How do I call a C function from a Perl program?

Question

test.c:

int sum(int a, int b)
{
    return (a+b);
}

test.pl:

# how do I call sum here?

AFAIK, you need to use XS for this: http://perldoc.perl.org/perlxstut.html — Quentin, Feb 28 '13 at 13:38

score 17 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 28 '13 at 13:39

17

use Inline C => <<'__END_OF_C__';

    int sum(int a, int b)
    {
        return (a+b);
    }

__END_OF_C__

say sum($x,$y);

answered Feb 28 '13 at 13:39

ikegami

I assume if I want my Perl code to use some C API (from a compiled object) the only way is XS? – snoofkin Feb 28 '13 at 18:34
1

@soulSurfer2010 - On Windows, `Win32::API` has a mechanism to call functions in a DLL. – mob Feb 28 '13 at 18:47
3

You could use Inline. It allows you to specify objects to link to. Add `LIBS => '-lmyclib'` to the `use` line. – ikegami Feb 28 '13 at 19:02
Does `Inline C` allow you to use macros? – Alexej Magura Apr 06 '17 at 19:15
@Alexej Magura, Yes. In fact, the Perl API make heavy use of them. – ikegami Apr 06 '17 at 19:38
There's now [FFI::Platypus](https://metacpan.org/pod/FFI::Platypus) as well, which is like a portable Win32::API. – ikegami Dec 30 '20 at 20:11

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Feb 28 '13 at 13:37

0

You'll need XS. It's quite involved, so it's best to look at the official manual and tutorial pages for it:

answered Feb 28 '13 at 13:37

Faiz

2 Answers2