PLOOC Integration

Overview

Use this skill when PLOOC (Protected Low-overhead Object-Oriented Programming with ANSI-C, by GorgonMeducer) is used to structure embedded C code. PLOOC mimics classes with masked structures: outside the class .c file, private_member/protected_member regions appear as an opaque byte array, so the real work is getting the per-file __<NAME>_CLASS_IMPLEMENT/__<NAME>_CLASS_INHERIT__ guards, member visibility, and vtable/interface dispatch correct. Apply it only where object-style boundaries reduce real complexity.

When To Use

Use this skill when:

• The user mentions PLOOC, def_class/end_def_class, private_member/protected_member/public_member, implement()-style inheritance, or vtable-based dispatch (def_interface) in embedded C.
• A legacy driver/module is being wrapped into an encapsulated class with plooc_class.h.
• The issue involves the masked-struct layout, the __..._CLASS_IMPLEMENT guard, __OOC_DEBUG__, initialization order, object lifetime, or callback/vtable dispatch.

Do not use this skill for simple drivers where plain C structs and functions are clearer.

First Questions

Ask for:

• PLOOC version (private_method()/protected_method()/public_method() were added in v4.6.4) and target compiler.
• C standard: PLOOC needs ANSI-C99; C90 requires __OOC_DEBUG__ (private-member protection is disabled in that mode); overload/_Generic features need C11.
• Which template is selected: __PLOOC_CLASS_USE_STRICT_TEMPLATE__ (strict), simple, simple_c90, or black_box.
• Module being refactored and whether it uses single or multiple inheritance (implement()).
• Memory policy: static objects vs __new_class()/__free_class() / __plooc_malloc_align().

Integration Checklist

1. Set up the header guard pattern.

In the class header, map the module macro to the framework macro before including plooc_class.h, e.g. #if defined(__BYTE_QUEUE_CLASS_IMPLEMENT) # define __PLOOC_CLASS_IMPLEMENT__ #elif defined(__BYTE_QUEUE_CLASS_INHERIT__) # define __PLOOC_CLASS_INHERIT__ #endif.

1. Declare then define the class.

Use dcl_class(foo_t) / declare_class(foo_t) (expands to typedef struct foo_t foo_t;), then def_class(foo_t, ...) ... end_def_class(foo_t). Group members with public_member(...), protected_member(...), private_member(...) (any order allowed).

1. Define the implement macro in exactly one .c file.

The class .c does #define __BYTE_QUEUE_CLASS_IMPLEMENT before #include "./byte_queue.h", so only that file sees real private members; every other translation unit sees the masked byte array.

1. Access this inside methods correctly.

Use class_internal(ptObj, ptThis, foo_t) to obtain the typed ptThis, and the #define this (*ptThis) convention for member access. Mark unused args with PLOOC_UNUSED_PARAM.

1. Handle inheritance explicitly.

Embed a base with implement(base_t) in the derived def_class; the framework generates a use_as__<base> member for the embedded base. Define __<NAME>_CLASS_INHERIT__ in a consumer that only needs to read the base's protected members. Access base functionality by passing the address of the use_as__<base> member to the base-class functions.

1. Keep dispatch inspectable.

Define vtables with def_interface(i_foo_t) ... end_def_interface(i_foo_t) and a single const interface instance; verify each function pointer is assigned.

Common Failures

• Forgetting #define __<NAME>_CLASS_IMPLEMENT in the class .c, so the implementation only sees the opaque mask and member access fails to compile.
• Defining the implement macro in more than one file, breaking encapsulation.
• Mismatched template selection: header uses __PLOOC_CLASS_USE_STRICT_TEMPLATE__ but a consumer includes with a different template, corrupting struct layout.
• C90 or non-C99 toolchain without __OOC_DEBUG__, so masked structs do not size correctly.
• implement(base_t) omitted, so no use_as__<base> member is generated and base-class functions cannot be reached from the derived object.
• Private members invisible in the debugger because __OOC_DEBUG__ is not defined for the debug build.
• Missing include order: plooc.h/plooc_class.h (and <stdlib.h> for __new_class) not reachable on the include path.

Verification

Before claiming PLOOC integration works:

• State the PLOOC version, C standard, and which class template (strict/simple/black_box) is used.
• Confirm the header maps __<NAME>_CLASS_IMPLEMENT/__<NAME>_CLASS_INHERIT__ before including plooc_class.h, and the implement macro is defined in exactly one .c.
• Confirm sizeof(foo_t) is identical inside and outside the implementing file (mask size matches real struct).
• Confirm methods resolve this via class_internal(...) and every vtable pointer in the def_interface instance is set.
• Confirm private members are visible in GDB with __OOC_DEBUG__ in the debug build, and old behavior is preserved for the migrated module.

Example

User:

想用 PLOOC 重构几个传感器驱动。

Agent:

1. Asks the PLOOC version, C standard, and whether the sensors share a base class needing implement().
2. Migrates one sensor family: dcl_class/def_class with private_member/public_member, sets __<NAME>_CLASS_IMPLEMENT in one .c, exposes ops via def_interface.
3. Verifies sizeof mask consistency, vtable wiring, and that private members are inspectable under __OOC_DEBUG__.