---
name: "BUS_HINTED_CHILD"
section: "9"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/BUS_HINTED_CHILD"
---

# BUS\_HINTED\_CHILD(9)

notify a bus device about a potential child device identified by hints

## NAME

**BUS\_HINTED\_CHILD** – notify a bus device about a potential child device identified by hints

## SYNOPSIS

**#include \<sys/param.h\>**

**#include \<sys/bus.h\>**

*void*\

**BUS\_HINTED\_CHILD**(*device\_t dev*, *const char \*dname*, *int dunit*);

## DESCRIPTION

The **BUS\_HINTED\_CHILD**() method is invoked by the [bus\_enumerate\_hinted\_children(9)](/bus_enumerate_hinted_children/9.md) function for each set of named hints whose “at” hint matches the bus device *dev*. Typically, this method should determine if the set of hints for the given device name and unit sufficiently describe a new device. If so, a new device should be added via [BUS\_ADD\_CHILD(9)](/BUS_ADD_CHILD/9.md).

## SEE ALSO

[BUS\_ADD\_CHILD(9)](/BUS_ADD_CHILD/9.md), [bus\_enumerate\_hinted\_children(9)](/bus_enumerate_hinted_children/9.md), [device(9)](/device/9.md)

## HISTORY

The **BUS\_HINTED\_CHILD**() method first appeared in FreeBSD 6.2.