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@setfilename openal.info

@ifinfo
@format
START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
* OpenAL: (openal).         The Programmer's Guide to 3d Positional Audio
END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
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@end ifinfo

@node Top
@top OpenAL

This document describes the OpenAL API, design goals and Loki's OpenAL
implementation.

@menu
* Introduction::         What is OpenAL and what is it good for?
* FAQ::                  Frequency Asked Questions, with answers
* Goals::                Basic design decisions, requirements, scope, etc.
* API::                  The OpenAL API
* Loki Implementation::  Loki's own OpenAL implementation: today and tomorrow.
* Example::              An example of a program using the OpenAL API.
* Tutorial::             A gentle introduction to Loki's AL

* Function Index::
* Variable Index::
* Concept Index::
@end menu

@node Introduction, FAQ, Top, Top
@chapter Introduction

The idea behind OpenAL is a 3d positional spatialized sound library analogous
to OpenGL: instead of micromanaging each aspect of sound playback and effect,
the application writer may limit themselves to placing the sounds in the
scene and letting the native OpenAL implementation determine the correct
amount of pitch alteration, gain attenuation, phase shift, etc, required to
render the sounds correctly.

That's the goal, anyway.

@node FAQ, Goals, Introduction, Top

Here are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions, and their answers.

@menu
* How do I enable ESD?::
* Why doesn't this POS work with my Vortex card?::
* How can I set the size of my world?::
@end menu

@node How do I enable ESD?, , , FAQ
Configure openal with @samp{configure --enable-esd}.  make, then install.
Then, place the following in your @samp{~/.openalrc} file:

@lisp

	(define devices '(esd))

@end lisp

@node Why doesn't this POS work with my Vortex card?, , , FAQ

Dollars-to-donuts your driver doesn't implemented the select call
properly.  You can see messages from @code{native_blitbuffer} complaining
about select timeouts when this is a problem.

If you suffer from an unimplemented select call in your driver, put the
following in your @samp{~/.openalrc} file:

@lisp

	(define native-use-select #f)

@end lisp

This will tell @code{OpenAL} that it shouldn't rely on select for
information about when to write to a file descriptor.

@node How can I set the size of my world?, , , FAQ

You don't need to.  Use the source attributes @code{AL_ROLLOFF_FACTOR} and
@code{AL_REFERENCE_DISTANCE} to correctly model your position data.

@node Goals, API, FAQ, Top
@chapter Goals

To provide a cross-platform spatialized audio library.

@node API, Loki Implementation, Goals, Top
@chapter The OpenAL API
@cindex API

This is the OpenAL API.  Sort of.

@menu
OpenAL Sections:

* Basic Concepts::                  Stuff defined
* types::                           Integral types
* al::                              High level stuff
* alc::                             Device and Context management
* alut::                            Utility functions, etc
* alkludge::                        Kludgey, Deprecated stuff
* Errors::                          What goes wrong and where
@end menu

@node Basic Concepts, types, , API

al calls, either implicitly or explicitly, act upon opaque objects
of the kind @code{Buffers}, @code{Sources}, @code{Contexts}, or
@code{Listeners}.  Of these types, the generation and deletion of
@code{Buffers}, @code{Sources}, and @code{Contexts} are explicit
and must be handled by the application.

To give a brief overview:

@table @code
@item Buffers
@cindex Buffers

@code{Buffers} contain PCM audio data, and the parameters associated with
the data (length, frequency, sample width etc).  @code{Buffers} cannot
be played, a @code{Source} must be associated with them, and the @code{Source}
is then played.

@code{Buffers} are created with a call to @code{alGenBuffers}, which creates
a set of buffer ids and binds them to buffers.  The buffer id is the only
mechanism by which an application may refer to a buffer.  After its
useful lifetime is over, buffer ids should be deleted via the call
@code{alDeleteBuffers}.

@item Sources
@cindex Sources

@code{Sources} are independent objects, which, when played, make sound.
@code{Sources} need to be associated with a @code{Buffer} before they
can be played.

@code{Sources} are created with a call to @code{alGenSources}, which creates
a set of source ids and binds them to sources.  The source id is the only
mechanism by which an application may refer to a source.  After its
useful lifetime is over, source ids should be deleted via the call
@code{alDeleteSources}.

@item Devices
@cindex Devices

A @code{Device} is a binding to the audio rendered backend used by the
library.  This may be an actual hardware device, a software mixing
server, or other abstraction.

At least one device must be created for the generation of contexts.

@item Contexts
@cindex Contexts

A @code{Context} abstracts the audio device from the rest of the library
(and the application).  You generally only need one.  Calling most AL
functions before creating a context via @code{alcCreateContext} will result
in either an error or a segfault.

When you're about to quit, call @code{alcDestroyContext} to destroy the
context and don't make any other al calls.

@end table

@node types, al, Basic Concepts, API
@section OpenAL types

@table @code

@item ALboolean
OpenAL bool type.

@item ALbyte
OpenAL 8bit signed byte.

@item ALubyte
OpenAL 8bit unsigned byte.

@item ALshort
OpenAL 16bit signed short integer type.

@item ALushort
OpenAL 16bit unsigned short integer type.

@item ALuint
OpenAL 32bit unsigned integer type.

@item ALint
OpenAL 32bit signed integer type.

@item ALfloat
OpenAL 32bit floating point type.

@item ALdouble
OpenAL 64bit double point type.

@item ALsizei
OpenAL 32bit type.

@item ALbitfield
OpenAL bitfield.

@item ALclampf
Openal clamped float value.

@item ALclampd
Openal clamped double value.

@end table

@node al, alc, types, API
@section OpenAL main functions

Here are the al functions, grouped according to object they
affect.

@table @code

@item Listener functions

Listener is the sample position for a given context.  The multi-channel
(usually stereo) output stream generated by the mixer is parametrized
by this Listener object: its position and velocity relative to Sources,
within occluder and reflector geometry.

@table @code

@item void alListenerf( ALenum pname, ALfloat param )
@findex alListenerf
Set the parameter using a float argument for the listener of the current
context for the token specified by pname.

If pname specifies an attribute not of type @code{ALfloat}, a
conversion is first performed.  If pname does not specify a valid
listener attribute, @code{AL_INVALID_VALUE} is set and no further
operation is commited.

@item void alListenerfv( ALenum pname, ALfloat *param )
@findex alListenerfv
Set the parameter using a float vector for the listener of the current
context for the token specified by pname.

If pname specifies an attribute not of type @code{ALfloat}, a conversion
is first performed.  If pname does not specify a valid listener attribute,
@code{AL_INVALID_VALUE} is set and no further operation is commited.

@item void alGetListeneriv( ALenum pname,  ALint *value )
@findex alGetListeneriv
Get the parameter using an integer vector for the listener of the current
context for the token specified by pname.

If pname specifies an attribute not of type @code{ALint}, a conversion
is first performed.  If pname does not specify a valid listener attribute,
@code{AL_INVALID_VALUE} is set and no further operation is commited.

@item void alGetListenerfv( ALenum pname, ALfloat *values )
@findex alGetListenerfv
Get the parameter using an float vector for the listener of the current
context for the token specified by pname.

If pname specifies an attribute not of type @code{ALint}, a conversion
is first performed.  If pname does not specify a valid listener
attribute, @code{AL_INVALID_VALUE} is set and no further operation is
commited.

@end table

@item Source functions
@cindex Sources

Source objects are by default localized. Sources
take the PCM data provided in the specified Buffer,
apply Source-specific modifications, and then
submit them to be mixed according to spatial
arrangement etc.

@table @code

@item void alGenSources( ALsizei n, ALuint* sources )
@findex alGenSources

Create n source object names, and populate sources[0..n-1]
with these names.  If n == 0, a legal NOP occurs.  If n < 0,
@code{AL_INVALID_VALUE} is set and @code{alGenSources} returns, taking
no further action.  If resources are not currently available sufficient
to cover the request, @code{AL_OUT_OF_MEMORY} is set.  No partial
allocation occurs.

@item void alDeleteSources( ALsizei n, ALuint* sources )
@findex alDeleteSources

Delete n source object names, named in sources[0..n-1].

If n == 0, a legal NOP occurs.  If n < 0, @code{AL_INVALID_VALUE}
is set and @code{alGenSources} returns, taking no further action.  If
any member of sources[0..n-1] is not a currently valid source name,
@code{AL_INVALID_NAME} is set and no deletion occurs.  If any member of
sources[0..n-1] names a source that has a state other than
@code{AL_INITIAL} or @code{AL_STOPPED}, @code{AL_INVALID_OPERATION} is set
and no deletion occurs.

@item ALboolean alIsSource( ALuint sid )
@findex alIsSource
Returns @code{AL_TRUE} if sid is a valid source name, @code{AL_FALSE}
otherwise.

@item void alSourcei( ALuint sid, ALenum param, ALint value )
@findex alSourcei
Set an parameter using an integer argument for a source object.

If pname specifies an attribute not of type @code{ALint}, a conversion
is first performed.  If pname does not specify a valid source attribute,
@code{AL_INVALID_ENUM} is set and no operation is commited.  If value
does not specify a valid value for the attribute,
@code{AL_INVALID_VALUE} is set an no operation is commited.

@item void alSourcef( ALuint sid, ALenum param, ALfloat value )
@findex alSourcef
Set an parameter using a float argument for a source object.

If pname specifies an attribute not of type @code{ALfloat}, a conversion
is first performed.  If pname does not specify a valid source attribute,
@code{AL_INVALID_ENUM} is set and no operation is commited.  If
value does not specify a valid value for the attribute,
@code{AL_INVALID_VALUE} is set an no operation is commited.

@item void alSourcefv( ALuint sid, ALenum param, ALfloat* values )
@findex alSourcefv
Get a parameter using a float vector from a source object.  If values is
@code{NULL}, a legal NOP occurs.

If pname specifies an attribute not of type @code{ALfloat}, a conversion
is first performed.  If pname does not specify a valid source attribute,
@code{AL_INVALID_ENUM} is set and no further operation is commited.  If
value does not specify a valid value for the attribute,
@code{AL_INVALID_VALUE} is set an no operation is commited.

@item void alGetSourceiv( ALuint sid,  ALenum pname, ALint* value )
@findex alGetSourcei
Get a parameter using an integer vector from a source object.  If values is
@code{NULL}, a legal NOP occurs.

If pname specifies an attribute not of type @code{ALfloat}, a conversion
is first performed.  If pname does not specify a valid source attribute,
@code{AL_INVALID_ENUM} is set and no further operation is commited.

@item void alGetSourcefv( ALuint sid, ALenum pname, ALfloat* values )
@findex alGetSourcefv
Get a parameter using a float vector from a source object.  If values is
@code{NULL}, a legal NOP occurs.

If pname specifies an attribute not of type @code{ALfloat}, a
conversion is first performed.  If pname does not specify a valid source
attribute, @code{AL_INVALID_ENUM} is set and no further operation is commited.

@item void alSourcePlay( ALuint sid )
@findex alSourcePlay
Activate a source, start replay.  If sid is not a valid source name,
@code{AL_INVALID_NAME} is set and no action occurs.  If the source
specified by sid is in the state @code{AL_PLAYING}, this call is a
legal NOP.

@item void alSourceStop( ALuint sid )
@findex alSourceStop
Change a source's state from @code{AL_PLAYING} to @code{AL_STOPPED}.  If
sid is not a valid source name, @code{AL_INVALID_NAME} is set and no
action occurs.  If the source is not in the state @code{AL_PLAYING},
this call is a legal NOP.

@item void alSourcePause( ALuint sid )
@findex alSourcePause
Change a source's state from @code{AL_PLAYING} to @code{AL_PAUSED}.  If
sid is not a valid source name, @code{AL_INVALID_NAME} is set and no
action occurs.  If the source is not in the state @code{AL_PLAYING},
this call is a legal NOP.

@item void alSourceRewind( ALuint sid )
@findex alSourceRewind
Change a source's state to @code{AL_INITIAL}.  Sources which have the
state @code{AL_PLAYING} or @code{AL_PAUSED} will be taken to @code{AL_STOPPED}
first.  The source's position in its associated buffer will be set to 0.
If sid is not a valid source name, @code{AL_INVALID_NAME} is set
and no action occurs.

@item void alSourcePlayv( ALuint ns, ALuint *ids )
@findex alSourcePlayv
Perform alSourcePlay on ids[0..ns-1].

If any member of ids[0..ns-1] is not a valid source, @code{AL_INVALID_NAME}
is set and no action takes place.  If ns == 0, a legal NOP occurs.  If ns < 0,
@code{AL_INVALID_VALUE} is set and @code{alSourcePlayv} returns, taking no action.

@item void alSourceStopv( ALuint ns, ALuint *ids )
@findex alSourceStopv
Perform alSourceStop on ids[0..ns-1].

If any member of ids[0..ns-1] is not a valid source, @code{AL_INVALID_NAME}
is set and no action takes place.  If ns == 0, a legal NOP occurs.  If ns < 0,
@code{AL_INVALID_VALUE} is set and @code{alSourcePlayv} returns, taking no action.

@item void alSourcePausev( ALuint ns, ALuint *ids )
@findex alSourcePausev
Perform alSourcePause on ids[0..ns-1].

If any member of ids[0..ns-1] is not a valid source, @code{AL_INVALID_NAME}
is set and no action takes place.  If ns == 0, a legal NOP occurs.  If ns < 0,
@code{AL_INVALID_VALUE} is set and @code{alSourcePlayv} returns, taking no action.

@item void alSourceRewindv( ALuint ns, ALuint *ids )
@findex alSourceRewindv
Perform alSourceRewind on ids[0..ns-1].

If any member of ids[0..ns-1] is not a valid source, @code{AL_INVALID_NAME}
is set and no action takes place.  If ns == 0, a legal NOP occurs.  If ns < 0,
@code{AL_INVALID_VALUE} is set and @code{alSourcePlayv} returns, taking no action.

@end table

@item Buffers
Buffer objects are storage space for sample data.  Buffers are referred
to by Sources. There can be more than one Source using the same Buffer
data. If Buffers have to be duplicated on a per-Source basis, the driver
has to take care of allocation, copying, and deallocation as well as
propagating buffer data changes.

@table @code
@item void alGenBuffers( ALsizei n, ALuint *samples )
@findex alGenBuffers

Create n buffer object names, and populate samples with these
names.  If n == 0, a legal NOP occurs.  If n < 0, @code{AL_INVALID_VALUE}
is set and @code{alGenBuffers} returns, taking no further action.  If
resources are not currently available sufficient to cover the request,
@code{AL_OUT_OF_MEMORY} is set.  No partial allocation occurs.

@item void alDeleteBuffers( ALsizei n, ALuint *samples )
@findex alDeleteBuffers

Delete n buffer object names, named in samples[0 - n-1].
If n == 0, a legal NOP occurs.  If n < 0, @code{AL_INVALID_VALUE}
is set and @code{alGenBuffers} returns, taking no further action.  If
any member of samples[0..n-1] is not a currently valid buffer name,
@code{AL_INVALID_NAME} is set and no deletion occurs.

If any member of samples[0..n-1] is associated with a currently playing
or paused source, the buffer in question is flagged and deletion occurs
when all sources the buffer is associated with move to
@code{AL_STOPPED}.  This is a deviation from the canonical spec and this
feature should not be relied upon to deliver the same results in the
future.

@item ALboolean alIsBuffer( ALuint buffer )
@findex alIsBuffer
Returns @code{AL_TRUE} if bid is a valid buffer name, @code{AL_FALSE}
otherwise.

@item void alBufferData( ALuint id, ALenum format, ALvoid *data, ALsizei size, ALsizei freq )
@findex alBufferData
Specify the data to be filled into the buffer associated with id.

@item ALsizei alBufferAppendData( ALuint buffer, ALenum format, ALvoid *data, ALsizei size, ALsizei freq )
@findex alBufferAppendData

Specify data to be filled into a looping buffer.  This takes the current
position at the time of the call, and returns the number of samples
written.

@item void alGetBufferi( ALuint buffer, ALenum param, ALint *value )
@findex alGetBufferi
Query Buffer integer attribute.

@item void alGetBufferf( ALuint buffer, ALenum param, ALfloat* value )
@findex alGetBufferf
Query Buffer float attribute.

@end table

@item Extension Support

Extension support.

@table @code
@item ALboolean alIsExtensionPresent( const ALubyte* fname )
@findex alIsExtensionPresent

Obtain the address of a function (usually an extension)
with the name fname. All addresses are context-independent.

@item void *alGetProcAddress( const ALubyte* fname )
@findex alGetProcAddress

Obtain the address of a function (usually an extension) with the name
fname. All addresses are context-independent.

@item ALenum alGetEnumValue( const ALubyte* ename )
@findex alGetEnumValue

Obtain the integer value of an enumeration (usually an extension) with
the name ename.

@end table

@item Misc

Misc functions that don't act directly upon an object and don't fit
well anywhere else.

OpenAL Maintenance Functions
State Management and Query.

@table @code

@item void alEnable( ALenum capability )
@findex alEnable

Renderer State management.

@item void alDisable( ALenum capability )
@findex alDisable

Renderer State management.

@item ALboolean alIsEnabled( ALenum capability )
@findex alIsEnabled

Returns @code{AL_TRUE} if capability is enabled, @code{AL_FALSE}
otherwise.

@item void alHint( ALenum target, ALenum mode )
@findex alHint
Application preferences for driver performance choices.

@item void alGetBooleanv( ALenum param, ALboolean* data )
@findex alGetBooleanv
State retrieval.

@item void alGetIntegerv( ALenum param, ALint* data )
@findex alGetIntegerv
State retrieval.

@item void alGetFloatv( ALenum param, ALfloat* data )
@findex alGetFloatv
State retrieval.

@item void alGetDoublev( ALenum param, ALdouble* data )
@findex alGetDoublev

State retrieval.

@item const ALubyte *alGetString( ALenum param )
@findex alGetString
Returns a const ALubyte *, NUL terminated string representation of
param.  If param is not a valid enum, @code{AL_INVALID_ENUM} is set.

@end table

@end table

@node alc,alut,al,API
@section OpenAL Device and Context management functions

You can't do anything really good in OpenAL without opening at least one
device and creating at least one context.  One context must be made
current before any al calls can be made, or else bad mojo will ensue.

@table @code

@item ALCdevice *alcOpenDevice( const ALubyte *deviceSpecifier );
@findex alcOpenDevice

@code{alcOpenDevice} opens a rendering backend, using
@code{deviceSpecifier} to determine the type of device and any special
options.  @code{deviceSpecifier} is an implementation dependant string.

In the Loki implementation, this string is an @code{ALRC} token string,
in the form:

@lisp
        '( ( symbol1 value1 ) ( symbol2 value2 ) )
@end lisp

Each symbol is bound to the associated value, overriding any previously
set value.  Important symbols include:

@table @code

@item devices
@vindex devices

@code{devices} is a list of tokens (either strings or unquoted symbols)
that OpenAL checks for in order to determine the sequence and types of
devices that should be used to render audio to.

The list of available devices at the time of this writing is:
@multitable @columnfractions .30 .50
@item    native @tab operating system native
@item       sdl @tab Simple DirectMedia Layer backend
@item      arts @tab aRTs backend
@item       esd @tab esound daemon backend
@item      alsa @tab ALSA backend
@item   waveout @tab WAVE file output
@item      null @tab no output
@end multitable

A device string in this context would look like:

@lisp
        '( ( devices '( native esd null ) ) )
@end lisp

which would tell @code{alcOpenDevice} to first attempt @code{native} audio,
failing that try to use the @code{esd} backend, and failing that to fall
back on the @code{null} backend, in which processing is done as normal
but no output is provided.

@item sampling-rate
@vindex sampling-rate

@code{sampling-rate} is an @code{ALRC_INTEGER} that specifier the
external sampling rate to set the backend to, if possible.  Common
values include 11025, 22050, and 44100.

A sampling-rate example might look like:

@lisp
        '( ( sample-rate 22050 ) )
@end lisp

@cindex internal mixing rate

This does not alter the internal mixing rate ( the frequency which the
library mixes different streams at ).  To alter the interal mixing rate,
all contexts created must specify the context creation flag
@code{ALC_FREQUENCY}.

@end table

@item ALCcontext *alcCreateContext( ALCdevice *device, ALint* attrlist )
@findex alcCreateContext

Create a context, returning a unique identifier for the context,
or NULL on error.  The context is associated with the passed device and
uses it to do its rendering.

@code{attrlist} is usually @code{NULL}, but you can pass it an integer array
terminated by @code{ALC_INVALID} in alc enum / integer pairs.

@lisp
	int attrlist[] = @{ ALC_SYNC, AL_TRUE,
			   ALC_SOURCES, 100,
			   ALC_FREQUENCY, 44100,
			   ALC_INVALID @};
	ALCdevice *dev = alcOpenDevice( NULL );

	ALCcontext *context = alcCreateContext( dev, attrlist );
@end lisp

Valid context creation flags include:

@table @code

@item ALC_FREQUENCY
@vindex ALC_FREQUENCY

@code{ALC_FREQUENCY} sets the internal mixing rate of the context.  It
does not alter the mixing rate of the external device.

@vindex ALC_SYNC
@item ALC_SYNC
Boolean representing whether the context should depend on the use of
@code{alcUpdateContext} to perform it's mixing or launch a seperate
thread.

@vindex ALC_BUFFERSIZE
@item   ALC_BUFFERSIZE

Size of the mixing buffer, in bytes.

@vindex ALC_SOURCES
@item   ALC_SOURCES

Number of sources to preallocate.

@vindex ALC_BUFFERS
@item   ALC_BUFFERS

Number of buffers to preallocate.

@end table

@item ALCboolean alcMakeContextCurrent( ALCcontext *alcHandle )
@findex alcMakeContextCurrent

@code{alcMakeContextCurrent} sets the current context, which is what AL
calls (in general) either alter or query.  Several contexts can be mixed
simultaneously.

@item void alcProcessContext( ALCcontext *alcHandle )
@findex alcProcessContext
For synchronous operation (where the context specified by alcHandle
was created using the @code{ALC_SYNC} context creation flag), this
commits all the changes needed and writes the result to the audio
backend.

In asynchronous operation, this almost always is a NOP.  The single
exception that @code{alcProcessContext} will unpause a paused
asynchronous context.

@item void *alcSuspendContext( ALCcontext *alcHandle )
@findex alcSuspendContext

For currently unsuspended asynchronous contexts, this call suspends the
context and prevents any of its sources from being processed.  Sources
associated with this context do not have their position updated, and
no mixing occurs.

For suspended asynchronous context, or synchronous contexts, this is a
legal NOP.

@item void alcDestroyContext( ALCcontext *alcHandle )
@findex alcDestroyContext

Destroy the context associated with @code{alcHandle}, freeing all
associated objects and sources.

@item ALCenum alcGetError( void );
@findex alcGetError

Get the last @code{alc} error set.

@item const ALubyte *alcGetErrorString(ALenum param);
@findex alcGetErrorString
Get the string representation of the last @code{alc} error set.

@end table

@node alut,alkludge,alc,API
@section OpenAL utility functions

Description of OpenAL utility functions goes here.

@node alkludge, Errors, alut, API
@section OpenAL kludgey functions

@code{alkludge.h} is a repository for stuff that need to either be
discarded, rewritten, or thought out.  You should not rely on
functions in @code{alkludge.h}, although it is unlikely that functions
will be removed from it without some form of equivalent functionality
being introduced in the regular library.

@node Errors, , alkludge, API
@cindex Errors
@c AL errors
@tindex AL_NO_ERROR
@tindex AL_INVALID_NAME
@tindex AL_INVALID_ENUM
@tindex AL_INVALID_VALUE
@tindex AL_INVALID_OPERATION
@tindex AL_OUT_OF_MEMORY
@c ALC errors
@tindex ALC_NO_ERROR
@tindex ALC_INVALID_DEVICE
@tindex ALC_INVALID_CONTEXT
@findex alGetError

There are two types of errors in OpenAL: @code{alc} errors and @code{al}
errors.  @code{al} errors are context specific and one deep.  Only the
first occurring error will be recorded, subsequent errors will not be
recorded.  Errors may be retrieved via the @code{alGetError} call, after
which the error in the current context will be set to
@code{AL_NO_ERROR}, and subsequent errors will again alter the context's
error state.

@code{alc} errors are not context specific, and may be retrieved via the
@code{alcGetError} call.  After a call to @code{alcGetError}, the
context-global error variable is set to @code{ALC_NO_ERROR}.

@node Loki Implementation, Example, API, Top
@chapter Loki's high-quality implementation of the OpenAL API

While we may be a bit biased, we are partial to the Loki OpenAL
implementation.  Loki's implementation is currently an all-software
library with support for multiple filters, configuration, and extension
support via plugins.

@menu

* Installation::                    How do compile and install.
* Filters::                         What effects are available?
* Configuration::                   How can I configure the library?
* Extensions::                      How can I use extensions?

@end menu

@node Installation, Filters, Loki Implementation, Loki Implementation
@cindex Installation

If you retrieve the library via cvs, be sure to run the autogen.sh
script provided.  It will build configure and config.h.in.

After that, run configure with the options you want.  Run
configure --help for available options.

@node Filters, Configuration, Installation, Loki Implementation
@chapter Loki Openal Filters

@node Configuration, Extensions, Filters, Loki Implementation
@chapter The openal configuration file
@cindex ALRC
@cindex configuration file
@cindex config file

Users can give openal hints as to optimal defaults for various
parameters via the openal configuration file.  The openal configuration
file should be placed in either @code{/etc} or in one's home
directory, being named @code{openalrc} in the first location or
@code{.openalrc} in the second location.

The configuration language is meant to be lisp-like.  This does not mean
that it supports lisp constructs, only that it looks something like
lisp.  This hideous language is referred to within the openal sources as
@code{ALRC} (for openAL Resource Configuration language).

@menu
* Primitives::                      ALRC primitive functions.
* Variables::                       What you can define or set.
* Types::                           Sort of stuff you define or set.
* Evaluation::                      Don't try this at home.
@end menu

@node Primitives, Variables,, Configuration
@cindex primitive
@code{ALRC} supports a very small number of primitives required to give
the user a very small amount of control over OpenAL.  Generally, the
user can specific default values for things like listener position,
source parameters, etc.

Primitives are responsible for evaluation their own arguments, unlike
expressions or functions.  Therefore, an argument passed to a primitive
may never be evaluated.

The primitives are:

@table @code

@item and
@cindex and

@example
( and predicate-1 predicate-2 ... )
@end example

Performs a logical @code{and} on parameters, using short circuit
evaluation.  Evaluates to true if none of the parameters
evaluate to false.

@item or
@cindex or

@example
( or predicate-1 predicate-2 ... )
@end example

Performs a logical @code{or} on parameters, stopping at the first true
evaluation.  Evaluates to true if any of the parameters evaluate to
true.

@item define
@cindex define

@example
(define identifier value)
@end example

@code{define} evaluates @code{value}, and if @code{identifier} is not
already in the symbol table, creates a new symbol named
@code{identifier} with the evaluated @code{value}.  If @code{identifier}
is already defined, define sets it to the the evaluated @code{value}.

@item load-extension
@cindex load-extension

@example
( load-extension "/absolute/pathname/plugin.so" )
@end example

@code{load-extension} informs openal of the presence of a plugin which
conforms to the extension format described in @xref{Making your own}.

@end table

@node Variables,  Types, Primitives, Configuration

By setting certain @code{variables}, a user can change the behavior of
OpenAL without resorting to wholesale recompilations.  Loki's OpenAL
implementation respects on certain variables and checks for them.
Usually, the values are used to set default values (such as the default
gain for a source (usually 1.0).

@menu
* Source variables::                      Variables that affect sources
* Context variables::                     Variables that affect contexts
* Listener variables::                    Variables that affect listeners
@end menu

@node Source variables, Context variables, Variables, Variables
@cindex Source variables

There are some, but I haven't listed them here.

@node Context variables, Listener variables, Source variables, Variables
@cindex Context variables

@table @code
@item devices

@code{devices} is a list of tokens (either strings or unquoted symbols)
that OpenAL checks for in order to determine the sequence and types of
devices that should be used to render audio to.

The list of available devices at the time of this writing is:
@multitable @columnfractions .30 .50
@item    native @tab Standard OSS (/dev/dsp) backend on linux.
@item       sdl @tab Simple DirectMedia Layer backend.
@item      arts @tab aRTs backend
@item       esd @tab esound daemon backend.
@item      alsa @tab ALSA backend.
@item   waveout @tab WAVE file output.
@end multitable

...please note that this does not mean that the backends work without
fail, but that support either is included or is planned.

A typical invocation look like:

@lisp
( define devices '(sdl native) )
@end lisp

...which indicates to OpenAL that it should try to render audio to the
SDL backend (if available), and failing that to try the native audio
method for the platform in question, which usually means using the OSS
drivers and @code{/dev/dsp}.  If each device specified in @code{devices}
fails, then the default behavior (@code{native}) is tried.  If that
fails, OpenAL will return a @code{NULL} context.

@end table


@node Listener variables, ,Context variables, Variables
@cindex Listener variables
@node Types, Evaluation, Variables, Configuration

Symbol values have associated type information.  Users should be
acquainted with the following types in ALRC:

@itemize @bullet

@item ALRC_INVALID

This is the type of a value that is either false or for some reason
invalid.  No evaluation or assignment should be attempted with this
type.

@item ALRC_LIST

This type contains other types.  If not quoted, it is evaluated as
an expression with the first item specifying the function name, which
is probably not what you want.

@lisp
'( 0.0 0.0 0.0 )          ; list which is not an expression
( define blah 'blah ) 	; list which is an expression
@end lisp

@item ALRC_SYMBOL

Things which, when evaluated, are not themselves.

@item ALRC_INTEGER

Integer numbers.

@item ALRC_FLOAT

Floating point numbers.

@item ALRC_STRING

A series of characters enclosed by '"'.

@end itemize

@node Evaluation, ,Types, Configuration

@node Extensions, , Configuration, Loki Implementation
@chapter How to extend Loki's OpenAL
@cindex Extensions
@findex alIsExtensionPresent
@findex alGetProcAddress

Loki's OpenAL implementation include some functions which are specific
to the implementation.  These functions all have the suffix @code{_LOKI}
to distinguish them.

In order to use these extensions, the application will need to query
their existence via @code{IsExtensionPresent}, and then use
@code{GetProcAddress} to resolve the address of the extension.  The
result of @code{GetProcAddress} will need to be cast to the appropriate
function type.

@menu
* Loki specific tokens::
* Built in::
* Making your own::
@end menu

@node Loki specific tokens, Built in, , Extensions

@table @code

Some of the Loki specific functionality is expressed in terms of
Loki specific enumerate tokens passed to otherwise standard
calls.

@item AL_FORMAT_WAVE_EXT
@vindex AL_FORMAT_WAVE_EXT

@code{AL_FORMAT_WAVE_EXT} is used in calls accepting format arguments.
It specifies that the data parameter used in the call is an entire
wave file, including header, and that the call should set the frequency,
bit depth, and channel information using the header in the file itself.

@item AL_BYTE_LOKI
@vindex AL_BYTE_LOKI

@code{AL_BYTE_LOKI} is used as a getter to @code{alGetSourcei}, and
reports a source's position, in bytes, into the buffer, or -1 in the
case of a non playing source.  There are no guarentees about the
internal representation of data so the value returned using this
token may not correspond with the equivilant offset in the user
supplied data.

@item AL_SOURCE_LOOPING_LOKI
@vindex AL_SOURCE_LOOPING_LOKI

@code{AL_SOURCE_LOOPING_LOKI} is used as a setter/getter to
@code{al@{Get@}Sourcei}, and sets/gets the infinite loop flag on a source.

@end table

@node Built in, Making your own, Loki specific tokens, Extensions
@cindex _LOKI

Here's a list of extensions which are built into the Loki OpenAL
implementation.  The prefix is included in this section for clarify.

@table @code

@item void alAttenuationScale_LOKI(ALfloat param)
@findex alAttenuationScale_LOKI
@cindex units
@cindex world units
@vindex ALMAXDISTANCE

@code{alAttenuationScale_LOKI} scales the units of the simulation.
Without a call to this function, it is very likely that your application
will not sound correct.

The default scaling factor in Loki's OpenAL is such that a listener
placed at the origin will hear sounds attenuated until that point that
the sounds are @code{ALMAXDISTANCE} units away.  @code{ALMAXDISTANCE} is
an arbitrary constant defined when including @code{AL/alkludge.h}.

It is almost assured that the default scaling factor will be incorrect
for most applications.  That is why this call is so important.  Usage
will generally follow:

        @lisp
        /* create context, load data, and define some value radius
         * to be the radius of your world simulation.
         */

        setScale = (void (*)(ALfloat ))
                        alGetProcAddress("alAttenuationScale_LOKI");
        if(setScale != NULL) @{
                setScale(radius / ALMAXDISTANCE);
        @}

        @end lisp

It is highly recommended you explicitly use this function, and do not
assume that the default units will be useful to you.

@item ALfloat alcGetAudioChannel_LOKI(ALuint channel)
@findex alcGetAudioChannel

@code{alcGetAudioChannel_LOKI} takes in a channel enumeration from the
set @code{AL_CHAN_MAIN_LOKI}, @code{AL_CHAN_PCM_LOKI}, and
@code{AL_CHAN_CD_LOKI}, and returns a normalized ALfloat, corresponding
to the volume associated with the channel on whatever backend the
library is using.

@item void alcSetAudioChannel_LOKI(ALuint channel, ALfloat volume)
@findex alcSetAudioChannel

@code{alcSetAudioChannel_LOKI} takes a channel specification from the
set @code{AL_CHAN_MAIN_LOKI}, @code{AL_CHAN_PCM_LOKI}, and
@code{AL_CHAN_CD_LOKI} and a normalized volume, and sets the hardware
channel associated with the channel argument to the volume (the volume
mapped to the settings appropriate for the backend, that is).

@item void alMute_LOKI(void)
@findex alMute_LOKI

@code{alMute_LOKI} returns nothing and takes no argument.  After a call
to @code{alMute_LOKI}, the implementation ceased all audio output, while
still updating state (so sources still play, you just can't hear them).
The audio setting is preserved so that a subsequent call to
@code{alUnMute_LOKI} will restore the volume to its value prior to the
@code{alMute_LOKI} call.

This isn't really useful, as you can do the same with by just querying
and setting the listener gain.

@item void alUnMute_LOKI(void)
@findex alUnMute_LOKI

@code{alUnMute_LOKI} performs the inverse operation of
@code{alMute_LOKI}.  alUnMute_LOKI restores the volume of the simulation
to that which is was before calling @code{alMute_LOKI}.

@item void alReverbScale_LOKI(ALuint sid, ALfloat param)
@findex alReverbScale_LOKI

@code{alReverbScale_LOKI} allows you to set a normalized value param,
which represents the gain that is used when reverberating.  Don't use
it.  It will be removed as soon as the IASIG extension is completed.

@item void alReverbDelay_LOKI(ALuint sid, ALfloat param)
@findex alReverbDelay_LOKI

@code{alReverbScale_LOKI} allows you to set the delay associated with a
reverberating source.  Don't use this.  It will be removed as soon as
the IASIG extension is completed.

@item ALboolean alBufferPitchHack_LOKI(ALuint bid, ALfloat pitch)
@findex alBufferPitchHack_LOKI
Don't use this.  You don't want it.

@item void alBombOnError_LOKI(void)
@findex alBombOnError_LOKI
@cindex error

@code{alBombOnError_LOKI}, when called, will cause the implementation to
abort on error, instead of just setting the per-context error and
continuing.  This is useful only for debugging.  alc errors are not
handled.

@item void alBufferi_LOKI( ALuint bid, ALenum param, ALint value )
@findex alBufferi_LOKI

@code{alBufferi_LOKI} can be used to set a buffer's attributes.  Not
recommended unless you know what you're doing.  Usually, you can use
this to enable a "multichannel" buffer.

@item void alBufferDataWithCallback_LOKI( ALuint bid, ALint (*callback)(ALuint sid, ALuint bid, ALshort *data, ALenum format, ALuint samples))
@findex alBufferDataWithCallback

@code{alBufferDataWithCallback_LOKI} can be used to specify that the buffer
@code{bid} should, instead of using a static chunk of data specified by
@code{alBufferData}, call the callback @code{callback} to fill a chunk of
data as needed.

The parameters for @code{callback} are as such:

@lisp
	@code{ALuint sid}
	The source id that this request is associated with.  Since many
	sources may share the same buffer, this sid allows the application
	to keep track of offsets and other state associated with each
	source instance.

	@code{ALuint bid}
	The buffer id that the callback is associated with.

	@code{ALshort *data}
	The memory area that the callback should populate

	@code{ALenum format}
	The format the the output data should be in.

	@code{ALuint samples}
	The number of @strong{samples} required.

@end lisp

@end table

@node Making your own, , Built in, Extensions
@cindex plugins
@cindex extensions

It is possible to extend the functionality of Loki's implementation of
OpenAL via plugins (combined with some configuration mojo).

"Plugins" are actually just shared libraries which contain, as an
available symbol, a table which contains function name/address pairs.
Code necessary for library initialization and exit should be placed in
_init, _fini as described in dlopen(3).

The table containing the function name/address pairs should correspond
to the following format:

@lisp
struct @{
        ALubyte *name;
        void *addr;
@} alExtension_03282000 [] = @{
    @{ "alutLoadGIF", (void *) alutLoadGIF @},
    @{ NULL, NULL @}
@};
@end lisp

Right now, the end @code{@{ NULL, NULL @}} pair is needed, and the table
needs to be named @code{alExtension_03282000}.  This format is likely to
change in the future, in order to avoid a badly written plugin from
crashing each application linked against openal.

In order to take advantage of the extension, openal will have to be
informed of its location via the configuration file @xref{Configuration}.

To avoid potential compatibility problems with initialization code, Loki's
OpenAL implementation checks for the presence of the functions
@code{alExtInit_03282000} and @code{alExtFini_03282000}.  These functions
are executed at dlopen and dlclose time, respectively.

@menu
* Includes and typedefs::
* Basics::
* Getting symbol information::
* Adding Filters::
@end menu

@node Includes and typedefs, Basics,  , Making your own
@section Includes and typedefs

@node Basics, Getting symbol information, Includes and typedefs, Making your own

@section Basics

@node Getting symbol information, Adding Filters, Basics, Making your own
@section Getting Symbol Information

@node Adding Filters,,Getting symbol information, Making your own
@section Adding Filters

@node Example, , Loki Implementation, Top
@chapter OpenAL examples

Here are some examples.

@menu
* Trivial::                         A trivial example
* Error Handling::                  Some basic error handling
* Context Management::              Context management
* Panning::                         An example of left/right panning
* Positional::                      Positional attenuation example
* Doppler::                         How to use velocity
* Streaming::                       How to use streaming sound
* Reverb::                          How to use reverb
@end menu

@node Trivial
@section Trivial Example

@lisp

#include <AL/al.h>
#include <AL/alc.h>
#include <AL/alext.h>
#include <AL/alkludge.h>
#include <AL/alut.h>

#include <time.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <sys/time.h>
#include <sys/types.h>
#include <unistd.h>
#include <sys/stat.h>

#define FILE "sample.wav"

static void init(void);

static ALuint moving_source = 0;

static time_t start;
static void *data = (void *) 0xDEADBEEF;

static ALCcontext *context_id;

static void init( void ) @{
        FILE *fh;
        ALfloat zeroes[] = @{ 0.0f, 0.0f,  0.0f @};
        ALfloat back[]   = @{ 0.0f, 0.0f, -1.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f @};
        ALfloat front[]  = @{ 0.0f, 0.0f,  1.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f @};
        ALuint stereo;
        ALsizei size;
        ALsizei bits;
        ALsizei freq;
        ALsizei format;
        int filelen;
	struct stat buf;

	if( stat( FILE, &buf ) < 0 ) @{
		/* file does not exist */
                fprintf( stderr, "Couldn't access %s\n", FILE );
		exit(1);
	@}

        fh = fopen("sample.wav", "rb");
        if(fh == NULL) @{
                fprintf( stderr, "Couldn't open %s\n", FILE );
                exit(1);
        @}

	filelen = buf.st_size;

        data = malloc( filelen );

        alListenerfv( AL_POSITION, zeroes );
        alListenerfv( AL_ORIENTATION, front );

        alGenBuffers( 1, &stereo);

        if( fread( data, filelen, 1, fh) != 1 ) @{
		fprintf( stderr, "Couldn't read %s\n", FILE );

		free( data );

		exit(1);
	@}

        fclose( fh );

        alBufferData( stereo, data, AL_FORMAT_WAVE_EXT, filelen, 0 );

	free( data );

        alGenSources(1, &moving_source);

        alSource3f( moving_source, AL_POSITION, 0.0, 0.0, 4.0 );
        alSourcefv( moving_source, AL_VELOCITY, zeroes );
        alSourcei(  moving_source, AL_BUFFER, stereo );
        alSourcei(  moving_source, AL_LOOPING, AL_FALSE);

        return;
@}

int main( int argc, char* argv[] ) @{
	ALCdevice *dev;
        int attrlist[] = @{ ALC_FREQUENCY, 22050,
                            ALC_INVALID @};
        time_t shouldend;
        ALint state = AL_INITIAL;

	/* open device */
	dev = alcOpenDevice( NULL );
	if( dev == NULL ) @{
		return 1;
	@}

        /* create context. */
        context_id = alcCreateContext( dev, attrlist );
        if( context_id == NULL ) @{
		alcCloseDevice( dev );

                return 1;
        @}

	alcMakeContextCurrent( context_id );

        /*
         * Setup LOKI extensions
         */
        fixup_function_pointers();

        init( );

        alSourcePlay( moving_source );
        do @{
        	/* sleep for a bit */
        	micro_sleep( 500000 );

                shouldend = time(NULL);
                if((shouldend - start) > 10) @{
                        /* After 10 seconds, we end */
                        alSourceStop( moving_source );
                @}

                alSourcei( moving_source, AL_SOURCE_STATE, &state );
        @} while(state != AL_STOPPED);

        cleanup();

        alcDestroyContext( context_id );
	alcCloseDevice( dev );

        return 0;
@}

@end lisp

@node Error Handling
@section Error Handling

Error Handling goes here.

@node Context Management
@section Context Management

Context Management goes here.

@node Panning
@section Panning

Panning example goes here.

@node Positional
@section Positional

Positional example goes here.

@node Doppler
@section Doppler

Doppler example goes here.

@node Reverb
@section Reverb

@lisp
#include <AL/al.h>
#include <AL/alc.h>
#include <AL/alkludge.h>
#include <AL/alut.h>

#include <time.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <unistd.h>

static void init( void );

static ALuint reverb_sid = 0;

static void *wave = NULL;

static void init( void ) @{
	ALfloat zeroes[] = @{ 0.0f, 0.0f,  0.0f @};
	ALfloat back[]   = @{ 0.0f, 0.0f, -1.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f @};
	ALfloat front[]  = @{ 0.0f, 0.0f,  1.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f @};
	ALuint boom;
	ALsizei size;
	ALsizei bits;
	ALsizei freq;
	ALsizei format;

	alListenerfv(AL_POSITION, zeroes );
	alListenerfv(AL_VELOCITY, zeroes );
	alListenerfv(AL_ORIENTATION, front );

        alGenBuffers( 1, &boom );

	alutLoadWAV( "l2.wav", &wave, &format, &size, &bits, &freq);

	alBufferData( boom, format, wave, size, freq );
	free(wave); /* openal makes a local copy of wave data */

	alGenSources( 1, &reverb_sid);

	alSource3f(reverb_sid, AL_POSITION, 2.0, 0.0, 4.0);
	alSourcefv(reverb_sid, AL_VELOCITY, zeroes);
	alSourcefv(reverb_sid, AL_ORIENTATION, back);
	alSourcei (reverb_sid, AL_BUFFER, boom);

	alReverbScale(reverb_sid, 0.6);
	alReverbDelay(reverb_sid, 0.3);

	alAttenuationScale(0.3);
@}

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) @{
	alutInit( &argc, argv );

	init( );

	alSourcePlay(reverb_sid);
	sleep(10);

	alutExit();

	return 0;
@}

@end lisp

@node Streaming
@section Streaming
@cindex Streaming
@cindex Streaming buffer
@cindex Streaming source
@findex alBufferAppendData
@findex alGenStreamingBuffer

Support for streaming sounds rises from the API specification
surrounding @code{alBufferAppendData}.  Streaming sources are understood
to be sources whose @code{AL_BUFFER} parameter is a streaming buffer.  A
streaming buffer is a buffer created by a call to
@code{alGenStreamingBuffer}, and can only be fed data using
@code{alBufferAppendData}.

Streaming sources have restrictions associated with them, and for the
time being require special creation procedures.  Further specifications
may remove some of these restrictions, but until further notice streaming
sources will always be synchronized, and some of the filters may not
apply to them.

@lisp
insert code example
@end lisp

@node Tutorial, , , Top
@menu
* Definitions::
@end menu

@node Definitions, , ,Tutorial
Foo!

@node Function Index, Variable Index, , Top
@unnumbered Function Index

@printindex fn

@node Variable Index, Concept Index, Function Index, Top
@comment    node-name,         next,       previous, up
@unnumbered Variable Index

@printindex vr

@node     Concept Index,     , Variable Index, Top
@comment      node-name, next,       previous, up
@unnumbered Concept Index

@printindex cp

@summarycontents
@contents
@bye
