erl_driver

erl_driver

C library

erl_driver

Library summary

API functions for an Erlang driver.

Description

An Erlang driver is a library containing a set of native driver callback functions that the Erlang Virtual Machine calls when certain events occur. There can be multiple instances of a driver, each instance is associated with an Erlang port.

Warning

Use this functionality with extreme care.

A driver callback is executed as a direct extension of the native code of the VM. Execution is not made in a safe environment. The VM cannot provide the same services as provided when executing Erlang code, such as pre-emptive scheduling or memory protection. If the driver callback function does not behave well, the whole VM will misbehave.