osx man page for device_get_softc

DEVICE_GET_SOFTC(9)					   BSD Kernel Developer's Manual				       DEVICE_GET_SOFTC(9)

NAME

     device_get_softc -- access driver private instance variables

SYNOPSIS

     #include <sys/param.h>
     #include <sys/bus.h>

     void *
     device_get_softc(device_t dev);

DESCRIPTION

     Return the driver-specific state of dev.  The softc is automatically allocated and zeroed when the device is attached.  The softc is also
     initialized and present when a device is probed, but is subject to caveats as described in DEVICE_PROBE(9).  The size of the allocation is
     determined by the device's driver_t information used to define the driver.  The softc typically encapsulates the state of this instance of
     the device.

     Driver writers are discouraged from using their own softc management mechanisms.  Driver writers should not copy such mechanisms found in
     drivers in the tree that predate this function.

RETURN VALUES

     The pointer to the driver-specific instance variable is returned.

SEE ALSO

     device(9), DEVICE_PROBE(9), device_set_softc(9), driver(9)

AUTHORS

     This manual page was written by Doug Rabson.

BSD
								  August 2, 2005							       BSD