diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'erts/doc/src/erl_nif.xml')
| -rw-r--r-- | erts/doc/src/erl_nif.xml | 196 |
1 files changed, 124 insertions, 72 deletions
diff --git a/erts/doc/src/erl_nif.xml b/erts/doc/src/erl_nif.xml index c636d65ef3..2033ba8a66 100644 --- a/erts/doc/src/erl_nif.xml +++ b/erts/doc/src/erl_nif.xml @@ -34,12 +34,14 @@ <lib>erl_nif</lib> <libsummary>API functions for an Erlang NIF library</libsummary> <description> - <warning><p>The NIF concept is introduced in R13B03 as an + <warning><p>The NIF concept was introduced in R13B03 as an EXPERIMENTAL feature. The interfaces may be changed in any way - in coming releases. The API introduced in this release is very - sparse and contains only the most basic functions to read and - write Erlang terms. - </p></warning> + in coming releases. The API is still sparse and contains only + the most basic functions to read and write Erlang terms. + </p><p><em>R13B04</em>: The function prototypes of the NIFs + have changed to expect <c>argc</c> and <c>argv</c> + arguments. The arity of a NIF is by that no longer limited to + 3.</p></warning> <p>A NIF library contains native implementation of some functions of an erlang module. The native implemented functions (NIFs) are @@ -56,7 +58,7 @@ /* niftest.c */ #include "erl_nif.h" -static ERL_NIF_TERM hello(ErlNifEnv* env) +static ERL_NIF_TERM hello(ErlNifEnv* env, int argc, const ERL_NIF_TERM argv[]) { return enif_make_string(env, "Hello world!"); } @@ -100,8 +102,9 @@ ok </code> <p>A better solution for a real module is to take advantage of - the new attribute <c>on_load</c> to automatically load the NIF - library when the module is loaded.</p> + the new directive <seealso + marker="doc/reference_manual:code_loading#on_load">on_load</seealso> to automatically + load the NIF library when the module is loaded.</p> <p>A loaded NIF library is tied to the Erlang module code version that loaded it. If the module is upgraded with a new version, the new code will have to load its own NIF library (or maybe choose not @@ -190,7 +193,7 @@ ok <title>DATA TYPES</title> <taglist> - <tag><marker id="ErlDrvEnv"/>ErlDrvEnv</tag> + <tag><marker id="ErlNifEnv"/>ErlNifEnv</tag> <item> <p><c>ErlNifEnv</c> contains information about the context in which a NIF call is made. This pointer should not be @@ -205,31 +208,28 @@ ok <p/> <code type="none"> typedef struct { - const char* name; - unsigned arity; - ERL_NIF_TERM (*fptr)(ErlNifEnv* env, ...); + const char* <em>name</em>; + unsigned <em>arity</em>; + ERL_NIF_TERM (*<em>fptr</em>)(ErlNifEnv* env, int argc, const ERL_NIF_TERM argv[]); } ErlNifFunc; </code> <p>Describes a NIF by its name, arity and implementation. <c>fptr</c> is a pointer to the function that implements the - NIF. The number of arguments must match the arity. A NIF of - arity 2 will thus look like:</p> - <p/> - <code type="none"> -ERL_NIF_TERM my_nif(ErlNifEnv* env, ERL_NIF_TERM arg1, ERL_NIF_TERM arg2) -{ - /* ... */ -} -</code> - <p>The maximum allowed arity for a NIF is 3 in current implementation.</p> + NIF. The argument <c>argv</c> of a NIF will contain the + function arguments passed to the NIF and <c>argc</c> is the + length of the array, i.e. the function arity. <c>argv[N-1]</c> + will thus denote the Nth argument to the NIF. Note that the + <c>argc</c> argument allows for the same C function to + implement several Erlang functions with different arity (but + same name probably).</p> </item> <tag><marker id="ErlNifBinary"/>ErlNifBinary</tag> <item> <p/> <code type="none"> typedef struct { - unsigned size; - unsigned char* data; + unsigned <em>size</em>; + unsigned char* <em>data</em>; } ErlNifBinary; </code> <p><c>ErlNifBinary</c> contains transient information about an @@ -249,37 +249,36 @@ typedef struct { </section> <funcs> - <func><name><ret>void*</ret><nametext>enif_get_data(ErlNifEnv* env)</nametext></name> - <fsummary>Get the private data of a NIF library</fsummary> - <desc><p>Returns the pointer to the private data that was set by <c>load</c>, <c>reload</c> or <c>upgrade</c>.</p></desc> - </func> <func><name><ret>void*</ret><nametext>enif_alloc(ErlNifEnv* env, size_t size)</nametext></name> <fsummary>Allocate dynamic memory.</fsummary> - <desc><p>Allocate memory of <c>size</c> bytes.</p></desc> - </func> - <func><name><ret>void</ret><nametext>enif_free(ErlNifEnv* env, void* ptr)</nametext></name> - <fsummary>Free dynamic memory</fsummary> - <desc><p>Free memory allocated by <c>enif_alloc</c>.</p></desc> - </func> - <func><name><ret>int</ret><nametext>enif_is_binary(ErlNifEnv* env, ERL_NIF_TERM term)</nametext></name> - <fsummary>Determine if a term is a binary</fsummary> - <desc><p>Return true if <c>term</c> is a binary</p></desc> - </func> - <func><name><ret>int</ret><nametext>enif_inspect_binary(ErlNifEnv* env, ERL_NIF_TERM bin_term, ErlNifBinary* bin)</nametext></name> - <fsummary>Inspect the content of a binary</fsummary> - <desc><p>Initialize the structure pointed to by <c>bin</c> with - transient information about the binary term - <c>bin_term</c>. Return false if <c>bin_term</c> is not a binary.</p></desc> + <desc><p>Allocate memory of <c>size</c> bytes. Return NULL if allocation failed.</p></desc> </func> <func><name><ret>int</ret><nametext>enif_alloc_binary(ErlNifEnv* env, unsigned size, ErlNifBinary* bin)</nametext></name> <fsummary>Create a new binary.</fsummary> <desc><p>Allocate a new binary of size of <c>size</c> bytes. Initialize the structure pointed to by <c>bin</c> to - refer to the allocated binary.</p></desc> + refer to the allocated binary. Return false if allocation failed.</p></desc> </func> - <func><name><ret>void</ret><nametext>enif_release_binary(ErlNifEnv* env, ErlNifBinary* bin)</nametext></name> - <fsummary>Release a binary.</fsummary> - <desc><p>Release a binary obtained from <c>enif_alloc_binary</c> or <c>enif_inspect_binary</c>.</p></desc> + <func><name><ret>int</ret><nametext>enif_compare(ErlNifEnv* env, ERL_NIF_TERM lhs, ERL_NIF_TERM rhs)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Compare two terms</fsummary> + <desc><p>Return an integer less than, equal to, or greater than + zero if <c>lhs</c> is found, respectively, to be less than, + equal, or greater than <c>rhs</c>. Corresponds to the Erlang + operators <c>==</c>, <c>/=</c>, <c>=<</c>, <c><</c>, + <c>>=</c> and <c>></c> (but <em>not</em> <c>=:=</c> or <c>=/=</c>).</p></desc> + </func> + <func><name><ret>void</ret><nametext>enif_free(ErlNifEnv* env, void* ptr)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Free dynamic memory</fsummary> + <desc><p>Free memory allocated by <c>enif_alloc</c>.</p></desc> + </func> + <func><name><ret>void*</ret><nametext>enif_get_data(ErlNifEnv* env)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Get the private data of a NIF library</fsummary> + <desc><p>Return the pointer to the private data that was set by <c>load</c>, <c>reload</c> or <c>upgrade</c>.</p></desc> + </func> + <func><name><ret>int</ret><nametext>enif_get_double(ErlNifEnv* env, ERL_NIF_TERM term, double* dp)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Read a floating-point number term.</fsummary> + <desc><p>Set <c>*dp</c> to the floating point value of + <c>term</c> or return false if <c>term</c> is not a float.</p></desc> </func> <func><name><ret>int</ret><nametext>enif_get_int(ErlNifEnv* env, ERL_NIF_TERM term, int* ip)</nametext></name> <fsummary>Read an integer term.</fsummary> @@ -287,45 +286,80 @@ typedef struct { <c>term</c> or return false if <c>term</c> is not an integer or is outside the bounds of type <c>int</c></p></desc> </func> - <func><name><ret>int</ret><nametext>enif_get_ulong(ErlNifEnv* env, ERL_NIF_TERM term, unsigned long* ip)</nametext></name> - <fsummary>Read an unsigned long integer</fsummary> - <desc><p>Set <c>*ip</c> to the unsigned long integer value of - <c>term</c> or return false if <c>term</c> is not an unsigned - integer or is outside the bounds of type <c>unsigned long</c></p></desc> - </func> <func><name><ret>int</ret><nametext>enif_get_list_cell(ErlNifEnv* env, ERL_NIF_TERM list, ERL_NIF_TERM* head, ERL_NIF_TERM* tail)</nametext></name> <fsummary>Get head and tail from a list</fsummary> <desc><p>Set <c>*head</c> and <c>*tail</c> from <c>list</c> or return false if <c>list</c> is not a non-empty list.</p></desc> </func> - <func><name><ret>ERL_NIF_TERM</ret><nametext>enif_make_binary(ErlNifEnv* env, ErlNifBinary* bin)</nametext></name> - <fsummary>Make a binary term.</fsummary> - <desc><p>Make a binary term from <c>bin</c>. Will also release - the binary.</p></desc> + <func><name><ret>int</ret><nametext>enif_get_tuple(ErlNifEnv* env, ERL_NIF_TERM term, int* arity, const ERL_NIF_TERM** array)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Inspect the elements of a tuple.</fsummary> + <desc><p>If <c>term</c> is a tuple, set <c>*array</c> to point + to an array containing the elements of the tuple and set + <c>*arity</c> to the number of elements. Note that the array + is read-only an <c>(*array)[N-1]</c> will be the Nth element of + the tuple. <c>*array</c> is undefined if the arity of the tuple + is zero.</p><p>Return false if <c>term</c> is not a + tuple.</p></desc> </func> - <func><name><ret>ERL_NIF_TERM</ret><nametext>enif_make_badarg(ErlNifEnv* env)</nametext></name> - <fsummary>Make a badarg exception.</fsummary> - <desc><p>Make a badarg exception to be returned from a NIF.</p></desc> + <func><name><ret>int</ret><nametext>enif_get_ulong(ErlNifEnv* env, ERL_NIF_TERM term, unsigned long* ip)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Read an unsigned integer term.</fsummary> + <desc><p>Set <c>*ip</c> to the unsigned long integer value of + <c>term</c> or return false if <c>term</c> is not an unsigned integer or is + outside the bounds of type <c>unsigned long</c></p></desc> </func> - <func><name><ret>ERL_NIF_TERM</ret><nametext>enif_make_int(ErlNifEnv* env, int i)</nametext></name> - <fsummary>Create an integer term</fsummary> - <desc><p>Create an integer term.</p></desc> + <func><name><ret>int</ret><nametext>enif_inspect_binary(ErlNifEnv* env, ERL_NIF_TERM bin_term, ErlNifBinary* bin)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Inspect the content of a binary</fsummary> + <desc><p>Initialize the structure pointed to by <c>bin</c> with + transient information about the binary term + <c>bin_term</c>. Return false if <c>bin_term</c> is not a binary.</p></desc> </func> - <func><name><ret>ERL_NIF_TERM</ret><nametext>enif_make_ulong(ErlNifEnv* env, unsigned long i)</nametext></name> - <fsummary>Create an integer term from an unsigned long int</fsummary> - <desc><p>Create an integer term from an <c>unsigned long int</c>.</p></desc> + <func><name><ret>int</ret><nametext>enif_is_atom(ErlNifEnv* env, ERL_NIF_TERM term)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Determine if a term is an atom</fsummary> + <desc><p>Return true if <c>term</c> is an atom.</p></desc> + </func> + <func><name><ret>int</ret><nametext>enif_is_binary(ErlNifEnv* env, ERL_NIF_TERM term)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Determine if a term is a binary</fsummary> + <desc><p>Return true if <c>term</c> is a binary</p></desc> + </func> + <func><name><ret>int</ret><nametext>enif_is_identical(ErlNifEnv* env, ERL_NIF_TERM lhs, ERL_NIF_TERM rhs)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Erlang operator =:=</fsummary> + <desc><p>Return true if and only if the two terms are + identical. Corresponds to the Erlang operators <c>=:=</c> and + <c>=/=</c>.</p></desc> + </func> + <func><name><ret>int</ret><nametext>enif_is_ref(ErlNifEnv* env, ERL_NIF_TERM term)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Determine if a term is a reference</fsummary> + <desc><p>Return true if <c>term</c> is a reference.</p></desc> </func> <func><name><ret>ERL_NIF_TERM</ret><nametext>enif_make_atom(ErlNifEnv* env, const char* name)</nametext></name> <fsummary>Create an atom term</fsummary> <desc><p>Create an atom term from the C-string <c>name</c>. Atom terms may be saved and used between NIF calls.</p></desc> </func> - <func><name><ret>ERL_NIF_TERM</ret><nametext>enif_make_tuple(ErlNifEnv* env, unsigned cnt, ...)</nametext></name> - <fsummary>Create a tuple term.</fsummary> - <desc><p>Create a tuple term of arity <c>cnt</c>. Expects - <c>cnt</c> number of arguments (after <c>cnt</c>) of type ERL_NIF_TERM as the - elements of the tuple.</p></desc> + <func><name><ret>ERL_NIF_TERM</ret><nametext>enif_make_badarg(ErlNifEnv* env)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Make a badarg exception.</fsummary> + <desc><p>Make a badarg exception to be returned from a NIF.</p></desc> + </func> + <func><name><ret>ERL_NIF_TERM</ret><nametext>enif_make_binary(ErlNifEnv* env, ErlNifBinary* bin)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Make a binary term.</fsummary> + <desc><p>Make a binary term from <c>bin</c>. Will also release + the binary.</p></desc> + </func> + <func><name><ret>ERL_NIF_TERM</ret><nametext>enif_make_double(ErlNifEnv* env, double d)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Create an floating-point term</fsummary> + <desc><p>Create an floating-point term from a <c>double</c>.</p></desc> + </func> + <func><name><ret>int</ret><nametext>enif_make_existing_atom(ErlNifEnv* env, const char* name, ERL_NIF_TERM* atom)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Create an existing atom term</fsummary> + <desc><p>Try to create the term of an already existing atom from + the C-string <c>name</c>. If the atom already exist store the + term in <c>*atom</c> and return true, otherwise return + false.</p></desc> + </func> + <func><name><ret>ERL_NIF_TERM</ret><nametext>enif_make_int(ErlNifEnv* env, int i)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Create an integer term</fsummary> + <desc><p>Create an integer term.</p></desc> </func> <func><name><ret>ERL_NIF_TERM</ret><nametext>enif_make_list(ErlNifEnv* env, unsigned cnt, ...)</nametext></name> <fsummary>Create a list term.</fsummary> @@ -337,11 +371,29 @@ typedef struct { <fsummary>Create a list cell.</fsummary> <desc><p>Create a list cell <c>[head | tail]</c>.</p></desc> </func> + <func><name><ret>ERL_NIF_TERM</ret><nametext>enif_make_ref(ErlNifEnv* env)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Create a reference.</fsummary> + <desc><p>Create a reference like <seealso marker="erlang#make_ref-0">erlang:make_ref/0</seealso>.</p></desc> + </func> <func><name><ret>ERL_NIF_TERM</ret><nametext>enif_make_string(ErlNifEnv* env, const char* string)</nametext></name> <fsummary>Create a string.</fsummary> - <desc><p>Creates a list containing the characters of the + <desc><p>Create a list containing the characters of the C-string <c>string</c>.</p></desc> </func> + <func><name><ret>ERL_NIF_TERM</ret><nametext>enif_make_tuple(ErlNifEnv* env, unsigned cnt, ...)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Create a tuple term.</fsummary> + <desc><p>Create a tuple term of arity <c>cnt</c>. Expects + <c>cnt</c> number of arguments (after <c>cnt</c>) of type ERL_NIF_TERM as the + elements of the tuple.</p></desc> + </func> + <func><name><ret>ERL_NIF_TERM</ret><nametext>enif_make_ulong(ErlNifEnv* env, unsigned long i)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Create an integer term from an unsigned long int</fsummary> + <desc><p>Create an integer term from an <c>unsigned long int</c>.</p></desc> + </func> + <func><name><ret>void</ret><nametext>enif_release_binary(ErlNifEnv* env, ErlNifBinary* bin)</nametext></name> + <fsummary>Release a binary.</fsummary> + <desc><p>Release a binary obtained from <c>enif_alloc_binary</c> or <c>enif_inspect_binary</c>.</p></desc> + </func> </funcs> <section> <title>SEE ALSO</title> |