
		3964	when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by
		3965	your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an
		3966	I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb.
		3967
		3968	=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
		3969
		3970	If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio
		3971	functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the codesize
		3972	somewhat, but if your program doesn't otherwise depend on stdio and your
		3973	libc allows it, this avoids linking in the stdio library which is quite
		3974	big.
		3975
		3976	Note that error messages might become less precise when this option is
		3977	enabled.
		3978
		3979	=item EV_NSIG
		3980
		3981	The highest supported signal number, +1 (or, the number of
		3982	signals): Normally, libev tries to deduce the maximum number of signals
		3983	automatically, but sometimes this fails, in which case it can be
		3984	specified. Also, using a lower number than detected (C<32> should be
		3985	good for about any system in existance) can save some memory, as libev
		3986	statically allocates some 12-24 bytes per signal number.
2497		3987
2498	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE	3988	=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2499		3989
2500	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	3990	C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2501	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more	3991	pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES> disabled),
2502	than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to	3992	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you
2503	increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).	3993	might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
2504		3994
2505	=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE	3995	=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
2506		3996
2507	C<ev_staz> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by	3997	C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2508	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),	3998	inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES>
2509	usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>	3999	disabled), usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of
2510	watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of	4000	C<ev_stat> watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a
2511	two).	4001	power of two).
		4002
		4003	=item EV_USE_4HEAP
		4004
		4005	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		4006	timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
		4007	to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
		4008	faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
		4009
		4010	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
		4011	will be C<0>.
		4012
		4013	=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
		4014
		4015	Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
		4016	timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
		4017	the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
		4018	which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
		4019	but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
		4020	noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
		4021
		4022	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
		4023	will be C<0>.
		4024
		4025	=item EV_VERIFY
		4026
		4027	Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will
		4028	be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
		4029	in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
		4030	called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
		4031	called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
		4032	verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
		4033	libev considerably.
		4034
		4035	The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
		4036	will be C<0>.
2512		4037
2513	=item EV_COMMON	4038	=item EV_COMMON
2514		4039
2515	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining	4040	By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2516	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of	4041	this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2517	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,	4042	members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2518	though, and it must be identical each time.	4043	though, and it must be identical each time.
2519		4044
2520	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:	4045	For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2521		4046
2522	#define EV_COMMON \	4047	#define EV_COMMON \
2523	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \	4048	SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2524	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */	4049	SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2525		4050
2526	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)	4051	=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2527		4052
2528	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)	4053	=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2529		4054
…		…
2534	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for	4059	definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
2535	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to	4060	their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
2536	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use	4061	avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2537	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.	4062	method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
2538		4063
		4064	=back
		4065
2539	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS	4066	=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
2540		4067
2541	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a dll) and you need a list of	4068	If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
2542	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list	4069	exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
2543	all public symbols, one per line:	4070	all public symbols, one per line:
2544		4071
2545	Symbols.ev for libev proper	4072	Symbols.ev for libev proper
2546	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation	4073	Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
2547		4074
2548	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with	4075	This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
2549	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in	4076	multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
2550	itself, but sometimes it is inconvinient to avoid this).	4077	itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
2551		4078
2552	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to	4079	A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
2553	include before including F<ev.h>:	4080	include before including F<ev.h>:
2554		4081
2555	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h	4082	<Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
…		…
2572	file.	4099	file.
2573		4100
2574	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file	4101	The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
2575	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:	4102	that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2576		4103
2577	#define EV_MINIMAL 1	4104	#define EV_FEATURES 8
2578	#define EV_USE_POLL 0	4105	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1
2579	#define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2580	#define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0	4106	#define EV_PREPARE_ENABLE 1
		4107	#define EV_IDLE_ENABLE 1
2581	#define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0	4108	#define EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE 1
2582	#define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0	4109	#define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
		4110	#define EV_USE_STDEXCEPT 0
2583	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>	4111	#define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
2584	#define EV_MINPRI 0
2585	#define EV_MAXPRI 0
2586		4112
2587	#include "ev++.h"	4113	#include "ev++.h"
2588		4114
2589	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:	4115	And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
2590		4116
2591	#include "ev_cpp.h"	4117	#include "ev_cpp.h"
2592	#include "ev.c"	4118	#include "ev.c"
2593		4119
		4120	=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES
2594		4121
		4122	=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
		4123
		4124	=head3 THREADS
		4125
		4126	All libev functions are reentrant and thread-safe unless explicitly
		4127	documented otherwise, but libev implements no locking itself. This means
		4128	that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as there
		4129	are no concurrent calls into any libev function with the same loop
		4130	parameter (C<ev_default_*> calls have an implicit default loop parameter,
		4131	of course): libev guarantees that different event loops share no data
		4132	structures that need any locking.
		4133
		4134	Or to put it differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done
		4135	concurrently from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter
		4136	must be done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as
		4137	only one thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using
		4138	a mutex per loop).
		4139
		4140	Specifically to support threads (and signal handlers), libev implements
		4141	so-called C<ev_async> watchers, which allow some limited form of
		4142	concurrency on the same event loop, namely waking it up "from the
		4143	outside".
		4144
		4145	If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
		4146	without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
		4147	help you, but here is some generic advice:
		4148
		4149	=over 4
		4150
		4151	=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
		4152	in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
		4153
		4154	This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
		4155	themselves and don't care/know about threading.
		4156
		4157	=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
		4158
		4159	Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
		4160	exists, but it is always a good start.
		4161
		4162	=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
		4163	loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
		4164
		4165	Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
		4166	better than you currently do :-)
		4167
		4168	=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
		4169	event loop.
		4170
		4171	C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other threads safely
		4172	(or from signal contexts...).
		4173
		4174	An example use would be to communicate signals or other events that only
		4175	work in the default loop by registering the signal watcher with the
		4176	default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
		4177	watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
		4178
		4179	=back
		4180
		4181	=head4 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE
		4182
		4183	Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
		4184	thread than where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
		4185	created/added/removed.
		4186
		4187	For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
		4188	which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
		4189	languages).
		4190
		4191	The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
		4192	variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
		4193	event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
		4194
		4195	First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
		4196
		4197	typedef struct {
		4198	mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
		4199	ev_async async_w;
		4200	thread_t tid;
		4201	cond_t invoke_cv;
		4202	} userdata;
		4203
		4204	void prepare_loop (EV_P)
		4205	{
		4206	// for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
		4207	static userdata u;
		4208
		4209	ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
		4210	ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
		4211
		4212	pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
		4213	pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
		4214
		4215	// now associate this with the loop
		4216	ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
		4217	ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
		4218	ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
		4219
		4220	// then create the thread running ev_loop
		4221	pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
		4222	}
		4223
		4224	The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
		4225	solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
		4226	that might have been added:
		4227
		4228	static void
		4229	async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
		4230	{
		4231	// just used for the side effects
		4232	}
		4233
		4234	The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
		4235	protecting the loop data, respectively.
		4236
		4237	static void
		4238	l_release (EV_P)
		4239	{
		4240	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4241	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		4242	}
		4243
		4244	static void
		4245	l_acquire (EV_P)
		4246	{
		4247	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4248	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		4249	}
		4250
		4251	The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
		4252	into C<ev_loop>:
		4253
		4254	void *
		4255	l_run (void *thr_arg)
		4256	{
		4257	struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
		4258
		4259	l_acquire (EV_A);
		4260	pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
		4261	ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
		4262	l_release (EV_A);
		4263
		4264	return 0;
		4265	}
		4266
		4267	Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
		4268	signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
		4269	writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
		4270	have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
		4271	and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
		4272	watchers is very beneficial):
		4273
		4274	static void
		4275	l_invoke (EV_P)
		4276	{
		4277	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4278
		4279	while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
		4280	{
		4281	wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
		4282	pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
		4283	}
		4284	}
		4285
		4286	Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
		4287	will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
		4288	thread to continue:
		4289
		4290	static void
		4291	real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
		4292	{
		4293	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4294
		4295	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		4296	ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
		4297	pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
		4298	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		4299	}
		4300
		4301	Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
		4302	event loop, you will now have to lock:
		4303
		4304	ev_timer timeout_watcher;
		4305	userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
		4306
		4307	ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
		4308
		4309	pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
		4310	ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
		4311	ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
		4312	pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
		4313
		4314	Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
		4315	an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
		4316	about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
		4317	watchers in the next event loop iteration.
		4318
		4319	=head3 COROUTINES
		4320
		4321	Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
		4322	libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
		4323	coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two
		4324	different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running
		4325	the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is
		4326	that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
		4327
		4328	Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
		4329	C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
		4330	they do not call any callbacks.
		4331
		4332	=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
		4333
		4334	Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
		4335	lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
		4336	scared by this.
		4337
		4338	However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
		4339	has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
		4340	warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
		4341	targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
		4342
		4343	Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
		4344	workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
		4345	maintainable.
		4346
		4347	And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
		4348	wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
		4349	seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
		4350	warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have
		4351	been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
		4352	such buggy versions.
		4353
		4354	While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
		4355	"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
		4356	with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
		4357	them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
		4358	warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
		4359
		4360
		4361	=head2 VALGRIND
		4362
		4363	Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
		4364	highly useful. Unfortunately, valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
		4365
		4366	If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
		4367	in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
		4368
		4369	==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		4370	==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
		4371	==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
		4372
		4373	Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
		4374	is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
		4375
		4376	Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
		4377	as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
		4378	although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
		4379	confused.
		4380
		4381	Keep in mind that valgrind is a very good tool, but only a tool. Don't
		4382	make it into some kind of religion.
		4383
		4384	If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
		4385	with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this
		4386	is a bug in libev (best check the archives, too :). However, don't be
		4387	annoyed when you get a brisk "this is no bug" answer and take the chance
		4388	of learning how to interpret valgrind properly.
		4389
		4390	If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
		4391	I suggest using suppression lists.
		4392
		4393
		4394	=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
		4395
		4396	=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
		4397
		4398	Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
		4399	requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
		4400	model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
		4401	the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
		4402	descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
		4403	e.g. cygwin.
		4404
		4405	Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
		4406	re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of
		4407	things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable
		4408	way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
		4409
		4410	There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
		4411	embedding it into other applications.
		4412
		4413	Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev
		4414	tries its best, but under most conditions, signals will simply not work.
		4415
		4416	Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
		4417	accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
		4418	either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
		4419	so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
		4420	megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
		4421	available).
		4422
		4423	Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
		4424	the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
		4425	is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
		4426	more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
		4427	different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
		4428	notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
		4429	(due to Microsoft monopoly games).
		4430
		4431	A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
		4432	section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
		4433	of F<ev.h>:
		4434
		4435	#define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
		4436	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
		4437
		4438	#include "ev.h"
		4439
		4440	And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
		4441	you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
		4442
		4443	#include "evwrap.h"
		4444	#include "ev.c"
		4445
		4446	=over 4
		4447
		4448	=item The winsocket select function
		4449
		4450	The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
		4451	requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
		4452	also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
		4453	requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
		4454	C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
		4455	discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
		4456	C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
		4457
		4458	The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
		4459	libraries and raw winsocket select is:
		4460
		4461	#define EV_USE_SELECT 1
		4462	#define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
		4463
		4464	Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
		4465	complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
		4466
		4467	=item Limited number of file descriptors
		4468
		4469	Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
		4470
		4471	Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
		4472	of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
		4473	can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
		4474	recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
		4475	previous thread in each. Sounds great!).
		4476
		4477	Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
		4478	to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
		4479	call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl and many
		4480	other interpreters do their own select emulation on windows).
		4481
		4482	Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
		4483	libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64>
		4484	fetish or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this
		4485	by calling C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048>
		4486	(another arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft
		4487	runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets
		4488	(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more,
		4489	you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but
		4490	the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
		4491
		4492	=back
		4493
		4494	=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
		4495
		4496	In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
		4497	backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
		4498
		4499	=over 4
		4500
		4501	=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
		4502	calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
		4503
		4504	Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
		4505	structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
		4506	assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
		4507	callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
		4508	calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
		4509
		4510	=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
		4511
		4512	The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
		4513	C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
		4514	threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
		4515	believed to be sufficiently portable.
		4516
		4517	=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
		4518
		4519	Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
		4520	allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
		4521	pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
		4522	thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
		4523	be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
		4524	C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
		4525
		4526	The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
		4527	except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
		4528	well.
		4529
		4530	=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
		4531
		4532	To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
		4533	instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
		4534	systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but is still at
		4535	least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of millions of
		4536	watchers.
		4537
		4538	=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
		4539
		4540	The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
		4541	have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good
		4542	enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by
		4543	implementations implementing IEEE 754, which is basically all existing
		4544	ones. With IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least
		4545	2200.
		4546
		4547	=back
		4548
		4549	If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
		4550
		4551
2595	=head1 COMPLEXITIES	4552	=head1 ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITIES
2596		4553
2597	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside	4554	In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
2598	libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the	4555	libev will be documented. For complexity discussions about backends see
2599	documentation for C<ev_default_init>.	4556	the documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
2600		4557
2601	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be	4558	All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
2602	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this	4559	extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
2603	happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might	4560	happens asymptotically rarer with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
2604	mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average	4561	mean that libev does a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on
2605	it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.	4562	average it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
2606		4563
2607	=over 4	4564	=over 4
2608		4565
2609	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)	4566	=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
2610		4567
2611	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and	4568	This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
2612	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will	4569	there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that, then inserting will
2613	have to skip those 100 watchers.	4570	have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
2614		4571
2615	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat, again): O(log skipped_other_timers)	4572	=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
2616		4573
2617	That means that for changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them	4574	That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them,
2618	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.	4575	as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
2619		4576
2620	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1)	4577	=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2621		4578
2622	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.	4579	These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
		4580
2623	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1)	4581	=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2624		4582
2625	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))	4583	=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
2626		4584
2627	These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the	4585	These watchers are stored in lists, so they need to be walked to find the
2628	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually	4586	correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
2629	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).	4587	have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal: one is typical, two
		4588	is rare).
2630		4589
2631	=item Finding the next timer per loop iteration: O(1)	4590	=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
		4591
		4592	By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
		4593	fixed position in the storage array.
2632		4594
2633	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)	4595	=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
2634		4596
2635	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires	4597	A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
2636	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel).	4598	libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
		4599	on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
2637		4600
2638	=item Activating one watcher: O(1)	4601	=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
2639		4602
2640	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)	4603	=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
2641		4604
2642	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each	4605	Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
2643	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to	4606	priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
2644	linearly search all the priorities.	4607	linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
		4608	watchers becomes O(1) with respect to priority handling.
		4609
		4610	=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
		4611
		4612	=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
		4613
		4614	=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
		4615
		4616	Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
		4617	calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
		4618	involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
2645		4619
2646	=back	4620	=back
2647		4621
2648		4622
		4623	=head1 PORTING FROM 3.X TO 4.X
		4624
		4625	The major version 4 introduced some minor incompatible changes to the API.
		4626
		4627	=over 4
		4628
		4629	=item C<EV_TIMEOUT> replaced by C<EV_TIMER> in C<revents>
		4630
		4631	This is a simple rename - all other watcher types use their name
		4632	as revents flag, and now C<ev_timer> does, too.
		4633
		4634	Both C<EV_TIMER> and C<EV_TIMEOUT> symbols were present in 3.x versions
		4635	and continue to be present for the forseeable future, so this is mostly a
		4636	documentation change.
		4637
		4638	=item C<EV_MINIMAL> mechanism replaced by C<EV_FEATURES>
		4639
		4640	The preprocessor symbol C<EV_MINIMAL> has been replaced by a different
		4641	mechanism, C<EV_FEATURES>. Programs using C<EV_MINIMAL> usually compile
		4642	and work, but the library code will of course be larger.
		4643
		4644	=back
		4645
		4646
		4647	=head1 GLOSSARY
		4648
		4649	=over 4
		4650
		4651	=item active
		4652
		4653	A watcher is active as long as it has been started (has been attached to
		4654	an event loop) but not yet stopped (disassociated from the event loop).
		4655
		4656	=item application
		4657
		4658	In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
		4659
		4660	=item callback
		4661
		4662	The address of a function that is called when some event has been
		4663	detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that
		4664	received the event, and the actual event bitset.
		4665
		4666	=item callback invocation
		4667
		4668	The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
		4669
		4670	=item event
		4671
		4672	A change of state of some external event, such as data now being available
		4673	for reading on a file descriptor, time having passed or simply not having
		4674	any other events happening anymore.
		4675
		4676	In libev, events are represented as single bits (such as C<EV_READ> or
		4677	C<EV_TIMER>).
		4678
		4679	=item event library
		4680
		4681	A software package implementing an event model and loop.
		4682
		4683	=item event loop
		4684
		4685	An entity that handles and processes external events and converts them
		4686	into callback invocations.
		4687
		4688	=item event model
		4689
		4690	The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes
		4691	watchers and events.
		4692
		4693	=item pending
		4694
		4695	A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been detected,
		4696	and stops being pending as soon as the watcher will be invoked or its
		4697	pending status is explicitly cleared by the application.
		4698
		4699	A watcher can be pending, but not active. Stopping a watcher also clears
		4700	its pending status.
		4701
		4702	=item real time
		4703
		4704	The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
		4705
		4706	=item wall-clock time
		4707
		4708	The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
		4709	be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when the you adjust your
		4710	clock.
		4711
		4712	=item watcher
		4713
		4714	A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
		4715	to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events.
		4716
		4717	=item watcher invocation
		4718
		4719	The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
		4720
		4721	=back
		4722
2649	=head1 AUTHOR	4723	=head1 AUTHOR
2650		4724
2651	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.	4725	Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael Magnusson.
2652		4726

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