Why UV_RUN_ONCE and not UV_RUN_NOWAIT?

[tolmasky]

In node.cc immediately after LoadEnvironment() in Start()it jumps to:

more = uv_run(env->event_loop(), UV_RUN_ONCE);

I understand why it's UV_RUN_ONCE on each iteration of the loop, not why it starts that way. I imagine there are some default events that happen no matter what the first time through, could someone enlighten me as to what those are (that stop node from just blocking forever)?

[sam-github]

there are a number of calls to process.nextTick in src/node.js, is that what you are looking for?

[tolmasky]

Possibly -- I guess I'm confused why process._getActiveHandles() returns an empty array right before it enters this initial uv_run (causing me to believe that uv_run would block forever). Do ticks not count as handles in this sense?

[bnoordhuis]

They're backed by a uv_idle_t handle that is not visible to JS land. Grep src/node.cc for immediate_idle_handle.

[Fishrock123]

Closing, @tolmasky let us know if you have more questions. :)