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.

Debian                                           August 2, 2005                              DEVICE_GET_SOFTC(9)