---
name: "NativeCall"
section: "3pm"
platform: "linux"
package: "libnativecall-perl"
version: "0.006-3"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/NativeCall"
---

# NativeCall(3pm)

Perl 5 interface to foreign functions in Perl code without XS

## NAME

NativeCall - Perl 5 interface to foreign functions in Perl code without XS

## SYNOPSIS

```
  use parent qw(NativeCall);
  use feature 'say';
  sub cdio_eject_media_drive :Args(string) :Native(cdio) {}
  sub cdio_close_tray :Args(string, int) :Native(cdio) {}
  say "Gimme a CD!";
  cdio_eject_media_drive undef;
  sleep 1;
  say "Ha! Too slow!";
  cdio_close_tray undef, 0;
  sub fmax :Args(double, double) :Native :Returns(double) {}
  say "fmax(2.0, 3.0) = " . fmax(2.0, 3.0);

  # avoid Perl built in also called "abs"
  sub myabs :Args(int) :Native :Returns(int) :Symbol(abs) {}
  say "abs(-3) = " . abs(-3);
```

## DESCRIPTION

Mimics the `"NativeCall"` module and interface from Perl 6. Uses FFI::Platypus, by the mighty Graham Ollis, for the actual hard work. Uses inheritance and attributes.

See *examples/troll.pl* for the example given above in SYNOPSIS.

### ATTRIBUTES

- Native

  If an argument is given, try to load from that library. If none given, use what is already loaded.

- Args

  A comma-separated list of FFI::Platypus::Types.  All types are supported, including closures.

- Returns

  A single FFI::Platypus::Type.

- Symbol

  The native symbol name, if different from the Perl sub name.

## INSPIRATION

This module is entirely inspired by the article about Perl 6 NativeCall at \<http://blogs.perl.org/users/zoffix\_znet/2016/05/perl-6-nativecall-look-ma-im-a-c-programmer-1.html\>. All credit for clear explanation to Zoffix. All brickbats to me.