HP OpenVMS System Services Reference Manual


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$REGISTRY (Alpha and Integrity servers)

On Alpha and Integrity server systems, interface to the OpenVMS Registry database server.

The $REGISTRY service allows you to query, update, and set keys, subkeys, and values in the OpenVMS Registry database.

The $REGISTRY service supports both asynchronous and synchronous operations. For asynchronous completion, use the Registry ($REGISTRY) system service.

For synchronous completion, use the Registry and Wait ($REGISTRYW) system service. The $REGISTRYW system service is identical to the $REGISTRY system service, except that $REGISTRYW returns to the caller after the system completes the requested operation. For additional information about system service completion, see the Synchronize ($SYNCH) system service.

This system service is 64-bit compatible.


Format

SYS$REGISTRY [efn] ,func ,0 ,itmlst ,[iosb or iosa_64] [,astadr or astadr_64] [,astprm or astprm_64] [,timeout]


C Prototype

int sys$registry (unsigned int efn, unsigned int func, void *, void *itmlst, struct _iosb *iosb, ...);


Arguments

efn


OpenVMS usage: ef_number
type: longword (unsigned)
access: read only
mechanism: by value

Number of the event flag to be used by $REGISTRY. If you do not specify the event flag, the system defaults to event flag 0. The event flag is initially cleared by $REGISTRY and then set when the operation completes.

func


OpenVMS usage: function_code
type: longword (unsigned)
access: read only
mechanism: by value

Function code specifying the action that $REGISTRY is to perform. The func argument is a longword containing this function code. The function code can contain function modifiers. For more information on function modifiers, see the Function Modifiers section.

A single call to $REGISTRY can specify only one function code. All function codes require additional information to be passed in the call with the itmlst argument.

itmlst


OpenVMS usage: 32-bit item_list_3 or 64-bit item_list_64b
type: longword (unsigned) for 32-bit; quadword (unsigned) for 64-bit
access: read only
mechanism: by 32- or 64-bit reference

Item list supplying information that the system will use to perform the function specified by the func argument.

The itmlst argument is the address of the item list. The item list consists of one or more sets of item descriptors. Each descriptor is either an item_list_3 or item_list_64b format.

Some function codes allow you to specify multiple operations in a single call. In this case, you must place the REG$_SEPARATOR item code between each set of item codes. Each request, separated by a REG$_SEPARATOR item code, can contain the item codes in any order.

You can specify item codes as either input or output parameters. Input parameters modify functions, set context, or describe the information to be returned. Output parameters return the requested information.

For item_list_3 lists, you must terminate the list with a longword of 0. For item_list_64b lists, you must terminate the list with a quadword of 0.

The following diagram shows the structure of an item_list_3 descriptor:


The following diagram shows the structure of an item_list_64b descriptor:


The following table defines the item descriptor fields:
Descriptor Field Definition
Buffer length A word that specifies the length of the buffer. The buffer either supplies information to be used by $REGISTRY, or receives information from $REGISTRY. The required length of the buffer varies, depending on the item code specified. Each item code description specifies the required length.
Item code A word containing a symbolic code that describes the type of information currently in the buffer or that is returned in the buffer. The buffer address field points to the location of the buffer.
Buffer address A longword that contains the address of the buffer that specifies or receives the information.
Return length address A longword that contains the address of a word that specifies the actual length in bytes of the information returned by $REGISTRY. The information resides in a buffer identified by the buffer address field. The field applies to output item list entries only, and must be 0 (zero) for input entries. If the return length address is 0, it is ignored.

iosb or iosa_64


OpenVMS usage: status_block
type: buffer
access: write only
mechanism: by reference

Status block to receive the final completion status and information of the $REGISTRY operation.

If multiple operations are requested for a function code, the value returned in iosb is either SS$_NORMAL or SS$_REGERROR.

A more specific return status for each operation is returned in the REG$_RETURNSTATUS item code (if specified).

The iosb argument is the address of the $REGISTRY status block:


When $REGISTRY begins execution, it clears the quadword I/O status block if you specify the iosb argument.

Although the iosb argument is optional, HP strongly recommends that you specify it for the following reasons:

The condition value returned in R0 and the condition value returned in the I/O status block provide information about different aspects of the call to the $REGISTRY service. The condition value returned in R0 provides information about the success or failure of the service call itself; the condition value returned in the I/O status block provides information about the success or failure of the service operation.

To assess the success or failure of the call to $REGISTRY accurately, you must first check the condition value returned in R0. If R0 contains a successful value, you must check the condition value in the I/O status block.

The following table defines the item descriptor fields:
Descriptor Field Definition
Status A longword specifying the final status of the $REGISTRY service. If you request multiple operations for a function code, the system returns either SS$_NORMAL or SS$_REGERROR to iosb. This field is set to 0 (zero) when the operation begins.
Reserved A reserved longword.

astadr or astadr_64


OpenVMS usage: ast_procedure
type: procedure value
access: call without stack unwinding
mechanism: by reference

AST service routine to be executed when $REGISTRY completes. The astadr argument is the address of this routine. If you specify astadr, the AST routine executes at the same access mode as the caller of the $REGISTRY service.

If the $REGISTRY service is not called successfully (that is, if it returns an error immediately), the AST routine is not executed.

astprm or astprm_64


OpenVMS usage: user_arg
type: longword (unsigned)
access: read only
mechanism: by value

AST parameter to be passed to the AST service routine specified by the astadr argument. The astprm argument specifies this longword parameter.

timeout


OpenVMS usage: longword_unsigned
type: longword (unsigned)
access: read only
mechanism: by value

Timeout value specifies the number of seconds allotted to $REGISTRY to perform the request. If the Registry server does not complete the request within the time you allot, $REGISTRY returns REG$_NORESPONSE. Function Codes Table SYS-49 provides a summary of valid function codes, a brief description of their function, and the OpenVMS Registry rights identifier required to perform the function.

You can find a detailed description of each item code in the Item Codes section.

The OpenVMS Registry identifier is required only if you do not provide a valid NT access token and you do not have the SYSPRV privilege. If you have a granted REG$UPDATE identifier, you can perform all the functions in Table SYS-49.

Table SYS-49 Valid Function Codes
Function Code Identifier Description
REG$FC_CLOSE_KEY REG$LOOKUP Closes an open key or subkey.
REG$FC_CREATE_KEY REG$UPDATE Creates (and opens) a subkey.
REG$FC_DELETE_KEY REG$UPDATE Removes a subkey from a key.
REG$FC_DELETE_VALUE REG$UPDATE Removes a value from a key.
REG$FC_ENUM_KEY REG$LOOKUP Lists (enumerates) the subkeys of a key.
REG$FC_ENUM_VALUE REG$LOOKUP Lists (enumerates) the values of a key.
REG$FC_FLUSH_KEY REG$UPDATE Ensures that all information for the key is backed to disk.
REG$FC_MODIFY_KEY REG$UPDATE Modifies a key.
REG$FC_MODIFY_TREE_KEY REG$UPDATE Modifies a key and all its subkeys.
REG$FC_NOTIFY_CHANGE_KEY_VALUE REG$UPDATE Notifies when a key or value has changed.
REG$FC_OPEN_KEY REG$LOOKUP Opens a key or subkey.
REG$FC_QUERY_KEY REG$LOOKUP Fetches information about a key.
REG$FC_QUERY_VALUE REG$LOOKUP Fetches information about a value.
REG$FC_SEARCH_TREE_DATA REG$LOOKUP Searches the value data of key and its subkeys.
REG$FC_SEARCH_TREE_KEY REG$LOOKUP Searches the names of a key and its subkeys.
REG$FC_SEARCH_TREE_VALUE REG$LOOKUP Searches the values of a key and its subkeys.
REG$FC_SET_VALUE REG$UPDATE Changes the data associated with a value name.

REG$FC_CLOSE_KEY

This request releases the open resources of the specified key. If REG$_KEYID indicates a predefined key, the system ignores the action and returns success.

Specify the item codes as follows:
Item Code Required Parameter Type
REG$_KEYID Yes Input
REG$_RETURNSTATUS No Output

REG$FC_CREATE_KEY

If the key does not exist, this request creates a new subkey under the key specified by REG$_KEYID. If the key does exist, the system does not modify it.

If you specify the REG$_KEYRESULT item code, the system opens the specified subkey.

The system returns the result in the REG$_DISPOSITION item code buffer.

Using this function code, you can group multiple requests into a single call to the $REGISTRY service. To use the multiple-request feature, you must use the REG$_SEPARATOR item code to indicate the end of the set of item codes for the current request and that there is another request to process.

To set a value for a key, call the $REGISTRY service with the REG$FC_SET_VALUE function code.

Specify the item codes as follows:
Item Code Required Parameter Type
REG$_CACHEACTION No Input
REG$_CLASSNAME No Input (Pointer to Unicode string. Unicode character is 4 bytes long.)
REG$_DISPOSITION No Output
REG$_KEYID Yes Input
REG$_KEYRESULT No Output
REG$_LINKPATH No Input (Pointer to Unicode string. Unicode character is 4 bytes long.)
REG$_LINKTYPE No Input
REG$_RETURNSTATUS No Output
REG$_SECACCESS No Input
REG$_SECURITYPOLICY No Input
REG$_SEPARATOR No n/a
REG$_SUBKEYNAME Yes Input (Pointer to Unicode string. Unicode character is 4 bytes long.)
REG$_VOLATILE No Input

If you specify the REG$_LINKPATH item code, it must point to a key path already defined in the OpenVMS Registry; otherwise the system returns the REG$_INVALIDPATH error.

Note

If you do not specify the REG$_CACHEACTION item code, the new key is created with the same cache action value as the parent key. The same rule applies to the REG$_VOLATILE and REG$_SECURITYPOLICY item codes.

REG$FC_DELETE_KEY

This request removes the specified subkey and its values from the OpenVMS Registry database. If the specified key has subkeys, the key is not deleted. You must delete the subkeys first.

Using this function code, you can group multiple requests into a single call to the $REGISTRY service. If you use this multiple-request feature, use the REG$_SEPARATOR item code to indicate the end of the set of item codes for the current request and that there is another request to process.

Specify the item codes as follows:
Item Code Required Parameter Type
REG$_KEYID Yes Input
REG$_KEYPATH No Input (Pointer to Unicode string. Unicode character is 4 bytes long.)
REG$_RETURNSTATUS No Output
REG$_SEPARATOR No n/a
REG$_SUBKEYNAME Yes Input (Pointer to Unicode string. Unicode character is 4 bytes long.)

REG$FC_DELETE_VALUE

This request deletes the specified value from the key.

Using this function code, you can group multiple requests into a single call to the $REGISTRY service. If you use this multiple-request feature, use the REG$_SEPARATOR item code to indicate the end of the set of item codes for the current request and that there is another request to process.

Specify the item codes as follows:
Item Code Required Parameter Type
REG$_KEYID Yes Input
REG$_KEYPATH No Input (Pointer to Unicode string. Unicode character is 4 bytes long.)
REG$_RETURNSTATUS No Output
REG$_SEPARATOR No n/a
REG$_VALUENAME Yes Input

REG$FC_ENUM_KEY

This request retrieves information about one subkey of the key. You identify the subkey in the REG$_SUBKEYINDEX item code.

To enumerate all the key's subkeys, the application must call the $REGISTRY service repeatedly using the REG$FC_ENUM_KEY function code. Begin with a REG$_SUBKEYINDEX of zero, then increment the count until the request returns a REG$_NOMOREITEMS error.

Specify the item codes as follows:
Item Code Required Parameter Type
REG$_CACHEACTION No Output
REG$_CLASSNAME No Output (Pointer to Unicode string. Unicode character is 4 bytes long.)
REG$_KEYID Yes Input
REG$_KEYPATH No Input (Pointer to Unicode string. Unicode character is 4 bytes long.)
REG$_LASTWRITE No Output
REG$_LINKCOUNT No Output
REG$_LINKPATH No Output (Pointer to Unicode string. Unicode character is 4 bytes long.)
REG$_LINKTYPE No Output
REG$_RETURNSTATUS No Output
REG$_SECURITYPOLICY No Output
REG$_SUBKEYINDEX Yes Input
REG$_SUBKEYNAME No Output (Pointer to Unicode string. Unicode character is 4 bytes long.)
REG$_VOLATILE No Output

REG$FC_ENUM_VALUE

This request retrieves information about a value of the specified key identifier. The value to retrieve is identified in the REG$_VALUEINDEX item code.

To enumerate all a key's values, the application must call the $REGISTRY service repeatedly using the REG$FC_ENUM_VALUE function code. Begin with a REG$_VALUEINDEX of zero, then increment the count until the request returns a REG$_NOMOREITEMS error.

Specify the item codes as follows:
Item Code Required Parameter Type
REG$_DATAFLAGS No Output
REG$_DATATYPE No Output
REG$_KEYID Yes Input
REG$_KEYPATH No Input (Pointer to Unicode string. Unicode character is 4 bytes long.)
REG$_RETURNSTATUS No Output
REG$_VALUEDATA No Output
REG$_VALUEDATASIZE No Output
REG$_VALUEINDEX Yes Input
REG$_VALUENAME No Output
REG$_VOLATILE No Output

REG$FC_FLUSH_KEY

This request writes all the information about a specified key to disk.

This request returns only after the operation is complete and all attributes of the key have been written to the OpenVMS Registry database.

Specify the item codes as follows:
Item Code Required Parameter Type
REG$_KEYID Yes Input
REG$_KEYPATH No Input (Pointer to Unicode string. Unicode character is 4 bytes long.)
REG$_RETURNSTATUS No Output

REG$FC_MODIFY_KEY

This request modifies a specified key's attributes.

Specify the item codes as follows:
Item Code Required Parameter Type
REG$_CACHEACTION No Input
REG$_CLASSNAME No Input (Pointer to Unicode string. Unicode character is 4 bytes long.)
REG$_KEYID Yes Input
REG$_KEYPATH No Input (Pointer to Unicode string. Unicode character is 4 bytes long.)
REG$_LINKPATH No Input (Pointer to Unicode string. Unicode character is 4 bytes long.)
REG$_LINKTYPE No Input
REG$_NEWNAME No Input
REG$_RETURNSTATUS No Output
REG$_SECURITYPOLICY No Input

To remove the link from the specified key, enter a REG$_LINKPATH item code with an address of zero. You cannot add a link to a key that has either values or subkeys (or both).

REG$FC_MODIFY_TREE_KEY

This request modifies a specified key and all its subkey attributes. No link will be followed or modified.

Specify the item codes as follows:
Item Code Required Parameter Type
REG$_CACHEACTION No Input
REG$_CLASSNAME No Input (Pointer to Unicode string. Unicode character is 4 bytes long.)
REG$_KEYID Yes Input
REG$_KEYPATH No Input (Pointer to Unicode string. Unicode character is 4 bytes long.)
REG$_RETURNSTATUS No Output
REG$_SECURITYPOLICY No Input

REG$FC_NOTIFY_CHANGE_KEY_VALUE

This request notifies the calling process when a specified key or any of its subkeys has changed. That is, the requested function waits for the specified condition before returning.


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