Annotations

===========

In this section we describe each of the annotations that can be used in

specification files.

Annotations can either be :ref:`argument annotations <ref-arg-annos>`,

:ref:`class annotations <ref-class-annos>`, :ref:`mapped type annotations
<ref-mapped-type-annos>`, :ref:`enum annotations <ref-enum-annos>`,
:ref:`exception annotations <ref-exception-annos>`, :ref:`function annotations
<ref-function-annos>`, :ref:`typedef annotations <ref-typedef-annos>` or
:ref:`variable annotations <ref-variable-annos>` depending on the context in
which they can be used.

Annotations are placed between forward slashes (``/``). Multiple annotations

are comma separated within the slashes.

Annotations have a type and, possibly, a value. The type determines the
format of the value. The name of an annotation and its value are separated by
``=``.

Annotations can have one of the following types:

*boolean*
This type of annotation has no value and is implicitly true.

*integer*
This type of annotation is an integer. In some cases the value is
optional.

*name*
The value is a name that is compatible with a C/C++ identifier. In some
cases the value is optional.

*dotted name*
The value is a name that is compatible with an identifier preceded by a
Python scope.

*string*
The value is a double quoted string.

*API range*
The value is the name of an API (defined using the :directive:`%API`
directive) separated by a range of version numbers with a colon.

The range of version numbers is a pair of numbers separated by a hyphen

specifying the lower and upper bounds of the range. A version number is
within the range if it is greater or equal to the lower bound and less
than the upper bound. Each bound can be omitted meaning that the range is
unbounded in that direction.

For example::

# This is part of the PyQt4 API up to but excluding v2.

void hex() /API=PyQt4:-2/

# This is part of the PyQt4 API starting from v2.

void hex() /PyName=hex_, API=PyQt4:2-/
The following example shows argument and function annotations::

void exec(QWidget * /Transfer/) /ReleaseGIL, PyName=call_exec/;

.. _ref-arg-annos:

Argument Annotations
--------------------

.. argument-annotation:: AllowNone

This boolean annotation specifies that the value of the corresponding

argument (which should be either :stype:`SIP_PYBUFFER`,
:stype:`SIP_PYCALLABLE`, :stype:`SIP_PYDICT`, :stype:`SIP_PYLIST`,
:stype:`SIP_PYSLICE`, :stype:`SIP_PYTUPLE` or :stype:`SIP_PYTYPE`) may be
``None``.

.. argument-annotation:: Array

This boolean annotation specifies that the corresponding argument refers

to an array.

The argument should be either a pointer to a wrapped type, a ``char *`` or

a ``unsigned char *``. If the argument is a character array then the
annotation also implies the :aanno:`Encoding` annotation with an encoding
of ``"None"``.

There must be a corresponding argument with the :aanno:`ArraySize`

annotation specified. The annotation may only be specified once in a list
of arguments.

.. argument-annotation:: ArraySize

This boolean annotation specifies that the corresponding argument (which

should be either ``short``, ``unsigned short``, ``int``, ``unsigned``,
``long`` or ``unsigned long``) refers to the size of an array. There must
be a corresponding argument with the :aanno:`Array` annotation specified.
The annotation may only be specified once in a list of arguments.

.. argument-annotation:: Constrained

Python will automatically convert between certain compatible types. For

example, if a floating pointer number is expected and an integer supplied,
then the integer will be converted appropriately. This can cause problems
when wrapping C or C++ functions with similar signatures. For example::

// The wrapper for this function will also accept an integer argument
// which Python will automatically convert to a floating point number.
void foo(double);

// The wrapper for this function will never get used.

void foo(int);

This boolean annotation specifies that the corresponding argument (which

should be either ``bool``, ``int``, ``float``, ``double``, ``enum`` or a
 wrapped class) must match the type without any automatic conversions. In
the context of a wrapped class the invocation of any
:directive:`%ConvertToTypeCode` is suppressed.

The following example gets around the above problem::

// The wrapper for this function will only accept floating point
// numbers.
void foo(double /Constrained/);

// The wrapper for this function will be used for anything that Python
// can convert to an integer, except for floating point numbers.
void foo(int);

.. argument-annotation:: DisallowNone

.. versionadded:: 4.16.4

This boolean annotation specifies that the value of the corresponding

argument (which should be a pointer to either a C++ class or a mapped type)
must not be ``None``.

.. argument-annotation:: DocType

.. versionadded:: 4.10

This string annotation specifies the type of the argument as it will appear
in any generated docstrings. It is usually used with arguments of type
:stype:`SIP_PYOBJECT` to provide a more specific type.

.. argument-annotation:: DocValue

.. versionadded:: 4.10

This string annotation specifies the default value of the argument as it

will appear in any generated docstrings.

.. argument-annotation:: Encoding

This string annotation specifies that the corresponding argument (which

should be either ``char``, ``const char``, ``char *`` or ``const char *``)
refers to an encoded character or ``'\0'`` terminated encoded string with
the specified encoding. The encoding can be either ``"ASCII"``,
``"Latin-1"``, ``"UTF-8"`` or ``"None"``. An encoding of ``"None"`` means
that the corresponding argument refers to an unencoded character or string.

The default encoding is specified by the :directive:`%DefaultEncoding`

directive. If the directive is not specified then ``None`` is used.

Python v3 will use the ``bytes`` type to represent the argument if the
encoding is ``"None"`` and the ``str`` type otherwise.

Python v2 will use the ``str`` type to represent the argument if the
encoding is ``"None"`` and the ``unicode`` type otherwise.
.. argument-annotation:: GetWrapper

This boolean annotation is only ever used in conjunction with handwritten

code specified with the :directive:`%MethodCode` directive. It causes an
extra variable to be generated for the corresponding argument which is a
pointer to the Python object that wraps the argument.

See the :directive:`%MethodCode` directive for more detail.

.. argument-annotation:: In

This boolean annotation is used to specify that the corresponding argument

(which should be a pointer type) is used to pass a value to the function.

For pointers to wrapped C structures or C++ class instances, ``char *`` and
``unsigned char *`` then this annotation is assumed unless the :aanno:`Out`
annotation is specified.

For pointers to other types then this annotation must be explicitly

specified if required. The argument will be dereferenced to obtain the
actual value.

Both :aanno:`In` and :aanno:`Out` may be specified for the same argument.

.. argument-annotation:: KeepReference

This optional integer annotation is used to specify that a reference to the

corresponding argument should be kept to ensure that the object is not
garbage collected. If the method is called again with a new argument then
the reference to the previous argument is discarded. Note that ownership
of the argument is not changed.

If the function is a method then the reference is kept by the instance,

i.e. ``self``. Therefore the extra reference is released when the instance
is garbage collected.

If the function is a class method or an ordinary function and it is

annotated using the :fanno:`Factory` annotation, then the reference is
kept by the object created by the function. Therefore the extra reference
is released when that object is garbage collected.

Otherwise the reference is not kept by any specific object and will never
be released.

If a value is specified then it defines the argument's key. Arguments of

different constructors or methods that have the same key are assumed to
refer to the same value.

.. argument-annotation:: NoCopy

.. versionadded:: 4.10.1

This boolean annotation is used with arguments of virtual methods that are
a ``const`` reference to a class. Normally, if the class defines a copy
constructor then a copy of the returned reference is automatically created
 and wrapped before being passed to a Python reimplementation of the method.
The copy will be owned by Python. This means that the reimplementation may
take a reference to the argument without having to make an explicit copy.

If the annotation is specified then the copy is not made and the original
reference is wrapped instead and will be owned by C++.

.. argument-annotation:: Out

This boolean annotation is used to specify that the corresponding argument

(which should be a pointer type) is used by the function to return a value
as an element of a tuple.

For pointers to wrapped C structures or C++ class instances, ``char *`` and
``unsigned char *`` then this annotation must be explicitly specified if
required.

For pointers to other types then this annotation is assumed unless the
:aanno:`In` annotation is specified.

Both :aanno:`In` and :aanno:`Out` may be specified for the same argument.

.. argument-annotation:: PyInt

.. versionadded:: 4.12

This boolean annotation is used with ``char``, ``signed char`` and

``unsigned char`` arguments to specify that they should be interpreted as
integers rather than strings of one character.

.. argument-annotation:: ResultSize

This boolean annotation is used with functions or methods that return a

``void *`` or ``const void *``. It identifies an argument that defines the
size of the block of memory whose address is being returned. This allows
the :class:`sip.voidptr` object that wraps the address to support the
Python buffer protocol.

.. argument-annotation:: SingleShot

This boolean annotation is used only with arguments of type

:stype:`SIP_RXOBJ_CON` to specify that the signal connected to the slot
will only ever be emitted once. This prevents a certain class of memory
leaks.

.. argument-annotation:: Transfer

This boolean annotation is used to specify that ownership of the

corresponding argument (which should be a wrapped C structure or C++ class
instance) is transferred from Python to C++. In addition, if the argument
is of a class method, then it is associated with the class instance with
regard to the cyclic garbage collector.

If the annotation is used with the :aanno:`Array` annotation then the

 array of pointers to the sequence of C structures or C++ class instances
that is created on the heap is not automatically freed.

See :ref:`ref-object-ownership` for more detail.

.. argument-annotation:: TransferBack

This boolean annotation is used to specify that ownership of the

corresponding argument (which should be a wrapped C structure or C++ class
instance) is transferred back to Python from C++. In addition, any
association of the argument with regard to the cyclic garbage collector
with another instance is removed.

See :ref:`ref-object-ownership` for more detail.

.. argument-annotation:: TransferThis

This boolean annotation is only used in C++ constructors or methods. In

the context of a constructor or factory method it specifies that ownership
of the instance being created is transferred from Python to C++ if the
corresponding argument (which should be a wrapped C structure or C++ class
instance) is not ``None``. In addition, the newly created instance is
associated with the argument with regard to the cyclic garbage collector.

In the context of a non-factory method it specifies that ownership of

``this`` is transferred from Python to C++ if the corresponding argument is
not ``None``. If it is ``None`` then ownership is transferred to Python.

The annotation may be used more that once, in which case ownership is
transferred to last instance that is not ``None``.

See :ref:`ref-object-ownership` for more detail.

.. _ref-class-annos:

Class Annotations
-----------------

.. class-annotation:: Abstract

This boolean annotation is used to specify that the class has additional
pure virtual methods that have not been specified and so it cannot be
instantiated or sub-classed from Python.

.. class-annotation:: AllowNone

.. versionadded:: 4.8.2

Normally when a Python object is converted to a C/C++ instance ``None``

is handled automatically before the class's
:directive:`%ConvertToTypeCode` is called. This boolean annotation
specifies that the handling of ``None`` will be left to the
:directive:`%ConvertToTypeCode`. The annotation is ignored if the class
does not have any :directive:`%ConvertToTypeCode`.
.. class-annotation:: API

.. versionadded:: 4.9

This API range annotation is used to specify an API and corresponding

range of version numbers that the class is enabled for.

If a class or mapped type has different implementations enabled for

different ranges of version numbers then those ranges must not overlap.

Note that sub-classing from a class that has different implementations is

not currently supported.

See :ref:`ref-incompat-apis` for more detail.

.. class-annotation:: DelayDtor

This boolean annotation is used to specify that the class's destructor

should not be called until the Python interpreter exits. It would normally
only be applied to singleton classes.

When the Python interpreter exits the order in which any wrapped instances
are garbage collected is unpredictable. However, the underlying C or C++
instances may need to be destroyed in a certain order. If this annotation
is specified then when the wrapped instance is garbage collected the C or
C++ instance is not destroyed but instead added to a list of delayed
instances. When the interpreter exits then the function
:c:func:`sipDelayedDtors()` is called with the list of delayed instances.
:c:func:`sipDelayedDtors()` can then choose to call (or ignore) the
destructors in any desired order.

The :c:func:`sipDelayedDtors()` function must be specified using the

:directive:`%ModuleCode` directive.

.. c:function:: void sipDelayedDtors(const sipDelayedDtor *dd_list)

:param dd_list:
the linked list of delayed instances.

.. c:type:: sipDelayedDtor

This structure describes a particular delayed destructor.

.. c:member:: const char* dd_name

This is the name of the class excluding any package or module name.

.. c:member:: void* dd_ptr

This is the address of the C or C++ instance to be destroyed. It's

exact type depends on the value of :c:member:`dd_isderived`.

.. c:member:: int dd_isderived

This is non-zero if the type of :c:member:`dd_ptr` is actually the

generated derived class. This allows the correct destructor to be
called. See :ref:`ref-derived-classes`.
 .. c:member:: sipDelayedDtor* dd_next

This is the address of the next entry in the list or zero if this is
the last one.

Note that the above applies only to C and C++ instances that are owned by
Python.

.. class-annotation:: Deprecated

This boolean annotation is used to specify that the class is deprecated.

It is the equivalent of annotating all the class's constructors, function
and methods as being deprecated.

.. class-annotation:: FileExtension

.. versionadded:: 4.16.6

This string annotation is used to specify the filename extension to be used

for the file containing the generated code for this class. A separate file
will be generated even if the :option:`-j <sip -j>` command line option is
specified.

.. class-annotation:: ExportDerived

.. versionadded:: 4.15

In many cases SIP generates a derived class for each class being wrapped
(see :ref:`ref-derived-classes`). Normally this is used internally. This
boolean annotation specifies that the declaration of the class is exported
and able to be used by handwritten code.

.. class-annotation:: External

This boolean annotation is used to specify that the class is defined in

another module. Declarations of external classes are private to the module
in which they appear.

.. class-annotation:: Metatype

This dotted name annotation specifies the name of the Python type object
(i.e. the value of the ``tp_name`` field) used as the meta-type used when
creating the type object for this C structure or C++ type.

See the section :ref:`ref-types-metatypes` for more details.

.. class-annotation:: Mixin

.. versionadded:: 4.15

This boolean annotation specifies that the class can be used as a mixin
with other wrapped classes.
 Normally a Python application cannot define a new class that is derived
from more than one wrapped class. In C++ this would create a new C++
class. This cannot be done from Python. At best a C++ instance of each of
the wrapped classes can be created and wrapped as separate Python objects.
However some C++ classes may function perfectly well with this restriction.
Such classes are often intended to be used as mixins.

If this annotation is specified then a separate instance of the class is

created. The main instance automatically delegates to the instance of the
mixin when required. A mixin class should have the following
characteristics:

- Any constructor arguments should be able to be specified using keyword

arguments.

- The class should not have any virtual methods.

.. class-annotation:: NoDefaultCtors

This boolean annotation is used to suppress the automatic generation of

default constructors for the class.

.. class-annotation:: PyName

This name annotation specifies an alternative name for the class being
wrapped which is used when it is referred to from Python. It is required
when a class name is the same as a Python keyword. It may also be used to
avoid name clashes with other objects (e.g. enums, exceptions, functions)
that have the same name in the same C++ scope.

.. seealso:: :directive:`%AutoPyName`

.. class-annotation:: Supertype

This dotted name annotation specifies the name of the Python type object
(i.e. the value of the ``tp_name`` field) used as the super-type used when
creating the type object for this C structure or C++ type.

See the section :ref:`ref-types-metatypes` for more details.

.. class-annotation:: VirtualErrorHandler

.. versionadded:: 4.14

This name annotation specifies the handler (defined by the

:directive:`%VirtualErrorHandler` directive) that is called when a Python
re-implementation of any of the class's virtual C++ functions raises a
Python exception. If not specified then the handler specified by the
``default_VirtualErrorHandler`` argument of the :directive:`%Module`
directive is used.

.. seealso:: :fanno:`NoVirtualErrorHandler`, :fanno:`VirtualErrorHandler`,

:directive:`%VirtualErrorHandler`
.. _ref-mapped-type-annos:

Mapped Type Annotations

-----------------------

.. mapped-type-annotation:: AllowNone

Normally when a Python object is converted to a C/C++ instance ``None``

is handled automatically before the mapped type's
:directive:`%ConvertToTypeCode` is called. This boolean annotation
specifies that the handling of ``None`` will be left to the
:directive:`%ConvertToTypeCode`.

.. mapped-type-annotation:: API

.. versionadded:: 4.9

This API range annotation is used to specify an API and corresponding

range of version numbers that the mapped type is enabled for.

If a class or mapped type has different implementations enabled for

different ranges of version numbers then those ranges must not overlap.

It should not be used with mapped type templates.

See :ref:`ref-incompat-apis` for more detail.

.. mapped-type-annotation:: DocType

.. versionadded:: 4.10

This string annotation serves the same purpose as the :aanno:`DocType`

argument annotation when applied to the mapped type being defined.

.. mapped-type-annotation:: NoRelease

This boolean annotation is used to specify that the mapped type does not
support the :c:func:`sipReleaseType()` function. Any
:directive:`%ConvertToTypeCode` should not create temporary instances of
the mapped type, i.e. it should not return :c:macro:`SIP_TEMPORARY`.

.. mapped-type-annotation:: PyName

This name annotation specifies an alternative name for the mapped type
being wrapped which is used when it is referred to from Python. The only
time a Python type is created for a mapped type is when it is used as a
scope for static methods or enums.

It should not be used with mapped type templates.

.. seealso:: :directive:`%AutoPyName`

.. _ref-enum-annos:
Enum Annotations
----------------

.. enum-annotation:: NoScope

.. versionadded:: 4.15

This boolean annotation specifies the that scope of an enum's members

should be omitted in the generated code. Normally this would mean that the
generated code will not compile. However it is useful when defining
pseudo-enums, for example, to wrap global values so that they are defined
(in Python) within the scope of a class.

.. enum-annotation:: PyName

This name annotation specifies an alternative name for the enum or enum
member being wrapped which is used when it is referred to from Python. It
is required when an enum or enum member name is the same as a Python
keyword. It may also be used to avoid name clashes with other objects
(e.g. classes, exceptions, functions) that have the same name in the same
C++ scope.

.. seealso:: :directive:`%AutoPyName`

.. _ref-exception-annos:

Exception Annotations
---------------------

.. exception-annotation:: Default

This boolean annotation specifies that the exception being defined will be
used as the default exception to be caught if a function or constructor
does not have a ``throw`` clause.

.. exception-annotation:: PyName

This name annotation specifies an alternative name for the exception being
defined which is used when it is referred to from Python. It is required
when an exception name is the same as a Python keyword. It may also be
used to avoid name clashes with other objects (e.g. classes, enums,
functions) that have the same name.

.. seealso:: :directive:`%AutoPyName`

.. _ref-function-annos:

Function Annotations
--------------------

.. function-annotation:: AbortOnException

.. versionadded:: 4.16.4

This boolean annotation specifies that when a Python re-implementation of a

virtual C++ function raises a Python exception then ``abort()`` is
 called after the error handler returns.

.. function-annotation:: AllowNone

.. versionadded:: 4.16.4

This boolean annotation is used to specify that the value returned by the
function (which should be either :stype:`SIP_PYBUFFER`,
:stype:`SIP_PYCALLABLE`, :stype:`SIP_PYDICT`, :stype:`SIP_PYLIST`,
:stype:`SIP_PYSLICE`, :stype:`SIP_PYTUPLE` or :stype:`SIP_PYTYPE`) may be
``None``.

.. function-annotation:: API

.. versionadded:: 4.9

This API range annotation is used to specify an API and corresponding

range of version numbers that the function is enabled for.

See :ref:`ref-incompat-apis` for more detail.

.. function-annotation:: AutoGen

This optional name annotation is used with class methods to specify that
the method be automatically included in all sub-classes. The value is the
name of a feature (specified using the :directive:`%Feature` directive)
which must be enabled for the method to be generated.

.. function-annotation:: Default

This boolean annotation is only used with C++ constructors. Sometimes SIP
needs to create a class instance. By default it uses a constructor with no
compulsory arguments if one is specified. (SIP will automatically generate
a constructor with no arguments if no constructors are specified.) This
annotation is used to explicitly specify which constructor to use. Zero is
passed as the value of any arguments to the constructor. This annotation
is ignored if the class defines :directive:`%InstanceCode`.

.. function-annotation:: Deprecated

This boolean annotation is used to specify that the constructor or function

is deprecated. A deprecation warning is issued whenever the constructor or
function is called.

.. function-annotation:: DisallowNone

.. versionadded:: 4.16.4

This boolean annotation is used to specify that the value returned by the
function (which should be a pointer to either a C++ class or a mapped type)
must not be ``None``.
.. function-annotation:: DocType

.. versionadded:: 4.10

This string annotation serves the same purpose as the :aanno:`DocType`

argument annotation when applied to the type of the value returned by the
function.

.. function-annotation:: Encoding

This string annotation serves the same purpose as the :aanno:`Encoding`

argument annotation when applied to the type of the value returned by the
function.

.. function-annotation:: Factory

This boolean annotation specifies that the value returned by the function
(which should be a wrapped C structure or C++ class instance) is a newly
created instance and is owned by Python.

See :ref:`ref-object-ownership` for more detail.

.. function-annotation:: HoldGIL

This boolean annotation specifies that the Python Global Interpreter Lock
(GIL) is not released before the call to the underlying C or C++ function.
See :ref:`ref-gil` and the :fanno:`ReleaseGIL` annotation.

.. function-annotation:: __imatmul__

.. versionadded:: 4.17

This boolean annotation specifies that a ``__imatmul__()`` method should be

automatically generated that will use the method being annotated to compute
the value that the ``__imatmul__()`` method will return.

.. function-annotation:: KeepReference

.. versionadded:: 4.12.2

This optional integer annotation serves the same purpose as the

:aanno:`KeepReference` argument annotation when applied to the type of the
value returned by the function.

If the function is a class method or an ordinary function then the

reference is not kept by any other object and so the returned value will
never be garbage collected.

.. function-annotation:: KeywordArgs

.. versionadded:: 4.10

This string annotation specifies the level of support the argument parser
 generated for this function will provide for passing the parameters using
Python's keyword argument syntax. The value of the annotation can be
either ``"None"`` meaning that keyword arguments are not supported,
``"All"`` meaning that all named arguments can be passed as keyword
arguments, or ``"Optional"`` meaning that all named optional arguments
(i.e. those with a default value) can be passed as keyword arguments.

If the annotation is not used then the value specified by the

``keyword_arguments`` argument of the :directive:`%Module` directive is
used.

Keyword arguments cannot be used for functions that use an ellipsis to

designate that the function has a variable number of arguments.

.. deprecated:: 4.12
It can also be used as a boolean annotation which is the equivalent of
specifiying a value of ``"All"``.

.. function-annotation:: __len__

.. versionadded:: 4.10.3

This boolean annotation specifies that a ``__len__()`` method should be

automatically generated that will use the method being annotated to compute
the value that the ``__len__()`` method will return.

.. function-annotation:: __matmul__

.. versionadded:: 4.17

This boolean annotation specifies that a ``__matmul__()`` method should be

automatically generated that will use the method being annotated to compute
the value that the ``__matmul__()`` method will return.

.. function-annotation:: NewThread

This boolean annotation specifies that the function will create a new
thread.

.. function-annotation:: NoArgParser

This boolean annotation is used with methods and global functions to

specify that the supplied :directive:`%MethodCode` will handle the parsing
of the arguments.

.. function-annotation:: NoCopy

.. versionadded:: 4.10.1

This boolean annotation is used with methods and global functions that
return a ``const`` reference to a class. Normally, if the class defines a
copy constructor then a copy of the returned reference is automatically
created and wrapped. The copy will be owned by Python.
 If the annotation is specified then the copy is not made and the original
reference is wrapped instead and will be owned by C++.

.. function-annotation:: NoDerived

This boolean annotation is only used with C++ constructors. In many cases
SIP generates a derived class for each class being wrapped (see
:ref:`ref-derived-classes`). This derived class contains constructors with
the same C++ signatures as the class being wrapped. Sometimes you may want
to define a Python constructor that has no corresponding C++ constructor.
This annotation is used to suppress the generation of the constructor in
the derived class.

.. function-annotation:: NoKeywordArgs

.. versionadded:: 4.10

.. deprecated:: 4.12
Use the :fanno:`KeywordArgs` annotation with a value of ``"None"``.

This boolean annotation specifies that the argument parser generated for
this function will not support passing the parameters using Python's
keyword argument syntax. In other words, the argument parser will only
support normal positional arguments. This annotation is useful when the
default setting of allowing keyword arguments has been changed via the
command line or the :directive:`%Module` directive, but you would still
like certain functions to only support positional arguments.

.. function-annotation:: NoRaisesPyException

.. versionadded:: 4.13.1

This boolean annotation specifies that the function or constructor does not
raise a Python exception to indicate that an error occurred.

.. seealso:: :fanno:`RaisesPyException`

.. function-annotation:: NoVirtualErrorHandler

.. versionadded:: 4.14

This boolean annotation specifies that when a Python re-implementation of a

virtual C++ function raises a Python exception then ``PyErr_Print()`` is
always called. Any error handler specified by either the
:fanno:`VirtualErrorHandler` function annotation, the
:canno:`VirtualErrorHandler` class annotation or the
``default_VirtualErrorHandler`` argument of the :directive:`%Module`
directive is ignored.

.. seealso:: :fanno:`VirtualErrorHandler`, :canno:`VirtualErrorHandler`,

:directive:`%VirtualErrorHandler`

.. function-annotation:: Numeric
 This boolean annotation specifies that the operator should be interpreted
as a numeric operator rather than a sequence operator.

Python uses the ``+`` operator for adding numbers and concatanating
sequences, and the ``*`` operator for multiplying numbers and repeating
sequences. Unless this or the :fanno:`Sequence` annotation is specified,
SIP tries to work out which is meant by looking at other operators that
have been defined for the type. If it finds either ``-``, ``-=``, ``/``,
``/=``, ``%`` or ``%=`` defined then it assumes that ``+``, ``+=``, ``*``
and ``*=`` should be numeric operators. Otherwise, if it finds either
``[]``, :meth:`__getitem__`, :meth:`__setitem__` or :meth:`__delitem__`
defined then it assumes that they should be sequence operators.

.. function-annotation:: PostHook

This name annotation is used to specify the name of a Python builtin that
is called immediately after the call to the underlying C or C++ function or
any handwritten code. The builtin is not called if an error occurred. It
is primarily used to integrate with debuggers.

.. function-annotation:: PreHook

This name annotation is used to specify the name of a Python builtin that
is called immediately after the function's arguments have been successfully
parsed and before the call to the underlying C or C++ function or any
handwritten code. It is primarily used to integrate with debuggers.

.. function-annotation:: PyName

This name annotation specifies an alternative name for the function being
wrapped which is used when it is referred to from Python. It is required
when a function or method name is the same as a Python keyword. It may
also be used to avoid name clashes with other objects (e.g. classes, enums,
exceptions) that have the same name in the same C++ scope.

.. seealso:: :directive:`%AutoPyName`

.. function-annotation:: PyInt

.. versionadded:: 4.12

This boolean annotation serves the same purpose as the :aanno:`PyInt`

argument annotation when applied to the type of the value returned by the
function.

.. function-annotation:: RaisesPyException

.. versionadded:: 4.12.1

This boolean annotation specifies that the function or constructor raises a

Python exception to indicate that an error occurred. Any current exception
is cleared before the function or constructor is called. It is ignored if
the :directive:`%MethodCode` directive is used.
 .. seealso:: :fanno:`NoRaisesPyException`

.. function-annotation:: ReleaseGIL

This boolean annotation specifies
(GIL) is released before the call
reacquired afterwards. It should
take a significant amount of time
:fanno:`HoldGIL` annotation.
that the Python Global Interpreter Lock
to the underlying C or C++ function and
be used for functions that might block or
to execute. See :ref:`ref-gil` and the

.. function-annotation:: Sequence

.. versionadded:: 4.14.7

This boolean annotation specifies that the operator should be interpreted

as a sequence operator rather than a numeric operator.

Python uses the ``+`` operator for adding numbers and concatanating
sequences, and the ``*`` operator for multiplying numbers and repeating
sequences. Unless this or the :fanno:`Numeric` annotation is specified,
SIP tries to work out which is meant by looking at other operators that
have been defined for the type. If it finds either ``-``, ``-=``, ``/``,
``/=``, ``%`` or ``%=`` defined then it assumes that ``+``, ``+=``, ``*``
and ``*=`` should be numeric operators. Otherwise, if it finds either
``[]``, :meth:`__getitem__`, :meth:`__setitem__` or :meth:`__delitem__`
defined then it assumes that they should be sequence operators.

.. function-annotation:: Transfer

This boolean annotation specifies that ownership of the value returned by

the function (which should be a wrapped C structure or C++ class instance)
is transferred to C++. It is only used in the context of a class
constructor or a method.

In the case of methods returned values (unless they are new references to
already wrapped values) are normally owned by C++ anyway. However, in
addition, an association between the returned value and the instance
containing the method is created with regard to the cyclic garbage
collector.

See :ref:`ref-object-ownership` for more detail.

.. function-annotation:: TransferBack

This boolean annotation specifies that ownership of the value returned by

the function (which should be a wrapped C structure or C++ class instance)
is transferred back to Python from C++. Normally returned values (unless
they are new references to already wrapped values) are owned by C++. In
addition, any association of the returned value with regard to the cyclic
garbage collector with another instance is removed.

See :ref:`ref-object-ownership` for more detail.

.. function-annotation:: TransferThis
 This boolean annotation specifies that ownership of ``this`` is transferred
from Python to C++.

See :ref:`ref-object-ownership` for more detail.

.. function-annotation:: VirtualErrorHandler

.. versionadded:: 4.14

This name annotation specifies the handler (defined by the

:directive:`%VirtualErrorHandler` directive) that is called when a Python
re-implementation of the virtual C++ function raises a Python exception.
If not specified then the handler specified by the class's
:canno:`VirtualErrorHandler` is used.

.. seealso:: :fanno:`NoVirtualErrorHandler`, :canno:`VirtualErrorHandler`,

:directive:`%VirtualErrorHandler`

.. _ref-typedef-annos:

Typedef Annotations
-------------------

.. typedef-annotation:: Capsule

.. versionadded:: 4.14.1

This boolean annotation may only be used when the base type is ``void *``
and specifies that a Python capsule object is used to wrap the value rather
than a :class:`sip.voidptr`. The advantage of using a capsule is that name
based type checking is performed using the name of the type being defined.

For versions of Python that do not support capules :class:`sip.voidptr` is

used instead and name based type checking is not performed.

.. typedef-annotation:: DocType

.. versionadded:: 4.10

This string annotation serves the same purpose as the :aanno:`DocType`

argument annotation when applied to the mapped type being defined.

.. typedef-annotation:: Encoding

This string annotation serves the same purpose as the :aanno:`Encoding`

argument annotation when applied to the mapped type being defined.

.. typedef-annotation:: NoTypeName

This boolean annotation specifies that the definition of the type rather
than the name of the type being defined should be used in the generated
code.
 Normally a typedef would be defined as follows::

typedef bool MyBool;

This would result in ``MyBool`` being used in the generated code.

Specifying the annotation means that ``bool`` will be used in the generated
code instead.

.. typedef-annotation:: PyInt

.. versionadded:: 4.12

This boolean annotation serves the same purpose as the :aanno:`PyInt`

argument annotation when applied to the type being defined.

.. typedef-annotation:: PyName

.. versionadded:: 4.13.1

This name annotation only applies when the typedef is being used to create
the wrapping for a class defined using a template and specifies an
alternative name for the class when it is referred to from Python. It is
required when a class name is the same as a Python keyword. It may also
be used to avoid name clashes with other objects (e.g. enums, exceptions,
functions) that have the same name in the same C++ scope.

.. seealso:: :directive:`%AutoPyName`

.. _ref-variable-annos:

Variable Annotations
--------------------

.. variable-annotation:: DocType

.. versionadded:: 4.10

This string annotation serves the same purpose as the :aanno:`DocType`

argument annotation when applied to the type of the variable being defined.

.. variable-annotation:: Encoding

This string annotation serves the same purpose as the :aanno:`Encoding`

argument annotation when applied to the type of the variable being defined.

.. variable-annotation:: NoSetter

.. versionadded:: 4.16

This boolean annotation specifies that the variable will have no setter and
will be read-only. Because SIP does not fully understand C/C++ types
(particularly ``const`` arrays) it is sometimes necessary to explicitly
annotate a variable as being read-only.
.. variable-annotation:: PyInt

.. versionadded:: 4.12

This boolean annotation serves the same purpose as the :aanno:`PyInt`

argument annotation when applied to the type of the variable being defined.

.. variable-annotation:: PyName

This name annotation specifies an alternative name for the variable being
wrapped which is used when it is referred to from Python. It is required
when a variable name is the same as a Python keyword. It may also be used
to avoid name clashes with other objects (e.g. classes, functions) that
have the same name in the same C++ scope.

.. seealso:: :directive:`%AutoPyName`