[REBOL] Re: What is the plugin API?
From: SunandaDH:aol at: 16-Aug-2003 12:25
Tim:
> Hi All: What is the API that Doc refers to above?
This was posted here a few months back:
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Subj: [REBOL] REBOL Plug-In Extensions
Date: 11/07/2003 19:26:51 GMT Daylight Time
From: Carl @ rebol.com
Sender: [rebol-bounce--rebol--com]
Reply-to: [rebol-list--rebol--com]
To: [rebol-list--rebol--net]
I've noticed some discussion on this topic, so that you don't need to
beat this with a stick too hard, I thought it might be good to pre-release
some information:
News Flash: REBOL to add a Plug-in Architecture
The purpose is to allow developers to write native code extensions to REBOL
for adding things like image and sound format loaders/savers, additional
functions, special device interfaces, high-speed computation (such as needed
for bitmaps), etc.
Plug-ins will be programmed as DLL (dynamic libraries) with a small
number of standard entry points. Plug-ins will be self identifying, including
versions, and will also be able to contain REBOL source code as well
as native machine code. Plug-ins will be able to define Native! functions
(as new datatype) that interface with REBOL, and will accept and return
values in a "virtual datatype space" that does not require plugin functions
to translate (load or mold) source code.
The plug-in architecture will be released in a request-for-comments (RFC)
format prior to its standardization, allowing developers to provide input and
ideas. We're also hoping developers will be interested in helping us alpha
and beta test the new architecture.
Note that the "virtual datatype space" used for plugins is also useful for
storing any type of REBOL data/code in reduced binary formats for inclusion
in high speed, REBOL-native or remote database applications (with faster block
translation times).
-RT
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So far as I know, nothing has been released, but I'm not part of the
Developers' Forum, so others may know more,
Sunanda.
