Archiving (Archivable.h)

• New version of instantiate_object() takes an extra image_id output argument.  The argument returns the image id from which the object was unarchived.

• New version of find_instantiation_func() takes a class name and a MIME signature.  The function looks for className::Instantiate() in the library with the given signature.

BBufferIO

New BBufferIO class inherits from BPositionIO.  A BBufferIO acts as a data buffering mechanism for a BPositionIO object (a BFile, typically), thus turning stream data into buffered data.

To use a BBufferIO, you "attach" a BPositionIO object to it in the constructor, and then invoke the Read[At]() and Write[At]() functions on the BBufferIO object.  You can set the size of the underlying buffer in the constructor; the default is 64k.

Class Info

The functions in support/ClassInfo.h have been deprecated.  Use the C++ RTTI functions instead.

BLocker

• New versions of the BLocker constructor let you declare whether you want the underlying semaphore to be a normal semaphore or a "benaphore."  Although benaphores are more efficient than normal semaphores, they can complicate the code.  When you're tracking down a bug (particularly a deadlock bug), it's easier to see what's going on if you switch to normal semaphores.  Just remember to switch them back before you ship.  See Benaphores in the Be Newsletter archives for more about benaphores.

  By default, a BLocker uses a benaphore for its lock.

BString

The new BString class is convenient, lightweight string allocation and manipulation wrapper.

Miscellaneous

Defined in support/SupportDefs.h

• New get_stack_frame() returns the address of the current stack frame (i.e. the frame from which the function is called).