c-to-python-converter: A Python repository from zexalistic

Converting C API to python library

This project converts C APIs to python library, which enables programmers to call and test the C APIs in python.

The C APIs can be exported as a dynamic library(*.dll). If we want to call an API, we need to create a python function, which contains its parameter information, return value type, and its name. Meanwhile, the parameters' types and customized types(from typedef clause) are also required to be converted into python class. This procedure is tedious and time-consuming when the amount of API is large. Thus, I create this tool to automatically do this job.

Below is its workflow.

Limitation

This tool only finds and parses header files. All the definition of APIs and variables must be declared in a header file, and the implementation of API must be in a C file.
Redundant parenthesis in typedef clause will affect the parsing result, "((x))" will be regarded as a different variable from "x".
Function like macros are ignored, e.g. #define MAX(a, b) ( (a) > (b) (a) : (b) ). Simple macros as below will be parsed.
- Single definition. #define A 0x8CUL
- Recursive calling. #define A 0\n #define C 1\n #define B A*(2+C)
void is not available in python. They are all regarded as None.
Nested definition of structure/union is ignored. e.g. typedef struct { union { int B; } Params; } nest_structure; Please split it into two separate structures.
We only regard "__declspec(dllexport)" as the prefix for APIs to export, according to VC++ document. If you are not operating on Windows dll, please contact author and add the prefix.
gui.exe is generated from python 3.9 32bit, thus it only accepts x86 dll. For x64 dll, run gui.py on 64bit python.
sizeof() basic c types is supported. sizeof() user-defined structure is not supported.

Prerequisite

Python version >= 3.6
package: PysimpleGUI

How to use

Run gui.py or gui.exe
add files and folders which contain the files you want to convert
Some macros are predefined in visual studio IDE. You can import those definition from the vcxproj file of your solution.
You can also manually add/delete macros.For example, add a macro called "balabala" with its value as ""(empty).
Click convert and get results in output folder. Check debug.log.Your setting will be automatically saved in config.json after conversion. The tool will load your settings when being reopened.
Copy your dll file to working root folder. Run your testcase, expecting "hello world".