koffi/CHANGELOG.md

Fast and simple C FFI (foreign function interface) for Node.js

# Version history

> [!NOTE]
> Consult the [migration guide](migration) to migrate between major Koffi versions.

## Koffi 2

### Koffi 2.11

#### Koffi 2.11.0

*Released on 2025-04-09*

- Add `koffi.view()` to [access memory without copy](pointers#external-buffers-views)
- Various documentation fixes and improvements

### Koffi 2.10

#### Koffi 2.10.1

*Released on 2025-01-24*

- Fix detection of ARM32 in build script in some cases
- Fix wrong path for ARM32 prebuild

#### Koffi 2.10.0

*Released on 2024-12-22*

- Allow [redefinition of opaque types](misc#circular-references) to concrete struct or union
- Clear out executable stack bit from ELF targets (`-z noexecstack`)
- Update documentation style

### Koffi 2.9

#### Koffi 2.9.2

*Released on 2024-11-08*

- Fix non-aligned pointers when pushing UTF-16 and UTF-32 string parameters
- Various documentation fixes and improvements

#### Koffi 2.9.1

*Released on 2024-09-23*

- Fix x86 32-bit support regression in 2.9.0
- Add missing TS definition for `koffi.alloc()`
- Support `koffi.load(null)` in TS definition file

#### Koffi 2.9.0

*Released on 2024-07-22*

- Add support for char32_t and wchar_t (wide) strings
- Include Linux/musl x64 prebuild (based on Alpine)

### Koffi 2.8

#### Koffi 2.8.11

*Released on 2024-06-19*

- Work around MSVC compiler bug introduced in Visual Studio 17.10

> [!WARNING]
> Use on platforms without pre-built binaries is broken in Koffi 2.8.10, skip this version.

#### Koffi 2.8.9

*Released on 2024-05-17*

- Fix ABI issue regarding bool return values on x86_64 (and possibly other platforms)

#### Koffi 2.8.8

*Released on 2024-04-26*

- Support use of buffers with mismatched size (truncation or zero-filling)

#### Koffi 2.8.7

*Released on 2024-04-23*

- Improve compatibility with SEHOP on Windows ([@longhun12346](https://github.com/longhun12346))

#### Koffi 2.8.6

*Released on 2024-04-12*

- Support [loading library](functions#loading-options) with RTLD_DEEPBIND where supported

#### Koffi 2.8.5

*Released on 2024-04-11*

- Prevent obviously invalid type and member names
- Fix possible infinite loop / UB for `koffi.load()` errors on POSIX systems
- Fix null return value instead of exception for some errors in `koffi.load()` on Windows

#### Koffi 2.8.4

*Released on 2024-04-09*

- Use simpler workaround for Node 20.12+ and 21.6+ to avoid excessive memory use

> [!WARNING]
> Some pre-built binaries are missing in Koffi 2.8.3, skip this version.

#### Koffi 2.8.2

*Released on 2024-04-07*

- Support [loading library](functions#loading-options) with RTLD_GLOBAL on POSIX platforms

#### Koffi 2.8.1

*Released on 2024-04-04*

- Fix incompatibility with Node 20.12+ and 21.6+

#### Koffi 2.8.0

*Released on 2024-02-12*

- Support pushing pointers for string arguments
- Add `koffi.alloc()` for [stable pointers](output#stable-pointers)

### Koffi 2.7

#### Koffi 2.7.4

*Released on 2024-02-04*

- Support callbacks happening on main thread but outside JS call (such as during event loop)
- Improve stability after `koffi.reset()`
- Expose internal Node/NAPI `env` pointer
- Name main Koffi API functions

#### Koffi 2.7.3

*Released on 2024-01-26*

- Support decoding NULL terminated arrays

#### Koffi 2.7.2

*Released on 2024-01-15*

- Add missing TypeScript declaration for `koffi.free()`
- Fix TypeScript declaration of `koffi.encode()`
- Try to improve compatibility with webpack

#### Koffi 2.7.1

*Released on 2024-01-02*

- Support C-like `int[3]` syntax for [fixed array types](input#fixed-size-c-arrays)
- Refuse type specifiers with invalid tokens at the end (previously ignored)

#### Koffi 2.7.0

*Released on 2023-12-21*

- Support alternative [callback calling convention](callbacks#callback-types) in classic syntax
- Change syntax for [calling conventions](functions#calling-conventions) with classic syntax
- Drop unused "internal" property from Koffi

### Koffi 2.6

#### Koffi 2.6.12

*Released on 2023-12-11*

- Fix possible crash introduced in Koffi 2.6.11

#### Koffi 2.6.11

*Released on 2023-12-05*

- Speed up resolving simple and often used type names
- Fix use of optional length argument with [koffi.encode()](variables#encode-to-c-memory)

#### Koffi 2.6.10

*Released on 2023-11-29*

- Protect GetLastError() value from Node.js and V8 on Windows

#### Koffi 2.6.9

*Released on 2023-11-25*

- Search in DLL directory for additional dependencies on Windows
- Ignore prototype properties when making structs or unions
- Show detected version of Node when not adequate
- Minor documentation fixes

> [!WARNING]
> Loading Win32 system libraries can fail in Koffi 2.6.8, skip this version.

#### Koffi 2.6.6

*Released on 2023-10-28*

- Better handle errors while making struct or union types

#### Koffi 2.6.5

*Released on 2023-10-28*

- Allow self-referential structs and unions
- Fix rare Node.js "FATAL ERROR" with some invalid type specifiers

#### Koffi 2.6.4

*Released on 2023-10-26*

- Fix build issue with recent Visual Studio versions

#### Koffi 2.6.3

*Released on 2023-10-17*

- Add indirect loading script to help some bundlers

> [!WARNING]
> Pre-built binaries don't work correctly in Koffi 2.6.2, skip this version.

#### Koffi 2.6.1

*Released on 2023-09-18*

- Support string direction qualifiers in classic function definitions
- Fix possible off-by-one array access when parsing type name

#### Koffi 2.6.0

*Released on 2023-09-13*

**New features:**

- Use [koffi.symbol()](variables#variable-definitions) to make pointers to exported variables (or other symbols)
- Use [koffi.encode()](variables#encode-to-c-memory) to explictly encode data from JS to C memory
- Use shared library [lazy-loading](functions#loading-options) (RTLD_LAZY) on POSIX platforms

**Other changes:**

- Print more helpful error for Win32/Win64 DLL mismatches
- Add missing 'Union' primitive value in TS definition file

### Koffi 2.5

#### Koffi 2.5.20

*Released on 2023-08-31*

- Fix possible crash with async registered callbacks introduced in Koffi 2.5.19
- Various documentation fixes and improvements

#### Koffi 2.5.19

*Released on 2023-08-29*

- Create thread-safe function broker lazily
- Add [koffi.reset()](misc#reset-internal-state) for type names and async broker

#### Koffi 2.5.18

*Released on 2023-08-27*

- Fix compatibility with Electron

#### Koffi 2.5.16

*Released on 2023-08-25*

- Run Koffi tests through usual index.js entry point
- Fix DLL error when using Koffi from NW.js on Windows
- Simplify NW.js Koffi example

> [!WARNING]
> Pre-built binaries don't work correctly in Koffi 2.5.13 to 2.5.15, skip those versions.

#### Koffi 2.5.12

*Released on 2023-08-21*

- Fix native module bundling for FreeBSD ARM64 and Linux RISC-V 64
- Increase maximum number of parameters to 64

#### Koffi 2.5.11

*Released on 2023-08-03*

- Support casting function pointers with [koffi.as()](pointers#handling-void-pointers)
- Build in C++20 mode

#### Koffi 2.5.10

*Released on 2023-08-01*

- Fix CMake regression when client has to build Koffi

#### Koffi 2.5.9

*Released on 2023-07-28*

**Main changes:**

- Use bundler-friendly static require calls in Koffi
- Add packaging examples to documentation

**Other changes:**

- Add missing unload() export to TS file
- Add export for koffi.types in TS file

#### Koffi 2.5.8

*Released on 2023-07-26*

- Add more search paths for native Koffi modules
- Add section [about bundling](start#bundling-koffi) to documentation

#### Koffi 2.5.7

*Released on 2023-07-19*

- Point package to new repository

#### Koffi 2.5.6

*Released on 2023-07-19*

- Increase limit of output parameters from 16 to 32

#### Koffi 2.5.5

*Released on 2023-07-17*

- Support decoding non-char null-terminated arrays

#### Koffi 2.5.4

*Released on 2023-07-14*

- Fix `koffi.pointer()` not accepting disposable types
- Fix potential issues when making pointers to anonymous types

#### Koffi 2.5.3

*Released on 2023-07-05*

- Add missing union exports in TS definition file
- Fix some parameter names in TS definition file

#### Koffi 2.5.2

*Released on 2023-07-04*

- Default initialize unset object/struct members

#### Koffi 2.5.1

*Released on 2023-06-20*

- Fix crash with some struct types in System V 64 ABI
- Always use direct passthrough for buffer arguments

#### Koffi 2.5.0

*Released on 2023-06-20*

**New features:**

- Support [union types](unions)

**Other fixes:**

- Fix ABI for single-float aggregate return on i386 BSD systems
- Don't mess with Node.js signal handling on POSIX systems

### Koffi 2.4

#### Koffi 2.4.2

*Released on 2023-06-04*

- Support calling variadic function pointers
- Add documentation for function pointers

#### Koffi 2.4.1

*Released on 2023-06-03*

**Main changes:**

- Support [decoding function pointers](functions#decode-pointer-to-function) to callable functions
- Support calling function pointers with [koffi.call()](functions#call-pointer-directly)
- Deprecate `koffi.callback` in favor of `koffi.proto`

**Other changes:**

- Increase maximum number of callbacks to 8192
- Build Koffi with static CRT on Windows
- Reorganize Koffi data conversion documentation
- Add deprecated `koffi.handle` to TS file

### Koffi 2.3

#### Koffi 2.3.20

*Released on 2023-05-15*

- Support explicit library unloading with `lib.unload()`

#### Koffi 2.3.19

*Released on 2023-04-21*

- Actually allow non-ambiguous [string] values for `void *` arguments

#### Koffi 2.3.18

*Released on 2023-04-21*

- Fix possible crash on exit caused by unregistered callbacks

#### Koffi 2.3.17

*Released on 2023-04-20*

- Allow strings for input `void *`, `int8_t *` and `int16_t *` pointer arguments
- Support using `[string]` (single-element string arrays) for polymorphic input/output arguments

#### Koffi 2.3.16

*Released on 2023-04-11*

- Fix Windows ARM64 build to work with official Node.js version
- Compile Windows builds with Visual Studio 2022 17.5.3
- Support null in `koffi.free()` and `koffi.address()`

#### Koffi 2.3.15

*Released on 2023-04-10*

- Improve manual decoding of 0-terminated strings
- Add checks around array conversion hints

#### Koffi 2.3.14

*Released on 2023-04-05*

- Add `koffi.errno()` function to get and set current errno value
- Add `koffi.os.errno` object with valid errno codes

#### Koffi 2.3.13

*Released on 2023-03-30*

- Add `koffi.address()` to get the raw value of a wrapper pointer

#### Koffi 2.3.12

*Released on 2023-03-30*

- Fix broken syntax in TS definition file
- Add missing exported properties in TS file

#### Koffi 2.3.11

*Released on 2023-03-30*

**Main changes:**

- Allow numbers and BigInts to be used for pointer arguments

**Other changes:**

- Use SQLITE_TRANSIENT in SQLite test code
- Avoid using `statx()` to allow compilation with glibc < 2.28
- Reorganize NPM package files to be less convoluted

#### Koffi 2.3.9

*Released on 2023-03-10*

- Relicense under MIT license

#### Koffi 2.3.8

*Released on 2023-02-28*

- Disable non-ready union support
- Simplify Windows stack allocation and drop NOACCESS and GUARD pages
- Adjust Windows TEB SEH chain and GuaranteedStackBytes for Koffi calls

#### Koffi 2.3.7

*Released on 2023-02-27*

- Fix missing require in index.js ([@gastonFrecceroNapse](https://github.com/gastonFrecceroNapse))
- Reduce NPM package bloat (from 65 MB to 20 MB) caused by changes in 2.3.6

#### Koffi 2.3.6

*Released on 2023-02-26*

- Fix broken TS definition file
- Keep all prebuilt binaries and load correct one at runtime

#### Koffi 2.3.5

*Released on 2023-02-24*

**Main fixes:**

- Fix rare random crashes with async callbacks
- Fix some bugs with RISC-V 64 ABI

**Other changes:**

- Expose array type hint in `koffi.introspect()`
- Add missing `koffi.array()` export in TS definition
- Make KoffiFunction more flexible in TS definition ([@insraq](https://github.com/insraq))
- Add a KoffiFunc<T> helper type in TS typing ([@insraq](https://github.com/insraq))
- Mark optional properties in TS TypeInfo class
- Minor performance improvements

#### Koffi 2.3.4

*Released on 2023-01-31*

- Fix error when installing Koffi on Windows (2.3.2)

#### Koffi 2.3.2

*Released on 2023-01-30*

**Main changes:**

- Fix type parser issues (such as ignoring some [disposable qualifiers](pointers#disposable-types))
- Fix crash when using disposable types in output parameters
- Add basic [koffi.stats()](misc#usage-statistics) interface

**Other changes:**

- Avoid CNoke dependency
- Clear out development dependencies from package.json

#### Koffi 2.3.1

*Released on 2023-01-30*

- Error out when trying to use ambiguous `void *` arguments (input and/or output)
- Adjust TypeScript definitions ([@insraq](https://github.com/insraq))
- Fix possible crash when parsing invalid prototype

#### Koffi 2.3.0

*Released on 2023-01-25*

**Main changes:**

- Allow buffers (TypedArray or ArrayBuffer) values for input and/or output pointer arguments (for polymorphic arguments)
- Support opaque buffers (TypedArray or ArrayBuffer) values in `koffi.decode()` to [decode output buffers](output#output-buffers)
- Decode non-string types as arrays when an [explicit length is passed to koffi.decode()](callbacks#decoding-pointer-arguments)

**Other changes:**

- Drop TypedArray type check for array and pointer values (only the size matters)
- Allow ArrayBuffer everywhere TypedArray is supported
- Add TypeScript definition for Koffi ([@insraq](https://github.com/insraq))
- Improve documentation about opaque and polymorphic structs
- Improve documentation for `koffi.decode()`
- Reduce NPM package size (from 100 MB to 25 MB) by removing test code and dependencies

### Koffi 2.2

#### Koffi 2.2.5

*Released on 2023-01-23*

- Relicense Koffi under LGPL 3.0

#### Koffi 2.2.4

*Released on 2023-01-19*

- Fix memory leak on Windows (in Koffi 2.2.3) when running many async calls
- Reorganize documentation pages

#### Koffi 2.2.3

*Released on 2023-01-17*

- Support native code that uses [Structured Exception Handling (SEH)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/cpp/structured-exception-handling-c-cpp) on Windows (x86, x64 and ARM64)
- Try to use ebp/rbp as frame pointer in x86/x64 ASM code

#### Koffi 2.2.2

*Released on 2023-01-14*

**Main fixes:**

- Support transparent [asynchronous callbacks](callbacks#asynchronous-callbacks)
- Expand from a maximum of 16+16 to 1024 callbacks running in parallel

**Other fixes:**

- Fix bundler support by removing shebang from index.js
- Fix bugs when loading Koffi multiples times in same process (context aware module)
- Check N-API version when module is loaded
- Optimize callback unregistration

#### Koffi 2.2.1

*Released on 2022-12-21*

- Fix crash when [calling callback again after FFI call inside previous callback](https://github.com/Koromix/rygel/issues/15)

#### Koffi 2.2.0

*Released on 2022-12-20*

**New features:**

- Add [koffi.decode()](callbacks#decoding-pointer-arguments) for callback pointer arguments
- Support transparent [output string parameters](output#string-buffer-example)
- Add `koffi.offsetof()` utility function
- Support optional *this* binding in `koffi.register()`

**Other fixes:**

- Correctly validate output parameter types
- Fix assertion with `void *` parameters

### Koffi 2.1

#### Koffi 2.1.5

*Released on 2022-11-27*

- Add missing README file to NPM package

#### Koffi 2.1.4

*Released on 2022-11-25*

**Main changes:**

- Increase maximum type size from 32 kiB to 64 MiB
- Add configurable option for maximum type size

**Other changes:**

- Moved Koffi to a new repository: https://codeberg.org/Koromix/rygel/

#### Koffi 2.1.3

*Released on 2022-10-31*

- Support up to 16 output parameters (instead of 8)

#### Koffi 2.1.2

*Released on 2022-10-31*

- Support up to 8 output parameters (instead of 4)

#### Koffi 2.1.1

*Released on 2022-08-16*

- Fix potential memory allocation bugs

#### Koffi 2.1.0

*Released on 2022-08-13*

**Main changes:**

- Add [koffi.as()](pointers#handling-void-pointers) to support polymorphic APIs based on `void *` parameters
- Add [endian-sensitive integer types](input#endian-sensitive-integers): `intX_le_t`, `intX_be_t`, `uintX_le_t`, `uintX_be_t`
- Accept typed arrays for `void *` parameters
- Introduce `koffi.opaque()` to replace `koffi.handle()` (which remains supported until Koffi 3.0)
- Support JS Array and TypedArray to fill struct and array pointer members

**Other changes:**

- Improve global performance with inlining and unity builds
- Add `size_t` primitive type
- Support member-specific alignement values in structs
- Detect impossible parameter and return types (such as non-pointer opaque types)
- Various documentation fixes and improvements

### Koffi 2.0

#### Koffi 2.0.1

*Released on 2022-07-30*

- Return `undefined` (instead of null) for `void` functions

#### Koffi 2.0.0

*Released on 2022-07-29*

**Major new features:**

- Add [disposable types](pointers#disposable-types) for automatic disposal of C values (such as heap-allocated strings)
- Add support for [registered callbacks](callbacks#registered-callbacks), that can be called after the initial FFI call
- Support named pointer types
- Support complex type specifications outside of prototype parser

**Minor new features:**

- Support type aliases with `koffi.alias()`
- Add `koffi.resolve()` to resolve type strings
- Expose all primitive type aliases in `koffi.types`
- Correctly pass exceptions thrown in JS callbacks

**Breaking API changes:**

- Change handling of callback types, which must be used through pointers
- Change handling of opaque handles, which must be used through pointers
- Support all types in `koffi.introspect(type)`

Consult the [migration guide](migration) for more information.

## Koffi 1

### Koffi 1.3

#### Koffi 1.3.12

*Released on 2022-07-27*

- Fix support for Yarn package manager

#### Koffi 1.3.11

*Released on 2022-07-26*

- Fix broken parsing of `void *` when used for first parameter

#### Koffi 1.3.10

*Released on 2022-07-25*

**Main fixes:**

- Fix support for callbacks with more than 4 parameters on Windows x64
- Fix support for callbacks with multiple floating-point arguments on ARM32 platforms
- Fix possibly incorrect conversion for uint32_t callback parameters

**Other changes:**

- Various documentation fixes and improvements

#### Koffi 1.3.9

*Released on 2022-07-15*

- Fix prebuild compatibility with Electron on Windows x64

#### Koffi 1.3.8

*Released on 2022-07-12*

**Main changes:**

- Prevent callback reuse beyond FFI call
- Add BTI support for AAarch64 platforms (except Windows)

**Other changes:**

- Fix and harmonize a few error messages

#### Koffi 1.3.7

*Released on 2022-07-07*

**Main fixes:**

- Fix crash when using callbacks inside structs
- Support for null strings in record members

**Other changes:**

- Add intptr_t and uintptr_t primitive types
- Add str/str16 type aliases for string/string16
- Various documentation fixes and improvements

#### Koffi 1.3.6

*Released on 2022-07-01*

**Main fixes:**

- Fix install error with Node < 15 on Windows (build system bug)

**Other changes:**

- Detect incompatible Node.js versions when installing Koffi
- Prebuild with Clang for Windows x64 and Linux x64 binaries
- Various documentation improvements

#### Koffi 1.3.5

*Released on 2022-06-25*

**Main changes:**

- Fix memory leak when many async calls are running
- Add configurable limit for maximum number of async calls (max_async_calls)

**Other changes:**

- Reduce default async memory stack and heap size
- Various documentation improvements

#### Koffi 1.3.4

*Released on 2022-06-24*

- Fix possible OpenBSD i386 crash with `(void)` functions

#### Koffi 1.3.3

*Released on 2022-06-24*

**Main fixes:**

- Fix misconversion of signed integer return value as unsigned

**Other changes:**

- Support `(void)` (empty) function signatures
- Disable unsafe compiler optimizations
- Various documentation improvements

#### Koffi 1.3.2

*Released on 2022-06-23*

- Support compilation in C++14 mode (graceful degradation)
- Support older toolchains on Linux (tested on Debian 9)

#### Koffi 1.3.1

*Released on 2022-06-22*

- The prebuilt binary is tested when Koffi is installed, and a rebuild happens if it fails to load

#### Koffi 1.3.0

*Released on 2022-06-22*

**Major changes:**

- Expand and move documentation to https://koffi.dev/
- Support JS arrays and TypedArrays for pointer arguments (input, output and mixed)

**Other changes:**

- Convert NULL string pointers to null instead of crashing (return values, struct and array members, callbacks)
- Default to 'string' array hint for char, char16 and char16_t arrays
- Fix definition of long types on Windows x64 (LLP64 model)
- Restrict automatic string conversion to signed char types
- Detect floating-point ABI before using prebuilt binaries (ARM32, RISC-V)
- Forbid duplicate member names in struct types

### Koffi 1.2

#### Koffi 1.2.4

*Released on 2022-06-12*

- Windows ARM64 is now supported

#### Koffi 1.2.3

*Released on 2022-06-11*

- A prebuilt binary for macOS ARM64 (M1) is now included

#### Koffi 1.2.1

*Released on 2022-06-11*

This entry documents changes since version 1.1.0.

**New features:**

- JS functions can be used as C callbacks (cdecl, stdcall) on all platforms
- RISC-V 64 LP64D ABI is supported (LP64 is untested)
- Expose settings for memory usage of synchronous and asynchronous calls
- Transparent conversion between C buffers and strings
- Tentative support for Windows ARM64 (untested)

**Main fixes:**

- Fix excessive stack alignment of structs on x86 platforms
- Fix potential problems with big int64_t/uint64_t values
- Fix possible struct layout errors in push/pop code
- Fix alignment issues in ARM32 push code
- Fix incomplete/buggy support for HFA structs on ARM32 and ARM64
- Fix crashes on OpenBSD caused by missing MAP_STACK flag
- Fix non-sense "duplicate array type" errors
- Fix value `koffi.internal` to false in module (normal) builds
- Make sure we have a redzone below the stack for all architectures
- Use slower allocation for big objects instead of failing

# Todo list

The following features and improvements are planned, not necessarily in that order:

- Port Koffi to Loong64 ISA and ABI
- Port Koffi to PowerPC (POWER9+) ISA and ABI
- Optimize passing of structs and arrays (with auto-generated JS)
- Automate Windows/AArch64 (qemu) and macOS/AArch64 (how? ... thanks Apple) tests
- Create a real-world example, using several libraries (Raylib, SQLite, libsodium) to illustrate various C API styles
- Add simple struct type parser
- Fix assembly unwind and CFI directives for better debugging experience