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1.. highlightlang:: c
2
3.. _capsules:
4
5Capsules
6--------
7
8.. index:: object: Capsule
9
10Refer to :ref:`using-capsules` for more information on using these objects.
11
12
13.. c:type:: PyCapsule
14
15   This subtype of :c:type:`PyObject` represents an opaque value, useful for C
16   extension modules who need to pass an opaque value (as a :c:type:`void\*`
17   pointer) through Python code to other C code.  It is often used to make a C
18   function pointer defined in one module available to other modules, so the
19   regular import mechanism can be used to access C APIs defined in dynamically
20   loaded modules.
21
22.. c:type:: PyCapsule_Destructor
23
24   The type of a destructor callback for a capsule.  Defined as::
25
26      typedef void (*PyCapsule_Destructor)(PyObject *);
27
28   See :c:func:`PyCapsule_New` for the semantics of PyCapsule_Destructor
29   callbacks.
30
31
32.. c:function:: int PyCapsule_CheckExact(PyObject *p)
33
34   Return true if its argument is a :c:type:`PyCapsule`.
35
36
37.. c:function:: PyObject* PyCapsule_New(void *pointer, const char *name, PyCapsule_Destructor destructor)
38
39   Create a :c:type:`PyCapsule` encapsulating the *pointer*.  The *pointer*
40   argument may not be *NULL*.
41
42   On failure, set an exception and return *NULL*.
43
44   The *name* string may either be *NULL* or a pointer to a valid C string.  If
45   non-*NULL*, this string must outlive the capsule.  (Though it is permitted to
46   free it inside the *destructor*.)
47
48   If the *destructor* argument is not *NULL*, it will be called with the
49   capsule as its argument when it is destroyed.
50
51   If this capsule will be stored as an attribute of a module, the *name* should
52   be specified as ``modulename.attributename``.  This will enable other modules
53   to import the capsule using :c:func:`PyCapsule_Import`.
54
55
56.. c:function:: void* PyCapsule_GetPointer(PyObject *capsule, const char *name)
57
58   Retrieve the *pointer* stored in the capsule.  On failure, set an exception
59   and return *NULL*.
60
61   The *name* parameter must compare exactly to the name stored in the capsule.
62   If the name stored in the capsule is *NULL*, the *name* passed in must also
63   be *NULL*.  Python uses the C function :c:func:`strcmp` to compare capsule
64   names.
65
66
67.. c:function:: PyCapsule_Destructor PyCapsule_GetDestructor(PyObject *capsule)
68
69   Return the current destructor stored in the capsule.  On failure, set an
70   exception and return *NULL*.
71
72   It is legal for a capsule to have a *NULL* destructor.  This makes a *NULL*
73   return code somewhat ambiguous; use :c:func:`PyCapsule_IsValid` or
74   :c:func:`PyErr_Occurred` to disambiguate.
75
76
77.. c:function:: void* PyCapsule_GetContext(PyObject *capsule)
78
79   Return the current context stored in the capsule.  On failure, set an
80   exception and return *NULL*.
81
82   It is legal for a capsule to have a *NULL* context.  This makes a *NULL*
83   return code somewhat ambiguous; use :c:func:`PyCapsule_IsValid` or
84   :c:func:`PyErr_Occurred` to disambiguate.
85
86
87.. c:function:: const char* PyCapsule_GetName(PyObject *capsule)
88
89   Return the current name stored in the capsule.  On failure, set an exception
90   and return *NULL*.
91
92   It is legal for a capsule to have a *NULL* name.  This makes a *NULL* return
93   code somewhat ambiguous; use :c:func:`PyCapsule_IsValid` or
94   :c:func:`PyErr_Occurred` to disambiguate.
95
96
97.. c:function:: void* PyCapsule_Import(const char *name, int no_block)
98
99   Import a pointer to a C object from a capsule attribute in a module.  The
100   *name* parameter should specify the full name to the attribute, as in
101   ``module.attribute``.  The *name* stored in the capsule must match this
102   string exactly.  If *no_block* is true, import the module without blocking
103   (using :c:func:`PyImport_ImportModuleNoBlock`).  If *no_block* is false,
104   import the module conventionally (using :c:func:`PyImport_ImportModule`).
105
106   Return the capsule's internal *pointer* on success.  On failure, set an
107   exception and return *NULL*.  However, if :c:func:`PyCapsule_Import` failed to
108   import the module, and *no_block* was true, no exception is set.
109
110.. c:function:: int PyCapsule_IsValid(PyObject *capsule, const char *name)
111
112   Determines whether or not *capsule* is a valid capsule.  A valid capsule is
113   non-*NULL*, passes :c:func:`PyCapsule_CheckExact`, has a non-*NULL* pointer
114   stored in it, and its internal name matches the *name* parameter.  (See
115   :c:func:`PyCapsule_GetPointer` for information on how capsule names are
116   compared.)
117
118   In other words, if :c:func:`PyCapsule_IsValid` returns a true value, calls to
119   any of the accessors (any function starting with :c:func:`PyCapsule_Get`) are
120   guaranteed to succeed.
121
122   Return a nonzero value if the object is valid and matches the name passed in.
123   Return ``0`` otherwise.  This function will not fail.
124
125.. c:function:: int PyCapsule_SetContext(PyObject *capsule, void *context)
126
127   Set the context pointer inside *capsule* to *context*.
128
129   Return ``0`` on success.  Return nonzero and set an exception on failure.
130
131.. c:function:: int PyCapsule_SetDestructor(PyObject *capsule, PyCapsule_Destructor destructor)
132
133   Set the destructor inside *capsule* to *destructor*.
134
135   Return ``0`` on success.  Return nonzero and set an exception on failure.
136
137.. c:function:: int PyCapsule_SetName(PyObject *capsule, const char *name)
138
139   Set the name inside *capsule* to *name*.  If non-*NULL*, the name must
140   outlive the capsule.  If the previous *name* stored in the capsule was not
141   *NULL*, no attempt is made to free it.
142
143   Return ``0`` on success.  Return nonzero and set an exception on failure.
144
145.. c:function:: int PyCapsule_SetPointer(PyObject *capsule, void *pointer)
146
147   Set the void pointer inside *capsule* to *pointer*.  The pointer may not be
148   *NULL*.
149
150   Return ``0`` on success.  Return nonzero and set an exception on failure.
151