FLAC 1.5.0 Free Lossless Audio Codec

Modules | Typedefs | Enumerations | Functions | Variables
FLAC/metadata.h: metadata level 2 interface
FLAC C API » FLAC/metadata.h: metadata interfaces » FLAC/metadata.h: metadata level 0 interface » FLAC/metadata.h: metadata level 1 interface

## Modules

| FLAC/metadata.h: metadata object methods

## Typedefs

typedef struct FLAC__Metadata_Chain | FLAC__Metadata_Chain
typedef struct FLAC__Metadata_Iterator | FLAC__Metadata_Iterator

## Enumerations

enum | FLAC__Metadata_ChainStatus { FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_OK = 0 , FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_ILLEGAL_INPUT , FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_ERROR_OPENING_FILE , FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_NOT_A_FLAC_FILE , FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_NOT_WRITABLE , FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_BAD_METADATA , FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_READ_ERROR , FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_SEEK_ERROR ,
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_WRITE_ERROR , FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_RENAME_ERROR , FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_UNLINK_ERROR , FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_MEMORY_ALLOCATION_ERROR ,
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_INTERNAL_ERROR , FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_INVALID_CALLBACKS , FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_READ_WRITE_MISMATCH , FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_WRONG_WRITE_CALL
}

## Functions

FLAC__Metadata_Chain * | FLAC__metadata_chain_new (void)
void | FLAC__metadata_chain_delete (FLAC__Metadata_Chain *chain)
FLAC__Metadata_ChainStatus | FLAC__metadata_chain_status (FLAC__Metadata_Chain *chain)
FLAC__bool | FLAC__metadata_chain_read (FLAC__Metadata_Chain *chain, const char *filename)
FLAC__bool | FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg (FLAC__Metadata_Chain *chain, const char *filename)
FLAC__bool | FLAC__metadata_chain_read_with_callbacks (FLAC__Metadata_Chain *chain, FLAC__IOHandle handle, FLAC__IOCallbacks callbacks)
FLAC__bool | FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg_with_callbacks (FLAC__Metadata_Chain *chain, FLAC__IOHandle handle, FLAC__IOCallbacks callbacks)
FLAC__bool | FLAC__metadata_chain_check_if_tempfile_needed (FLAC__Metadata_Chain *chain, FLAC__bool use_padding)
FLAC__bool | FLAC__metadata_chain_write (FLAC__Metadata_Chain *chain, FLAC__bool use_padding, FLAC__bool preserve_file_stats)
FLAC__bool | FLAC__metadata_chain_write_new_file (FLAC__Metadata_Chain *chain, const char *filename, FLAC__bool use_padding)
FLAC__bool | FLAC__metadata_chain_write_with_callbacks (FLAC__Metadata_Chain *chain, FLAC__bool use_padding, FLAC__IOHandle handle, FLAC__IOCallbacks callbacks)
FLAC__bool | FLAC__metadata_chain_write_with_callbacks_and_tempfile (FLAC__Metadata_Chain *chain, FLAC__bool use_padding, FLAC__IOHandle handle, FLAC__IOCallbacks callbacks, FLAC__IOHandle temp_handle, FLAC__IOCallbacks temp_callbacks)
void | FLAC__metadata_chain_merge_padding (FLAC__Metadata_Chain *chain)
void | FLAC__metadata_chain_sort_padding (FLAC__Metadata_Chain *chain)
FLAC__Metadata_Iterator * | FLAC__metadata_iterator_new (void)
void | FLAC__metadata_iterator_delete (FLAC__Metadata_Iterator *iterator)
void | FLAC__metadata_iterator_init (FLAC__Metadata_Iterator *iterator, FLAC__Metadata_Chain *chain)
FLAC__bool | FLAC__metadata_iterator_next (FLAC__Metadata_Iterator *iterator)
FLAC__bool | FLAC__metadata_iterator_prev (FLAC__Metadata_Iterator *iterator)
FLAC__MetadataType | FLAC__metadata_iterator_get_block_type (const FLAC__Metadata_Iterator *iterator)
FLAC__StreamMetadata * | FLAC__metadata_iterator_get_block (FLAC__Metadata_Iterator *iterator)
FLAC__bool | FLAC__metadata_iterator_set_block (FLAC__Metadata_Iterator *iterator, FLAC__StreamMetadata *block)
FLAC__bool | FLAC__metadata_iterator_delete_block (FLAC__Metadata_Iterator *iterator, FLAC__bool replace_with_padding)
FLAC__bool | FLAC__metadata_iterator_insert_block_before (FLAC__Metadata_Iterator *iterator, FLAC__StreamMetadata *block)
FLAC__bool | FLAC__metadata_iterator_insert_block_after (FLAC__Metadata_Iterator *iterator, FLAC__StreamMetadata *block)

## Variables

const char *const | FLAC__Metadata_ChainStatusString []

## Detailed Description

The level 2 interface provides read-write access to FLAC file metadata; all metadata is read into memory, operated on in memory, and then written to file, which is more efficient than level 1 when editing multiple blocks.

Currently Ogg FLAC is supported for read only, via FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg() but a subsequent FLAC__metadata_chain_write() will fail.

The general usage of this interface is:

- Create a new chain using FLAC__metadata_chain_new(). A chain is a linked list of FLAC metadata blocks.
- Read all metadata into the chain from a FLAC file using FLAC__metadata_chain_read() or FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg() and check the status.
- Optionally, consolidate the padding using FLAC__metadata_chain_merge_padding() or FLAC__metadata_chain_sort_padding().
- Create a new iterator using FLAC__metadata_iterator_new()
- Initialize the iterator to point to the first element in the chain using FLAC__metadata_iterator_init()
- Traverse the chain using FLAC__metadata_iterator_next and FLAC__metadata_iterator_prev().
- Get a block for reading or modification using FLAC__metadata_iterator_get_block(). The pointer to the object inside the chain is returned, so the block is yours to modify. Changes will be reflected in the FLAC file when you write the chain. You can also add and delete blocks (see functions below).
- When done, write out the chain using FLAC__metadata_chain_write(). Make sure to read the whole comment to the function below.
- Delete the chain using FLAC__metadata_chain_delete().

Note
  Even though the FLAC file is not open while the chain is being manipulated, you must not alter the file externally during this time. The chain assumes the FLAC file will not change between the time of FLAC__metadata_chain_read()/FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg() and FLAC__metadata_chain_write().
  Do not modify the is_last, length, or type fields of returned FLAC__StreamMetadata objects. These are managed automatically.
  The metadata objects returned by FLAC__metadata_iterator_get_block() are owned by the chain; do not FLAC__metadata_object_delete() them. In the same way, blocks passed to FLAC__metadata_iterator_set_block() become owned by the chain and they will be deleted when the chain is deleted.

## Typedef Documentation

## ◆ FLAC__Metadata_Chain

typedef struct FLAC__Metadata_Chain FLAC__Metadata_Chain

The opaque structure definition for the level 2 chain type.

## ◆ FLAC__Metadata_Iterator

typedef struct FLAC__Metadata_Iterator FLAC__Metadata_Iterator

The opaque structure definition for the level 2 iterator type.

## Enumeration Type Documentation

## ◆ FLAC__Metadata_ChainStatus

enum FLAC__Metadata_ChainStatus

Enumerator
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_OK | The chain is in the normal OK state
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_ILLEGAL_INPUT | The data passed into a function violated the function's usage criteria
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_ERROR_OPENING_FILE | The chain could not open the target file
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_NOT_A_FLAC_FILE | The chain could not find the FLAC signature at the start of the file
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_NOT_WRITABLE | The chain tried to write to a file that was not writable
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_BAD_METADATA | The chain encountered input that does not conform to the FLAC metadata specification
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_READ_ERROR | The chain encountered an error while reading the FLAC file
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_SEEK_ERROR | The chain encountered an error while seeking in the FLAC file
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_WRITE_ERROR | The chain encountered an error while writing the FLAC file
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_RENAME_ERROR | The chain encountered an error renaming the FLAC file
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_UNLINK_ERROR | The chain encountered an error removing the temporary file
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_MEMORY_ALLOCATION_ERROR | Memory allocation failed
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_INTERNAL_ERROR | The caller violated an assertion or an unexpected error occurred
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_INVALID_CALLBACKS | One or more of the required callbacks was NULL
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_READ_WRITE_MISMATCH | FLAC__metadata_chain_write() was called on a chain read by FLAC__metadata_chain_read_with_callbacks()/FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg_with_callbacks(), or FLAC__metadata_chain_write_with_callbacks()/FLAC__metadata_chain_write_with_callbacks_and_tempfile() was called on a chain read by FLAC__metadata_chain_read()/FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg(). Matching read/write methods must always be used.
FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_WRONG_WRITE_CALL | FLAC__metadata_chain_write_with_callbacks() was called when the chain write requires a tempfile; use FLAC__metadata_chain_write_with_callbacks_and_tempfile() instead. Always check FLAC__metadata_chain_check_if_tempfile_needed() before writing via callbacks.

## Function Documentation

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_chain_new()

FLAC__Metadata_Chain * FLAC__metadata_chain_new | ( | void |  | ) |

Create a new chain instance.

Return values

  FLAC__Metadata_Chain* | `NULL` if there was an error allocating memory, else the new instance.

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_chain_delete()

void FLAC__metadata_chain_delete | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Chain * | chain | ) |

Free a chain instance. Deletes the object pointed to by chain.

Parameters

  chain | A pointer to an existing chain.

Assertions:
  chain != NULL

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_chain_status()

FLAC__Metadata_ChainStatus FLAC__metadata_chain_status | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Chain * | chain | ) |

Get the current status of the chain. Call this after a function returns `false` to get the reason for the error. Also resets the status to FLAC__METADATA_CHAIN_STATUS_OK.

Parameters

  chain | A pointer to an existing chain.

Assertions:
  chain != NULL

Return values

  FLAC__Metadata_ChainStatus | The current status of the chain.

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_chain_read()

FLAC__bool FLAC__metadata_chain_read | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Chain * | chain,
|  | const char * | filename
| ) |  |

Read all metadata from a FLAC file into the chain.

On Windows, filename must be a UTF-8 encoded filename, which libFLAC internally translates to an appropriate representation to use with _wfopen. On all other systems, filename is passed to fopen without any translation.

Parameters

  chain | A pointer to an existing chain.
  filename | The path to the FLAC file to read.

Assertions:
  chain != NULL
  filename != NULL

Return values

  FLAC__bool | `true` if a valid list of metadata blocks was read from filename, else `false`. On failure, check the status with FLAC__metadata_chain_status().

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg()

FLAC__bool FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Chain * | chain,
|  | const char * | filename
| ) |  |

Read all metadata from an Ogg FLAC file into the chain.

On Windows, filename must be a UTF-8 encoded filename, which libFLAC internally translates to an appropriate representation to use with _wfopen. On all other systems, filename is passed to fopen without any translation.

Note
  Ogg FLAC metadata data writing is not supported yet and FLAC__metadata_chain_write() will fail.

Parameters

  chain | A pointer to an existing chain.
  filename | The path to the Ogg FLAC file to read.

Assertions:
  chain != NULL
  filename != NULL

Return values

  FLAC__bool | `true` if a valid list of metadata blocks was read from filename, else `false`. On failure, check the status with FLAC__metadata_chain_status().

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_chain_read_with_callbacks()

FLAC__bool FLAC__metadata_chain_read_with_callbacks | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Chain * | chain,
|  | FLAC__IOHandle | handle,
|  | FLAC__IOCallbacks | callbacks
| ) |  |

Read all metadata from a FLAC stream into the chain via I/O callbacks.

The handle need only be open for reading, but must be seekable. The equivalent minimum stdio fopen() file mode is `"r"` (or `"rb"` for Windows).

Parameters

  chain | A pointer to an existing chain.
  handle | The I/O handle of the FLAC stream to read. The handle will NOT be closed after the metadata is read; that is the duty of the caller.
  callbacks | A set of callbacks to use for I/O. The mandatory callbacks are read, seek, and tell.

Assertions:
  chain != NULL

Return values

  FLAC__bool | `true` if a valid list of metadata blocks was read from handle, else `false`. On failure, check the status with FLAC__metadata_chain_status().

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg_with_callbacks()

FLAC__bool FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg_with_callbacks | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Chain * | chain,
|  | FLAC__IOHandle | handle,
|  | FLAC__IOCallbacks | callbacks
| ) |  |

Read all metadata from an Ogg FLAC stream into the chain via I/O callbacks.

The handle need only be open for reading, but must be seekable. The equivalent minimum stdio fopen() file mode is `"r"` (or `"rb"` for Windows).

Note
  Ogg FLAC metadata data writing is not supported yet and FLAC__metadata_chain_write() will fail.

Parameters

  chain | A pointer to an existing chain.
  handle | The I/O handle of the Ogg FLAC stream to read. The handle will NOT be closed after the metadata is read; that is the duty of the caller.
  callbacks | A set of callbacks to use for I/O. The mandatory callbacks are read, seek, and tell.

Assertions:
  chain != NULL

Return values

  FLAC__bool | `true` if a valid list of metadata blocks was read from handle, else `false`. On failure, check the status with FLAC__metadata_chain_status().

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_chain_check_if_tempfile_needed()

FLAC__bool FLAC__metadata_chain_check_if_tempfile_needed | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Chain * | chain,
|  | FLAC__bool | use_padding
| ) |  |

Checks if writing the given chain would require the use of a temporary file, or if it could be written in place.

Under certain conditions, padding can be utilized so that writing edited metadata back to the FLAC file does not require rewriting the entire file. If rewriting is required, then a temporary workfile is required. When writing metadata using callbacks, you must check this function to know whether FLAC__metadata_chain_write_with_callbacks() can be used or FLAC__metadata_chain_write_with_callbacks_and_tempfile() is necessary. When writing with FLAC__metadata_chain_write(), the temporary file is handled internally.

Parameters

  chain | A pointer to an existing chain.
  use_padding | Whether or not padding will be allowed to be used during the write. The value of use_padding given here must match the value later passed to FLAC__metadata_chain_write_with_callbacks() or FLAC__metadata_chain_write_with_callbacks_with_tempfile().

Assertions:
  chain != NULL

Return values

  FLAC__bool | `true` if writing the current chain would require a tempfile, or `false` if metadata can be written in place.

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_chain_write()

FLAC__bool FLAC__metadata_chain_write | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Chain * | chain,
|  | FLAC__bool | use_padding,
|  | FLAC__bool | preserve_file_stats
| ) |  |

Write all metadata out to the FLAC file. This function tries to be as efficient as possible; how the metadata is actually written is shown by the following:

If the current chain is the same size as the existing metadata, the new data is written in place.

If the current chain is longer than the existing metadata, and use_padding is `true`, and the last block is a PADDING block of sufficient length, the function will truncate the final padding block so that the overall size of the metadata is the same as the existing metadata, and then just rewrite the metadata. Otherwise, if not all of the above conditions are met, the entire FLAC file must be rewritten. If you want to use padding this way it is a good idea to call FLAC__metadata_chain_sort_padding() first so that you have the maximum amount of padding to work with, unless you need to preserve ordering of the PADDING blocks for some reason.

If the current chain is shorter than the existing metadata, and use_padding is `true`, and the final block is a PADDING block, the padding is extended to make the overall size the same as the existing data. If use_padding is `true` and the last block is not a PADDING block, a new PADDING block is added to the end of the new data to make it the same size as the existing data (if possible, see the note to FLAC__metadata_simple_iterator_set_block() about the four byte limit) and the new data is written in place. If none of the above apply or use_padding is `false`, the entire FLAC file is rewritten.

If preserve_file_stats is `true`, the owner and modification time will be preserved even if the FLAC file is written.

For this write function to be used, the chain must have been read with FLAC__metadata_chain_read()/FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg(), not FLAC__metadata_chain_read_with_callbacks()/FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg_with_callbacks().

Parameters

  chain | A pointer to an existing chain.
  use_padding | See above.
  preserve_file_stats | See above.

Assertions:
  chain != NULL

Return values

  FLAC__bool | `true` if the write succeeded, else `false`. On failure, check the status with FLAC__metadata_chain_status().

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_chain_write_new_file()

FLAC__bool FLAC__metadata_chain_write_new_file | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Chain * | chain,
|  | const char * | filename,
|  | FLAC__bool | use_padding
| ) |  |

Write all metadata out to a new FLAC file.

This function works similar to FLAC__metadata_chain_write(), but is useful if writing to a new file is desired. This is more efficient than copying the file before changing it.

For this write function to be used, the chain must have been read with FLAC__metadata_chain_read()/FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg(), not FLAC__metadata_chain_read_with_callbacks()/FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg_with_callbacks(). See also FLAC__metadata_chain_write_with_callbacks_and_tempfile()

Parameters

  chain | A pointer to an existing chain.
  use_padding | See FLAC__metadata_chain_write()
  filename | The filename of the new file.

Assertions:
  chain != NULL

Return values

  FLAC__bool | `true` if the write succeeded, else `false`. On failure, check the status with FLAC__metadata_chain_status().

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_chain_write_with_callbacks()

FLAC__bool FLAC__metadata_chain_write_with_callbacks | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Chain * | chain,
|  | FLAC__bool | use_padding,
|  | FLAC__IOHandle | handle,
|  | FLAC__IOCallbacks | callbacks
| ) |  |

Write all metadata out to a FLAC stream via callbacks.

(See FLAC__metadata_chain_write() for the details on how padding is used to write metadata in place if possible.)

The handle must be open for updating and be seekable. The equivalent minimum stdio fopen() file mode is `"r+"` (or `"r+b"` for Windows).

For this write function to be used, the chain must have been read with FLAC__metadata_chain_read_with_callbacks()/FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg_with_callbacks(), not FLAC__metadata_chain_read()/FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg(). Also, FLAC__metadata_chain_check_if_tempfile_needed() must have returned `false`.

Parameters

  chain | A pointer to an existing chain.
  use_padding | See FLAC__metadata_chain_write()
  handle | The I/O handle of the FLAC stream to write. The handle will NOT be closed after the metadata is written; that is the duty of the caller.
  callbacks | A set of callbacks to use for I/O. The mandatory callbacks are write and seek.

Assertions:
  chain != NULL

Return values

  FLAC__bool | `true` if the write succeeded, else `false`. On failure, check the status with FLAC__metadata_chain_status().

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_chain_write_with_callbacks_and_tempfile()

FLAC__bool FLAC__metadata_chain_write_with_callbacks_and_tempfile | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Chain * | chain,
|  | FLAC__bool | use_padding,
|  | FLAC__IOHandle | handle,
|  | FLAC__IOCallbacks | callbacks,
|  | FLAC__IOHandle | temp_handle,
|  | FLAC__IOCallbacks | temp_callbacks
| ) |  |

Write all metadata out to a FLAC stream via callbacks.

(See FLAC__metadata_chain_write() for the details on how padding is used to write metadata in place if possible.)

This version of the write-with-callbacks function must be used when FLAC__metadata_chain_check_if_tempfile_needed() returns true. In this function, you must supply an I/O handle corresponding to the FLAC file to edit, and a temporary handle to which the new FLAC file will be written. It is the caller's job to move this temporary FLAC file on top of the original FLAC file to complete the metadata edit. This version of the write-with-callbacks function can also be used if writing to a new file is desired anyway.

The handle must be open for reading and be seekable. The equivalent minimum stdio fopen() file mode is `"r"` (or `"rb"` for Windows).

The temp_handle must be open for writing. The equivalent minimum stdio fopen() file mode is `"w"` (or `"wb"` for Windows). It should be an empty stream, or at least positioned at the start-of-file (in which case it is the caller's duty to truncate it on return).

For this write function to be used, the chain must have been read with FLAC__metadata_chain_read_with_callbacks()/FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg_with_callbacks(), not FLAC__metadata_chain_read()/FLAC__metadata_chain_read_ogg().

Parameters

  chain | A pointer to an existing chain.
  use_padding | See FLAC__metadata_chain_write()
  handle | The I/O handle of the original FLAC stream to read. The handle will NOT be closed after the metadata is written; that is the duty of the caller.
  callbacks | A set of callbacks to use for I/O on handle. The mandatory callbacks are read, seek, and eof.
  temp_handle | The I/O handle of the FLAC stream to write. The handle will NOT be closed after the metadata is written; that is the duty of the caller.
  temp_callbacks | A set of callbacks to use for I/O on temp_handle. The only mandatory callback is write.

Assertions:
  chain != NULL

Return values

  FLAC__bool | `true` if the write succeeded, else `false`. On failure, check the status with FLAC__metadata_chain_status().

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_chain_merge_padding()

void FLAC__metadata_chain_merge_padding | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Chain * | chain | ) |

Merge adjacent PADDING blocks into a single block.

Note
  This function does not write to the FLAC file, it only modifies the chain.

Warning
  Any iterator on the current chain will become invalid after this call. You should delete the iterator and get a new one.

Parameters

  chain | A pointer to an existing chain.

Assertions:
  chain != NULL

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_chain_sort_padding()

void FLAC__metadata_chain_sort_padding | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Chain * | chain | ) |

This function will move all PADDING blocks to the end on the metadata, then merge them into a single block.

Note
  This function does not write to the FLAC file, it only modifies the chain.

Warning
  Any iterator on the current chain will become invalid after this call. You should delete the iterator and get a new one.

Parameters

  chain | A pointer to an existing chain.

Assertions:
  chain != NULL

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_iterator_new()

FLAC__Metadata_Iterator * FLAC__metadata_iterator_new | ( | void |  | ) |

Create a new iterator instance.

Return values

  FLAC__Metadata_Iterator* | `NULL` if there was an error allocating memory, else the new instance.

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_iterator_delete()

void FLAC__metadata_iterator_delete | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Iterator * | iterator | ) |

Free an iterator instance. Deletes the object pointed to by iterator.

Parameters

  iterator | A pointer to an existing iterator.

Assertions:
  iterator != NULL

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_iterator_init()

void FLAC__metadata_iterator_init | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Iterator * | iterator,
|  | FLAC__Metadata_Chain * | chain
| ) |  |

Initialize the iterator to point to the first metadata block in the given chain.

Parameters

  iterator | A pointer to an existing iterator.
  chain | A pointer to an existing and initialized (read) chain.

Assertions:
  iterator != NULL
  chain != NULL

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_iterator_next()

FLAC__bool FLAC__metadata_iterator_next | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Iterator * | iterator | ) |

Moves the iterator forward one metadata block, returning `false` if already at the end.

Parameters

  iterator | A pointer to an existing initialized iterator.

Assertions:
  iterator != NULL
  iterator has been successfully initialized with FLAC__metadata_iterator_init()

Return values

  FLAC__bool | `false` if already at the last metadata block of the chain, else `true`.

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_iterator_prev()

FLAC__bool FLAC__metadata_iterator_prev | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Iterator * | iterator | ) |

Moves the iterator backward one metadata block, returning `false` if already at the beginning.

Parameters

  iterator | A pointer to an existing initialized iterator.

Assertions:
  iterator != NULL
  iterator has been successfully initialized with FLAC__metadata_iterator_init()

Return values

  FLAC__bool | `false` if already at the first metadata block of the chain, else `true`.

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_iterator_get_block_type()

FLAC__MetadataType FLAC__metadata_iterator_get_block_type | ( | const FLAC__Metadata_Iterator * | iterator | ) |

Get the type of the metadata block at the current position.

Parameters

  iterator | A pointer to an existing initialized iterator.

Assertions:
  iterator != NULL
  iterator has been successfully initialized with FLAC__metadata_iterator_init()

Return values

  FLAC__MetadataType | The type of the metadata block at the current iterator position.

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_iterator_get_block()

FLAC__StreamMetadata * FLAC__metadata_iterator_get_block | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Iterator * | iterator | ) |

Get the metadata block at the current position. You can modify the block in place but must write the chain before the changes are reflected to the FLAC file. You do not need to call FLAC__metadata_iterator_set_block() to reflect the changes; the pointer returned by FLAC__metadata_iterator_get_block() points directly into the chain.

Warning
  Do not call FLAC__metadata_object_delete() on the returned object; to delete a block use FLAC__metadata_iterator_delete_block().

Parameters

  iterator | A pointer to an existing initialized iterator.

Assertions:
  iterator != NULL
  iterator has been successfully initialized with FLAC__metadata_iterator_init()

Return values

  FLAC__StreamMetadata* | The current metadata block.

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_iterator_set_block()

FLAC__bool FLAC__metadata_iterator_set_block | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Iterator * | iterator,
|  | FLAC__StreamMetadata * | block
| ) |  |

Set the metadata block at the current position, replacing the existing block. The new block passed in becomes owned by the chain and it will be deleted when the chain is deleted.

Parameters

  iterator | A pointer to an existing initialized iterator.
  block | A pointer to a metadata block.

Assertions:
  iterator != NULL
  iterator has been successfully initialized with FLAC__metadata_iterator_init()
  block != NULL

Return values

  FLAC__bool | `false` if the conditions in the above description are not met, or a memory allocation error occurs, otherwise `true`.

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_iterator_delete_block()

FLAC__bool FLAC__metadata_iterator_delete_block | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Iterator * | iterator,
|  | FLAC__bool | replace_with_padding
| ) |  |

Removes the current block from the chain. If replace_with_padding is `true`, the block will instead be replaced with a padding block of equal size. You can not delete the STREAMINFO block. The iterator will be left pointing to the block before the one just "deleted", even if replace_with_padding is `true`.

Parameters

  iterator | A pointer to an existing initialized iterator.
  replace_with_padding | See above.

Assertions:
  iterator != NULL
  iterator has been successfully initialized with FLAC__metadata_iterator_init()

Return values

  FLAC__bool | `false` if the conditions in the above description are not met, otherwise `true`.

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_iterator_insert_block_before()

FLAC__bool FLAC__metadata_iterator_insert_block_before | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Iterator * | iterator,
|  | FLAC__StreamMetadata * | block
| ) |  |

Insert a new block before the current block. You cannot insert a block before the first STREAMINFO block. You cannot insert a STREAMINFO block as there can be only one, the one that already exists at the head when you read in a chain. The chain takes ownership of the new block and it will be deleted when the chain is deleted. The iterator will be left pointing to the new block.

Parameters

  iterator | A pointer to an existing initialized iterator.
  block | A pointer to a metadata block to insert.

Assertions:
  iterator != NULL
  iterator has been successfully initialized with FLAC__metadata_iterator_init()

Return values

  FLAC__bool | `false` if the conditions in the above description are not met, or a memory allocation error occurs, otherwise `true`.

## ◆ FLAC__metadata_iterator_insert_block_after()

FLAC__bool FLAC__metadata_iterator_insert_block_after | ( | FLAC__Metadata_Iterator * | iterator,
|  | FLAC__StreamMetadata * | block
| ) |  |

Insert a new block after the current block. You cannot insert a STREAMINFO block as there can be only one, the one that already exists at the head when you read in a chain. The chain takes ownership of the new block and it will be deleted when the chain is deleted. The iterator will be left pointing to the new block.

Parameters

  iterator | A pointer to an existing initialized iterator.
  block | A pointer to a metadata block to insert.

Assertions:
  iterator != NULL
  iterator has been successfully initialized with FLAC__metadata_iterator_init()

Return values

  FLAC__bool | `false` if the conditions in the above description are not met, or a memory allocation error occurs, otherwise `true`.

## Variable Documentation

## ◆ FLAC__Metadata_ChainStatusString

const char* const FLAC__Metadata_ChainStatusString[]

extern

Maps a FLAC__Metadata_ChainStatus to a C string.

Using a FLAC__Metadata_ChainStatus as the index to this array will give the string equivalent. The contents should not be modified.

Copyright (c) 2000-2009 Josh Coalson Copyright (c) 2011-2025 Xiph.Org Foundation