## GstObject GstObject — Base class for the GStreamer object hierarchy |

## Synopsis

    #include <gst/gst.h>

    struct              GstObject;
    struct              GstObjectClass;
    enum                GstObjectFlags;
    #define             GST_OBJECT_FLAGS                    (obj)
    #define             GST_OBJECT_FLAG_IS_SET              (obj,
                                                             flag)
    #define             GST_OBJECT_FLAG_SET                 (obj,
                                                             flag)
    #define             GST_OBJECT_FLAG_UNSET               (obj,
                                                             flag)
    #define             GST_OBJECT_NAME                     (obj)
    #define             GST_OBJECT_PARENT                   (obj)
    #define             GST_OBJECT_REFCOUNT                 (obj)
    #define             GST_OBJECT_REFCOUNT_VALUE           (obj)
    #define             GST_OBJECT_LOCK                     (obj)
    #define             GST_OBJECT_TRYLOCK                  (obj)
    #define             GST_OBJECT_UNLOCK                   (obj)
    #define             GST_OBJECT_GET_LOCK                 (obj)
    gboolean            gst_object_set_name                 (GstObject *object,
                                                             const gchar *name);
    gchar *             gst_object_get_name                 (GstObject *object);
    gboolean            gst_object_set_parent               (GstObject *object,
                                                             GstObject *parent);
    GstObject *         gst_object_get_parent               (GstObject *object);
    void                gst_object_unparent                 (GstObject *object);
    void                gst_object_default_deep_notify      (GObject *object,
                                                             GstObject *orig,
                                                             GParamSpec *pspec,
                                                             gchar **excluded_props);
    void                gst_object_default_error            (GstObject *source,
                                                             const GError *error,
                                                             const gchar *debug);
    gboolean            gst_object_check_uniqueness         (GList *list,
                                                             const gchar *name);
    gboolean            gst_object_has_ancestor             (GstObject *object,
                                                             GstObject *ancestor);
    gpointer            gst_object_ref                      (gpointer object);
    void                gst_object_unref                    (gpointer object);
    gpointer            gst_object_ref_sink                 (gpointer object);
    gboolean            gst_object_replace                  (GstObject **oldobj,
                                                             GstObject *newobj);
    gchar *             gst_object_get_path_string          (GstObject *object);
    GstClockTime        gst_object_suggest_next_sync        (GstObject *object);
    gboolean            gst_object_sync_values              (GstObject *object,
                                                             GstClockTime timestamp);
    gboolean            gst_object_has_active_control_bindings
                                                            (GstObject *object);
    void                gst_object_set_control_bindings_disabled
                                                            (GstObject *object,
                                                             gboolean disabled);
    void                gst_object_set_control_binding_disabled
                                                            (GstObject *object,
                                                             const gchar *property_name,
                                                             gboolean disabled);
    gboolean            gst_object_add_control_binding      (GstObject *object,
                                                             GstControlBinding *binding);
    GstControlBinding * gst_object_get_control_binding      (GstObject *object,
                                                             const gchar *property_name);
    gboolean            gst_object_remove_control_binding   (GstObject *object,
                                                             GstControlBinding *binding);
    GValue *            gst_object_get_value                (GstObject *object,
                                                             const gchar *property_name,
                                                             GstClockTime timestamp);
    gboolean            gst_object_get_value_array          (GstObject *object,
                                                             const gchar *property_name,
                                                             GstClockTime timestamp,
                                                             GstClockTime interval,
                                                             guint n_values,
                                                             gpointer values);
    gboolean            gst_object_get_g_value_array        (GstObject *object,
                                                             const gchar *property_name,
                                                             GstClockTime timestamp,
                                                             GstClockTime interval,
                                                             guint n_values,
                                                             GValue *values);
    GstClockTime        gst_object_get_control_rate         (GstObject *object);
    void                gst_object_set_control_rate         (GstObject *object,
                                                             GstClockTime control_rate);

## Object Hierarchy

      GObject
       +----GInitiallyUnowned
             +----GstObject
                   +----GstAllocator
                   +----GstPad
                   +----GstPadTemplate
                   +----GstPluginFeature
                   +----GstElement
                   +----GstBus
                   +----GstTask
                   +----GstTaskPool
                   +----GstClock
                   +----GstControlBinding
                   +----GstControlSource
                   +----GstPlugin
                   +----GstRegistry

## Properties

      "name"                     gchar*                : Read / Write / Construct
      "parent"                   GstObject*            : Read / Write

## Signals

      "deep-notify"                                    : No Hooks

## Description

GstObject provides a root for the object hierarchy tree filed in by the GStreamer library. It is currently a thin wrapper on top of GInitiallyUnowned. It is an abstract class that is not very usable on its own.

GstObject gives us basic refcounting, parenting functionality and locking. Most of the function are just extended for special GStreamer needs and can be found under the same name in the base class of GstObject which is GObject (e.g. `g_object_ref()` becomes `gst_object_ref()`).

Since GstObject dereives from GInitiallyUnowned, it also inherits the floating reference. Be aware that functions such as `gst_bin_add()` and `gst_element_add_pad()` take ownership of the floating reference.

In contrast to GObject instances, GstObject adds a name property. The functions `gst_object_set_name()` and `gst_object_get_name()` are used to set/get the name of the object.

### controlled properties

Controlled properties offers a lightweight way to adjust gobject properties over stream-time. It works by using time-stamped value pairs that are queued for element-properties. At run-time the elements continuously pull values changes for the current stream-time.

What needs to be changed in a GstElement? Very little - it is just two steps to make a plugin controllable!

1. mark gobject-properties paramspecs that make sense to be controlled, by GST_PARAM_CONTROLLABLE.

2. when processing data (get, chain, loop function) at the beginning call gst_object_sync_values(element,timestamp). This will made the controller to update all gobject properties that are under control with the current values based on timestamp.

What needs to be done in applications? Again it's not a lot to change.

1. create a GstControlSource. csource = `gst_interpolation_control_source_new()`; g_object_set (csource, "mode", GST_INTERPOLATION_MODE_LINEAR, NULL);

2. Attach the GstControlSource on the controller to a property. gst_object_add_control_binding (object, gst_direct_control_binding_new (object, "prop1", csource));

3. Set the control values gst_timed_value_control_source_set ((GstTimedValueControlSource *)csource,0 * GST_SECOND, value1); gst_timed_value_control_source_set ((GstTimedValueControlSource *)csource,1 * GST_SECOND, value2);

4. start your pipeline

Last reviewed on 2012-03-29 (0.11.3)

## Details

### struct GstObject

    struct GstObject {
      GMutex         lock;        /* object LOCK */
      gchar         *name;        /* object name */
      GstObject     *parent;      /* this object's parent, weak ref */
      guint32        flags;
    };

GStreamer base object class.

GMutex `lock`; | object LOCK
gchar *`name`; | The name of the object
GstObject *`parent`; | this object's parent, weak ref
guint32 `flags`; | flags for this object

### struct GstObjectClass

    struct GstObjectClass {
      GInitiallyUnownedClass parent_class;

      const gchar *path_string_separator;

      /* signals */
      void          (*deep_notify)      (GstObject * object, GstObject * orig, GParamSpec * pspec);

      /* virtual methods for subclasses */
    };

GStreamer base object class.

GInitiallyUnownedClass `parent_class`; | parent
const gchar *`path_string_separator`; | separator used by `gst_object_get_path_string()`
`deep_notify` () | default signal handler

### enum GstObjectFlags

    typedef enum {
      /* padding */
      GST_OBJECT_FLAG_LAST = (1<<4)
    } GstObjectFlags;

The standard flags that an gstobject may have.

`GST_OBJECT_FLAG_LAST` | subclasses can add additional flags starting from this flag

### GST_OBJECT_FLAGS()

    #define GST_OBJECT_FLAGS(obj)                  (GST_OBJECT_CAST (obj)->flags)

This macro returns the entire set of flags for the object.

`obj` : | a GstObject

### GST_OBJECT_FLAG_IS_SET()

    #define GST_OBJECT_FLAG_IS_SET(obj,flag)       ((GST_OBJECT_FLAGS (obj) & (flag)) == (flag))

This macro checks to see if the given flag is set.

`obj` : | a GstObject
`flag` : | Flag to check for

### GST_OBJECT_FLAG_SET()

    #define GST_OBJECT_FLAG_SET(obj,flag)          (GST_OBJECT_FLAGS (obj) |= (flag))

This macro sets the given bits.

`obj` : | a GstObject
`flag` : | Flag to set

### GST_OBJECT_FLAG_UNSET()

    #define GST_OBJECT_FLAG_UNSET(obj,flag)        (GST_OBJECT_FLAGS (obj) &= ~(flag))

This macro usets the given bits.

`obj` : | a GstObject
`flag` : | Flag to set

### GST_OBJECT_NAME()

    #define GST_OBJECT_NAME(obj)            (GST_OBJECT_CAST(obj)->name)

Get the name of this object

`obj` : | a GstObject

### GST_OBJECT_PARENT()

    #define GST_OBJECT_PARENT(obj)          (GST_OBJECT_CAST(obj)->parent)

Get the parent of this object

`obj` : | a GstObject

### GST_OBJECT_REFCOUNT()

    #define GST_OBJECT_REFCOUNT(obj)                (((GObject*)(obj))->ref_count)

Get access to the reference count field of the object.

`obj` : | a GstObject

### GST_OBJECT_REFCOUNT_VALUE()

    #define GST_OBJECT_REFCOUNT_VALUE(obj)          g_atomic_int_get ((gint *) &GST_OBJECT_REFCOUNT(obj))

Get the reference count value of the object.

`obj` : | a GstObject

### GST_OBJECT_LOCK()

    #define GST_OBJECT_LOCK(obj)                   g_mutex_lock(GST_OBJECT_GET_LOCK(obj))

This macro will obtain a lock on the object, making serialization possible. It blocks until the lock can be obtained.

`obj` : | a GstObject to lock

### GST_OBJECT_TRYLOCK()

    #define GST_OBJECT_TRYLOCK(obj)                g_mutex_trylock(GST_OBJECT_GET_LOCK(obj))

This macro will try to obtain a lock on the object, but will return with FALSE if it can't get it immediately.

`obj` : | a GstObject.

### GST_OBJECT_UNLOCK()

    #define GST_OBJECT_UNLOCK(obj)                 g_mutex_unlock(GST_OBJECT_GET_LOCK(obj))

This macro releases a lock on the object.

`obj` : | a GstObject to unlock.

### GST_OBJECT_GET_LOCK()

    #define GST_OBJECT_GET_LOCK(obj)               (&GST_OBJECT_CAST(obj)->lock)

Acquire a reference to the mutex of this object.

`obj` : | a GstObject

### gst_object_set_name ()

    gboolean            gst_object_set_name                 (GstObject *object,
                                                             const gchar *name);

Sets the name of `object`, or gives `object` a guaranteed unique name (if `name` is NULL). This function makes a copy of the provided name, so the caller retains ownership of the name it sent.

`object` : | a GstObject
`name` : | new name of object
Returns : | TRUE if the name could be set. Since Objects that have a parent cannot be renamed, this function returns FALSE in those cases. MT safe. This function grabs and releases `object`'s LOCK.

### gst_object_get_name ()

    gchar *             gst_object_get_name                 (GstObject *object);

Returns a copy of the name of `object`. Caller should `g_free()` the return value after usage. For a nameless object, this returns NULL, which you can safely `g_free()` as well.

Free-function: g_free

`object` : | a GstObject
Returns : | the name of `object`. `g_free()` after usage. MT safe. This function grabs and releases `object`'s LOCK. [transfer full]

### gst_object_set_parent ()

    gboolean            gst_object_set_parent               (GstObject *object,
                                                             GstObject *parent);

Sets the parent of `object` to `parent`. The object's reference count will be incremented, and any floating reference will be removed (see `gst_object_ref_sink()`).

`object` : | a GstObject
`parent` : | new parent of object
Returns : | TRUE if `parent` could be set or FALSE when `object` already had a parent or `object` and `parent` are the same. MT safe. Grabs and releases `object`'s LOCK.

### gst_object_get_parent ()

    GstObject *         gst_object_get_parent               (GstObject *object);

Returns the parent of `object`. This function increases the refcount of the parent object so you should `gst_object_unref()` it after usage.

`object` : | a GstObject
Returns : | parent of `object`, this can be NULL if `object` has no parent. unref after usage. MT safe. Grabs and releases `object`'s LOCK. [transfer full]

### gst_object_unparent ()

    void                gst_object_unparent                 (GstObject *object);

Clear the parent of `object`, removing the associated reference. This function decreases the refcount of `object`.

MT safe. Grabs and releases `object`'s lock.

`object` : | a GstObject to unparent

### gst_object_default_deep_notify ()

    void                gst_object_default_deep_notify      (GObject *object,
                                                             GstObject *orig,
                                                             GParamSpec *pspec,
                                                             gchar **excluded_props);

A default deep_notify signal callback for an object. The user data should contain a pointer to an array of strings that should be excluded from the notify. The default handler will print the new value of the property using g_print.

MT safe. This function grabs and releases `object`'s LOCK for getting its path string.

`object` : | the GObject that signalled the notify.
`orig` : | a GstObject that initiated the notify.
`pspec` : | a GParamSpec of the property.
`excluded_props` : | a set of user-specified properties to exclude or NULL to show all changes. [array zero-terminated=1][element-type gchar*][allow-none]

### gst_object_default_error ()

    void                gst_object_default_error            (GstObject *source,
                                                             const GError *error,
                                                             const gchar *debug);

A default error function that uses `g_printerr()` to display the error message and the optional debug sting..

The default handler will simply print the error string using g_print.

`source` : | the GstObject that initiated the error.
`error` : | the GError. [in]
`debug` : | an additional debug information string, or NULL. [in][allow-none]

### gst_object_check_uniqueness ()

    gboolean            gst_object_check_uniqueness         (GList *list,
                                                             const gchar *name);

Checks to see if there is any object named `name` in `list`. This function does not do any locking of any kind. You might want to protect the provided list with the lock of the owner of the list. This function will lock each GstObject in the list to compare the name, so be carefull when passing a list with a locked object.

`list` : | a list of GstObject to check through. [transfer none][element-type Gst.Object]
`name` : | the name to search for
Returns : | TRUE if a GstObject named `name` does not appear in `list`, FALSE if it does. MT safe. Grabs and releases the LOCK of each object in the list.

### gst_object_has_ancestor ()

    gboolean            gst_object_has_ancestor             (GstObject *object,
                                                             GstObject *ancestor);

Check if `object` has an ancestor `ancestor` somewhere up in the hierarchy. One can e.g. check if a GstElement is inside a GstPipeline.

`object` : | a GstObject to check
`ancestor` : | a GstObject to check as ancestor
Returns : | TRUE if `ancestor` is an ancestor of `object`. MT safe. Grabs and releases `object`'s locks.

### gst_object_ref ()

    gpointer            gst_object_ref                      (gpointer object);

Increments the reference count on `object`. This function does not take the lock on `object` because it relies on atomic refcounting.

This object returns the input parameter to ease writing constructs like : result = gst_object_ref (object->parent);

`object` : | a GstObject to reference. [type Gst.Object]
Returns : | A pointer to `object`. [transfer full][type Gst.Object]

### gst_object_unref ()

    void                gst_object_unref                    (gpointer object);

Decrements the reference count on `object`. If reference count hits zero, destroy `object`. This function does not take the lock on `object` as it relies on atomic refcounting.

The unref method should never be called with the LOCK held since this might deadlock the dispose function.

`object` : | a GstObject to unreference. [type Gst.Object]

### gst_object_ref_sink ()

    gpointer            gst_object_ref_sink                 (gpointer object);

Increase the reference count of `object`, and possibly remove the floating reference, if `object` has a floating reference.

In other words, if the object is floating, then this call "assumes ownership" of the floating reference, converting it to a normal reference by clearing the floating flag while leaving the reference count unchanged. If the object is not floating, then this call adds a new normal reference increasing the reference count by one.

`object` : | a GstObject to sink

### gst_object_replace ()

    gboolean            gst_object_replace                  (GstObject **oldobj,
                                                             GstObject *newobj);

Atomically modifies a pointer to point to a new object. The reference count of `oldobj` is decreased and the reference count of `newobj` is increased.

Either `newobj` and the value pointed to by `oldobj` may be NULL.

`oldobj` : | pointer to a place of a GstObject to replace. [inout][transfer full]
`newobj` : | a new GstObject. [transfer none]
Returns : | TRUE if `newobj` was different from `oldobj`

### gst_object_get_path_string ()

    gchar *             gst_object_get_path_string          (GstObject *object);

Generates a string describing the path of `object` in the object hierarchy. Only useful (or used) for debugging.

Free-function: g_free

`object` : | a GstObject
Returns : | a string describing the path of `object`. You must `g_free()` the string after usage. MT safe. Grabs and releases the GstObject's LOCK for all objects in the hierarchy. [transfer full]

### gst_object_suggest_next_sync ()

    GstClockTime        gst_object_suggest_next_sync        (GstObject *object);

Returns a suggestion for timestamps where buffers should be split to get best controller results.

`object` : | the object that has controlled properties
Returns : | Returns the suggested timestamp or `GST_CLOCK_TIME_NONE` if no control-rate was set.

### gst_object_sync_values ()

    gboolean            gst_object_sync_values              (GstObject *object,
                                                             GstClockTime timestamp);

Sets the properties of the object, according to the GstControlSources that (maybe) handle them and for the given timestamp.

If this function fails, it is most likely the application developers fault. Most probably the control sources are not setup correctly.

`object` : | the object that has controlled properties
`timestamp` : | the time that should be processed
Returns : | `TRUE` if the controller values could be applied to the object properties, `FALSE` otherwise

### gst_object_has_active_control_bindings ()

    gboolean            gst_object_has_active_control_bindings
                                                            (GstObject *object);

Check if the `object` has an active controlled properties.

`object` : | the object that has controlled properties
Returns : | `TRUE` if the object has active controlled properties

### gst_object_set_control_bindings_disabled ()

    void                gst_object_set_control_bindings_disabled
                                                            (GstObject *object,
                                                             gboolean disabled);

This function is used to disable all controlled properties of the `object` for some time, i.e. `gst_object_sync_values()` will do nothing.

`object` : | the object that has controlled properties
`disabled` : | boolean that specifies whether to disable the controller or not.

### gst_object_set_control_binding_disabled ()

    void                gst_object_set_control_binding_disabled
                                                            (GstObject *object,
                                                             const gchar *property_name,
                                                             gboolean disabled);

This function is used to disable the GstController on a property for some time, i.e. `gst_controller_sync_values()` will do nothing for the property.

`object` : | the object that has controlled properties
`property_name` : | property to disable
`disabled` : | boolean that specifies whether to disable the controller or not.

### gst_object_add_control_binding ()

    gboolean            gst_object_add_control_binding      (GstObject *object,
                                                             GstControlBinding *binding);

Attach the GstControlBinding to the object. If there already was a GstControlBinding for this property it will be replaced.

The `object` will take ownership of the `binding`.

`object` : | the controller object
`binding` : | the GstControlBinding that should be used. [transfer full]
Returns : | `FALSE` if the given `binding` has not been setup for this object or has been setup for a non suitable property, `TRUE` otherwise.

### gst_object_get_control_binding ()

    GstControlBinding * gst_object_get_control_binding      (GstObject *object,
                                                             const gchar *property_name);

Gets the corresponding GstControlBinding for the property. This should be unreferenced again after use.

`object` : | the object
`property_name` : | name of the property
Returns : | the GstControlBinding for `property_name` or `NULL` if the property is not controlled. [transfer full]

### gst_object_remove_control_binding ()

    gboolean            gst_object_remove_control_binding   (GstObject *object,
                                                             GstControlBinding *binding);

Removes the corresponding GstControlBinding. If it was the last ref of the binding, it will be disposed.

`object` : | the object
`binding` : | the binding
Returns : | `TRUE` if the binding could be removed.

### gst_object_get_value ()

    GValue *            gst_object_get_value                (GstObject *object,
                                                             const gchar *property_name,
                                                             GstClockTime timestamp);

Gets the value for the given controlled property at the requested time.

`object` : | the object that has controlled properties
`property_name` : | the name of the property to get
`timestamp` : | the time the control-change should be read from
Returns : | the GValue of the property at the given time, or `NULL` if the property isn't controlled.

### gst_object_get_value_array ()

    gboolean            gst_object_get_value_array          (GstObject *object,
                                                             const gchar *property_name,
                                                             GstClockTime timestamp,
                                                             GstClockTime interval,
                                                             guint n_values,
                                                             gpointer values);

Gets a number of values for the given controlled property starting at the requested time. The array `values` need to hold enough space for `n_values` of the same type as the objects property's type.

This function is useful if one wants to e.g. draw a graph of the control curve or apply a control curve sample by sample.

The values are unboxed and ready to be used. The similar function `gst_object_get_g_value_array()` returns the array as GValues and is better suites for bindings.

`object` : | the object that has controlled properties
`property_name` : | the name of the property to get
`timestamp` : | the time that should be processed
`interval` : | the time spacing between subsequent values
`n_values` : | the number of values
`values` : | array to put control-values in
Returns : | `TRUE` if the given array could be filled, `FALSE` otherwise

### gst_object_get_g_value_array ()

    gboolean            gst_object_get_g_value_array        (GstObject *object,
                                                             const gchar *property_name,
                                                             GstClockTime timestamp,
                                                             GstClockTime interval,
                                                             guint n_values,
                                                             GValue *values);

Gets a number of GValues for the given controlled property starting at the requested time. The array `values` need to hold enough space for `n_values` of GValue.

This function is useful if one wants to e.g. draw a graph of the control curve or apply a control curve sample by sample.

`object` : | the object that has controlled properties
`property_name` : | the name of the property to get
`timestamp` : | the time that should be processed
`interval` : | the time spacing between subsequent values
`n_values` : | the number of values
`values` : | array to put control-values in
Returns : | `TRUE` if the given array could be filled, `FALSE` otherwise

### gst_object_get_control_rate ()

    GstClockTime        gst_object_get_control_rate         (GstObject *object);

Obtain the control-rate for this `object`. Audio processing GstElement objects will use this rate to sub-divide their processing loop and call `gst_object_sync_values()` inbetween. The length of the processing segment should be up to `control`-rate nanoseconds.

If the `object` is not under property control, this will return `GST_CLOCK_TIME_NONE`. This allows the element to avoid the sub-dividing.

The control-rate is not expected to change if the element is in `GST_STATE_PAUSED` or `GST_STATE_PLAYING`.

`object` : | the object that has controlled properties
Returns : | the control rate in nanoseconds

### gst_object_set_control_rate ()

    void                gst_object_set_control_rate         (GstObject *object,
                                                             GstClockTime control_rate);

Change the control-rate for this `object`. Audio processing GstElement objects will use this rate to sub-divide their processing loop and call `gst_object_sync_values()` inbetween. The length of the processing segment should be up to `control`-rate nanoseconds.

The control-rate should not change if the element is in `GST_STATE_PAUSED` or `GST_STATE_PLAYING`.

`object` : | the object that has controlled properties
`control_rate` : | the new control-rate in nanoseconds.

## Property Details

### The `"name"` property

      "name"                     gchar*                : Read / Write / Construct

The name of the object.

Default value: NULL

### The `"parent"` property

      "parent"                   GstObject*            : Read / Write

The parent of the object.

## Signal Details

### The `"deep-notify"` signal

    void                user_function                      (GstObject  *gstobject,
                                                            GstObject  *prop_object,
                                                            GParamSpec *prop,
                                                            gpointer    user_data)        : No Hooks

The deep notify signal is used to be notified of property changes. It is typically attached to the toplevel bin to receive notifications from all the elements contained in that bin.

`gstobject` : | a GstObject
`prop_object` : | the object that originated the signal
`prop` : | the property that changed
`user_data` : | user data set when the signal handler was connected.