Affix
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[ FLAG_A => 1 << 0 ], # Bit shifting
[ FLAG_B => '1 << 1' ] # String expression
];
```
- **Constants:** `typedef` installs constants (e.g., `OK() == 0`) into your package.
- **Dualvars:** Values returned from C act as dualvars. They print as strings (`"OK"`) but evaluate mathematically as integers (`0`).
- **String Marshalling:** You can pass the string name of an element (`"OK"`) directly to functions that expect
that enum type.
- **Aliases:** You can also use `IntEnum[ ... ]`, `CharEnum[ ... ]`, and `UIntEnum[ ... ]` to force the underlying integer size.
## SIMD Vectors
Vectors are first-class types. You can interact with them using standard **ArrayRefs** (convenient) or **Packed Strings**
(high-performance, zero-overhead).
- **`Vector[ $size, $type ]`**: Create a custom vector (e.g., `Vector[ 4, Float ]`).
- **Aliases**: `M256`, `M256d`, `M512`, `M512d`, `M512i`.
```perl
# C: __m256 add_vecs(__m256 a, __m256 b);
affix $lib, 'add_vecs', [ M256, M256 ] => M256;
my $v1 = pack('f8', 1..8);
my $v2 = pack('f8', 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80);
my $packed_res = add_vecs( $v1, $v2 );
```
# MEMORY MANAGEMENT
When bridging Perl and C, handling raw memory safely is critical. Affix uses **Pins** to manage this boundary.
A Pin (an `Affix::Pointer` object) is a magical scalar reference that holds a C memory address, its associated type
information, and an ownership flag. If a Pin is "managed", Perl will automatically free the underlying memory when the
variable goes out of scope.
## Allocation & Deallocation
These functions allocate memory on the C heap. Memory allocated via these functions is **managed by Perl** by default.
### `malloc( $size )`
Allocates `$size` bytes of uninitialized memory. Returns a managed `Pointer[Void]` pin.
```perl
my $ptr = malloc(1024); # Allocates 1KB
# $ptr is automatically freed when it goes out of scope
```
### `calloc( $count, $type )`
Allocates memory for an array of `$count` elements of the given `$type`, and zero-initializes the memory. Returns a
managed pin typed as an Array.
```perl
my $arr = calloc( 10, Int );
$arr->[0] = 42; # Write directly to the first element
```
### `realloc( $ptr, $new_size )`
Resizes the memory area pointed to by `$ptr` to `$new_size` bytes. The original pin is updated automatically
in-place.
```
$ptr = realloc( $ptr, 2048 );
```
### `strdup( $string )`
Allocates managed memory and copies the Perl string (along with a `NULL` terminator) into it. Returns a managed
`Pointer[Char]` pin.
```perl
my $str_ptr = strdup("Hello C!");
```
### `free( $ptr )`
Manually releases memory.
**Warning:** Only use this on memory that you exclusively own (e.g., allocated via `malloc`). Do not call `free` on
unmanaged pointers returned by C libraries unless the library explicitly transfers ownership to you, or you will cause
a segmentation fault.
```
free($ptr);
```
## Lifecycle & Ownership
### `own( $ptr, [$bool] )`
Gets or sets the lifecycle management status of a pointer.
- `own($ptr, 1)`: Perl takes ownership. `free()` will be called automatically when `$ptr` is garbage collected.
- `own($ptr, 0)`: Perl releases ownership. You (or the C library) are now responsible for freeing the memory.
```perl
# Take ownership of a pointer returned from C
my $c_string = get_string_from_c();
own($c_string, 1);
```
### `attach_destructor( $pin, $func_ptr, [$lib] )`
Attaches a custom C function to be called when the Pin is destroyed. This is incredibly useful for C libraries that
require specific cleanup routines (e.g., `SDL_DestroyWindow`, `sqlite3_free`).
```perl
# Find the address of the library's custom free function
my $free_func = find_symbol($my_lib, 'custom_free');
# When $ptr goes out of scope, Affix will call custom_free($ptr)
attach_destructor($ptr, $free_func, $my_lib);
```
## Type Casting
### `cast( $ptr, $type )`
Reinterprets a memory address as a new type. The behavior depends on the requested `$type`:
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