## GdaDict GdaDict — GDA dictionary |

## Synopsis

                        GdaDict;
    GdaDict*            gda_dict_new                        (void);
    void                gda_dict_extend_with_functions      (GdaDict *dict);
    void                gda_dict_set_connection             (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GdaConnection *cnc);
    GdaConnection*      gda_dict_get_connection             (GdaDict *dict);
    GdaDictDatabase*    gda_dict_get_database               (GdaDict *dict);
    void                gda_dict_declare_object_string_id_change
                                                            (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GdaObject *obj,
                                                             const gchar *oldid);
    GdaObject*          gda_dict_get_object_by_string_id    (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             const gchar *strid);
    gboolean            gda_dict_update_dbms_meta_data      (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GType limit_to_type,
                                                             const gchar *limit_obj_name,
                                                             GError **error);
    void                gda_dict_stop_update_dbms_meta_data (GdaDict *dict);
    gchar*              gda_dict_compute_xml_filename       (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             const gchar *datasource,
                                                             const gchar *app_id,
                                                             GError **error);
    void                gda_dict_set_xml_filename           (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             const gchar *xmlfile);
    const gchar*        gda_dict_get_xml_filename           (GdaDict *dict);
    gboolean            gda_dict_load                       (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GError **error);
    gboolean            gda_dict_save                       (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GError **error);
    gboolean            gda_dict_load_xml_file              (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             const gchar *xmlfile,
                                                             GError **error);
    gboolean            gda_dict_save_xml_file              (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             const gchar *xmlfile,
                                                             GError **error);
    GdaDataHandler*     gda_dict_get_handler                (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GType for_type);
    GdaDataHandler*     gda_dict_get_default_handler        (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GType for_type);
    #define             gda_dict_get_queries                (dict)
    #define             gda_dict_get_query_by_xml_id        (dict,xml_id)
    #define             gda_dict_get_dict_types             (dict)
    #define             gda_dict_get_dict_type_by_name      (dict,type_name)
    #define             gda_dict_get_dict_type_by_xml_id    (dict,xml_id)
    #define             gda_dict_get_functions              (dict)
    #define             gda_dict_get_functions_by_name      (dict,funcname)
    #define             gda_dict_get_function_by_name_arg   (dict,funcname,argtypes)
    #define             gda_dict_get_function_by_xml_id     (dict,xml_id)
    #define             gda_dict_get_function_by_dbms_id    (dict,dbms_id)
    #define             gda_dict_get_aggregates             (dict)
    #define             gda_dict_get_aggregates_by_name     (dict,aggname)
    #define             gda_dict_get_aggregate_by_name_arg  (dict,argname,argtype)
    #define             gda_dict_get_aggregate_by_xml_id    (dict,xml_id)
    #define             gda_dict_get_aggregate_by_dbms_id   (dict,dbmsid)
    void                gda_dict_declare_object             (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GdaObject *object);
    void                gda_dict_declare_object_as          (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GdaObject *object,
                                                             GType as_type);
    void                gda_dict_assume_object              (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GdaObject *object);
    void                gda_dict_assume_object_as           (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GdaObject *object,
                                                             GType as_type);
    void                gda_dict_unassume_object            (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GdaObject *object);
    gboolean            gda_dict_object_is_assumed          (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GdaObject *object);
    GSList*             gda_dict_get_objects                (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GType type);
    GdaObject*          gda_dict_get_object_by_name         (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GType type,
                                                             const gchar *name);
    GdaObject*          gda_dict_get_object_by_xml_id       (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GType type,
                                                             const gchar *xml_id);

## Object Hierarchy

      GObject
       +----GdaDict

## Properties

      "dsn"                      gchar*                : Read / Write
      "username"                 gchar*                : Read / Write

## Signals

      "changed"                                        : Run First
      "data-update-finished"                           : Run First
      "data-update-started"                            : Run First
      "object-act-changed"                             : Run First
      "object-added"                                   : Run First
      "object-removed"                                 : Run First
      "object-updated"                                 : Run First
      "update-progress"                                : Run First

## Description

This object is a "proxy repository" for all the objects:

- existing within a database such as data types (see the GdaDictType object), functions (see the GdaDictFunction object), aggregates (see the GdaDictAggregate object), and the database structure (through the GdaDictDatabase and associated object)

- pre-defined queries as GdaQuery objects

- graphs as GdaGraph objects

Each GdaDict object can be saved to an XML file and loaded back in an efficient way; any GdaDict object can be assigned a GdaConnection object which tells it how to use a real connection to a data source.

The GdaDict object is responsible for the life management of all the objects it handles; see the GdaObject object for more information.

## Details

### GdaDict

    typedef struct _GdaDict GdaDict;

### gda_dict_new ()

    GdaDict*            gda_dict_new                        (void);

Create a new GdaDict object.

Returns : | the newly created object.

### gda_dict_extend_with_functions ()

    void                gda_dict_extend_with_functions      (GdaDict *dict);

Make `dict` handle functions and aggregates

`dict` : | a GdaDict object

### gda_dict_set_connection ()

    void                gda_dict_set_connection             (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GdaConnection *cnc);

Sets the associated connection to `dict`. This connection is then used when the dictionary synchronises itself, and when manipulating data (the `gda_dict_get_handler()` method). Sets the associated connection to dict. This connection is then used when the dictionary is synchronised (using the `gda_dict_update_dbms_meta_data()` method), when manipulating data (using the `gda_dict_get_handler()` method) and when executing GdaQuery queries (using the `gda_query_execute()` method)

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`cnc` : | a GdaConnection object

### gda_dict_get_connection ()

    GdaConnection*      gda_dict_get_connection             (GdaDict *dict);

Fetch a pointer to the GdaConnection used by the GdaDict object.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
Returns : | a pointer to the GdaConnection, if one has been assigned to `dict`

### gda_dict_get_database ()

    GdaDictDatabase*    gda_dict_get_database               (GdaDict *dict);

Fetch a pointer to the GdaDictDatabase used by the GdaDict object.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
Returns : | a pointer to the GdaDictDatabase

### gda_dict_declare_object_string_id_change ()

    void                gda_dict_declare_object_string_id_change
                                                            (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GdaObject *obj,
                                                             const gchar *oldid);

Internal function, not to be used directly.

`dict` : |
`obj` : |
`oldid` : |

### gda_dict_get_object_by_string_id ()

    GdaObject*          gda_dict_get_object_by_string_id    (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             const gchar *strid);

Fetch a pointer to the GdaObject which has the `strid` string ID.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`strid` : | a string
Returns : | the corresponding GdaObject, or `NULL` if none found

### gda_dict_update_dbms_meta_data ()

    gboolean            gda_dict_update_dbms_meta_data      (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GType limit_to_type,
                                                             const gchar *limit_obj_name,
                                                             GError **error);

Updates the list of data types, functions, tables, etc from the database, which means that the `dict` object uses an opened connection to the DBMS. Use `gda_dict_set_connection()` to set a GdaConnection to `dict`.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`limit_to_type` : | limit the DBMS update to this type, or 0 for no limit
`limit_obj_name` : | limit the DBMS update to objects of this name, or `NULL` for no limit
`error` : | location to store error, or `NULL`
Returns : | TRUE if no error

### gda_dict_stop_update_dbms_meta_data ()

    void                gda_dict_stop_update_dbms_meta_data (GdaDict *dict);

When the dictionary updates its internal lists of DBMS objects, a call to this function will stop that update process. It has no effect when the dictionary is not updating its DBMS data.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object

### gda_dict_compute_xml_filename ()

    gchar*              gda_dict_compute_xml_filename       (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             const gchar *datasource,
                                                             const gchar *app_id,
                                                             GError **error);

Get the prefered filename which represents the data dictionary associated to the `datasource` data source. Using the returned value in conjunction with `gda_dict_load_xml_file()` and `gda_dict_save_xml_file()` has the advantage of letting the library handle file naming onventions.

if `datasource` is `NULL`, and a GdaConnection object has been assigned to `dict`, then the returned string will take into account the data source used by that connection.

The `app_id` argument allows to give an extra identification to the request, when some special features must be saved but not interfere with the default dictionary.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`datasource` : | a data source, or `NULL`
`app_id` : | an extra identification, or `NULL`
`error` : | location to store error, or `NULL`
Returns : | a new string

### gda_dict_set_xml_filename ()

    void                gda_dict_set_xml_filename           (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             const gchar *xmlfile);

Sets the filename `dict` will use when `gda_dict_save_xml()` and `gda_dict_load_xml()` are called.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`xmlfile` : | a file name

### gda_dict_get_xml_filename ()

    const gchar*        gda_dict_get_xml_filename           (GdaDict *dict);

Get the filename `dict` will use when `gda_dict_save_xml()` and `gda_dict_load_xml()` are called.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
Returns : | the filename, or `NULL` if none have been set.

### gda_dict_load ()

    gboolean            gda_dict_load                       (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GError **error);

Loads an XML file which respects the Libgda DTD, and creates all the necessary objects that are defined within the XML file. During the creation of the other objects, all the normal signals are emitted.

If the GdaDict object already has some contents, then it is first of all destroyed (to return its state as when it was first created).

If an error occurs during loading then the GdaDict object is left as empty as when it is first created.

The file loaded is the one specified using `gda_dict_set_xml_filename()`

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`error` : | location to store error, or `NULL`
Returns : | TRUE if loading was successfull and FALSE otherwise.

### gda_dict_save ()

    gboolean            gda_dict_save                       (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GError **error);

Saves the contents of a GdaDict object to a file which is specified using the `gda_dict_set_xml_filename()` method.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`error` : | location to store error, or `NULL`
Returns : | TRUE if saving was successfull and FALSE otherwise.

### gda_dict_load_xml_file ()

    gboolean            gda_dict_load_xml_file              (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             const gchar *xmlfile,
                                                             GError **error);

Loads an XML file which respects the Libgda DTD, and creates all the necessary objects that are defined within the XML file. During the creation of the other objects, all the normal signals are emitted.

If the GdaDict object already has some contents, then it is first of all destroyed (to return its state as when it was first created).

If an error occurs during loading then the GdaDict object is left as empty as when it is first created.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`xmlfile` : | the name of the file to which the XML will be written to
`error` : | location to store error, or `NULL`
Returns : | TRUE if loading was successfull and FALSE otherwise.

### gda_dict_save_xml_file ()

    gboolean            gda_dict_save_xml_file              (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             const gchar *xmlfile,
                                                             GError **error);

Saves the contents of a GdaDict object to a file which is given as argument.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`xmlfile` : | the name of the file to which the XML will be written to
`error` : | location to store error, or `NULL`
Returns : | TRUE if saving was successfull and FALSE otherwise.

### gda_dict_get_handler ()

    GdaDataHandler*     gda_dict_get_handler                (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GType for_type);

Obtain a pointer to a GdaDataHandler which can convert GValue values of type `for_type`.

Unlike the `gda_dict_get_default_handler()` method, this method asks the provider (for the connection assigned to `dict` using `gda_dict_set_connection()`) if there is any.

It fallbacks to the same data handler as `gda_dict_get_default_handler()` if no connection has been assigned, or if the assigned'd provider offers no data handler for that type.

The returned pointer is `NULL` if there is no data handler available for the `for_type` type.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`for_type` : | a GType type
Returns : | a GdaDataHandler

### gda_dict_get_default_handler ()

    GdaDataHandler*     gda_dict_get_default_handler        (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GType for_type);

Obtain a pointer to a GdaDataHandler which can manage GValue values of type `for_type`

The returned pointer is `NULL` if there is no default data handler available for the `for_type` data type

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`for_type` : | a GType type
Returns : | a GdaDataHandler

### gda_dict_get_queries()

    #define             gda_dict_get_queries(dict)

`dict` : |
Returns : |

### gda_dict_get_query_by_xml_id()

    #define             gda_dict_get_query_by_xml_id(dict,xml_id)

`dict` : |
`xml_id` : |
Returns : |

### gda_dict_get_dict_types()

    #define             gda_dict_get_dict_types(dict)

`dict` : |
Returns : |

### gda_dict_get_dict_type_by_name()

    #define             gda_dict_get_dict_type_by_name(dict,type_name)

`dict` : |
`type_name` : |
Returns : |

### gda_dict_get_dict_type_by_xml_id()

    #define             gda_dict_get_dict_type_by_xml_id(dict,xml_id)

`dict` : |
`xml_id` : |
Returns : |

### gda_dict_get_functions()

    #define             gda_dict_get_functions(dict)

`dict` : |
Returns : |

### gda_dict_get_functions_by_name()

    #define             gda_dict_get_functions_by_name(dict,funcname)

`dict` : |
`funcname` : |
Returns : |

### gda_dict_get_function_by_name_arg()

    #define             gda_dict_get_function_by_name_arg(dict,funcname,argtypes)

`dict` : |
`funcname` : |
`argtypes` : |
Returns : |

### gda_dict_get_function_by_xml_id()

    #define             gda_dict_get_function_by_xml_id(dict,xml_id)

`dict` : |
`xml_id` : |
Returns : |

### gda_dict_get_function_by_dbms_id()

    #define             gda_dict_get_function_by_dbms_id(dict,dbms_id)

To find a DBMS functions which is uniquely identified by its name and the type of its argument.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`dbms_id` : |
Returns : | The function or NULL if not found

### gda_dict_get_aggregates()

    #define             gda_dict_get_aggregates(dict)

`dict` : |
Returns : |

### gda_dict_get_aggregates_by_name()

    #define             gda_dict_get_aggregates_by_name(dict,aggname)

`dict` : |
`aggname` : |
Returns : |

### gda_dict_get_aggregate_by_name_arg()

    #define             gda_dict_get_aggregate_by_name_arg(dict,argname,argtype)

`dict` : |
`argname` : |
`argtype` : |
Returns : |

### gda_dict_get_aggregate_by_xml_id()

    #define             gda_dict_get_aggregate_by_xml_id(dict,xml_id)

`dict` : |
`xml_id` : |
Returns : |

### gda_dict_get_aggregate_by_dbms_id()

    #define             gda_dict_get_aggregate_by_dbms_id(dict,dbmsid)

`dict` : |
`dbmsid` : |
Returns : |

### gda_dict_declare_object ()

    void                gda_dict_declare_object             (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GdaObject *object);

Declares the existence of a new object to `dict`: `dict` knows about `object` but does not hold any reference to it. If `dict` must hold such a reference, then use `gda_dict_assume_object()`.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`object` : | a GdaObject object

### gda_dict_declare_object_as ()

    void                gda_dict_declare_object_as          (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GdaObject *object,
                                                             GType as_type);

Same as `gda_dict_declare_object()` but forces to use the `as_type` type instead of `object`'s realtype

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`object` : | a GdaObject object
`as_type` : | type parent type of `object` to take into account

### gda_dict_assume_object ()

    void                gda_dict_assume_object              (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GdaObject *object);

Declares the existence of a new object to `dict`, and force `dict` to hold a reference to `object` so it is not destroyed.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`object` : | a GdaObject object

### gda_dict_assume_object_as ()

    void                gda_dict_assume_object_as           (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GdaObject *object,
                                                             GType as_type);

Same as `gda_dict_assume_object()` but forces to use the `as_type` type instead of `object`'s realtype

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`object` : | a GdaObject object
`as_type` : | parent type of `object` to take into account

### gda_dict_unassume_object ()

    void                gda_dict_unassume_object            (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GdaObject *object);

Makes `dict` release its reference on `object`.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`object` : | a GdaObject object

### gda_dict_object_is_assumed ()

    gboolean            gda_dict_object_is_assumed          (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GdaObject *object);

Tests if `object` is assumed by `dict`

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`object` : | a GdaObject object
Returns : | TRUE if `object` is assumed by `dict`

### gda_dict_get_objects ()

    GSList*             gda_dict_get_objects                (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GType type);

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`type` : | a Gtype type of object
Returns : | a new list of all the objects of type `type` managed by `dict`.

### gda_dict_get_object_by_name ()

    GdaObject*          gda_dict_get_object_by_name         (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GType type,
                                                             const gchar *name);

Tries to find an object from its name, among the objects managed by `dict` of type `type`.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`type` : | a Gtype type of object
`name` : | the requested name
Returns : | a pointer to the requested object, or `NULL` if the object was not found

### gda_dict_get_object_by_xml_id ()

    GdaObject*          gda_dict_get_object_by_xml_id       (GdaDict *dict,
                                                             GType type,
                                                             const gchar *xml_id);

For the objects which implement the GdaXmlStorage interface, this function allows to find an object from its XML Id. The object is looked from the managed objects of type `type`, and also from the list of all declared objects.

`dict` : | a GdaDict object
`type` : | a Gtype type of object
`xml_id` : |
Returns : | a pointer to the requested object, or `NULL` if the object was not found

## Property Details

### The `"dsn"` property

      "dsn"                      gchar*                : Read / Write

Default value: NULL

### The `"username"` property

      "username"                 gchar*                : Read / Write

Default value: NULL

## Signal Details

### The `"changed"` signal

    void                user_function                      (GdaDict *gdadict,
                                                            gpointer user_data)      : Run First

`dbdict` : | the object which received the signal.
`user_data` : | user data set when the signal handler was connected.

### The `"data-update-finished"` signal

    void                user_function                      (GdaDict *gdadict,
                                                            gpointer user_data)      : Run First

`gdadict` : | the object which received the signal.
`user_data` : | user data set when the signal handler was connected.

### The `"data-update-started"` signal

    void                user_function                      (GdaDict *gdadict,
                                                            gpointer user_data)      : Run First

`gdadict` : | the object which received the signal.
`user_data` : | user data set when the signal handler was connected.

### The `"object-act-changed"` signal

    void                user_function                      (GdaDict   *gdadict,
                                                            GdaObject *arg1,
                                                            gpointer   user_data)      : Run First

`gdadict` : | the object which received the signal.
`arg1` : |
`user_data` : | user data set when the signal handler was connected.

### The `"object-added"` signal

    void                user_function                      (GdaDict   *gdadict,
                                                            GdaObject *arg1,
                                                            gpointer   user_data)      : Run First

`gdadict` : | the object which received the signal.
`arg1` : |
`user_data` : | user data set when the signal handler was connected.

### The `"object-removed"` signal

    void                user_function                      (GdaDict   *gdadict,
                                                            GdaObject *arg1,
                                                            gpointer   user_data)      : Run First

`gdadict` : | the object which received the signal.
`arg1` : |
`user_data` : | user data set when the signal handler was connected.

### The `"object-updated"` signal

    void                user_function                      (GdaDict   *gdadict,
                                                            GdaObject *arg1,
                                                            gpointer   user_data)      : Run First

`gdadict` : | the object which received the signal.
`arg1` : |
`user_data` : | user data set when the signal handler was connected.

### The `"update-progress"` signal

    void                user_function                      (GdaDict *gdadict,
                                                            gchar   *arg1,
                                                            guint    arg2,
                                                            guint    arg3,
                                                            gpointer user_data)      : Run First

`gdadict` : | the object which received the signal.
`arg1` : |
`arg2` : |
`arg3` : |
`user_data` : | user data set when the signal handler was connected.