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View Full Version : Interfacing libraries from different languages


darsu
August 31st, 2007, 05:16 PM
The vast majority of common Linux libraries are programmed in C (or C++). If one wants to use, say, ALSA or QT or such prominent high-level libraries in a program made in another language, it appears that a special interface is needed. Many languages have binding/wrapper libraries for GTK, for example.

In general terms, what is the nature of a cross-language C(++) library access interface? What does it need to negotiate? What is the M that I should RTF on this topic?
pmasiar
August 31st, 2007, 05:25 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-platform might be a good start. Whole section about approaches to cross-platform programming, and plenty of links

Boost C++ libraries (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boost_C%2B%2B_Libraries) is example of it.
darsu
August 31st, 2007, 05:54 PM
I'm afraid I don't see the connection.
Mirrorball
August 31st, 2007, 06:06 PM
I don't think there is a general approach. It all depends on which languages you want to interface. Here it is how to create a Python interface to a C or C++ library:
http://docs.python.org/ext/ext.html
PHP's approach is very similar.
pmasiar
September 1st, 2007, 12:34 AM
I see, cross-language not cross-platform.

In that case you need to know detailed api, how calls are organized/checked for type etc, and if differences in API calls between languages exist, implement a wrapper translating one convention to another.
Wybiral
September 1st, 2007, 03:20 AM
The vast majority of common Linux libraries are programmed in C (or C++). If one wants to use, say, ALSA or QT or such prominent high-level libraries in a program made in another language, it appears that a special interface is needed. Many languages have binding/wrapper libraries for GTK, for example.

In general terms, what is the nature of a cross-language C(++) library access interface? What does it need to negotiate? What is the M that I should RTF on this topic?

For dynamic languages like Python, you just have to use their development files (Python is very easy to write modules for btw).

Basically, if it doesn't have a binding already, you will have to write your own and every language does it a little differently.