What is the use of the "ctypes.c_int64" module in Python?

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Jayant Kumar · Accepted Answer

The "ctypes.c_int64" module is not a separate module. It is a built-in type provided by the "ctypes" module itself. The "ctypes.c_int64" type represents the C data type "int64_t" and is used when working with signed 64-bit integer values in C.
Here's how the "ctypes.c_int64" type is typically used within the "ctypes" module:
Declaring Function Prototypes: When using "ctypes" to interface with C functions that expect or return signed 64-bit integer values, you can specify the argument and return types as "ctypes.c_int64". For example:
import ctypes

# Declare the C function prototype
c_function = ctypes.CDLL("mylib.so").my_function
c_function.argtypes = [ctypes.c_int64]
c_function.restype = ctypes.c_int64

# Call the C function with a signed 64-bit integer argument
result = c_function(-42)

Working with Structures: If you are working with C structures that contain signed 64-bit integer fields, you can define the corresponding fields as "ctypes.c_int64" within your ctypes structure definition. For example:
import ctypes

# Define the C structure
class MyStructure(ctypes.Structure):
    _fields_ = [
        ("my_int64_field", ctypes.c_int64),
        # other fields...
    ]

The "ctypes.c_int64" type ensures proper representation of signed 64-bit integer values when interfacing with C code using "ctypes". It ensures compatibility between Python and C, allowing you to pass signed 64-bit integer values back and forth between the two domains seamlessly.
The "int64_t" type is a fixed-size integer type with a size of 64 bits, capable of representing values in the range of -9223372036854775808 to 9223372036854775807.
Please keep these considerations in mind when working with signed 64-bit integer values and "ctypes.c_int64" in your Python code.

What is the use of the "ctypes.c_int64" module in Python?

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What is the use of the "ctypes.c_int64" module in Python?

Jayant Kumar @jayantkumar314

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