2018-07-19 03:57:23 +02:00
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# Contributing a new API to N-API
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N-API is Node.js's next generation ABI-stable API for native modules.
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While improving the API surface is encouraged and welcomed, the following are
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a set of principles and guidelines to keep in mind while adding a new
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N-API API.
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* A new API **must** adhere to N-API API shape and spirit.
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* **Must** be a C API.
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* **Must** not throw exceptions.
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* **Must** return `napi_status`.
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* **Should** consume `napi_env`.
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* **Must** operate only on primitive data types, pointers to primitive
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datatypes or opaque handles.
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* **Must** be a necessary API and not a nice to have. Convenience APIs
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belong in node-addon-api.
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* **Must** not change the signature of an existing N-API API or break
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ABI compatibility with other versions of Node.js.
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* New API **should** be agnostic towards the underlying JavaScript VM.
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* New API PRs **must** have a corresponding documentation update.
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* New API PRs **must** be tagged as **n-api**.
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* There **must** be at least one test case showing how to use the API.
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* There **should** be at least one test case per interesting use of the API.
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* There **should** be a sample provided that operates in a realistic way
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(operating how a real addon would be written).
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2018-08-08 01:23:39 +02:00
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* A new API **should** be discussed at the N-API team meeting.
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2018-07-19 03:57:23 +02:00
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* A new API addition **must** be signed off by at least two members of
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2018-08-08 01:23:39 +02:00
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the N-API team.
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2018-07-19 03:57:23 +02:00
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* A new API addition **should** be simultaneously implemented in at least
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one other VM implementation of Node.js.
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* A new API **must** be considered experimental for at least one minor
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version release of Node.js before it can be considered for promotion out
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of experimental.
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* Experimental APIs **must** be documented as such.
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* Experimental APIs **must** require an explicit compile-time flag
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(`#define`) to be set to opt-in.
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* Experimental APIs **must** be considered for backport.
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* Experimental status exit criteria **must** involve at least the
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following:
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* A new PR **must** be opened in `nodejs/node` to remove experimental
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status. This PR **must** be tagged as **n-api** and **semver-minor**.
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2018-08-08 01:23:39 +02:00
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* Exiting an API from experimental **must** be signed off by the team.
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2018-07-19 03:57:23 +02:00
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* If a backport is merited, an API **must** have a down-level
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implementation.
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* The API **should** be used by a published real-world module. Use of
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the API by a real-world published module will contribute favorably
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to the decision to take an API out of experimental status.
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* The API **must** be implemented in a Node.js implementation with an
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alternate VM.
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