=head1 NAME perlapi - autogenerated documentation for the perl public API =head1 DESCRIPTION This file contains the documentation of the perl public API generated by embed.pl, specifically a listing of functions, macros, flags, and variables that may be used by extension writers. The interfaces of any functions that are not listed here are subject to change without notice. For this reason, blindly using functions listed in proto.h is to be avoided when writing extensions. Note that all Perl API global variables must be referenced with the C prefix. Some macros are provided for compatibility with the older, unadorned names, but this support may be disabled in a future release. The listing is alphabetical, case insensitive. =over 8 =item AvFILL Same as C. Deprecated, use C instead. int AvFILL(AV* av) =item av_clear Clears an array, making it empty. Does not free the memory used by the array itself. void av_clear(AV* ar) =item av_extend Pre-extend an array. The C is the index to which the array should be extended. void av_extend(AV* ar, I32 key) =item av_fetch Returns the SV at the specified index in the array. The C is the index. If C is set then the fetch will be part of a store. Check that the return value is non-null before dereferencing it to a C. See L for more information on how to use this function on tied arrays. SV** av_fetch(AV* ar, I32 key, I32 lval) =item av_len Returns the highest index in the array. Returns -1 if the array is empty. I32 av_len(AV* ar) =item av_make Creates a new AV and populates it with a list of SVs. The SVs are copied into the array, so they may be freed after the call to av_make. The new AV will have a reference count of 1. AV* av_make(I32 size, SV** svp) =item av_pop Pops an SV off the end of the array. Returns C<&PL_sv_undef> if the array is empty. SV* av_pop(AV* ar) =item av_push Pushes an SV onto the end of the array. The array will grow automatically to accommodate the addition. void av_push(AV* ar, SV* val) =item av_shift Shifts an SV off the beginning of the array. SV* av_shift(AV* ar) =item av_store Stores an SV in an array. The array index is specified as C. The return value will be NULL if the operation failed or if the value did not need to be actually stored within the array (as in the case of tied arrays). Otherwise it can be dereferenced to get the original C. Note that the caller is responsible for suitably incrementing the reference count of C before the call, and decrementing it if the function returned NULL. See L for more information on how to use this function on tied arrays. SV** av_store(AV* ar, I32 key, SV* val) =item av_undef Undefines the array. Frees the memory used by the array itself. void av_undef(AV* ar) =item av_unshift Unshift the given number of C values onto the beginning of the array. The array will grow automatically to accommodate the addition. You must then use C to assign values to these new elements. void av_unshift(AV* ar, I32 num) =item call_argv Performs a callback to the specified Perl sub. See L. NOTE: the perl_ form of this function is deprecated. I32 call_argv(const char* sub_name, I32 flags, char** argv) =item call_method Performs a callback to the specified Perl method. The blessed object must be on the stack. See L. NOTE: the perl_ form of this function is deprecated. I32 call_method(const char* methname, I32 flags) =item call_pv Performs a callback to the specified Perl sub. See L. NOTE: the perl_ form of this function is deprecated. I32 call_pv(const char* sub_name, I32 flags) =item call_sv Performs a callback to the Perl sub whose name is in the SV. See L. NOTE: the perl_ form of this function is deprecated. I32 call_sv(SV* sv, I32 flags) =item CLASS Variable which is setup by C to indicate the class name for a C++ XS constructor. This is always a C. See C. char* CLASS =item Copy The XSUB-writer's interface to the C C function. The C is the source, C is the destination, C is the number of items, and C is the type. May fail on overlapping copies. See also C. void Copy(void* src, void* dest, int nitems, type) =item croak This is the XSUB-writer's interface to Perl's C function. Use this function the same way you use the C C function. See C. void croak(const char* pat, ...) =item CvSTASH Returns the stash of the CV. HV* CvSTASH(CV* cv) =item dMARK Declare a stack marker variable, C, for the XSUB. See C and C. dMARK; =item dORIGMARK Saves the original stack mark for the XSUB. See C. dORIGMARK; =item dSP Declares a local copy of perl's stack pointer for the XSUB, available via the C macro. See C. dSP; =item dXSARGS Sets up stack and mark pointers for an XSUB, calling dSP and dMARK. This is usually handled automatically by C. Declares the C variable to indicate the number of items on the stack. dXSARGS; =item dXSI32 Sets up the C variable for an XSUB which has aliases. This is usually handled automatically by C. dXSI32; =item ENTER Opening bracket on a callback. See C and L. ENTER; =item eval_pv Tells Perl to C the given string and return an SV* result. NOTE: the perl_ form of this function is deprecated. SV* eval_pv(const char* p, I32 croak_on_error) =item eval_sv Tells Perl to C the string in the SV. NOTE: the perl_ form of this function is deprecated. I32 eval_sv(SV* sv, I32 flags) =item EXTEND Used to extend the argument stack for an XSUB's return values. Once used, guarrantees that there is room for at least C to be pushed onto the stack. void EXTEND(SP, int nitems) =item fbm_compile Analyses the string in order to make fast searches on it using fbm_instr() -- the Boyer-Moore algorithm. void fbm_compile(SV* sv, U32 flags) =item fbm_instr Returns the location of the SV in the string delimited by C and C. It returns C if the string can't be found. The C does not have to be fbm_compiled, but the search will not be as fast then. char* fbm_instr(unsigned char* big, unsigned char* bigend, SV* littlesv, U32 flags) =item FREETMPS Closing bracket for temporaries on a callback. See C and L. FREETMPS; =item get_av Returns the AV of the specified Perl array. If C is set and the Perl variable does not exist then it will be created. If C is not set and the variable does not exist then NULL is returned. NOTE: the perl_ form of this function is deprecated. AV* get_av(const char* name, I32 create) =item get_cv Returns the CV of the specified Perl subroutine. If C is set and the Perl subroutine does not exist then it will be declared (which has the same effect as saying C). If C is not set and the subroutine does not exist then NULL is returned. NOTE: the perl_ form of this function is deprecated. CV* get_cv(const char* name, I32 create) =item get_hv Returns the HV of the specified Perl hash. If C is set and the Perl variable does not exist then it will be created. If C is not set and the variable does not exist then NULL is returned. NOTE: the perl_ form of this function is deprecated. HV* get_hv(const char* name, I32 create) =item get_sv Returns the SV of the specified Perl scalar. If C is set and the Perl variable does not exist then it will be created. If C is not set and the variable does not exist then NULL is returned. NOTE: the perl_ form of this function is deprecated. SV* get_sv(const char* name, I32 create) =item GIMME A backward-compatible version of C which can only return C or C; in a void context, it returns C. Deprecated. Use C instead. U32 GIMME =item GIMME_V The XSUB-writer's equivalent to Perl's C. Returns C, C or C for void, scalar or array context, respectively. U32 GIMME_V =item GvSV Return the SV from the GV. SV* GvSV(GV* gv) =item gv_fetchmeth Returns the glob with the given C and a defined subroutine or C. The glob lives in the given C, or in the stashes accessible via @ISA and @UNIVERSAL. The argument C should be either 0 or -1. If C, as a side-effect creates a glob with the given C in the given C which in the case of success contains an alias for the subroutine, and sets up caching info for this glob. Similarly for all the searched stashes. This function grants C<"SUPER"> token as a postfix of the stash name. The GV returned from C may be a method cache entry, which is not visible to Perl code. So when calling C, you should not use the GV directly; instead, you should use the method's CV, which can be obtained from the GV with the C macro. GV* gv_fetchmeth(HV* stash, const char* name, STRLEN len, I32 level) =item gv_fetchmethod See L. GV* gv_fetchmethod(HV* stash, const char* name) =item gv_fetchmethod_autoload Returns the glob which contains the subroutine to call to invoke the method on the C. In fact in the presence of autoloading this may be the glob for "AUTOLOAD". In this case the corresponding variable $AUTOLOAD is already setup. The third parameter of C determines whether AUTOLOAD lookup is performed if the given method is not present: non-zero means yes, look for AUTOLOAD; zero means no, don't look for AUTOLOAD. Calling C is equivalent to calling C with a non-zero C parameter. These functions grant C<"SUPER"> token as a prefix of the method name. Note that if you want to keep the returned glob for a long time, you need to check for it being "AUTOLOAD", since at the later time the call may load a different subroutine due to $AUTOLOAD changing its value. Use the glob created via a side effect to do this. These functions have the same side-effects and as C with C. C should be writable if contains C<':'> or C<' ''>. The warning against passing the GV returned by C to C apply equally to these functions. GV* gv_fetchmethod_autoload(HV* stash, const char* name, I32 autoload) =item gv_stashpv Returns a pointer to the stash for a specified package. C should be a valid UTF-8 string. If C is set then the package will be created if it does not already exist. If C is not set and the package does not exist then NULL is returned. HV* gv_stashpv(const char* name, I32 create) =item gv_stashsv Returns a pointer to the stash for a specified package, which must be a valid UTF-8 string. See C. HV* gv_stashsv(SV* sv, I32 create) =item G_ARRAY Used to indicate array context. See C, C and L. =item G_DISCARD Indicates that arguments returned from a callback should be discarded. See L. =item G_EVAL Used to force a Perl C wrapper around a callback. See L. =item G_NOARGS Indicates that no arguments are being sent to a callback. See L. =item G_SCALAR Used to indicate scalar context. See C, C, and L. =item G_VOID Used to indicate void context. See C and L. =item HEf_SVKEY This flag, used in the length slot of hash entries and magic structures, specifies the structure contains a C pointer where a C pointer is to be expected. (For information only--not to be used). =item HeHASH Returns the computed hash stored in the hash entry. U32 HeHASH(HE* he) =item HeKEY Returns the actual pointer stored in the key slot of the hash entry. The pointer may be either C or C, depending on the value of C. Can be assigned to. The C or C macros are usually preferable for finding the value of a key. void* HeKEY(HE* he) =item HeKLEN If this is negative, and amounts to C, it indicates the entry holds an C key. Otherwise, holds the actual length of the key. Can be assigned to. The C macro is usually preferable for finding key lengths. STRLEN HeKLEN(HE* he) =item HePV Returns the key slot of the hash entry as a C value, doing any necessary dereferencing of possibly C keys. The length of the string is placed in C (this is a macro, so do I use C<&len>). If you do not care about what the length of the key is, you may use the global variable C, though this is rather less efficient than using a local variable. Remember though, that hash keys in perl are free to contain embedded nulls, so using C or similar is not a good way to find the length of hash keys. This is very similar to the C macro described elsewhere in this document. char* HePV(HE* he, STRLEN len) =item HeSVKEY Returns the key as an C, or C if the hash entry does not contain an C key. SV* HeSVKEY(HE* he) =item HeSVKEY_force Returns the key as an C. Will create and return a temporary mortal C if the hash entry contains only a C key. SV* HeSVKEY_force(HE* he) =item HeSVKEY_set Sets the key to a given C, taking care to set the appropriate flags to indicate the presence of an C key, and returns the same C. SV* HeSVKEY_set(HE* he, SV* sv) =item HeVAL Returns the value slot (type C) stored in the hash entry. SV* HeVAL(HE* he) =item HvNAME Returns the package name of a stash. See C, C. char* HvNAME(HV* stash) =item hv_clear Clears a hash, making it empty. void hv_clear(HV* tb) =item hv_delete Deletes a key/value pair in the hash. The value SV is removed from the hash and returned to the caller. The C is the length of the key. The C value will normally be zero; if set to G_DISCARD then NULL will be returned. SV* hv_delete(HV* tb, const char* key, U32 klen, I32 flags) =item hv_delete_ent Deletes a key/value pair in the hash. The value SV is removed from the hash and returned to the caller. The C value will normally be zero; if set to G_DISCARD then NULL will be returned. C can be a valid precomputed hash value, or 0 to ask for it to be computed. SV* hv_delete_ent(HV* tb, SV* key, I32 flags, U32 hash) =item hv_exists Returns a boolean indicating whether the specified hash key exists. The C is the length of the key. bool hv_exists(HV* tb, const char* key, U32 klen) =item hv_exists_ent Returns a boolean indicating whether the specified hash key exists. C can be a valid precomputed hash value, or 0 to ask for it to be computed. bool hv_exists_ent(HV* tb, SV* key, U32 hash) =item hv_fetch Returns the SV which corresponds to the specified key in the hash. The C is the length of the key. If C is set then the fetch will be part of a store. Check that the return value is non-null before dereferencing it to a C. See L for more information on how to use this function on tied hashes. SV** hv_fetch(HV* tb, const char* key, U32 klen, I32 lval) =item hv_fetch_ent Returns the hash entry which corresponds to the specified key in the hash. C must be a valid precomputed hash number for the given C, or 0 if you want the function to compute it. IF C is set then the fetch will be part of a store. Make sure the return value is non-null before accessing it. The return value when C is a tied hash is a pointer to a static location, so be sure to make a copy of the structure if you need to store it somewhere. See L for more information on how to use this function on tied hashes. HE* hv_fetch_ent(HV* tb, SV* key, I32 lval, U32 hash) =item hv_iterinit Prepares a starting point to traverse a hash table. Returns the number of keys in the hash (i.e. the same as C). The return value is currently only meaningful for hashes without tie magic. NOTE: Before version 5.004_65, C used to return the number of hash buckets that happen to be in use. If you still need that esoteric value, you can get it through the macro C. I32 hv_iterinit(HV* tb) =item hv_iterkey Returns the key from the current position of the hash iterator. See C. char* hv_iterkey(HE* entry, I32* retlen) =item hv_iterkeysv Returns the key as an C from the current position of the hash iterator. The return value will always be a mortal copy of the key. Also see C. SV* hv_iterkeysv(HE* entry) =item hv_iternext Returns entries from a hash iterator. See C. HE* hv_iternext(HV* tb) =item hv_iternextsv Performs an C, C, and C in one operation. SV* hv_iternextsv(HV* hv, char** key, I32* retlen) =item hv_iterval Returns the value from the current position of the hash iterator. See C. SV* hv_iterval(HV* tb, HE* entry) =item hv_magic Adds magic to a hash. See C. void hv_magic(HV* hv, GV* gv, int how) =item hv_store Stores an SV in a hash. The hash key is specified as C and C is the length of the key. The C parameter is the precomputed hash value; if it is zero then Perl will compute it. The return value will be NULL if the operation failed or if the value did not need to be actually stored within the hash (as in the case of tied hashes). Otherwise it can be dereferenced to get the original C. Note that the caller is responsible for suitably incrementing the reference count of C before the call, and decrementing it if the function returned NULL. See L for more information on how to use this function on tied hashes. SV** hv_store(HV* tb, const char* key, U32 klen, SV* val, U32 hash) =item hv_store_ent Stores C in a hash. The hash key is specified as C. The C parameter is the precomputed hash value; if it is zero then Perl will compute it. The return value is the new hash entry so created. It will be NULL if the operation failed or if the value did not need to be actually stored within the hash (as in the case of tied hashes). Otherwise the contents of the return value can be accessed using the C macros described here. Note that the caller is responsible for suitably incrementing the reference count of C before the call, and decrementing it if the function returned NULL. See L for more information on how to use this function on tied hashes. HE* hv_store_ent(HV* tb, SV* key, SV* val, U32 hash) =item hv_undef Undefines the hash. void hv_undef(HV* tb) =item isALNUM Returns a boolean indicating whether the C C is an ascii alphanumeric character or digit. bool isALNUM(char ch) =item isALPHA Returns a boolean indicating whether the C C is an ascii alphabetic character. bool isALPHA(char ch) =item isDIGIT Returns a boolean indicating whether the C C is an ascii digit. bool isDIGIT(char ch) =item isLOWER Returns a boolean indicating whether the C C is a lowercase character. bool isLOWER(char ch) =item isSPACE Returns a boolean indicating whether the C C is whitespace. bool isSPACE(char ch) =item isUPPER Returns a boolean indicating whether the C C is an uppercase character. bool isUPPER(char ch) =item items Variable which is setup by C to indicate the number of items on the stack. See L. I32 items =item ix Variable which is setup by C to indicate which of an XSUB's aliases was used to invoke it. See L. I32 ix =item LEAVE Closing bracket on a callback. See C and L. LEAVE; =item looks_like_number Test if an the content of an SV looks like a number (or is a number). I32 looks_like_number(SV* sv) =item MARK Stack marker variable for the XSUB. See C. =item mg_clear Clear something magical that the SV represents. See C. int mg_clear(SV* sv) =item mg_copy Copies the magic from one SV to another. See C. int mg_copy(SV* sv, SV* nsv, const char* key, I32 klen) =item mg_find Finds the magic pointer for type matching the SV. See C. MAGIC* mg_find(SV* sv, int type) =item mg_free Free any magic storage used by the SV. See C. int mg_free(SV* sv) =item mg_get Do magic after a value is retrieved from the SV. See C. int mg_get(SV* sv) =item mg_length Report on the SV's length. See C. U32 mg_length(SV* sv) =item mg_magical Turns on the magical status of an SV. See C. void mg_magical(SV* sv) =item mg_set Do magic after a value is assigned to the SV. See C. int mg_set(SV* sv) =item Move The XSUB-writer's interface to the C C function. The C is the source, C is the destination, C is the number of items, and C is the type. Can do overlapping moves. See also C. void Move(void* src, void* dest, int nitems, type) =item New The XSUB-writer's interface to the C C function. void New(int id, void* ptr, int nitems, type) =item newAV Creates a new AV. The reference count is set to 1. AV* newAV() =item Newc The XSUB-writer's interface to the C C function, with cast. void Newc(int id, void* ptr, int nitems, type, cast) =item newCONSTSUB Creates a constant sub equivalent to Perl C which is eligible for inlining at compile-time. void newCONSTSUB(HV* stash, char* name, SV* sv) =item newHV Creates a new HV. The reference count is set to 1. HV* newHV() =item newRV_inc Creates an RV wrapper for an SV. The reference count for the original SV is incremented. SV* newRV_inc(SV* sv) =item newRV_noinc Creates an RV wrapper for an SV. The reference count for the original SV is B incremented. SV* newRV_noinc(SV *sv) =item NEWSV Creates a new SV. A non-zero C parameter indicates the number of bytes of preallocated string space the SV should have. An extra byte for a tailing NUL is also reserved. (SvPOK is not set for the SV even if string space is allocated.) The reference count for the new SV is set to 1. C is an integer id between 0 and 1299 (used to identify leaks). SV* NEWSV(int id, STRLEN len) =item newSViv Creates a new SV and copies an integer into it. The reference count for the SV is set to 1. SV* newSViv(IV i) =item newSVnv Creates a new SV and copies a floating point value into it. The reference count for the SV is set to 1. SV* newSVnv(NV n) =item newSVpv Creates a new SV and copies a string into it. The reference count for the SV is set to 1. If C is zero, Perl will compute the length using strlen(). For efficiency, consider using C instead. SV* newSVpv(const char* s, STRLEN len) =item newSVpvf Creates a new SV an initialize it with the string formatted like C. SV* newSVpvf(const char* pat, ...) =item newSVpvn Creates a new SV and copies a string into it. The reference count for the SV is set to 1. Note that if C is zero, Perl will create a zero length string. You are responsible for ensuring that the source string is at least C bytes long. SV* newSVpvn(const char* s, STRLEN len) =item newSVrv Creates a new SV for the RV, C, to point to. If C is not an RV then it will be upgraded to one. If C is non-null then the new SV will be blessed in the specified package. The new SV is returned and its reference count is 1. SV* newSVrv(SV* rv, const char* classname) =item newSVsv Creates a new SV which is an exact duplicate of the original SV. SV* newSVsv(SV* old) =item newSVuv Creates a new SV and copies an unsigned integer into it. The reference count for the SV is set to 1. SV* newSVuv(UV u) =item newXS Used by C to hook up XSUBs as Perl subs. =item newXSproto Used by C to hook up XSUBs as Perl subs. Adds Perl prototypes to the subs. =item Newz The XSUB-writer's interface to the C C function. The allocated memory is zeroed with C. void Newz(int id, void* ptr, int nitems, type) =item Nullav Null AV pointer. =item Nullch Null character pointer. =item Nullcv Null CV pointer. =item Nullhv Null HV pointer. =item Nullsv Null SV pointer. =item ORIGMARK The original stack mark for the XSUB. See C. =item perl_alloc Allocates a new Perl interpreter. See L. PerlInterpreter* perl_alloc() =item perl_construct Initializes a new Perl interpreter. See L. void perl_construct(PerlInterpreter* interp) =item perl_destruct Shuts down a Perl interpreter. See L. void perl_destruct(PerlInterpreter* interp) =item perl_free Releases a Perl interpreter. See L. void perl_free(PerlInterpreter* interp) =item perl_parse Tells a Perl interpreter to parse a Perl script. See L. int perl_parse(PerlInterpreter* interp, XSINIT_t xsinit, int argc, char** argv, char** env) =item perl_run Tells a Perl interpreter to run. See L. int perl_run(PerlInterpreter* interp) =item PL_DBsingle When Perl is run in debugging mode, with the B<-d> switch, this SV is a boolean which indicates whether subs are being single-stepped. Single-stepping is automatically turned on after every step. This is the C variable which corresponds to Perl's $DB::single variable. See C. SV * PL_DBsingle =item PL_DBsub When Perl is run in debugging mode, with the B<-d> switch, this GV contains the SV which holds the name of the sub being debugged. This is the C variable which corresponds to Perl's $DB::sub variable. See C. GV * PL_DBsub =item PL_DBtrace Trace variable used when Perl is run in debugging mode, with the B<-d> switch. This is the C variable which corresponds to Perl's $DB::trace variable. See C. SV * PL_DBtrace =item PL_dowarn The C variable which corresponds to Perl's $^W warning variable. bool PL_dowarn =item PL_modglobal C is a general purpose, interpreter global HV for use by extensions that need to keep information on a per-interpreter basis. In a pinch, it can also be used as a symbol table for extensions to share data among each other. It is a good idea to use keys prefixed by the package name of the extension that owns the data. HV* PL_modglobal =item PL_na A convenience variable which is typically used with C when one doesn't care about the length of the string. It is usually more efficient to either declare a local variable and use that instead or to use the C macro. STRLEN PL_na =item PL_sv_no This is the C SV. See C. Always refer to this as C<&PL_sv_no>. SV PL_sv_no =item PL_sv_undef This is the C SV. Always refer to this as C<&PL_sv_undef>. SV PL_sv_undef =item PL_sv_yes This is the C SV. See C. Always refer to this as C<&PL_sv_yes>. SV PL_sv_yes =item POPi Pops an integer off the stack. IV POPi =item POPl Pops a long off the stack. long POPl =item POPn Pops a double off the stack. NV POPn =item POPp Pops a string off the stack. char* POPp =item POPs Pops an SV off the stack. SV* POPs =item PUSHi Push an integer onto the stack. The stack must have room for this element. Handles 'set' magic. See C. void PUSHi(IV iv) =item PUSHMARK Opening bracket for arguments on a callback. See C and L. PUSHMARK; =item PUSHn Push a double onto the stack. The stack must have room for this element. Handles 'set' magic. See C. void PUSHn(NV nv) =item PUSHp Push a string onto the stack. The stack must have room for this element. The C indicates the length of the string. Handles 'set' magic. See C. void PUSHp(char* str, STRLEN len) =item PUSHs Push an SV onto the stack. The stack must have room for this element. Does not handle 'set' magic. See C. void PUSHs(SV* sv) =item PUSHu Push an unsigned integer onto the stack. The stack must have room for this element. See C. void PUSHu(UV uv) =item PUTBACK Closing bracket for XSUB arguments. This is usually handled by C. See C and L for other uses. PUTBACK; =item Renew The XSUB-writer's interface to the C C function. void Renew(void* ptr, int nitems, type) =item Renewc The XSUB-writer's interface to the C C function, with cast. void Renewc(void* ptr, int nitems, type, cast) =item require_pv Tells Perl to C a module. NOTE: the perl_ form of this function is deprecated. void require_pv(const char* pv) =item RETVAL Variable which is setup by C to hold the return value for an XSUB. This is always the proper type for the XSUB. See L. (whatever) RETVAL =item Safefree The XSUB-writer's interface to the C C function. void Safefree(void* src, void* dest, int nitems, type) =item savepv Copy a string to a safe spot. This does not use an SV. char* savepv(const char* sv) =item savepvn Copy a string to a safe spot. The C indicates number of bytes to copy. This does not use an SV. char* savepvn(const char* sv, I32 len) =item SAVETMPS Opening bracket for temporaries on a callback. See C and L. SAVETMPS; =item SP Stack pointer. This is usually handled by C. See C and C. =item SPAGAIN Refetch the stack pointer. Used after a callback. See L. SPAGAIN; =item ST Used to access elements on the XSUB's stack. SV* ST(int ix) =item strEQ Test two strings to see if they are equal. Returns true or false. bool strEQ(char* s1, char* s2) =item strGE Test two strings to see if the first, C, is greater than or equal to the second, C. Returns true or false. bool strGE(char* s1, char* s2) =item strGT Test two strings to see if the first, C, is greater than the second, C. Returns true or false. bool strGT(char* s1, char* s2) =item strLE Test two strings to see if the first, C, is less than or equal to the second, C. Returns true or false. bool strLE(char* s1, char* s2) =item strLT Test two strings to see if the first, C, is less than the second, C. Returns true or false. bool strLT(char* s1, char* s2) =item strNE Test two strings to see if they are different. Returns true or false. bool strNE(char* s1, char* s2) =item strnEQ Test two strings to see if they are equal. The C parameter indicates the number of bytes to compare. Returns true or false. (A wrapper for C). bool strnEQ(char* s1, char* s2, STRLEN len) =item strnNE Test two strings to see if they are different. The C parameter indicates the number of bytes to compare. Returns true or false. (A wrapper for C). bool strnNE(char* s1, char* s2, STRLEN len) =item StructCopy This is an architecture-independant macro to copy one structure to another. void StructCopy(type src, type dest, type) =item SvCUR Returns the length of the string which is in the SV. See C. STRLEN SvCUR(SV* sv) =item SvCUR_set Set the length of the string which is in the SV. See C. void SvCUR_set(SV* sv, STRLEN len) =item SvEND Returns a pointer to the last character in the string which is in the SV. See C. Access the character as *(SvEND(sv)). char* SvEND(SV* sv) =item SvGETMAGIC Invokes C on an SV if it has 'get' magic. This macro evaluates its argument more than once. void SvGETMAGIC(SV* sv) =item SvGROW Expands the character buffer in the SV so that it has room for the indicated number of bytes (remember to reserve space for an extra trailing NUL character). Calls C to perform the expansion if necessary. Returns a pointer to the character buffer. void SvGROW(SV* sv, STRLEN len) =item SvIOK Returns a boolean indicating whether the SV contains an integer. bool SvIOK(SV* sv) =item SvIOKp Returns a boolean indicating whether the SV contains an integer. Checks the B setting. Use C. bool SvIOKp(SV* sv) =item SvIOK_off Unsets the IV status of an SV. void SvIOK_off(SV* sv) =item SvIOK_on Tells an SV that it is an integer. void SvIOK_on(SV* sv) =item SvIOK_only Tells an SV that it is an integer and disables all other OK bits. void SvIOK_only(SV* sv) =item SvIV Coerces the given SV to an integer and returns it. IV SvIV(SV* sv) =item SvIVX Returns the integer which is stored in the SV, assuming SvIOK is true. IV SvIVX(SV* sv) =item SvLEN Returns the size of the string buffer in the SV. See C. STRLEN SvLEN(SV* sv) =item SvNIOK Returns a boolean indicating whether the SV contains a number, integer or double. bool SvNIOK(SV* sv) =item SvNIOKp Returns a boolean indicating whether the SV contains a number, integer or double. Checks the B setting. Use C. bool SvNIOKp(SV* sv) =item SvNIOK_off Unsets the NV/IV status of an SV. void SvNIOK_off(SV* sv) =item SvNOK Returns a boolean indicating whether the SV contains a double. bool SvNOK(SV* sv) =item SvNOKp Returns a boolean indicating whether the SV contains a double. Checks the B setting. Use C. bool SvNOKp(SV* sv) =item SvNOK_off Unsets the NV status of an SV. void SvNOK_off(SV* sv) =item SvNOK_on Tells an SV that it is a double. void SvNOK_on(SV* sv) =item SvNOK_only Tells an SV that it is a double and disables all other OK bits. void SvNOK_only(SV* sv) =item SvNV Coerce the given SV to a double and return it. NV SvNV(SV* sv) =item SvNVX Returns the double which is stored in the SV, assuming SvNOK is true. NV SvNVX(SV* sv) =item SvOK Returns a boolean indicating whether the value is an SV. bool SvOK(SV* sv) =item SvOOK Returns a boolean indicating whether the SvIVX is a valid offset value for the SvPVX. This hack is used internally to speed up removal of characters from the beginning of a SvPV. When SvOOK is true, then the start of the allocated string buffer is really (SvPVX - SvIVX). bool SvOOK(SV* sv) =item SvPOK Returns a boolean indicating whether the SV contains a character string. bool SvPOK(SV* sv) =item SvPOKp Returns a boolean indicating whether the SV contains a character string. Checks the B setting. Use C. bool SvPOKp(SV* sv) =item SvPOK_off Unsets the PV status of an SV. void SvPOK_off(SV* sv) =item SvPOK_on Tells an SV that it is a string. void SvPOK_on(SV* sv) =item SvPOK_only Tells an SV that it is a string and disables all other OK bits. void SvPOK_only(SV* sv) =item SvPV Returns a pointer to the string in the SV, or a stringified form of the SV if the SV does not contain a string. Handles 'get' magic. char* SvPV(SV* sv, STRLEN len) =item SvPVX Returns a pointer to the string in the SV. The SV must contain a string. char* SvPVX(SV* sv) =item SvPV_force Like but will force the SV into becoming a string (SvPOK). You want force if you are going to update the SvPVX directly. char* SvPV_force(SV* sv, STRLEN len) =item SvPV_nolen Returns a pointer to the string in the SV, or a stringified form of the SV if the SV does not contain a string. Handles 'get' magic. char* SvPV_nolen(SV* sv) =item SvREFCNT Returns the value of the object's reference count. U32 SvREFCNT(SV* sv) =item SvREFCNT_dec Decrements the reference count of the given SV. void SvREFCNT_dec(SV* sv) =item SvREFCNT_inc Increments the reference count of the given SV. SV* SvREFCNT_inc(SV* sv) =item SvROK Tests if the SV is an RV. bool SvROK(SV* sv) =item SvROK_off Unsets the RV status of an SV. void SvROK_off(SV* sv) =item SvROK_on Tells an SV that it is an RV. void SvROK_on(SV* sv) =item SvRV Dereferences an RV to return the SV. SV* SvRV(SV* sv) =item SvSETMAGIC Invokes C on an SV if it has 'set' magic. This macro evaluates its argument more than once. void SvSETMAGIC(SV* sv) =item SvSetSV Calls C if dsv is not the same as ssv. May evaluate arguments more than once. void SvSetSV(SV* dsb, SV* ssv) =item SvSetSV_nosteal Calls a non-destructive version of C if dsv is not the same as ssv. May evaluate arguments more than once. void SvSetSV_nosteal(SV* dsv, SV* ssv) =item SvSTASH Returns the stash of the SV. HV* SvSTASH(SV* sv) =item SvTAINT Taints an SV if tainting is enabled void SvTAINT(SV* sv) =item SvTAINTED Checks to see if an SV is tainted. Returns TRUE if it is, FALSE if not. bool SvTAINTED(SV* sv) =item SvTAINTED_off Untaints an SV. Be I careful with this routine, as it short-circuits some of Perl's fundamental security features. XS module authors should not use this function unless they fully understand all the implications of unconditionally untainting the value. Untainting should be done in the standard perl fashion, via a carefully crafted regexp, rather than directly untainting variables. void SvTAINTED_off(SV* sv) =item SvTAINTED_on Marks an SV as tainted. void SvTAINTED_on(SV* sv) =item SvTRUE Returns a boolean indicating whether Perl would evaluate the SV as true or false, defined or undefined. Does not handle 'get' magic. bool SvTRUE(SV* sv) =item SvTYPE Returns the type of the SV. See C. svtype SvTYPE(SV* sv) =item svtype An enum of flags for Perl types. These are found in the file B in the C enum. Test these flags with the C macro. =item SVt_IV Integer type flag for scalars. See C. =item SVt_NV Double type flag for scalars. See C. =item SVt_PV Pointer type flag for scalars. See C. =item SVt_PVAV Type flag for arrays. See C. =item SVt_PVCV Type flag for code refs. See C. =item SVt_PVHV Type flag for hashes. See C. =item SVt_PVMG Type flag for blessed scalars. See C. =item SvUPGRADE Used to upgrade an SV to a more complex form. Uses C to perform the upgrade if necessary. See C. void SvUPGRADE(SV* sv, svtype type) =item SvUV Coerces the given SV to an unsigned integer and returns it. UV SvUV(SV* sv) =item SvUVX Returns the unsigned integer which is stored in the SV, assuming SvIOK is true. UV SvUVX(SV* sv) =item sv_2mortal Marks an SV as mortal. The SV will be destroyed when the current context ends. SV* sv_2mortal(SV* sv) =item sv_bless Blesses an SV into a specified package. The SV must be an RV. The package must be designated by its stash (see C). The reference count of the SV is unaffected. SV* sv_bless(SV* sv, HV* stash) =item sv_catpv Concatenates the string onto the end of the string which is in the SV. Handles 'get' magic, but not 'set' magic. See C. void sv_catpv(SV* sv, const char* ptr) =item sv_catpvf Processes its arguments like C and appends the formatted output to an SV. Handles 'get' magic, but not 'set' magic. C must typically be called after calling this function to handle 'set' magic. void sv_catpvf(SV* sv, const char* pat, ...) =item sv_catpvf_mg Like C, but also handles 'set' magic. void sv_catpvf_mg(SV *sv, const char* pat, ...) =item sv_catpvn Concatenates the string onto the end of the string which is in the SV. The C indicates number of bytes to copy. Handles 'get' magic, but not 'set' magic. See C. void sv_catpvn(SV* sv, const char* ptr, STRLEN len) =item sv_catpvn_mg Like C, but also handles 'set' magic. void sv_catpvn_mg(SV *sv, const char *ptr, STRLEN len) =item sv_catpv_mg Like C, but also handles 'set' magic. void sv_catpv_mg(SV *sv, const char *ptr) =item sv_catsv Concatenates the string from SV C onto the end of the string in SV C. Handles 'get' magic, but not 'set' magic. See C. void sv_catsv(SV* dsv, SV* ssv) =item sv_catsv_mg Like C, but also handles 'set' magic. void sv_catsv_mg(SV *dstr, SV *sstr) =item sv_chop Efficient removal of characters from the beginning of the string buffer. SvPOK(sv) must be true and the C must be a pointer to somewhere inside the string buffer. The C becomes the first character of the adjusted string. void sv_chop(SV* sv, char* ptr) =item sv_cmp Compares the strings in two SVs. Returns -1, 0, or 1 indicating whether the string in C is less than, equal to, or greater than the string in C. I32 sv_cmp(SV* sv1, SV* sv2) =item sv_dec Auto-decrement of the value in the SV. void sv_dec(SV* sv) =item sv_derived_from Returns a boolean indicating whether the SV is derived from the specified class. This is the function that implements C. It works for class names as well as for objects. bool sv_derived_from(SV* sv, const char* name) =item sv_eq Returns a boolean indicating whether the strings in the two SVs are identical. I32 sv_eq(SV* sv1, SV* sv2) =item sv_grow Expands the character buffer in the SV. This will use C and will upgrade the SV to C. Returns a pointer to the character buffer. Use C. char* sv_grow(SV* sv, STRLEN newlen) =item sv_inc Auto-increment of the value in the SV. void sv_inc(SV* sv) =item sv_insert Inserts a string at the specified offset/length within the SV. Similar to the Perl substr() function. void sv_insert(SV* bigsv, STRLEN offset, STRLEN len, char* little, STRLEN littlelen) =item sv_isa Returns a boolean indicating whether the SV is blessed into the specified class. This does not check for subtypes; use C to verify an inheritance relationship. int sv_isa(SV* sv, const char* name) =item sv_isobject Returns a boolean indicating whether the SV is an RV pointing to a blessed object. If the SV is not an RV, or if the object is not blessed, then this will return false. int sv_isobject(SV* sv) =item sv_len Returns the length of the string in the SV. See also C. STRLEN sv_len(SV* sv) =item sv_magic Adds magic to an SV. void sv_magic(SV* sv, SV* obj, int how, const char* name, I32 namlen) =item sv_mortalcopy Creates a new SV which is a copy of the original SV. The new SV is marked as mortal. SV* sv_mortalcopy(SV* oldsv) =item sv_newmortal Creates a new SV which is mortal. The reference count of the SV is set to 1. SV* sv_newmortal() =item sv_setiv Copies an integer into the given SV. Does not handle 'set' magic. See C. void sv_setiv(SV* sv, IV num) =item sv_setiv_mg Like C, but also handles 'set' magic. void sv_setiv_mg(SV *sv, IV i) =item sv_setnv Copies a double into the given SV. Does not handle 'set' magic. See C. void sv_setnv(SV* sv, NV num) =item sv_setnv_mg Like C, but also handles 'set' magic. void sv_setnv_mg(SV *sv, NV num) =item sv_setpv Copies a string into an SV. The string must be null-terminated. Does not handle 'set' magic. See C. void sv_setpv(SV* sv, const char* ptr) =item sv_setpvf Processes its arguments like C and sets an SV to the formatted output. Does not handle 'set' magic. See C. void sv_setpvf(SV* sv, const char* pat, ...) =item sv_setpvf_mg Like C, but also handles 'set' magic. void sv_setpvf_mg(SV *sv, const char* pat, ...) =item sv_setpviv Copies an integer into the given SV, also updating its string value. Does not handle 'set' magic. See C. void sv_setpviv(SV* sv, IV num) =item sv_setpviv_mg Like C, but also handles 'set' magic. void sv_setpviv_mg(SV *sv, IV iv) =item sv_setpvn Copies a string into an SV. The C parameter indicates the number of bytes to be copied. Does not handle 'set' magic. See C. void sv_setpvn(SV* sv, const char* ptr, STRLEN len) =item sv_setpvn_mg Like C, but also handles 'set' magic. void sv_setpvn_mg(SV *sv, const char *ptr, STRLEN len) =item sv_setpv_mg Like C, but also handles 'set' magic. void sv_setpv_mg(SV *sv, const char *ptr) =item sv_setref_iv Copies an integer into a new SV, optionally blessing the SV. The C argument will be upgraded to an RV. That RV will be modified to point to the new SV. The C argument indicates the package for the blessing. Set C to C to avoid the blessing. The new SV will be returned and will have a reference count of 1. SV* sv_setref_iv(SV* rv, const char* classname, IV iv) =item sv_setref_nv Copies a double into a new SV, optionally blessing the SV. The C argument will be upgraded to an RV. That RV will be modified to point to the new SV. The C argument indicates the package for the blessing. Set C to C to avoid the blessing. The new SV will be returned and will have a reference count of 1. SV* sv_setref_nv(SV* rv, const char* classname, NV nv) =item sv_setref_pv Copies a pointer into a new SV, optionally blessing the SV. The C argument will be upgraded to an RV. That RV will be modified to point to the new SV. If the C argument is NULL then C will be placed into the SV. The C argument indicates the package for the blessing. Set C to C to avoid the blessing. The new SV will be returned and will have a reference count of 1. Do not use with other Perl types such as HV, AV, SV, CV, because those objects will become corrupted by the pointer copy process. Note that C copies the string while this copies the pointer. SV* sv_setref_pv(SV* rv, const char* classname, void* pv) =item sv_setref_pvn Copies a string into a new SV, optionally blessing the SV. The length of the string must be specified with C. The C argument will be upgraded to an RV. That RV will be modified to point to the new SV. The C argument indicates the package for the blessing. Set C to C to avoid the blessing. The new SV will be returned and will have a reference count of 1. Note that C copies the pointer while this copies the string. SV* sv_setref_pvn(SV* rv, const char* classname, char* pv, STRLEN n) =item sv_setsv Copies the contents of the source SV C into the destination SV C. The source SV may be destroyed if it is mortal. Does not handle 'set' magic. See the macro forms C, C and C. void sv_setsv(SV* dsv, SV* ssv) =item sv_setsv_mg Like C, but also handles 'set' magic. void sv_setsv_mg(SV *dstr, SV *sstr) =item sv_setuv Copies an unsigned integer into the given SV. Does not handle 'set' magic. See C. void sv_setuv(SV* sv, UV num) =item sv_setuv_mg Like C, but also handles 'set' magic. void sv_setuv_mg(SV *sv, UV u) =item sv_unref Unsets the RV status of the SV, and decrements the reference count of whatever was being referenced by the RV. This can almost be thought of as a reversal of C. See C. void sv_unref(SV* sv) =item sv_upgrade Upgrade an SV to a more complex form. Use C. See C. bool sv_upgrade(SV* sv, U32 mt) =item sv_usepvn Tells an SV to use C to find its string value. Normally the string is stored inside the SV but sv_usepvn allows the SV to use an outside string. The C should point to memory that was allocated by C. The string length, C, must be supplied. This function will realloc the memory pointed to by C, so that pointer should not be freed or used by the programmer after giving it to sv_usepvn. Does not handle 'set' magic. See C. void sv_usepvn(SV* sv, char* ptr, STRLEN len) =item sv_usepvn_mg Like C, but also handles 'set' magic. void sv_usepvn_mg(SV *sv, char *ptr, STRLEN len) =item sv_vcatpvfn Processes its arguments like C and appends the formatted output to an SV. Uses an array of SVs if the C style variable argument list is missing (NULL). When running with taint checks enabled, indicates via C if results are untrustworthy (often due to the use of locales). void sv_vcatpvfn(SV* sv, const char* pat, STRLEN patlen, va_list* args, SV** svargs, I32 svmax, bool *maybe_tainted) =item sv_vsetpvfn Works like C but copies the text into the SV instead of appending it. void sv_vsetpvfn(SV* sv, const char* pat, STRLEN patlen, va_list* args, SV** svargs, I32 svmax, bool *maybe_tainted) =item THIS Variable which is setup by C to designate the object in a C++ XSUB. This is always the proper type for the C++ object. See C and L. (whatever) THIS =item toLOWER Converts the specified character to lowercase. char toLOWER(char ch) =item toUPPER Converts the specified character to uppercase. char toUPPER(char ch) =item warn This is the XSUB-writer's interface to Perl's C function. Use this function the same way you use the C C function. See C. void warn(const char* pat, ...) =item XPUSHi Push an integer onto the stack, extending the stack if necessary. Handles 'set' magic. See C. void XPUSHi(IV iv) =item XPUSHn Push a double onto the stack, extending the stack if necessary. Handles 'set' magic. See C. void XPUSHn(NV nv) =item XPUSHp Push a string onto the stack, extending the stack if necessary. The C indicates the length of the string. Handles 'set' magic. See C. void XPUSHp(char* str, STRLEN len) =item XPUSHs Push an SV onto the stack, extending the stack if necessary. Does not handle 'set' magic. See C. void XPUSHs(SV* sv) =item XPUSHu Push an unsigned integer onto the stack, extending the stack if necessary. See C. void XPUSHu(UV uv) =item XS Macro to declare an XSUB and its C parameter list. This is handled by C. =item XSRETURN Return from XSUB, indicating number of items on the stack. This is usually handled by C. void XSRETURN(int nitems) =item XSRETURN_EMPTY Return an empty list from an XSUB immediately. XSRETURN_EMPTY; =item XSRETURN_IV Return an integer from an XSUB immediately. Uses C. void XSRETURN_IV(IV iv) =item XSRETURN_NO Return C<&PL_sv_no> from an XSUB immediately. Uses C. XSRETURN_NO; =item XSRETURN_NV Return an double from an XSUB immediately. Uses C. void XSRETURN_NV(NV nv) =item XSRETURN_PV Return a copy of a string from an XSUB immediately. Uses C. void XSRETURN_PV(char* str) =item XSRETURN_UNDEF Return C<&PL_sv_undef> from an XSUB immediately. Uses C. XSRETURN_UNDEF; =item XSRETURN_YES Return C<&PL_sv_yes> from an XSUB immediately. Uses C. XSRETURN_YES; =item XST_mIV Place an integer into the specified position C on the stack. The value is stored in a new mortal SV. void XST_mIV(int pos, IV iv) =item XST_mNO Place C<&PL_sv_no> into the specified position C on the stack. void XST_mNO(int pos) =item XST_mNV Place a double into the specified position C on the stack. The value is stored in a new mortal SV. void XST_mNV(int pos, NV nv) =item XST_mPV Place a copy of a string into the specified position C on the stack. The value is stored in a new mortal SV. void XST_mPV(int pos, char* str) =item XST_mUNDEF Place C<&PL_sv_undef> into the specified position C on the stack. void XST_mUNDEF(int pos) =item XST_mYES Place C<&PL_sv_yes> into the specified position C on the stack. void XST_mYES(int pos) =item XS_VERSION The version identifier for an XS module. This is usually handled automatically by C. See C. =item XS_VERSION_BOOTCHECK Macro to verify that a PM module's $VERSION variable matches the XS module's C variable. This is usually handled automatically by C. See L. XS_VERSION_BOOTCHECK; =item Zero The XSUB-writer's interface to the C C function. The C is the destination, C is the number of items, and C is the type. void Zero(void* dest, int nitems, type) =back =head1 AUTHORS Until May 1997, this document was maintained by Jeff Okamoto . It is now maintained as part of Perl itself. With lots of help and suggestions from Dean Roehrich, Malcolm Beattie, Andreas Koenig, Paul Hudson, Ilya Zakharevich, Paul Marquess, Neil Bowers, Matthew Green, Tim Bunce, Spider Boardman, Ulrich Pfeifer, Stephen McCamant, and Gurusamy Sarathy. API Listing originally by Dean Roehrich . Updated to be autogenerated from comments in the source by Benjamin Stuhl. =head1 SEE ALSO perlguts(1), perlxs(1), perlxstut(1), perlintern(1)