Doc/c-api/capsule.rst

.. highlightlang:: c

.. _capsules:

Capsules
--------

.. index:: object: Capsule

Refer to :ref:`using-capsules` for more information on using these objects.


.. ctype:: PyCapsule

   This subtype of :ctype:`PyObject` represents an opaque value, useful for C
   extension modules who need to pass an opaque value (as a :ctype:`void\*`
   pointer) through Python code to other C code.  It is often used to make a C
   function pointer defined in one module available to other modules, so the
   regular import mechanism can be used to access C APIs defined in dynamically
   loaded modules.

.. ctype:: PyCapsule_Destructor

   The type of a destructor callback for a capsule.  Defined as::

      typedef void (*PyCapsule_Destructor)(PyObject *);

   See :cfunc:`PyCapsule_New` for the semantics of PyCapsule_Destructor
   callbacks.


.. cfunction:: int PyCapsule_CheckExact(PyObject *p)

   Return true if its argument is a :ctype:`PyCapsule`.

.. cfunction:: PyObject* PyCapsule_New(void* pointer, const char* name, PyCapsule_Destructor destructor)

   Create a :ctype:`PyCapsule` encapsulating the *pointer*.  The *pointer*
   argument may not be *NULL*.

   The *name* string may either be *NULL* or a pointer to a valid
   C string.  If non-*NULL*, this string must outlive the capsule.
   (Though it is permitted to free it inside the *destructor*.)

   If the *destructor* argument is not *NULL*,
   it will be called with the capsule ``PyObject *`` when it is destroyed.

   If this capsule will be stored as an attribute of a module, it
   is strongly suggested that the *name* string be specified as::

      modulename.attributename

   This will enable other modules to import the capsule
   using :cfunc:`PyCapsule_Import`.

   Return a valid capsule on success.
   On failure, set an exception and return *NULL*.


.. cfunction:: void* PyCapsule_GetPointer(PyObject* capsule, const char* name)

   Retrieve the *pointer* stored in the capsule.

   The *name* parameter must compare exactly to the name stored in the capsule.
   If the name stored in the capsule is *NULL*, the *name* passed in must
   also be *NULL*.  If the name stored in the capsule is non-*NULL*,
   the *name* passed in must also be non-*NULL*, and must match the name
   stored in the capsule.  Python uses the C function *strcmp* to compare
   capsule names.

   Return the internal *pointer* on success.
   On failure, set an exception and return *NULL*.


.. cfunction:: PyCapsule_Destructor PyCapsule_GetDestructor(PyObject* capsule)

   Return the current *destructor* stored in the capsule.
   On failure, set an exception and return *NULL*.

   It is legal for a capsule to have a *NULL* destructor.
   This makes a *NULL* return code somewhat ambiguous;
   use :cfunc:`PyCapsule_IsValid` or :cfunc:`PyErr_Occurred` to disambugate.


.. cfunction:: void* PyCapsule_GetContext(PyObject* capsule)

   Return the current *context* stored in the capsule.
   On failure, set an exception and return *NULL*.

   It is legal for a capsule to have a *NULL* context.
   This makes a *NULL* return code somewhat ambiguous;
   use :cfunc:`PyCapsule_IsValid` or :cfunc:`PyErr_Occurred` to disambugate.


.. cfunction:: const char* PyCapsule_GetName(PyObject* capsule)

   Return the current *name* stored in the capsule.
   On failure, set an exception and return *NULL*.

   It is legal for a capsule to have a *NULL* name.
   This makes a *NULL* return code somewhat ambiguous;
   use :cfunc:`PyCapsule_IsValid` or :cfunc:`PyErr_Occurred` to disambugate.


.. cfunction:: void* PyCapsule_Import(const char* name, int no_block)

   Import a pointer to a C object from a ``capsule`` attribute in a module.
   The *name* parameter should specify the full name to the attribute, as
   in *"module.attribute"*.
   The *name* stored in the capsule must match this string exactly.
   If *no_block* is true, import the module without blocking
   (using :cfunc:`PyImport_ImportModuleNoBlock`).
   If *no_block* is false, import the module conventionally
   (using :cfunc:`PyImport_ImportModule`).

   Return the capsule's internal *pointer* on success.
   On failure, set an exception and return *NULL*.
   Exception: if *PyCapsule_Import* failed to import the module,
   and *no_block* was true, no exception is set.

.. cfunction:: int PyCapsule_IsValid(PyObject* capsule, const char* name)

   Determines whether or not a :ctype:`PyObject \*` is a valid capsule.
   A valid capsule is non-*NULL*, passes :cfunc:`PyCapsule_CheckExact`,
   has a non-NULL *pointer*, and its internal name matches the
   *name* parameter.  (See :cfunc:`PyCapsule_GetPointer` for
   information on how capsule names are compared.)

   In other words, if :cfunc:`PyCapsule_IsValid` returns a true value,
   calls to any of the accessors (any function starting
   with :cfunc:`PyCapsule_Get`) are guaranteed to succeed.

   Return a nonzero value if the object is valid and matches the name
   passed in.
   Return 0 otherwise.
   This function will not fail.

.. cfunction:: int PyCapsule_SetContext(PyObject* capsule, void* context)

   Set the context pointer inside *capsule* to *context*.

   Return 0 on success.
   Return nonzero and set an exception on failure.

.. cfunction:: int PyCapsule_SetDestructor(PyObject* capsule, void (*)(PyObject *) destructor)

   Set the destructor inside *capsule* to *destructor*.

   Return 0 on success.
   Return nonzero and set an exception on failure.

.. cfunction:: int PyCapsule_SetName(PyObject* capsule, const char* name)

   Set the name inside *capsule* to *name*.  If non-*NULL*, the name
   must outlive the capsule.  If the previous *name* stored in the
   capsule was not *NULL*, no attempt is made to free it.

   Return 0 on success.
   Return nonzero and set an exception on failure.

.. cfunction:: int PyCapsule_SetPointer(PyObject* capsule, void* pointer)

   Set the void pointer inside *capsule* to *pointer*.  The pointer
   may not be *NULL*.

   Return 0 on success.
   Return nonzero and set an exception on failure.