XSUBs PROTOTYPE: ?

snam has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

bool_t
    rpcb_gettime(timep, ...)
          time_t timep = NO_INIT
    PROTOTYPE: $;$
    PREINIT:
          char *host = "localhost";
      STRLEN n_a;
        CODE:
          if( items > 1 )
               host = (char *)SvPV(ST(1), n_a);
          RETVAL = rpcb_gettime( host, &timep );
        OUTPUT:
          timep
          RETVAL
[download]

What does PROTOTYPE do? I read the perl doc, but can't understand.:)

thx in advance

Title edit by tye

Comment on XSUBs PROTOTYPE: ? Download Code

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: XSUBs by Thelonius (Priest) on May 02, 2003 at 04:31 UTC
The prototype says that the function takes one scalar argument plus another optional scalar argument. Did you read the perlsub documentation?	[reply]
Re: XSUBs by Zaxo (Archbishop) on May 02, 2003 at 04:37 UTC
The XS `PROTOTYPE` keyword gives the perl extension function `&rpcb_gettime` the perl prototype "$;$", a required scalar argument, and an optional one. See perlxs for the docs. After Compline, Zaxo	[reply]
Re: XSUBs PROTOTYPE: ? (harmful) by tye (Sage) on May 02, 2003 at 15:43 UTC
Note that many would likely advise you to avoid Perl 5 subroutine prototypes. A good presentation of "why" is prototypes considered harmful (or, in case that ever moves, which I fear it will given perl.com's record, google onperl "prototypes considered harmful" - tye	[reply]
Re: XSUBs by The Mad Hatter (Priest) on May 02, 2003 at 02:48 UTC
~~It is, AFAIK, a labeled block. That should help you in your searching.~~ Update Oops.	[reply]