The XIM Transport Specification
Revision 0.1
X Version 11, Release 7
TakashiFujiwara
FUJITSU LIMITED
1994FUJITSU LIMITED
1994X Consortium
Revision 0.1
This specification describes the transport layer interfaces between Xlib and IM Server,
which makes various channels usable such as X protocol or TCP/IP, DECnet and etc.
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of this software and associated documentation files
(the “Software”), to deal in the Software without restriction,
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X Window System is a trademark of The Open Group.
X Transport Specification
Introduction
The Xlib XIM implementation is layered into three functions, a protocol
layer, an interface layer and a transport layer. The purpose of this
layering is to make the protocol independent of transport implementation.
Each function of these layers are:
The protocol layer
implements overall function of XIM and calls the interface layer
functions when it needs to communicate to IM Server.
The interface layer
separates the implementation of the transport layer from the protocol
layer, in other words, it provides implementation independent hook for
the transport layer functions.
The transport layer
handles actual data communication with IM Server. It is done by a set
of several functions named transporters.
This specification describes the interface layer and the transport
layer, which makes various communication channels usable such as
X protocol or, TCP/IP, DECnet, STREAM, etc., and provides
the information needed for adding another new transport layer.
In addition, sample implementations for the transporter using the
X connection is described in section 4.
Initialization
Registering structure to initialize
The structure typed as TransportSW contains the list of the transport
layer the specific implementations supports.
typedef struct {
char *transport_name;
Bool (*config);
} TransportSW;
transport_name
name of transportRefer to "The Input Method Protocol: Appendix B
config
initial configuration function
A sample entry for the Xlib supporting transporters is shown below:
TransportSW _XimTransportRec[] = {
/* char *:
* transport_name, Bool (*config)()
*/
"X", _XimXConf,
"tcp", _XimTransConf,
"local", _XimTransConf,
"decnet", _XimTransConf,
"streams", _XimTransConf,
(char *)NULL, (Bool (*)())NULL,
};
Initialization function
The following function will be called once when Xlib configures the
transporter functions.
Bool (*config)
XIM im
char *transport_data
im
Specifies XIM structure address.
transport_data
Specifies the data specific to the transporter, in IM Server address.Refer to "The Input Method Protocol: Appendix B
This function must setup the transporter function pointers.
The actual config function will be chosen by IM Server at the
pre-connection time, matching by the transport_name specified
in the _XimTransportRec array; The specific members of XimProto
structure listed below must be initialized so that point they
appropriate transporter functions.
If the specified transporter has been configured successfully, this
function returns True. There is no Alternative Entry for config
function itself.
The structure XimProto contains the following function pointers:
Bool (*connect)(); /* Open connection */
Bool (*shutdown)(); /* Close connection */
Bool (*write)(); /* Write data */
Bool (*read)(); /* Read data */
Bool (*flush)(); /* Flush data buffer */
Bool (*register_dispatcher)(); /* Register asynchronous data handler */
Bool (*call_dispatcher)(); /* Call dispatcher */
These functions are called when Xlib needs to communicate the
IM Server. These functions must process the appropriate procedure
described below.
The interface/transport layer functions
Following functions are used for the transport interface.
The Transport Layer Functions
Alternate Entry (Interface Layer)
XimProto member (Transport Layer)
Section
_XimConnect
connect
3.1
_XimShutdown
shutdown
3.2
_XimWrite
write
3.3
_XimRead
read
3.4
_XimFlush
flush
3.5
_XimRegisterDispatcher
register_dispatcher
3.6
_XimCallDispatcher
call_dispatcher
3.7
The Protocol layer calls the above functions using the Alternative
Entry in the left column. The transport implementation defines
XimProto member function in the right column. The Alternative Entry is
provided so as to make easier to implement the Protocol Layer.
Opening connection
When XOpenIM is called, the following function is called to connect
with the IM Server.
Bool (*connect)
XIM im
im
Specifies XIM structure address.
This function must establishes the connection to the IM Server. If the
connection is established successfully, this function returns True.
The Alternative Entry for this function is:
Bool _XimConnect
XIM im
im
Specifies XIM structure address.
Closing connection
When XCloseIM is called, the following function is called to
disconnect the connection with the IM Server. The Alternative Entry
for this function is:
Bool (*shutdown)
XIM im
im
Specifies XIM structure address.
This function must close connection with the IM Server. If the
connection is closed successfully, this function returns True. The
Alternative Entry for this function is:
Bool _XimShutdown
XIM im
im
Specifies XIM structure address.
Writing data
The following function is called, when Xlib needs to write data to the
IM Server.
Bool _XimWrite
XIM im
INT16 len
XPointer data
im
Specifies XIM structure address.
len
Specifies the length of writing data.
data
Specifies the writing data.
This function writes the data to the IM Server, regardless
of the contents. The number of bytes is passed to len. The
writing data is passed to data. If data is sent successfully,
the function returns True. Refer to "The Input Method Protocol" for
the contents of the writing data. The Alternative Entry for this
function is:
Bool _XimWrite
XIM im
INT16 len
XPointer data
im
Specifies XIM structure address.
len
Specifies the length of writing data.
data
Specifies the writing data.
Reading data
The following function is called when Xlib waits for response from IM
server synchronously.
Bool _XimRead
XIM im
XPointer read_buf
int buf_len
int *ret_len
im
Specifies XIM structure address.
read_buf
Specifies the buffer to store data.
buf_len
Specifies the size of the buffer
ret_len
Specifies the length of stored data.
This function stores the read data in read_buf, which size is
specified as buf_len. The size of data is set to ret_len.
This function return True, if the data is read normally or reading
data is completed.
The Alternative Entry for this function is:
Bool _XimRead
XIM im
INT16 *ret_len
XPointer buf
int buf_len
Bool (*predicate)()
XPointer predicate_arg
im
Specifies XIM structure address.
ret_len
Specifies the size of the data buffer.
buf
Specifies the buffer to store data.
buf_len
Specifies the length of buffer.
predicate
Specifies the predicate for the XIM data.
predicate_arg
Specifies the predicate specific data.
The predicate procedure indicates whether the data is for the
XIM or not. len
This function stores the read data in buf, which size
is specified as buf_len. The size of data is set to
ret_len. If preedicate()
returns True, this function returns True. If not, it calls the registered callback function.
The procedure and its arguments are:
void (*predicate)
XIM im
INT16 len
XPointer data
XPointer predicate_arg
im
Specifies XIM structure address.
len
Specifies the size of the data buffer.
data
Specifies the buffer to store data.
predicate_arg
Specifies the predicate specific data.
Flushing buffer
The following function is called when Xlib needs to flush the data.
void (*flush)
XIM im
im
Specifies XIM structure address.
This function must flush the data stored in internal buffer on the
transport layer. If data transfer is completed, the function returns
True. The Alternative Entry for this function is:
void _XimFlush
XIM im
im
Specifies XIM structure address.
Registering asynchronous data handler
Xlib needs to handle asynchronous response from IM Server. This is
because some of the XIM data occur asynchronously to X events.
Those data will be handled in the Filter,
and the Filter
will call asynchronous data handler in the protocol layer. Then it
calls dispatchers in the transport layer. The dispatchers are
implemented by the protocol layer. This function must store the
information and prepare for later call of the dispatchers using
_XimCallDispatcher.
When multiple dispatchers are registered, they will be called
sequentially in order of registration, on arrival of asynchronous
data. The register_dispatcher is declared as following:
Bool (*register_dispatcher)
XIM im
Bool (*dispatcher)()
XPointer call_data
im
Specifies XIM structure address.
dispatcher
Specifies the dispatcher function to register.
call_data
Specifies a parameter for the dispatcher.
The dispatcher is a function of the following type:
Bool (*dispatcher)
XIM im
INT16 len
XPointer data
XPointer call_data
im
Specifies XIM structure address.
len
Specifies the size of the data buffer.
data
Specifies the buffer to store data.
call_data
Specifies a parameter passed to the register_dispatcher.
The dispatcher is provided by the protocol layer. They are called once
for every asynchronous data, in order of registration. If the data is
used, it must return True. otherwise, it must return False.
If the dispatcher function returns True, the Transport Layer assume
that the data has been processed by the upper layer. The Alternative
Entry for this function is:
Bool _XimRegisterDispatcher
XIM im
Bool (*dispatcher)()
XPointer call_data
im
Specifies XIM structure address.
dispatcher
Specifies the dispatcher function to register.
call_data
Specifies a parameter for the dispatcher.
Calling dispatcher
The following function is used to call the registered dispatcher
function, when the asynchronous response from IM Server has arrived.
Bool (*call_dispatcher)
XIM im
INT16 len
XPointer data
im
Specifies XIM structure address.
len
Specifies the size of data buffer.
data
Specifies the buffer to store data.
The call_dispatcher must call the dispatcher function, in order of
their registration. len and data are the data passed to
register_dispatcher.
The return values are checked at each invocation, and if it finds
True, it immediately return with true for its return value.
It is depend on the upper layer whether the read data is XIM
Protocol packet unit or not.
The Alternative Entry for this function is:
Bool _XimCallDispatcher
XIM im
INT16 len
XPointer call_data
Sample implementations for the Transport Layer
Sample implementations for the transporter using the X connection is
described here.
X Transport
At the beginning of the X Transport connection for the XIM transport
mechanism, two different windows must be created either in an Xlib XIM
or in an IM Server, with which the Xlib and the IM Server exchange the
XIM transports by using the ClientMessage events and Window Properties.
In the following, the window created by the Xlib is referred as the
"client communication window", and on the other hand, the window created
by the IM Server is referred as the "IMS communication window".
Connection
In order to establish a connection, a communication window is created.
A ClientMessage in the following event's format is sent to the owner
window of XIM_SERVER selection, which the IM Server has created.
Refer to "The Input Method Protocol" for the XIM_SERVER atom.
The ClientMessage sent to the IMS window.
Structure Member
Contents
int
type
ClientMessage
u_long
serial
Set by the X Window System
Bool
send_event
Set by the X Window System
Display
*display
The display to which connects
Window
window
IMS Window ID
Atom
message_type
XInternAtom(display, "_XIM_CONNECT", false)
int
format
32
long
data.1[0]
client communication window ID
long
data.1[1]
client-major-transport-version(*1)
long
data.1[2]
client-major-transport-version(*1)
In order to establish the connection (to notify the IM Server communication
window), the IM Server sends a ClientMessage in the following event's
format to the client communication window.
The ClientMessage sent by IM Server.
Structure Member
Contents
int
type
ClientMessage
u_long
serial
Set by the X Window System
Bool
send_event
Set by the X Window System
Display
*display
The display to which connects
Window
window
IMS Window ID
Atom
message_type
XInternAtom(display, "_XIM_CONNECT", false)
int
format
32
long
data.1[0]
client communication window ID
long
data.1[1]
client-major-transport-version(*1)
long
data.1[2]
client-major-transport-version(*1)
long
data.1[3]
dividing size between ClientMessage and Property(*2)
(*1) major/minor-transport-version
The read/write method is decided by the combination of
major/minor-transport-version, as follows:
The read/write method and the major/minor-transport-version
Transport-version
read/write
major
minor
0
0
only-CM & Property-with-CM
1
only-CM & multi-CM
2
only-CM & multi-CM & Property-with-CM
1
0
PropertyNotify
2
0
only-CM & PropertyNotify
1
only-CM & multi-CM & PropertyNotify
only-CM : data is sent via a ClientMessage
multi-CM : data is sent via multiple ClientMessages
Property-with-CM : data is written in Property, and its Atom
is send via ClientMessage
PropertyNotify : data is written in Property, and its Atom
is send via PropertyNotify
The method to decide major/minor-transport-version is as follows:
The client sends 0 as major/minor-transport-version to the IM Server.
The client must support all methods in Table 4-3.
The client may send another number as major/minor-transport-version to
use other method than the above in the future.
The IM Server sends its major/minor-transport-version number to
the client. The client sends data using the method specified by the
IM Server.
If major/minor-transport-version number is not available, it is regarded
as 0.
(*2) dividing size between ClientMessage and Property
If data is sent via both of multi-CM and Property, specify the dividing
size between ClientMessage and Property. The data, which is smaller than
this size, is sent via multi-CM (or only-CM), and the data, which is
lager than this size, is sent via Property.
read/write
The data is transferred via either ClientMessage or Window Property in
the X Window System.
Format for the data from the Client to the IM Server
ClientMessage
If data is sent via ClientMessage event, the format is as follows:
Property
In the case of large data, data will be sent via the Window Property
for the efficiency. There are the following two methods to notify
Property, and transport-version is decided which method is used.
The XChangeProperty function is used to store data in the client
communication window, and Atom of the stored data is notified to the
IM Server via ClientMessage event.
The XChangeProperty function is used to store data in the client
communication window, and Atom of the stored data is notified to the
IM Server via PropertyNotify event.
The arguments of the XChangeProperty are as follows:
(*1) The read/write property ATOM allocates the following strings by
XInternAtom.
"_clientXXX"
The client changes the property with the mode of PropModeAppend and
the IM Server will read it with the delete mode i.e. (delete = True).
If Atom is notified via ClientMessage event, the format of the ClientMessage
is as follows:
Format for the data from the IM Server to the Client
ClientMessage
The format of the ClientMessage is as follows:
(*1) If the data size is smaller than 20 bytes, all data other than available
data must be 0.
Property
In the case of large data, data will be sent via the Window Property
for the efficiency. There are the following two methods to notify
Property, and transport-version is decided which method is used.
The XChangeProperty function is used to store data in the IMS
communication window, and Atom of the property is sent via the
ClientMessage event.
The XChangeProperty function is used to store data in the IMS
communication window, and Atom of the property is sent via
PropertyNotify event.
The arguments of the XChangeProperty are as follows:
(*1) The read/write property ATOM allocates some strings, which are not
allocated by the client, by XInternAtom.
The IM Server changes the property with the mode of PropModeAppend and
the client reads it with the delete mode, i.e. (delete = True).
If Atom is notified via ClientMessage event, the format of the ClientMessage
is as follows:
Closing Connection
If the client disconnect with the IM Server, shutdown function should
free the communication window properties and etc..
References
[1] Masahiko Narita and Hideki Hiura, "The Input Method Protocol"