source: xplra/doc/overview.dox@ 76:130269f084ce

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1/*! \mainpage X-Plane Remote Access Plugin and Client Library Documentation
2 *
3 * \section intro Introduction
4 *
5 * The X-Plane Remote Access (XPLRA) plugin provides a gateway to external
6 * applications to access some internals of X-Plane. This document
7 * describes the plugin and its usage. It is assumed that the reader
8 * is somewhat familiar with the X-Plane plugin SDK. The plugin
9 * currently works on Linux and Windows, but porting to Mac should be
10 * easy. If you would volunteer, let me know! :)
11 *
12 * The XPLRA plugin allows the extern applications to perform the
13 * following:
14 * - Get and set the values of datarefs either individually or in
15 * batch. Batches can also be pre-registered in case the same set of
16 * datarefs is to be queried or modified several times. This avoids
17 * having to send and resolve the dataref names every time.
18 * - Query the versions of X-Plane, XPLM (the plugin manager) and
19 * XPLRA.
20 * - Show a message in a window for the pilot for a specified amount
21 * of time.
22 * - Register and then monitor hotkeys.
23 *
24 * Currently the plugin can be accessed locally, i.e. from the same
25 * computer that runs X-Plane, but extending it with TCP/IP-based or
26 * network access would not be difficult. While client libraries are
27 * provided for \ref cppapi "C, C++" and \ref pythonapi "Python",
28 * the communication protocol between clients and the plugin is open
29 * and is \ref proto "described" in this documentation. So you can
30 * write your own client library, if you wish.
31 */
32/*! \page proto Protocol
33 *
34 * On Linux a Unix stream socket is created with the name
35 * \c /tmp/xplra-\<user name\>, where \c \<user name\> is the login
36 * account name of the user running X-Plane. On Windows a named pipe
37 * is created with the name \c \\\\\.\\pipe\\xplra. The usual methods
38 * provided by the OS can be used to connect to these.
39 *
40 * The protocol is a binary protocol. The client initiates commands
41 * which are executed by the plugin. Each command is a byte followed
42 * by the arguments of the command. The plugin responds with a result
43 * code, which is also a byte, which may be followed by the rest of
44 * the reply, e.g. the data queried or a parameter to an error code.
45 *
46 * \section protodata Types of protocol data elements
47 *
48 * The protocol's basic data elements are: 8-, 16- and 32-bit signed
49 * and unsigned integers, single and double precision floating point
50 * values and strings. The endianness of the values is that of the
51 * host operating system.
52
53 * Strings are encoded as a variable-length length followed by as many
54 * bytes making up the actual contents of the string. The
55 * variable-length length consists of bytes whose most-significant bit
56 * is 1, if there is another byte and 0 for the last byte. The first
57 * byte contains the least significant 7 bits of the length, the
58 * second byte contains bits 7-13, and so on. Some examples:
59 * - 12 => 0x0c
60 * - 123 => 0x7b
61 * - 128 => 0x80 0x01
62 * - 210 => 0xd2 0x01
63 * - 7345 => 0xb1 0x39
64 * - 90000 => 0x90 0xbf 0x05
65 *
66 * \section datatypes Data type codes
67 *
68 * Each dataref of X-Plane has a certain data type, and some datarefs
69 * can represent their values in multiple data types. Because of this
70 * ambiguity and the fact that users should know the data type anyway,
71 * especially when using a strongly typed language, the type should be
72 * sent with the dataref name in commands that refer to one or more
73 * datarefs.
74 *
75 * Each data type is represented as an 8-bit unsigned integer, whose
76 * possible values are given in the table below:
77 *
78 * Data type | Value | Constant name
79 * --------- | ----: | -------------
80 * 32-bit signed integer | 0x01 | \anchor TYPE_INT TYPE_INT
81 * single-precision floating-point value | 0x02 | \anchor TYPE_FLOAT TYPE_FLOAT
82 * double-precision floating-point value | 0x03 | \anchor TYPE_DOUBLE TYPE_DOUBLE
83 * array of single-precision floating-point values | 0x11 | \anchor TYPE_FLOAT_ARRAY TYPE_FLOAT_ARRAY
84 * array of 32-bit signed integers | 0x12 | \anchor TYPE_INT_ARRAY TYPE_INT_ARRAY
85 * array of 8-bit unsigned integers (bytes) | 0x13 | \anchor TYPE_BYTE_ARRAY TYPE_BYTE_ARRAY
86 *
87 * The constant name is the name used in both client APIs to identify
88 * the given type.
89 *
90 * The scalar data types are encoded as in the following table:
91 *
92 * Data type constant | Encoding
93 * ------------------ | --------
94 * \ref TYPE_INT | a 32-bit (4-byte) signed integer
95 * \ref TYPE_FLOAT | a 32-bit (4-byte) IEEE 754 single-precision floating point value
96 * \ref TYPE_DOUBLE | a 64-bit (8-byte) IEEE 754 double-precision floating point value
97 *
98 * The contents of an array is encoded as a sequence of values of the
99 * items' type. It is usually preceded by a 32-bit signed integer
100 * denoting the number of items and sometimes also by another 32-bit
101 * signed integer denoting the offset into the array.
102 *
103 * \section resultcodes Result codes
104 *
105 * The first byte of the reply message to each command is a result
106 * code. If the command could be executed properly, it is RESULT_OK
107 * followed by the results of the command if any, otherwise it is
108 * another code signifying some error. Most error codes are followed
109 * by no further data, but \ref RESULT_UNKNOWN_DATAREF may be followed by
110 * an index if a multi-dataref request is issued.
111 *
112 * The table summarizes the error codes:
113 *
114 * Meaning | Value | Constant name
115 * ------- | ----- | -------------
116 * Success, everything is OK | 0x00 | \anchor RESULT_OK RESULT_OK
117 * Invalid command | 0x01 | \anchor RESULT_INVALID_COMMAND RESULT_INVALID_COMMAND
118 * Unknown dataref | 0x02 | \anchor RESULT_UNKNOWN_DATAREF RESULT_UNKNOWN_DATAREF
119 * Invalid data type | 0x03 | \anchor RESULT_INVALID_TYPE RESULT_INVALID_TYPE
120 * Invalid length | 0x04 | \anchor RESULT_INVALID_LENGTH RESULT_INVALID_LENGTH
121 * Invalid offset | 0x05 | \anchor RESULT_INVALID_OFFSET RESULT_INVALID_OFFSET
122 * Invalid count | 0x06 | \anchor RESULT_INVALID_COUNT RESULT_INVALID_COUNT
123 * Invalid ID | 0x07 | \anchor RESULT_INVALID_ID RESULT_INVALID_ID
124 * Invalid duration | 0x08 | \anchor RESULT_INVALID_DURATION RESULT_INVALID_DURATION
125 * Other error | 0xff | \anchor RESULT_OTHER_ERROR RESULT_OTHER_ERROR
126 *
127 * \section limits Limits
128 *
129 * Certain parameters have limits, which are summarized in the
130 * following table:
131 *
132 * Description | Limit
133 * ------- | -----
134 * maximal number of array items | 2048
135 * maximal number of datarefs in a multi-dataref operation | 1024
136 * maximal duration of a message | 5 minutes
137 * maximal number of hotkeys that can be registered | 128
138 *
139 * \section commands Commands
140 *
141 * This section describes the commands of the protocol with their
142 * parameters and the possible replies. Each command is represented by
143 * an 8-bit unsigned value, which is the first byte of the
144 * message. The table below summarizes the commands with their command
145 * byte and constant names:
146 *
147 * Description | Command byte | Constant Name
148 * ----------- | -----------: | -------------
149 * \ref command_get_single "Query the value of a single dataref" | 0x01 | \anchor COMMAND_GET_SINGLE COMMAND_GET_SINGLE
150 * \ref command_set_single "Set the value of a single dataref" | 0x02 | \anchor COMMAND_SET_SINGLE COMMAND_SET_SINGLE
151 * \ref command_get_multi "Query the values of multiple datarefs" | 0x03 | \anchor COMMAND_GET_MULTI COMMAND_GET_MULTI
152 * \ref command_set_multi "Set the values of multiple datarefs" | 0x04 | \anchor COMMAND_SET_MULTI COMMAND_SET_MULTI
153 * \ref command_register_get_multi "Register a multi-dataref query" | 0x11 | \anchor COMMAND_REGISTER_GET_MULTI COMMAND_REGISTER_GET_MULTI
154 * \ref command_unregister_get_multi "Unregister a multi-dataref query" | 0x12 | \anchor COMMAND_UNREGISTER_GET_MULTI COMMAND_UNREGISTER_GET_MULTI
155 * \ref command_execute_get_multi "Execute a registered multi-dataref query" | 0x13 | \anchor COMMAND_EXECUTE_GET_MULTI COMMAND_EXECUTE_GET_MULTI
156 * \ref command_register_set_multi "Register a multi-dataref update request" | 0x21 | \anchor COMMAND_REGISTER_SET_MULTI COMMAND_REGISTER_SET_MULTI
157 * \ref command_unregister_set_multi "Unregister a multi-dataref update request" | 0x22 | \anchor COMMAND_UNREGISTER_SET_MULTI COMMAND_UNREGISTER_SET_MULTI
158 * \ref command_execute_set_multi "Execute a registered multi-dataref update request" | 0x23 | \anchor COMMAND_EXECUTE_SET_MULTI COMMAND_EXECUTE_SET_MULTI
159 * \ref command_get_versions "Query the versions of X-Plane, XPLM and XPLRA" | 0x31 | \anchor COMMAND_GET_VERSIONS COMMAND_GET_VERSIONS
160 * \ref command_reload_plugins "Reload the plugins in X-Plane" | 0x32 | \anchor COMMAND_RELOAD_PLUGINS COMMAND_RELOAD_PLUGINS
161 * \ref command_show_message "Show a message in X-Plane's window" | 0x41 | \anchor COMMAND_SHOW_MESSAGE COMMAND_SHOW_MESSAGE
162 * \ref command_register_hotkeys "Register hotkeys to be listened to" | 0x51 | \anchor COMMAND_REGISTER_HOTKEYS COMMAND_REGISTER_HOTKEYS
163 * \ref command_query_hotkeys "Query the sate of the registered hotkeys" | 0x52 | \anchor COMMAND_QUERY_HOTKEYS COMMAND_QUERY_HOTKEYS
164 * \ref command_unregister_hotkeys "Unregister the previously registered hotkets" | 0x53 | \anchor COMMAND_UNREGISTER_HOTKEYS COMMAND_UNREGISTER_HOTKEYS
165 *
166 * \subsection command_get_single The GET_SINGLE command
167 *
168 * This command can be used to query the value of a single
169 * dataref. Such a data can either be a scalar (integer, float or
170 * double) or an array of floats, integers or bytes.
171 *
172 * The format of the command is the following:
173 *
174 * Type | Description
175 * ---- | ------
176 * byte | 0x01 (\ref COMMAND_GET_SINGLE)
177 * dataref_query_info | information about the dataref to query
178 *
179 * \anchor dataref_query_info \c dataref_query_info has the following
180 * format for scalar types:
181 *
182 * Type | Description
183 * ---- | ------
184 * string | the name of the dataref to query
185 * byte | the type of the dataref, one of the \ref datatypes "TYPE_XXX" constants
186 *
187 * \c dataref_query_info has the following format for array types:
188 *
189 * Type | Description
190 * ---- | ------
191 * string | the name of the dataref to query
192 * byte | the type of the dataref, one of the \ref datatypes "TYPE_XXX_ARRAY" constants
193 * 32-bit signed integer | the number of items to query, -1 to query all items
194 * 32-bit signed integer | the offset of the data within the array to query
195 *
196 * If the command is executed successfully, the reply has the
197 * following format for scalar types:
198 *
199 * Type | Description
200 * ---- | ------
201 * byte | 0x00 (\ref RESULT_OK)
202 * dataref_value | the value of the dataref
203 *
204 * \anchor dataref_value dataref_value is encoded as follows for scalar types:
205 *
206 * Type | Description
207 * ---- | ------
208 * scalar type | the value of the dataref
209 *
210 * dataref_value is encoded as follows for array types:
211 *
212 * Type | Description
213 * ---- | ------
214 * 32-bit signed integer | n=the number of items returned
215 * n*type of the items | the data items themselves
216 *
217 * In case of an error:
218 *
219 * Type | Description
220 * ---- | ------
221 * byte | the error code
222 *
223 * The following error codes may be returned:
224 *
225 * Code | Meaning
226 * ---- | -------
227 * \ref RESULT_UNKNOWN_DATAREF | the dataref with the given name was not found
228 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_TYPE | an unknown type code was given
229 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_LENGTH | the length given for an array is too large
230 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_OFFSET | the offset given for an array is negative
231 *
232 * \subsection command_set_single The SET_SINGLE command
233 *
234 * This command can be used to set the value of a single
235 * dataref. Such a data can either be a scalar (integer, float or
236 * double) or an array of floats, integers or bytes.
237 *
238 * The format of the command is the following for scalar values:
239 *
240 * Type | Description
241 * ---- | ------
242 * byte | 0x02 (\ref COMMAND_SET_SINGLE)
243 * dataref_update_info | information about the dataref to set and the value itself
244 *
245 * \anchor dataref_update_info \c dataref_update_info has the
246 * following format for scalar values:
247 *
248 * Type | Description
249 * ---- | ------
250 * string | the name of the dataref to set
251 * byte | the type of the dataref, one of the \ref datatypes "TYPE_XXX" constants
252 * dataref's type | the value to set
253 *
254 * \c dataref_update_info has the following format for array values:
255 *
256 * Type | Description
257 * ---- | ------
258 * string | the name of the dataref to set
259 * byte | the type of the dataref, one of the \ref datatypes "TYPE_XXX_ARRAY" constants
260 * 32-bit signed integer | n=the number of items to set
261 * 32-bit signed integer | the offset from which to set the values
262 * n*type of the items | the actual values of the array
263 *
264 * If the command is executed successfully, the reply has the
265 * following format for scalar types:
266 *
267 * Type | Description
268 * ---- | ------
269 * byte | 0x00 (\ref RESULT_OK)
270 *
271 * If an error was encountered, the reply has the following format:
272 *
273 * Type | Description
274 * ---- | ------
275 * byte | the error code
276 *
277 * The following error codes may be returned:
278 *
279 * Code | Meaning
280 * ---- | -------
281 * \ref RESULT_UNKNOWN_DATAREF | the dataref with the given name was not found
282 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_TYPE | an unknown type code was given
283 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_LENGTH | the length given for an array is too large or not positive
284 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_OFFSET | the offset given for an array is negative
285 *
286 * \subsection command_get_multi The GET_MULTI command
287 *
288 * This command can be used to query the values of several datarefs in
289 * one call. It is encoded as follows:
290 *
291 * Type | Description
292 * ---- | ------
293 * byte | 0x03 (\ref COMMAND_GET_MULTI)
294 * 32-bit unsigned integer | n=the number of datarefs to query
295 * n*\ref dataref_query_info | information about the datarefs to query.
296 *
297 * In case of success, the reply is the following:
298 *
299 * Type | Description
300 * ---- | ------
301 * byte | 0x00 (\ref RESULT_OK)
302 * n*\ref dataref_value | the values of the datarefs
303 *
304 * If an error was encountered, the reply has the following format:
305 *
306 * Type | Description
307 * ---- | ------
308 * byte | the error code
309 * 32-bit unsigned integer | if the error code is \ref RESULT_UNKNOWN_DATAREF : the 0-based index of the first dataref that was not found
310 *
311 * The following error codes may be returned:
312 *
313 * Code | Meaning
314 * ---- | -------
315 * \ref RESULT_UNKNOWN_DATAREF | the dataref with the given name was not found
316 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_TYPE | an unknown type code was given
317 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_LENGTH | the length given for an array is too large
318 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_OFFSET | the offset given for an array is negative
319 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_COUNT | the number of datarefs was either 0 or too large
320 *
321 * \subsection command_set_multi The SET_MULTI command
322 *
323 * This command can be used to set the values of several datarefs in
324 * one call. It is encoded as follows:
325 *
326 * Type | Description
327 * ---- | ------
328 * byte | 0x04 (\ref COMMAND_SET_MULTI)
329 * 32-bit unsigned integer | n=the number of datarefs to set
330 * n*\ref dataref_update_info | information about the datarefs to set
331 *
332 * In case of success, the reply is the following:
333 *
334 * Type | Description
335 * ---- | ------
336 * byte | 0x00 (\ref RESULT_OK)
337 *
338 * If an error was encountered, the reply has the following format:
339 *
340 * Type | Description
341 * ---- | ------
342 * byte | the error code
343 * 32-bit unsigned integer | if the error code is \ref RESULT_UNKNOWN_DATAREF : the 0-based index of the first dataref that was not found
344 *
345 * The following error codes may be returned:
346 *
347 * Code | Meaning
348 * ---- | -------
349 * \ref RESULT_UNKNOWN_DATAREF | the dataref with the given name was not found
350 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_TYPE | an unknown type code was given
351 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_LENGTH | the length given for an array is too large or not positive
352 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_OFFSET | the offset given for an array is negative
353 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_COUNT | the number of datarefs was either 0 or too large
354 *
355 * \subsection command_register_get_multi The REGISTER_GET_MULTI command
356 *
357 * This command can be used to register a multi-dataref query. A
358 * multi-dataref query is a list of datarefs that are queried
359 * together. The query will be associated with an identifier that can
360 * be used later to refer to the query when actually querying the
361 * values or when unregistering it. The identifier is unique only for
362 * the client connection and among the multi-dataref queries.
363 *
364 * Type | Description
365 * ---- | ------
366 * byte | 0x11 (\ref COMMAND_REGISTER_GET_MULTI)
367 * 32-bit unsigned integer | n=the number of datarefs to query
368 * n*\ref dataref_query_info | information about the datarefs to query.
369 *
370 * In case of success, the reply is the following:
371 *
372 * Type | Description
373 * ---- | ------
374 * byte | 0x00 (\ref RESULT_OK)
375 * 32-bit unsigned integer | the identifier of the registered query
376 *
377 * If an error was encountered, the reply has the following format:
378 *
379 * Type | Description
380 * ---- | ------
381 * byte | the error code
382 *
383 * The following error codes may be returned:
384 *
385 * Code | Meaning
386 * ---- | -------
387 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_TYPE | an unknown type code was given
388 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_LENGTH | the length given for an array is too large
389 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_OFFSET | the offset given for an array is negative
390 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_COUNT | the number of datarefs was either 0 or too large
391 *
392 * \subsection command_unregister_get_multi The UNREGISTER_GET_MULTI command
393 *
394 * This command can be used to unregister a previously registered
395 * multi-dataref query.
396 *
397 * Type | Description
398 * ---- | ------
399 * byte | 0x12 (\ref COMMAND_UNREGISTER_GET_MULTI)
400 * 32-bit unsigned integer | the identifier of the query to unregister
401 *
402 * In case of success, the reply is the following:
403 *
404 * Type | Description
405 * ---- | ------
406 * byte | 0x00 (\ref RESULT_OK)
407 *
408 * If an error was encountered, the reply has the following format:
409 *
410 * Type | Description
411 * ---- | ------
412 * byte | the error code
413 *
414 * The following error codes may be returned:
415 *
416 * Code | Meaning
417 * ---- | -------
418 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_ID | an identifier was given that is not associated with any registered query
419 *
420 * \subsection command_execute_get_multi The EXECUTE_GET_MULTI command
421 *
422 * This command can be used to execute a previously registered
423 * multi-dataref query.
424 *
425 * Type | Description
426 * ---- | ------
427 * byte | 0x13 (\ref COMMAND_EXECUTE_GET_MULTI)
428 * 32-bit unsigned integer | the identifier of the query to execute
429 *
430 * In case of success, the reply is the following:
431 *
432 * Type | Description
433 * ---- | ------
434 * byte | 0x00 (\ref RESULT_OK)
435 * n*\ref dataref_value | the values of the datarefs, n is the number of them
436 *
437 * If an error was encountered, the reply has the following format:
438 *
439 * Type | Description
440 * ---- | ------
441 * byte | the error code
442 * 32-bit unsigned integer | if the error code is \ref RESULT_UNKNOWN_DATAREF : the 0-based index of the first dataref that was not found
443 *
444 * The following error codes may be returned:
445 *
446 * Code | Meaning
447 * ---- | -------
448 * \ref RESULT_UNKNOWN_DATAREF | the dataref with the given name was not found
449 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_ID | an identifier was given that is not associated with any registered query
450 *
451 * \subsection command_register_set_multi The REGISTER_SET_MULTI command
452 *
453 * This command can be used to register a multi-dataref update. A
454 * multi-dataref update is a list of datarefs that are updated
455 * together with values supplied for each update. The update will be
456 * associated with an identifier that can be used later to refer to
457 * the update when actually updating the values or when unregistering
458 * it. The identifier is unique only for the client connection and
459 * among the multi-dataref updates.
460 *
461 * Type | Description
462 * ---- | ------
463 * byte | 0x21 (\ref COMMAND_REGISTER_SET_MULTI)
464 * 32-bit unsigned integer | n=the number of datarefs to query
465 * n*\ref dataref_query_info | information about the datarefs to update (this \a is \ref dataref_query_info, because the format is the same, since we don't supply any values)
466 *
467 * In case of success, the reply is the following:
468 *
469 * Type | Description
470 * ---- | ------
471 * byte | 0x00 (\ref RESULT_OK)
472 * 32-bit unsigned integer | the identifier of the registered query
473 *
474 * If an error was encountered, the reply has the following format:
475 *
476 * Type | Description
477 * ---- | ------
478 * byte | the error code
479 *
480 * The following error codes may be returned:
481 *
482 * Code | Meaning
483 * ---- | -------
484 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_TYPE | an unknown type code was given
485 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_LENGTH | the length given for an array is too large or not positive
486 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_OFFSET | the offset given for an array is negative
487 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_COUNT | the number of datarefs was either 0 or too large
488 *
489 * \subsection command_unregister_set_multi The UNREGISTER_GET_MULTI command
490 *
491 * This command can be used to unregister a previously registered
492 * multi-dataref update.
493 *
494 * Type | Description
495 * ---- | ------
496 * byte | 0x22 (\ref COMMAND_UNREGISTER_SET_MULTI)
497 * 32-bit unsigned integer | the identifier of the update to unregister
498 *
499 * In case of success, the reply is the following:
500 *
501 * Type | Description
502 * ---- | ------
503 * byte | 0x00 (\ref RESULT_OK)
504 *
505 * If an error was encountered, the reply has the following format:
506 *
507 * Type | Description
508 * ---- | ------
509 * byte | the error code
510 *
511 * The following error codes may be returned:
512 *
513 * Code | Meaning
514 * ---- | -------
515 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_ID | an identifier was given that is not associated with any registered update
516 *
517 * \subsection command_execute_set_multi The EXECUTE_SET_MULTI command
518 *
519 * This command can be used to execute a previously registered
520 * multi-dataref update.
521 *
522 * Type | Description
523 * ---- | ------
524 * byte | 0x23 (\ref COMMAND_EXECUTE_SET_MULTI)
525 * 32-bit unsigned integer | the identifier of the update to execute
526 * n*\ref dataref_value | the values
527 *
528 * In case of success, the reply is the following:
529 *
530 * Type | Description
531 * ---- | ------
532 * byte | 0x00 (\ref RESULT_OK)
533 *
534 * If an error was encountered, the reply has the following format:
535 *
536 * Type | Description
537 * ---- | ------
538 * byte | the error code
539 * 32-bit unsigned integer | if the error code is \ref RESULT_UNKNOWN_DATAREF : the 0-based index of the first dataref that was not found
540 *
541 * The following error codes may be returned:
542 *
543 * Code | Meaning
544 * ---- | -------
545 * \ref RESULT_UNKNOWN_DATAREF | the dataref with the given name was not found
546 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_ID | an identifier was given that is not associated with any registered query
547 *
548 * \subsection command_get_versions The GET_VERSIONS command
549 *
550 * This command can be used to query the versions of X-Plane, XPLM and
551 * XPLRA itself.
552 *
553 * Type | Description
554 * ---- | ------
555 * byte | 0x31 (\ref COMMAND_GET_VERSIONS)
556 *
557 * The reply is encoded the following way (it shall never fail):
558 *
559 * Type | Description
560 * ---- | ------
561 * byte | 0x00 (\ref RESULT_OK)
562 * 32-bit signed integer | the version of X-Plane. For 10.20r1 it is 10201.
563 * 32-bit signed integer | the version of XPLM. For 2.10 it is 210.
564 * 32-bit signed integer | the version of XPLRA. For 0.1 it is 10.
565 *
566 * \subsection command_reload_plugins The RELOAD_PLUGINS command
567 *
568 * This command can be used to reload the plugins in X-Plane. This is
569 * useful for debugging.
570 *
571 * Type | Description
572 * ---- | ------
573 * byte | 0x32 (\ref COMMAND_RELOAD_PLUGINS)
574 *
575 * The reply is encoded the following way (it shall never fail):
576 *
577 * Type | Description
578 * ---- | ------
579 * byte | 0x00 (\ref RESULT_OK)
580 *
581 * \subsection command_get_versions The GET_VERSIONS command
582 *
583 * This command can be used to query the versions of X-Plane, XPLM and
584 * XPLRA itself.
585 *
586 * Type | Description
587 * ---- | ------
588 * byte | 0x31 (\ref COMMAND_GET_VERSIONS)
589 *
590 * The reply is encoded the following way (it shall never fail):
591 *
592 * Type | Description
593 * ---- | ------
594 * byte | 0x00 (\ref RESULT_OK)
595 * 32-bit signed integer | the version of X-Plane. For 10.20r1 it is 10201.
596 * 32-bit signed integer | the version of XPLM. For 2.10 it is 210.
597 * 32-bit signed integer | the version of XPLRA. For 0.1 it is 10.
598 *
599 * \subsection command_show_message The SHOW_MESSAGE command
600 *
601 * This command can be used to show a message in a window to the
602 * user. The window is a single line window around the top 1/3rd of
603 * the screen. It can be moved and resized by mouse actions. If a
604 * message is being displayed when this command is issued, that
605 * message will be replaced by the new one.
606 *
607 * Type | Description
608 * ---- | ------
609 * byte | 0x41 (\ref COMMAND_SHOW_MESSAGE)
610 * string | the message to show
611 * float | the duration of the message in seconds
612 *
613 * If successful, the reply is the following:
614 *
615 * Type | Description
616 * ---- | ------
617 * byte | 0x00 (\ref RESULT_OK)
618 *
619 * If an error was encountered, the reply has the following format:
620 *
621 * Type | Description
622 * ---- | ------
623 * byte | the error code
624 *
625 * The following error codes may be returned:
626 *
627 * Code | Meaning
628 * ---- | -------
629 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_DURATION | the duration is too large
630 *
631 * \subsection command_register_hotkeys The REGISTER_HOTKEYS command
632 *
633 * This command can be used to register a set of hotkeys to be
634 * monitored. If any other hotkeys have been registered by the current
635 * client previously, they are forgotten.
636 *
637 * Type | Description
638 * ---- | ------
639 * byte | 0x51 (\ref COMMAND_REGISTER_HOTKEYS)
640 * 32-bit unsigned integer | n=the number of the hotkeys
641 * n * 16-bit unsigned integer | the codes of the hotkeys
642 *
643 * The lower-byte of a hotkey code is the same as the X-Plane virtual
644 * key code. The upper byte is a logical OR of zero or more modifiers:
645 *
646 * Value | Description | Constant name
647 * --: | --- | ---
648 * 0x0100 | Shift modifier | HOTKEY_MODIFIER_SHIFT
649 * 0x0200 | Control modifier | HOTKEY_MODIFIER_CONTROL
650 *
651 * If successful, the reply is the following:
652 *
653 * Type | Description
654 * ---- | ------
655 * byte | 0x00 (\ref RESULT_OK)
656 *
657 * If an error was encountered, the reply has the following format:
658 *
659 * Type | Description
660 * ---- | ------
661 * byte | the error code
662 *
663 * The following error codes may be returned:
664 *
665 * Code | Meaning
666 * ---- | -------
667 * \ref RESULT_INVALID_LENGTH | too many hotkeys were given
668 *
669 * \subsection command_query_hotkeys The QUERY_HOTKEYS command
670 *
671 * This command can be used to query which hotkeys have been pressed
672 * since the last query.
673 *
674 * Type | Description
675 * ---- | ------
676 * byte | 0x52 (\ref COMMAND_QUERY_HOTKEYS)
677 *
678 * The reply is the following:
679 *
680 * Type | Description
681 * ---- | ------
682 * byte | 0x00 (\ref RESULT_OK)
683 * 32-bit unsigned integer | n = the number of hotkeys registered
684 * n * 8-bit unsigned integer | each byte is 0 or 1 depending whether the corresponding hotkeys was pressed or not. The value at index i corresponds to the hotkey code at index i in the array passed with \ref command_register_hotkeys "COMMAND_REGISTER_HOTKEYS"
685 *
686 * \subsection command_unregister_hotkeys The UNREGISTER_HOTKEYS command
687 *
688 * This command can be used to unregister a previously registered set
689 * of hotkeys to be monitored.
690 *
691 * Type | Description
692 * ---- | ------
693 * byte | 0x53 (\ref COMMAND_UNREGISTER_HOTKEYS)
694 *
695 * The reply is the following:
696 *
697 * Type | Description
698 * ---- | ------
699 * byte | 0x00 (\ref RESULT_OK)
700 */
701/*! \page cppapi C/C++ Client API
702 *
703 * The C++ client API's central class is \ref
704 * hu::varadiistvan::xplra::XPlane. To communicate with the XPLRA
705 * plugin in X-Plane, create an instance of it. This, however, does
706 * not establish the connection yet. To actually connect, call the
707 * \ref hu::varadiistvan::xplra::XPlane::connect "connect" member
708 * function. If the connection is established, it returns otherwise it
709 * throws a \ref hu::varadiistvan::xplra::IOException.
710 *
711 * \c IOException is part of the exception hierarchy of the client
712 * API. The hierarchy begins with \ref
713 * hu::varadiistvan::xplra::Exception. The \c what function is
714 * implemented for all exception classes, so you can always get a
715 * string representation of the problem for logging or to display
716 * it. \c IOException further makes available an error code, which is
717 * the standard operating system-specific fault code of the I/O error
718 * that occured.
719 *
720 * \ref hu::varadiistvan::xplra::ProtocolException is thrown for
721 * errors returned by the plugin usually due to some incorrect
722 * parameter. See also the \ref proto description for the meaning
723 * and applicability of these error codes.
724 *
725 * The \c XPlane object can be reused in the sense, that after you
726 * have made a connection, you can disconnect and then connect
727 * again. This may be useful, if X-Plane crashes for some reason, and
728 * you can then reconnect if the user has restarted it.
729 *
730 * The \ref hu::varadiistvan::xplra::XPlane::createMultiGetter
731 * "createMultiGetter" function can be used to create a multi-dataref
732 * query object. It returns an instance of
733 * \ref hu::varadiistvan::xplra::MultiGetter "MultiGetter", which can
734 * be used to store a number of datarefs and then execute a
735 * multi-dataref query for those datarefs. Before execution, the query
736 * can be \ref hu::varadiistvan::xplra::MultiBuffer::registerInXPlane
737 * "registered" in the plugin, so that the client does not have to send
738 * all the dataref information whenever the query is executed.
739 *
740 * The \c XPlane object knows about any multi-dataref query objects.
741 * Therefore if you register such a multi-dataref query, and then the
742 * connection breaks, and then you reconnect, the query will-be
743 * re-registered too, i.e. you don't have to do it yourself.
744 *
745 * Similarly, the \ref hu::varadiistvan::xplra::XPlane::createMultiSetter
746 * "createMultiSetter" function can be used to create a multi-dataref
747 * update object. They are handled the same way by \c XPlane as the
748 * query objects when it comes to registration and re-registration.
749 *
750 * The other functions of \c XPlane are mostly self-explanatory: they
751 * perform the operations defined by the protocol. Several operations
752 * have more than one corresponding functions with different
753 * parameters for convenience.
754 *
755 * The \ref src/client/c/hu/varadiistvan/xplra/xplra.h "C API" is
756 * a wrapper over the C++ one, so its logic is essentially the
757 * same. To connect to X-Plane, call \ref xplra_connect. It returns a
758 * non-negative handle, which can be used to refer to the connection
759 * (i.e. the underlying \c XPlane object) in the other functions.
760 *
761 * In case of error, it, and most other functions of the C returns
762 * -1. To check what the last error was, call \ref
763 * xplra_get_last_error or \ref xplra_get_last_error_string.
764 *
765 * You can create multi-dataref buffers with C API as well with
766 * \ref xplra_multi_create_getter and \ref
767 * xplra_multi_create_setter. These return a buffer ID on success, and
768 * you should use that buffer ID later on to manipulate the buffer.
769 */
770/*! \page pythonapi Python Client API
771 *
772 * The Python client API is implemented as a single module. Its
773 * central class is \ref xplra.XPlane. To communicate with the plugin
774 * in X-Plane, create an instance of it and call its \ref
775 * xplra.XPlane.connect "connect" function. This tries to establish
776 * the connection, and throws the standard I/O exceptions if it fails.
777 *
778 * The class can be used to perform the various operations provided by
779 * the plugin. In case of a failure and exception is thrown. If the
780 * plugin signals an error, a \ref xplra.ProtocolException
781 * "ProtocolException" is thrown with the error information provided
782 * by the plugin. In other cases some standard exception is thrown,
783 * which is mostly IOError if a communication error occurs.
784 *
785 * The \c XPlane object can be reused in the sense, that after you
786 * have made a connection, you can disconnect and then connect
787 * again. This may be useful, if X-Plane crashes for some reason, and
788 * you can then reconnect if the user has restarted it.
789 *
790 * Objects to store information about multi-dataref queries can be
791 * created by the \ref xplra.XPlane.createMultiGetter
792 * "createMultiGetter" function. It returns an instance of \ref
793 * xplra.MultiGetter, which can be used to store a number of datarefs
794 * and then execute a multi-dataref query for those datarefs. Before
795 * execution, the query can be \ref xplra.MultiBuffer.register
796 * "registered" in the plugin, so that the client does not have to send
797 * all the dataref information whenever the query is executed.
798 *
799 * The \c XPlane object knows about any multi-dataref query objects.
800 * Therefore if you register such a multi-dataref query, and then the
801 * connection breaks, and then you reconnect, the query will-be
802 * re-registered too, i.e. you don't have to do it yourself.
803 *
804 * Similarly, the \ref xplra.XPlane.createMultiSetter
805 * "createMultiSetter" function can be used to create a multi-dataref
806 * update object. They are handled the same way by \c XPlane as the
807 * query objects when it comes to registration and re-registration.
808 *
809 * The other functions of \c XPlane are mostly self-explanatory: they
810 * perform the operations defined by the protocol.
811 */
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