.. _gen-overview:

******************
Generator Overview
******************

In a few words, the Generator is a utility that parses a collection of header and
typesystem files, generating other files (code, documentation, etc.) as result.

Creating new bindings
=====================

.. figure:: images/bindinggen-development.png
   :scale: 80
   :align: center

   Creating new bindings

Each module of the generator system has an specific role.

1. Provide enough data about the classes and functions.
2. Generate valid code, with modifications from typesystems and injected codes.
3. Modify the API to expose the objects in a way that fits you target language best.
4. Insert customizations where handwritten code is needed.

.. figure:: images/shibokenqtarch.png
   :scale: 80
   :align: center

   Runtime architecture

The newly created binding will run on top of Shiboken which takes
care of interfacing Python and the underlying C++ library.

Handwritten inputs
==================

Creating new bindings involves creating two pieces of "code": the typesystem and
the inject code.

:typesystem: XML files that provides the developer with a tool to customize the
             way that the generators will see the classes and functions. For
             example, functions can be renamed, have its signature changed and
             many other actions.
:inject code: allows the developer to insert handwritten code where the generated
              code is not suitable or needs some customization.