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authorDaniel Baumann <daniel.baumann@progress-linux.org>2024-04-07 19:33:14 +0000
committerDaniel Baumann <daniel.baumann@progress-linux.org>2024-04-07 19:33:14 +0000
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+# Web IDL bindings
+
+<div class="note">
+<div class="admonition-title">Note</div>
+
+Need to document the setup for indexed and named
+setters/creators/deleters.
+
+</div>
+
+The [Web IDL](https://webidl.spec.whatwg.org/) bindings are generated
+at build time based on two things: the actual Web IDL file and a
+configuration file that lists some metadata about how the Web IDL should
+be reflected into Gecko-internal code.
+
+All Web IDL files should be placed in
+[`dom/webidl`](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/dom/webidl/)
+and added to the list in the
+[moz.build](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/dom/webidl/moz.build)
+file in that directory.
+
+Note that if you're adding new interfaces, then the test at
+`dom/tests/mochitest/general/test_interfaces.html` will most likely
+fail. This is a signal that you need to get a review from a [DOM
+peer](https://wiki.mozilla.org/Modules/All#Document_Object_Model).
+Resist the urge to just add your interfaces to the
+[moz.build](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/dom/webidl/moz.build) list
+without the review; it will just annoy the DOM peers and they'll make
+you get the review anyway.
+
+The configuration file, `dom/bindings/Bindings.conf`, is basically a
+Python dict that maps interface names to information about the
+interface, called a *descriptor*. There are all sorts of possible
+options here that handle various edge cases, but most descriptors can be
+very simple.
+
+All the generated code is placed in the `mozilla::dom` namespace. For
+each interface, a namespace whose name is the name of the interface with
+`Binding` appended is created, and all the things pertaining to that
+interface's binding go in that namespace.
+
+There are various helper objects and utility methods in
+[`dom/bindings`](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/dom/bindings)
+that are also all in the `mozilla::dom` namespace and whose headers
+are all exported into `mozilla/dom` (placed in
+`$OBJDIR/dist/include` by the build process).
+
+## Adding Web IDL bindings to a class
+
+To add a Web IDL binding for interface `MyInterface` to a class
+`mozilla::dom::MyInterface` that's supposed to implement that
+interface, you need to do the following:
+
+1. If your interface doesn't inherit from any other interfaces, inherit
+ from `nsWrapperCache` and hook up the class to the cycle collector
+ so it will trace the wrapper cache properly. Note that you may not
+ need to do this if your objects can only be created, never gotten
+ from other objects. If you also inherit from `nsISupports`, make
+ sure the `nsISupports` comes before the `nsWrapperCache` in your
+ list of parent classes. If your interface *does* inherit from another
+ interface, just inherit from the C++ type that the other interface
+ corresponds to.
+
+ If you do need to hook up cycle collection, it will look like this in
+ the common case of also inheriting from nsISupports:
+
+ ``` cpp
+ // Add strong pointers your class holds here. If you do, change to using
+ // NS_IMPL_CYCLE_COLLECTION_WRAPPERCACHE.
+ NS_IMPL_CYCLE_COLLECTION_WRAPPERCACHE_0(MyClass)
+ NS_IMPL_CYCLE_COLLECTING_ADDREF(MyClass)
+ NS_IMPL_CYCLE_COLLECTING_RELEASE(MyClass)
+ NS_INTERFACE_MAP_BEGIN_CYCLE_COLLECTION(MyClass)
+ NS_WRAPPERCACHE_INTERFACE_MAP_ENTRY
+ NS_INTERFACE_MAP_ENTRY(nsISupports)
+ NS_INTERFACE_MAP_END
+ ```
+
+1. If your class doesn't inherit from a class that implements
+ `GetParentObject`, then add a function of that name that, for a
+ given instance of your class, returns the same object every time
+ (unless you write explicit code that handles your parent object
+ changing by reparenting JS wrappers, as nodes do). The idea is that
+ walking the `GetParentObject` chain will eventually get you to a
+ Window, so that every Web IDL object is associated with a particular
+ Window.
+ For example, `nsINode::GetParentObject` returns the node's owner
+ document. The return type of `GetParentObject` doesn't matter other
+ than it must either singly-inherit from `nsISupports` or have a
+ corresponding
+ [`ToSupports`](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/search?q=ToSupports&path=&case=true&regexp=false)
+ method that can produce an `nsISupports` from it. (This allows the
+ return value to be implicitly converted to a
+ [`ParentObject`](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/search?q=ParentObject&path=&case=true&regexp=false)
+ instance by the compiler via one of that class's non-explicit
+ constructors.)
+ If many instances of `MyInterface` are expected to be created
+ quickly, the return value of `GetParentObject` should itself inherit
+ from `nsWrapperCache` for optimal performance. Returning null from
+ `GetParentObject` is allowed in situations in which it's OK to
+ associate the resulting object with a random global object for
+ security purposes; this is not usually ok for things that are exposed
+ to web content. Again, if you do not need wrapper caching you don't
+ need to do this. The actual type returned from `GetParentObject`
+ must be defined in a header included from your implementation header,
+ so that this type's definition is visible to the binding code.
+
+1. Add the Web IDL for `MyInterface` in `dom/webidl` and to the list
+ in `dom/webidl/moz.build`.
+
+1. Add an entry to `dom/bindings/Bindings.conf` that sets some basic
+ information about the implementation of the interface. If the C++
+ type is not `mozilla::dom::MyInterface`, you need to set the
+ `'nativeType'` to the right type. If the type is not in the header
+ file one gets by replacing '::' with '/' and appending '`.h`', then
+ add a corresponding `'headerFile'` annotation (or
+ [`HeaderFile`](#headerfile-path-to-headerfile-h) annotation to the .webidl file). If
+ you don't have to set any annotations, then you don't need to add an
+ entry either and the code generator will simply assume the defaults
+ here. Note that using a `'headerFile'` annotation is generally not
+ recommended. If you do use it, you will need to make sure your
+ header includes all the headers needed for your [`Func`](#func-funcname)
+ annotations.
+
+1. Add external interface entries to `Bindings.conf` for whatever
+ non-Web IDL interfaces your new interface has as arguments or return
+ values.
+
+1. Implement a `WrapObject` override on `mozilla::dom::MyInterface`
+ that just calls through to
+ `mozilla::dom::MyInterface_Binding::Wrap`. Note that if your C++
+ type is implementing multiple distinct Web IDL interfaces, you need
+ to choose which `mozilla::dom::MyInterface_Binding::Wrap` to call
+ here. See `AudioContext::WrapObject`, for example.
+
+1. Expose whatever methods the interface needs on
+ `mozilla::dom::MyInterface`. These can be inline, virtual, have any
+ calling convention, and so forth, as long as they have the right
+ argument types and return types. You can see an example of what the
+ function declarations should look like by running
+ `mach webidl-example MyInterface`. This will produce two files in
+ `dom/bindings` in your objdir: `MyInterface-example.h` and
+ `MyInterface-example.cpp`, which show a basic implementation of the
+ interface using a class that inherits from `nsISupports` and has a
+ wrapper cache.
+
+See this [sample patch that migrates window.performance.\* to Web IDL
+bindings](https://hg.mozilla.org/mozilla-central/rev/dd08c10193c6).
+
+<div class="note"><div class="admonition-title">Note</div>
+
+If your object can only be reflected into JS by creating it, not by
+retrieving it from somewhere, you can skip steps 1 and 2 above and
+instead add `'wrapperCache': False` to your descriptor. You will
+need to flag the functions that return your object as
+[`[NewObject]`](https://webidl.spec.whatwg.org/#NewObject) in
+the Web IDL. If your object is not refcounted then the return value of
+functions that return it should return a UniquePtr.
+
+</div>
+
+## C++ reflections of Web IDL constructs
+
+### C++ reflections of Web IDL operations (methods)
+
+A Web IDL operation is turned into a method call on the underlying C++
+object. The return type and argument types are determined [as described
+below](#c-reflections-of-webidl-constructs). In addition to those, all [methods that are
+allowed to throw](#throws-getterthrows-setterthrows) will get an `ErrorResult&` argument
+appended to their argument list. Non-static methods that use certain
+Web IDL types like `any` or `object` will get a `JSContext*`
+argument prepended to the argument list. Static methods will be passed a
+[`const GlobalObject&`](#globalobject) for the relevant global and
+can get a `JSContext*` by calling `Context()` on it.
+
+The name of the C++ method is simply the name of the Web IDL operation
+with the first letter converted to uppercase.
+
+Web IDL overloads are turned into C++ overloads: they simply call C++
+methods with the same name and different signatures.
+
+For example, this Web IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+interface MyInterface
+{
+ undefined doSomething(long number);
+ double doSomething(MyInterface? otherInstance);
+
+ [Throws]
+ MyInterface doSomethingElse(optional long maybeNumber);
+ [Throws]
+ undefined doSomethingElse(MyInterface otherInstance);
+
+ undefined doTheOther(any something);
+
+ undefined doYetAnotherThing(optional boolean actuallyDoIt = false);
+
+ static undefined staticOperation(any arg);
+};
+```
+
+will require these method declarations:
+
+``` cpp
+class MyClass
+{
+ void DoSomething(int32_t a number);
+ double DoSomething(MyClass* aOtherInstance);
+
+ already_AddRefed<MyInterface> DoSomethingElse(Optional<int32_t> aMaybeNumber,
+ ErrorResult& rv);
+ void DoSomethingElse(MyClass& aOtherInstance, ErrorResult& rv);
+
+ void DoTheOther(JSContext* cx, JS::Value aSomething);
+
+ void DoYetAnotherThing(bool aActuallyDoIt);
+
+ static void StaticOperation(const GlobalObject& aGlobal, JS::Value aSomething);
+}
+```
+
+### C++ reflections of Web IDL attributes
+
+A Web IDL attribute is turned into a pair of method calls for the getter
+and setter on the underlying C++ object. A readonly attribute only has a
+getter and no setter.
+
+The getter's name is the name of the attribute with the first letter
+converted to uppercase. This has `Get` prepended to it if any of these
+conditions hold:
+
+1. The type of the attribute is nullable.
+1. The getter can throw.
+1. The return value of the attribute is returned via an out parameter in
+ the C++.
+
+The method signature for the getter looks just like an operation with no
+arguments and the attribute's type as the return type.
+
+The setter's name is `Set` followed by the name of the attribute with
+the first letter converted to uppercase. The method signature looks just
+like an operation with an undefined return value and a single argument
+whose type is the attribute's type.
+
+### C++ reflections of Web IDL constructors
+
+A Web IDL constructor is turned into a static class method named
+`Constructor`. The arguments of this method will be the arguments of
+the Web IDL constructor, with a
+[`const GlobalObject&`](#globalobject) for the relevant global
+prepended. For the non-worker case, the global is typically the inner
+window for the DOM Window the constructor function is attached to. If a
+`JSContext*` is also needed due to some of the argument types, it will
+come after the global. The return value of the constructor for
+`MyInterface` is exactly the same as that of a method returning an
+instance of `MyInterface`. Constructors are always allowed to throw.
+
+For example, this IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+interface MyInterface {
+ constructor();
+ constructor(unsigned long someNumber);
+};
+```
+
+will require the following declarations in `MyClass`:
+
+``` cpp
+class MyClass {
+ // Various nsISupports stuff or whatnot
+ static
+ already_AddRefed<MyClass> Constructor(const GlobalObject& aGlobal,
+ ErrorResult& rv);
+ static
+ already_AddRefed<MyClass> Constructor(const GlobalObject& aGlobal,
+ uint32_t aSomeNumber,
+ ErrorResult& rv);
+};
+```
+
+### C++ reflections of Web IDL types
+
+The exact C++ representation for Web IDL types can depend on the precise
+way that they're being used (e.g., return values, arguments, and
+sequence or dictionary members might all have different
+representations).
+
+Unless stated otherwise, a type only has one representation. Also,
+unless stated otherwise, nullable types are represented by wrapping
+[`Nullable<>`](#nullable-t) around the base type.
+
+In all cases, optional arguments which do not have a default value are
+represented by wrapping [`const Optional<>&`](#optional-t) around the
+representation of the argument type. If the argument type is a C++
+reference, it will also become a [`NonNull<>`](#nonnull-t) around the
+actual type of the object in the process. Optional arguments which do
+have a default value are just represented by the argument type itself,
+set to the default value if the argument was not in fact passed in.
+
+Variadic Web IDL arguments are treated as a
+[`const Sequence<>&`](#sequence-t) around the actual argument type.
+
+Here's a table, see the specific sections below for more details and
+explanations.
+
+| Web IDL Type | Argument Type | Return Type | Dictionary/Member Type |
+| -------------------------- | --------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
+| any | `JS::Handle<JS::Value>` | `JS::MutableHandle<JS::Value>` | `JS::Value` |
+| boolean | `bool` | `bool` | `bool` |
+| byte | `int8_t` | `int8_t` | `int8_t` |
+| ByteString | `const nsACString&` | `nsCString&` _(outparam)_<br>`nsACString&` _(outparam)_ | `nsCString` |
+| Date | | | `mozilla::dom::Date` |
+| DOMString | `const nsAString&` | [`mozilla::dom::DOMString&`](#domstring-c) _(outparam)_<br>`nsAString&` _(outparam)_<br>`nsString&` _(outparam)_ | `nsString` |
+| UTF8String | `const nsACString&` _(outparam)_ | `nsACString&` | `nsCString` |
+| double | `double` | `double` | `double` |
+| float | `float` | `float` | `float` |
+| interface:<br>non-nullable | `Foo&` | `already_addRefed<Foo>` | [`OwningNonNull<Foo>`](#owningnonnull-t) |
+| interface:<br>nullable | `Foo*` | `already_addRefed<Foo>`<br>`Foo*` | `RefPtr<Foo>` |
+| long | `int32_t` | `int32_t` | `int32_t` |
+| long long | `int64_t` | `int64_t` | `int64_t` |
+| object | `JS::Handle<JSObject*>` | `JS::MutableHandle<JSObject*>` | `JSObject*` |
+| octet | `uint8_t` | `uint8_t` | `uint8_t` |
+| sequence | [`const Sequence<T>&`](#sequence-t) | `nsTArray<T>&` _(outparam)_ | |
+| short | `int16_t` | `int16_t` | `int16_t` |
+| unrestricted double | `double` | `double` | `double` |
+| unrestricted float | `float` | `float` | `float` |
+| unsigned long | `uint32_t` | `uint32_t` | `uint32_t` |
+| unsigned long long | `uint64_t` | `uint64_t` | `uint64_t` |
+| unsigned short | `uint16_t` | `uint16_t` | `uint16_t` |
+| USVString | `const nsAString&` | [`mozilla::dom::DOMString&`](#domstring-c) _(outparam)_<br>`nsAString&` _(outparam)_<br>`nsString&` _(outparam)_ | `nsString` |
+
+#### `any`
+
+`any` is represented in three different ways, depending on use:
+
+- `any` arguments become `JS::Handle<JS::Value>`. They will be in
+ the compartment of the passed-in JSContext.
+- `any` return values become a `JS::MutableHandle<JS::Value>` out
+ param appended to the argument list. This comes after all IDL
+ arguments, but before the `ErrorResult&`, if any, for the method.
+ The return value is allowed to be in any compartment; bindings will
+ wrap it into the context compartment as needed.
+- `any` dictionary members and sequence elements become
+ `JS::Value`. The dictionary members and sequence elements are
+ guaranteed to be marked by whomever puts the sequence or dictionary
+ on the stack, using `SequenceRooter` and `DictionaryRooter`.
+
+Methods using `any` always get a `JSContext*` argument.
+
+For example, this Web IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+interface Test {
+ attribute any myAttr;
+ any myMethod(any arg1, sequence<any> arg2, optional any arg3);
+};
+```
+
+will correspond to these C++ function declarations:
+
+``` cpp
+void MyAttr(JSContext* cx, JS::MutableHandle<JS::Value> retval);
+void SetMyAttr(JSContext* cx, JS::Handle<JS::Value> value);
+void MyMethod(JSContext* cx, JS::Handle<JS::Value> arg1,
+ const Sequence<JS::Value>& arg2,
+ const Optional<JS::Handle<JS::Value>>& arg3,
+ JS::MutableHandle<JS::Value> retval);
+```
+
+#### `boolean`
+
+The `boolean` Web IDL type is represented as a C++ `bool`.
+
+For example, this Web IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+interface Test {
+ attribute boolean myAttr;
+ boolean myMethod(optional boolean arg);
+};
+```
+
+will correspond to these C++ function declarations:
+
+``` cpp
+bool MyAttr();
+void SetMyAttr(bool value);
+JS::Value MyMethod(const Optional<bool>& arg);
+```
+
+#### Integer types
+
+Integer Web IDL types are mapped to the corresponding C99 stdint types.
+
+For example, this Web IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+interface Test {
+ attribute short myAttr;
+ long long myMethod(unsigned long? arg);
+};
+```
+
+will correspond to these C++ function declarations:
+
+``` cpp
+int16_t MyAttr();
+void SetMyAttr(int16_t value);
+int64_t MyMethod(const Nullable<uint32_t>& arg);
+```
+
+#### Floating point types
+
+Floating point Web IDL types are mapped to the C++ type of the same
+name. So `float` and `unrestricted float` become a C++ `float`,
+while `double` and `unrestricted double` become a C++ `double`.
+
+For example, this Web IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+interface Test {
+ float myAttr;
+ double myMethod(unrestricted double? arg);
+};
+```
+
+will correspond to these C++ function declarations:
+
+``` cpp
+float MyAttr();
+void SetMyAttr(float value);
+double MyMethod(const Nullable<double>& arg);
+```
+
+#### `DOMString`
+
+Strings are reflected in three different ways, depending on use:
+
+- String arguments become `const nsAString&`.
+- String return values become a
+ [`mozilla::dom::DOMString&`](#domstring-c) out param
+ appended to the argument list. This comes after all IDL arguments,
+ but before the `ErrorResult&`, if any, for the method. Note that
+ this allows callees to declare their methods as taking an
+ `nsAString&` or `nsString&` if desired.
+- Strings in sequences, dictionaries, owning unions, and variadic
+ arguments become `nsString`.
+
+Nullable strings are represented by the same types as non-nullable ones,
+but the string will return true for `DOMStringIsNull()`. Returning
+null as a string value can be done using `SetDOMStringToNull` on the
+out param if it's an `nsAString` or calling `SetNull()` on a
+`DOMString`.
+
+For example, this Web IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+interface Test {
+ DOMString myAttr;
+ [Throws]
+ DOMString myMethod(sequence<DOMString> arg1, DOMString? arg2, optional DOMString arg3);
+};
+```
+
+will correspond to these C++ function declarations:
+
+``` cpp
+void GetMyAttr(nsString& retval);
+void SetMyAttr(const nsAString& value);
+void MyMethod(const Sequence<nsString>& arg1, const nsAString& arg2,
+ const Optional<nsAString>& arg3, nsString& retval, ErrorResult& rv);
+```
+
+#### `USVString`
+
+`USVString` is reflected just like `DOMString`.
+
+#### `UTF8String`
+
+`UTF8String` is a string with guaranteed-valid UTF-8 contents. It is
+not a standard in the Web IDL spec, but its observables are the same as
+those of `USVString`.
+
+It is a good fit for when the specification allows a `USVString`, but
+you want to process the string as UTF-8 rather than UTF-16.
+
+It is reflected in three different ways, depending on use:
+
+- Arguments become `const nsACString&`.
+- Return values become an `nsACString&` out param appended to the
+ argument list. This comes after all IDL arguments, but before the
+ `ErrorResult&`, if any, for the method.
+- In sequences, dictionaries owning unions, and variadic arguments it
+ becomes `nsCString`.
+
+Nullable `UTF8String`s are represented by the same types as
+non-nullable ones, but the string will return true for `IsVoid()`.
+Returning null as a string value can be done using `SetIsVoid()` on
+the out param.
+
+#### `ByteString`
+
+`ByteString` is reflected in three different ways, depending on use:
+
+- `ByteString` arguments become `const nsACString&`.
+- `ByteString` return values become an `nsCString&` out param
+ appended to the argument list. This comes after all IDL arguments,
+ but before the `ErrorResult&`, if any, for the method.
+- `ByteString` in sequences, dictionaries, owning unions, and
+ variadic arguments becomes `nsCString`.
+
+Nullable `ByteString` are represented by the same types as
+non-nullable ones, but the string will return true for `IsVoid()`.
+Returning null as a string value can be done using `SetIsVoid()` on
+the out param.
+
+#### `object`
+
+`object` is represented in three different ways, depending on use:
+
+- `object` arguments become `JS::Handle<JSObject*>`. They will be
+ in the compartment of the passed-in JSContext.
+- `object` return values become a `JS::MutableHandle<JSObject*>`
+ out param appended to the argument list. This comes after all IDL
+ arguments, but before the `ErrorResult&`, if any, for the method.
+ The return value is allowed to be in any compartment; bindings will
+ wrap it into the context compartment as needed.
+- `object` dictionary members and sequence elements become
+ `JSObject*`. The dictionary members and sequence elements are
+ guaranteed to be marked by whoever puts the sequence or dictionary on
+ the stack, using `SequenceRooter` and `DictionaryRooter`.
+
+Methods using `object` always get a `JSContext*` argument.
+
+For example, this Web IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+interface Test {
+ object myAttr;
+ object myMethod(object arg1, object? arg2, sequence<object> arg3, optional object arg4,
+ optional object? arg5);
+};
+```
+
+will correspond to these C++ function declarations:
+
+``` cpp
+void GetMyAttr(JSContext* cx, JS::MutableHandle<JSObject*> retval);
+void SetMyAttr(JSContext* cx, JS::Handle<JSObject*> value);
+void MyMethod(JSContext* cx, JS::Handle<JSObject*> arg1, JS::Handle<JSObject*> arg2,
+ const Sequence<JSObject*>& arg3,
+ const Optional<JS::Handle<JSObject*>>& arg4,
+ const Optional<JS::Handle<JSObject*>>& arg5,
+ JS::MutableHandle<JSObject*> retval);
+```
+
+#### Interface types
+
+There are four kinds of interface types in the Web IDL bindings. Callback
+interfaces are used to represent script objects that browser code can
+call into. External interfaces are used to represent objects that have
+not been converted to the Web IDL bindings yet. Web IDL interfaces are
+used to represent Web IDL binding objects. "SpiderMonkey" interfaces are
+used to represent objects that are implemented natively by the
+JavaScript engine (e.g., typed arrays).
+
+##### Callback interfaces
+
+Callback interfaces are represented in C++ as objects inheriting from
+[`mozilla::dom::CallbackInterface`](#callbackinterface), whose
+name, in the `mozilla::dom` namespace, matches the name of the
+callback interface in the Web IDL. The exact representation depends on
+how the type is being used.
+
+- Nullable arguments become `Foo*`.
+- Non-nullable arguments become `Foo&`.
+- Return values become `already_AddRefed<Foo>` or `Foo*` as
+ desired. The pointer form is preferred because it results in faster
+ code, but it should only be used if the return value was not addrefed
+ (and so it can only be used if the return value is kept alive by the
+ callee until at least the binding method has returned).
+- Web IDL callback interfaces in sequences, dictionaries, owning unions,
+ and variadic arguments are represented by `RefPtr<Foo>` if nullable
+ and [`OwningNonNull<Foo>`](#owningnonnull-t) otherwise.
+
+If the interface is a single-operation interface, the object exposes two
+methods that both invoke the same underlying JS callable. The first of
+these methods allows the caller to pass in a `this` object, while the
+second defaults to `undefined` as the `this` value. In either case,
+the `this` value is only used if the callback interface is implemented
+by a JS callable. If it's implemented by an object with a property whose
+name matches the operation, the object itself is always used as
+`this`.
+
+If the interface is not a single-operation interface, it just exposes a
+single method for every IDL method/getter/setter.
+
+The signatures of the methods correspond to the signatures for throwing
+IDL methods/getters/setters with an additional trailing
+`mozilla::dom::CallbackObject::ExceptionHandling aExceptionHandling`
+argument, defaulting to `eReportExceptions`.
+If `aReportExceptions` is set to `eReportExceptions`, the methods
+will report JS exceptions before returning. If `aReportExceptions` is
+set to `eRethrowExceptions`, JS exceptions will be stashed in the
+`ErrorResult` and will be reported when the stack unwinds to wherever
+the `ErrorResult` was set up.
+
+For example, this Web IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+callback interface MyCallback {
+ attribute long someNumber;
+ short someMethod(DOMString someString);
+};
+callback interface MyOtherCallback {
+ // single-operation interface
+ short doSomething(Node someNode);
+};
+interface MyInterface {
+ attribute MyCallback foo;
+ attribute MyCallback? bar;
+};
+```
+
+will lead to these C++ class declarations in the `mozilla::dom`
+namespace:
+
+``` cpp
+class MyCallback : public CallbackInterface
+{
+ int32_t GetSomeNumber(ErrorResult& rv, ExceptionHandling aExceptionHandling = eReportExceptions);
+ void SetSomeNumber(int32_t arg, ErrorResult& rv,
+ ExceptionHandling aExceptionHandling = eReportExceptions);
+ int16_t SomeMethod(const nsAString& someString, ErrorResult& rv,
+ ExceptionHandling aExceptionHandling = eReportExceptions);
+};
+
+class MyOtherCallback : public CallbackInterface
+{
+public:
+ int16_t
+ DoSomething(nsINode& someNode, ErrorResult& rv,
+ ExceptionHandling aExceptionHandling = eReportExceptions);
+
+ template<typename T>
+ int16_t
+ DoSomething(const T& thisObj, nsINode& someNode, ErrorResult& rv,
+ ExceptionHandling aExceptionHandling = eReportExceptions);
+};
+```
+
+and these C++ function declarations on the implementation of
+`MyInterface`:
+
+``` cpp
+already_AddRefed<MyCallback> GetFoo();
+void SetFoo(MyCallback&);
+already_AddRefed<MyCallback> GetBar();
+void SetBar(MyCallback*);
+```
+
+A consumer of MyCallback would be able to use it like this:
+
+``` cpp
+void
+SomeClass::DoSomethingWithCallback(MyCallback& aCallback)
+{
+ ErrorResult rv;
+ int32_t number = aCallback.GetSomeNumber(rv);
+ if (rv.Failed()) {
+ // The error has already been reported to the JS console; you can handle
+ // things however you want here.
+ return;
+ }
+
+ // For some reason we want to catch and rethrow exceptions from SetSomeNumber, say.
+ aCallback.SetSomeNumber(2*number, rv, eRethrowExceptions);
+ if (rv.Failed()) {
+ // The exception is now stored on rv. This code MUST report
+ // it usefully; otherwise it will assert.
+ }
+}
+```
+
+##### External interfaces
+
+External interfaces are represented in C++ as objects that XPConnect
+knows how to unwrap to. This can mean XPCOM interfaces (whether declared
+in XPIDL or not) or it can mean some type that there's a castable native
+unwrapping function for. The C++ type to be used should be the
+`nativeType` listed for the external interface in the
+[`Bindings.conf`](#bindings-conf-details) file. The exact representation
+depends on how the type is being used.
+
+- Arguments become `nsIFoo*`.
+- Return values can be `already_AddRefed<nsIFoo>` or `nsIFoo*` as
+ desired. The pointer form is preferred because it results in faster
+ code, but it should only be used if the return value was not addrefed
+ (and so it can only be used if the return value is kept alive by the
+ callee until at least the binding method has returned).
+- External interfaces in sequences, dictionaries, owning unions, and
+ variadic arguments are represented by `RefPtr<nsIFoo>`.
+
+##### Web IDL interfaces
+
+Web IDL interfaces are represented in C++ as C++ classes. The class
+involved must either be refcounted or must be explicitly annotated in
+`Bindings.conf` as being directly owned by the JS object. If the class
+inherits from `nsISupports`, then the canonical `nsISupports` must
+be on the primary inheritance chain of the object. If the interface has
+a parent interface, the C++ class corresponding to the parent must be on
+the primary inheritance chain of the object. This guarantees that a
+`void*` can be stored in the JSObject which can then be
+`reinterpret_cast` to any of the classes that correspond to interfaces
+the object implements. The C++ type to be used should be the
+`nativeType` listed for the interface in the
+[`Bindings.conf`](#bindings-conf-details) file, or
+`mozilla::dom::InterfaceName` if none is listed. The exact
+representation depends on how the type is being used.
+
+- Nullable arguments become `Foo*`.
+- Non-nullable arguments become `Foo&`.
+- Return values become `already_AddRefed<Foo>` or `Foo*` as
+ desired. The pointer form is preferred because it results in faster
+ code, but it should only be used if the return value was not addrefed
+ (and so it can only be used if the return value is kept alive by the
+ callee until at least the binding method has returned).
+- Web IDL interfaces in sequences, dictionaries, owning unions, and
+ variadic arguments are represented by `RefPtr<Foo>` if nullable and
+ [`OwningNonNull<Foo>`](#owningnonnull-t) otherwise.
+
+For example, this Web IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+interface MyInterface {
+ attribute MyInterface myAttr;
+ undefined passNullable(MyInterface? arg);
+ MyInterface? doSomething(sequence<MyInterface> arg);
+ MyInterface doTheOther(sequence<MyInterface?> arg);
+ readonly attribute MyInterface? nullableAttr;
+ readonly attribute MyInterface someOtherAttr;
+ readonly attribute MyInterface someYetOtherAttr;
+};
+```
+
+Would correspond to these C++ function declarations:
+
+``` cpp
+already_AddRefed<MyClass> MyAttr();
+void SetMyAttr(MyClass& value);
+void PassNullable(MyClass* arg);
+already_AddRefed<MyClass> doSomething(const Sequence<OwningNonNull<MyClass>>& arg);
+already_AddRefed<MyClass> doTheOther(const Sequence<RefPtr<MyClass>>& arg);
+already_Addrefed<MyClass> GetNullableAttr();
+MyClass* SomeOtherAttr();
+MyClass* SomeYetOtherAttr(); // Don't have to return already_AddRefed!
+```
+
+##### "SpiderMonkey" interfaces
+
+Typed array, array buffer, and array buffer view arguments are
+represented by the objects in [`TypedArray.h`](#typed-arrays-arraybuffers-array-buffer-views). For
+example, this Web IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+interface Test {
+ undefined passTypedArrayBuffer(ArrayBuffer arg);
+ undefined passTypedArray(ArrayBufferView arg);
+ undefined passInt16Array(Int16Array? arg);
+}
+```
+
+will correspond to these C++ function declarations:
+
+``` cpp
+void PassTypedArrayBuffer(const ArrayBuffer& arg);
+void PassTypedArray(const ArrayBufferView& arg);
+void PassInt16Array(const Nullable<Int16Array>& arg);
+```
+
+Typed array return values become a `JS::MutableHandle<JSObject*>` out
+param appended to the argument list. This comes after all IDL arguments,
+but before the `ErrorResult&`, if any, for the method. The return
+value is allowed to be in any compartment; bindings will wrap it into
+the context compartment as needed.
+
+Typed arrays store a `JSObject*` and hence need to be rooted
+properly. On-stack typed arrays can be declared as
+`RootedTypedArray<TypedArrayType>` (e.g.
+`RootedTypedArray<Int16Array>`). Typed arrays on the heap need to be
+traced.
+
+#### Dictionary types
+
+A dictionary argument is represented by a const reference to a struct
+whose name is the dictionary name in the `mozilla::dom` namespace.
+The struct has one member for each of the dictionary's members with the
+same name except the first letter uppercased and prefixed with "m". The
+members that are required or have default values have types as described
+under the corresponding Web IDL type in this document. The members that
+are not required and don't have default values have those types wrapped
+in [`Optional<>`](#optional-t).
+
+Dictionary return values are represented by an out parameter whose type
+is a non-const reference to the struct described above, with all the
+members that have default values preinitialized to those default values.
+
+Note that optional dictionary arguments are always forced to have a
+default value of an empty dictionary by the IDL parser and code
+generator, so dictionary arguments are never wrapped in `Optional<>`.
+
+If necessary, dictionaries can be directly initialized from a
+`JS::Value` in C++ code by invoking their `Init()` method. Consumers
+doing this should declare their dictionary as
+`RootedDictionary<DictionaryName>`. When this is done, passing in a
+null `JSContext*` is allowed if the passed-in `JS::Value` is
+`JS::NullValue()`. Likewise, a dictionary struct can be converted to a
+`JS::Value` in C++ by calling `ToJSValue` with the dictionary as the
+second argument. If `Init()` or `ToJSValue()` returns false, they
+will generally set a pending exception on the JSContext; reporting those
+is the responsibility of the caller.
+
+For example, this Web IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+dictionary Dict {
+ long foo = 5;
+ DOMString bar;
+};
+
+interface Test {
+ undefined initSomething(optional Dict arg = {});
+};
+```
+
+will correspond to this C++ function declaration:
+
+``` cpp
+void InitSomething(const Dict& arg);
+```
+
+and the `Dict` struct will look like this:
+
+``` cpp
+struct Dict {
+ bool Init(JSContext* aCx, JS::Handle<JS::Value> aVal, const char* aSourceDescription = "value");
+
+ Optional<nsString> mBar;
+ int32_t mFoo;
+}
+```
+
+Note that the dictionary members are sorted in the struct in
+alphabetical order.
+
+##### API for working with dictionaries
+
+There are a few useful methods found on dictionaries and dictionary
+members that you can use to quickly determine useful things.
+
+- **member.WasPassed()** - as the name suggests, was a particular
+ member passed?
+ (e.g., `if (arg.foo.WasPassed() { /* do nice things!*/ }`)
+- **dictionary.IsAnyMemberPresent()** - great for checking if you need
+ to do anything.
+ (e.g., `if (!arg.IsAnyMemberPresent()) return; // nothing to do`)
+- **member.Value()** - getting the actual data/value of a member that
+ was passed.
+ (e.g., `mBar.Assign(args.mBar.value())`)
+
+Example implementation using all of the above:
+
+``` cpp
+void
+MyInterface::InitSomething(const Dict& aArg){
+ if (!aArg.IsAnyMemberPresent()) {
+ return; // nothing to do!
+ }
+ if (aArg.mBar.WasPassed() && !mBar.Equals(aArg.mBar.value())) {
+ mBar.Assign(aArg.mBar.Value());
+ }
+}
+```
+
+#### Enumeration types
+
+Web IDL enumeration types are represented as C++ enum classes. The values
+of the C++ enum are named by taking the strings in the Web IDL
+enumeration, replacing all non-alphanumerics with underscores, and
+uppercasing the first letter, with a special case for the empty string,
+which becomes the value `_empty`.
+
+For a Web IDL enum named `MyEnum`, the C++ enum is named `MyEnum` and
+placed in the `mozilla::dom` namespace, while the values are placed in
+the `mozilla::dom::MyEnum` namespace. There is also a
+`mozilla::dom::MyEnumValues::strings` which is an array of
+`mozilla::dom::EnumEntry` structs that gives access to the string
+representations of the values.
+
+The type of the enum class is automatically selected to be the smallest
+unsigned integer type that can hold all the values. In practice, this
+is always uint8_t, because Web IDL enums tend to not have more than 255
+values.
+
+For example, this Web IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+enum MyEnum {
+ "something",
+ "something-else",
+ "",
+ "another"
+};
+```
+
+would lead to this C++ enum declaration:
+
+``` cpp
+enum class MyEnum : uint8_t {
+ Something,
+ Something_else,
+ _empty,
+ Another
+};
+
+namespace MyEnumValues {
+extern const EnumEntry strings[10];
+} // namespace MyEnumValues
+```
+
+#### Callback function types
+
+Callback functions are represented as an object, inheriting from
+[`mozilla::dom::CallbackFunction`](#callbackfunction), whose name,
+in the `mozilla::dom` namespace, matches the name of the callback
+function in the Web IDL. If the type is nullable, a pointer is passed in;
+otherwise a reference is passed in.
+
+The object exposes two `Call` methods, which both invoke the
+underlying JS callable. The first `Call` method has the same signature
+as a throwing method declared just like the callback function, with an
+additional trailing `mozilla::dom::CallbackObject::ExceptionHandling aExceptionHandling`
+argument, defaulting to `eReportExceptions`,
+and calling it will invoke the callable with `undefined` as the
+`this` value. The second `Call` method allows passing in an explicit
+`this` value as the first argument. This second call method is a
+template on the type of the first argument, so the `this` value can be
+passed in in whatever form is most convenient, as long as it's either a
+type that can be wrapped by XPConnect or a Web IDL interface type.
+
+If `aReportExceptions` is set to `eReportExceptions`, the `Call`
+methods will report JS exceptions before returning. If
+`aReportExceptions` is set to `eRethrowExceptions`, JS exceptions
+will be stashed in the `ErrorResult` and will be reported when the
+stack unwinds to wherever the `ErrorResult` was set up.
+
+For example, this Web IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+callback MyCallback = long (MyInterface arg1, boolean arg2);
+interface MyInterface {
+ attribute MyCallback foo;
+ attribute MyCallback? bar;
+};
+```
+
+will lead to this C++ class declaration, in the `mozilla::dom`
+namespace:
+
+``` cpp
+class MyCallback : public CallbackFunction
+{
+public:
+ int32_t
+ Call(MyInterface& arg1, bool arg2, ErrorResult& rv,
+ ExceptionHandling aExceptionHandling = eReportExceptions);
+
+ template<typename T>
+ int32_t
+ Call(const T& thisObj, MyInterface& arg1, bool arg2, ErrorResult& rv,
+ ExceptionHandling aExceptionHandling = eReportExceptions);
+};
+```
+
+and these C++ function declarations in the `MyInterface` class:
+
+``` cpp
+already_AddRefed<MyCallback> GetFoo();
+void SetFoo(MyCallback&);
+already_AddRefed<MyCallback> GetBar();
+void SetBar(MyCallback*);
+```
+
+A consumer of MyCallback would be able to use it like this:
+
+``` cpp
+void
+SomeClass::DoSomethingWithCallback(MyCallback& aCallback, MyInterface& aInterfaceInstance)
+{
+ ErrorResult rv;
+ int32_t number = aCallback.Call(aInterfaceInstance, false, rv);
+ if (rv.Failed()) {
+ // The error has already been reported to the JS console; you can handle
+ // things however you want here.
+ return;
+ }
+
+ // Now for some reason we want to catch and rethrow exceptions from the callback,
+ // and use "this" as the this value for the call to JS.
+ number = aCallback.Call(*this, true, rv, eRethrowExceptions);
+ if (rv.Failed()) {
+ // The exception is now stored on rv. This code MUST report
+ // it usefully; otherwise it will assert.
+ }
+}
+```
+
+#### Sequences
+
+Sequence arguments are represented by
+[`const Sequence<T>&`](#sequence-t), where `T` depends on the type
+of elements in the Web IDL sequence.
+
+Sequence return values are represented by an `nsTArray<T>` out param
+appended to the argument list, where `T` is the return type for the
+elements of the Web IDL sequence. This comes after all IDL arguments, but
+before the `ErrorResult&`, if any, for the method.
+
+#### Arrays
+
+IDL array objects are not supported yet. The spec on these is likely to
+change drastically anyway.
+
+#### Union types
+
+Union types are reflected as a struct in the `mozilla::dom` namespace.
+There are two kinds of union structs: one kind does not keep its members
+alive (is "non-owning"), and the other does (is "owning"). Const
+references to non-owning unions are used for plain arguments. Owning
+unions are used in dictionaries, sequences, and for variadic arguments.
+Union return values become a non-const owning union out param. The name
+of the struct is the concatenation of the names of the types in the
+union, with "Or" inserted between them, and for an owning struct
+"Owning" prepended. So for example, this IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+undefined passUnion((object or long) arg);
+(object or long) receiveUnion();
+undefined passSequenceOfUnions(sequence<(object or long)> arg);
+undefined passOtherUnion((HTMLDivElement or ArrayBuffer or EventInit) arg);
+```
+
+would correspond to these C++ function declarations:
+
+``` cpp
+void PassUnion(const ObjectOrLong& aArg);
+void ReceiveUnion(OwningObjectObjectOrLong& aArg);
+void PassSequenceOfUnions(const Sequence<OwningObjectOrLong>& aArg);
+void PassOtherUnion(const HTMLDivElementOrArrayBufferOrEventInit& aArg);
+```
+
+Union structs expose accessors to test whether they're of a given type
+and to get hold of the data of that type. They also expose setters that
+set the union as being of a particular type and return a reference to
+the union's internal storage where that type could be stored. The one
+exception is the `object` type, which uses a somewhat different form
+of setter where the `JSObject*` is passed in directly. For example,
+`ObjectOrLong` would have the following methods:
+
+``` cpp
+bool IsObject() const;
+JSObject* GetAsObject() const;
+void SetToObject(JSContext*, JSObject*);
+bool IsLong() const;
+int32_t GetAsLong() const;
+int32_t& SetAsLong()
+```
+
+Owning unions used on the stack should be declared as a
+`RootedUnion<UnionType>`, for example,
+`RootedUnion<OwningObjectOrLong>`.
+
+#### `Date`
+
+Web IDL `Date` types are represented by a `mozilla::dom::Date`
+struct.
+
+### C++ reflections of Web IDL declarations
+
+Web IDL declarations (maplike/setlike/iterable) are turned into a set of
+properties and functions on the interface they are declared on. Each has
+a different set of helper functions it comes with. In addition, for
+iterable, there are requirements for C++ function implementation by the
+interface developer.
+
+#### Maplike
+
+Example Interface:
+
+``` webidl
+interface StringToLongMap {
+ maplike<DOMString, long>;
+};
+```
+
+The bindings for this interface will generate the storage structure for
+the map, as well as helper functions for accessing that structure from
+C++. The generated C++ API will look as follows:
+
+``` cpp
+namespace StringToLongMapBinding {
+namespace MaplikeHelpers {
+void Clear(mozilla::dom::StringToLongMap* self, ErrorResult& aRv);
+bool Delete(mozilla::dom::StringToLongMap* self, const nsAString& aKey, ErrorResult& aRv);
+bool Has(mozilla::dom::StringToLongMap* self, const nsAString& aKey, ErrorResult& aRv);
+void Set(mozilla::dom::StringToLongMap* self, const nsAString& aKey, int32_t aValue, ErrorResult& aRv);
+} // namespace MaplikeHelpers
+} // namespace StringToLongMapBindings
+```
+
+#### Setlike
+
+Example Interface:
+
+``` webidl
+interface StringSet {
+ setlike<DOMString>;
+};
+```
+
+The bindings for this interface will generate the storage structure for
+the set, as well as helper functions for accessing that structure from
+c++. The generated C++ API will look as follows:
+
+``` cpp
+namespace StringSetBinding {
+namespace SetlikeHelpers {
+void Clear(mozilla::dom::StringSet* self, ErrorResult& aRv);
+bool Delete(mozilla::dom::StringSet* self, const nsAString& aKey, ErrorResult& aRv);
+bool Has(mozilla::dom::StringSet* self, const nsAString& aKey, ErrorResult& aRv);
+void Add(mozilla::dom::StringSet* self, const nsAString& aKey, ErrorResult& aRv);
+} // namespace SetlikeHelpers
+}
+```
+
+#### Iterable
+
+Unlike maplike and setlike, iterable does not have any C++ helpers, as
+the structure backing the iterable data for the interface is left up to
+the developer. With that in mind, the generated iterable bindings expect
+the wrapper object to provide certain methods for the interface to
+access.
+
+Iterable interfaces have different requirements, based on if they are
+single or pair value iterators.
+
+Example Interface for a single value iterator:
+
+``` webidl
+interface LongIterable {
+ iterable<long>;
+ getter long(unsigned long index);
+ readonly attribute unsigned long length;
+};
+```
+
+For single value iterator interfaces, we treat the interface as an
+[indexed getter](#indexed-getters), as required by the spec. See the
+[indexed getter implementation section](#indexed-getters) for more
+information on building this kind of structure.
+
+Example Interface for a pair value iterator:
+
+``` webidl
+interface StringAndLongIterable {
+ iterable<DOMString, long>;
+};
+```
+
+The bindings for this pair value iterator interface require the
+following methods be implemented in the C++ object:
+
+``` cpp
+class StringAndLongIterable {
+public:
+ // Returns the number of items in the iterable storage
+ size_t GetIterableLength();
+ // Returns key of pair at aIndex in iterable storage
+ nsAString& GetKeyAtIndex(uint32_t aIndex);
+ // Returns value of pair at aIndex in iterable storage
+ uint32_t& GetValueAtIndex(uint32_t aIndex);
+}
+```
+
+### Stringifiers
+
+Named stringifiers operations in Web IDL will just invoke the
+corresponding C++ method.
+
+Anonymous stringifiers in Web IDL will invoke the C++ method called
+`Stringify`. So, for example, given this IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+interface FirstInterface {
+ stringifier;
+};
+
+interface SecondInterface {
+ stringifier DOMString getStringRepresentation();
+};
+```
+
+the corresponding C++ would be:
+
+``` cpp
+class FirstInterface {
+public:
+ void Stringify(nsAString& aResult);
+};
+
+class SecondInterface {
+public:
+ void GetStringRepresentation(nsAString& aResult);
+};
+```
+
+### Legacy Callers
+
+Only anonymous legacy callers are supported, and will invoke the C++
+method called `LegacyCall`. This will be passed the JS "this" value as
+the first argument, then the arguments to the actual operation. A
+`JSContext` will be passed if any of the operation arguments need it.
+So for example, given this IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+interface InterfaceWithCall {
+ legacycaller long (float arg);
+};
+```
+
+the corresponding C++ would be:
+
+``` cpp
+class InterfaceWithCall {
+public:
+ int32_t LegacyCall(JS::Handle<JS::Value> aThisVal, float aArgument);
+};
+```
+
+### Named getters
+
+If the interface has a named getter, the binding will expect several
+methods on the C++ implementation:
+
+- A `NamedGetter` method. This takes a property name and returns
+ whatever type the named getter is declared to return. It also has a
+ boolean out param for whether a property with that name should exist
+ at all.
+- A `NameIsEnumerable` method. This takes a property name and
+ returns a boolean that indicates whether the property is enumerable.
+- A `GetSupportedNames` method. This takes an unsigned integer which
+ corresponds to the flags passed to the `iterate` proxy trap and
+ returns a list of property names. For implementations of this method,
+ the important flags is `JSITER_HIDDEN`. If that flag is set, the
+ call needs to return all supported property names. If it's not set,
+ the call needs to return only the enumerable ones.
+
+The `NameIsEnumerable` and `GetSupportedNames` methods need to agree
+on which names are and are not enumerable. The `NamedGetter` and
+`GetSupportedNames` methods need to agree on which names are
+supported.
+
+So for example, given this IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+interface InterfaceWithNamedGetter {
+ getter long(DOMString arg);
+};
+```
+
+the corresponding C++ would be:
+
+``` cpp
+class InterfaceWithNamedGetter
+{
+public:
+ int32_t NamedGetter(const nsAString& aName, bool& aFound);
+ bool NameIsEnumerable(const nsAString& aName);
+ undefined GetSupportedNames(unsigned aFlags, nsTArray<nsString>& aNames);
+};
+```
+
+### Indexed getters
+
+If the interface has a indexed getter, the binding will expect the
+following methods on the C++ implementation:
+
+- A `IndexedGetter` method. This takes an integer index value and
+ returns whatever type the indexed getter is declared to return. It
+ also has a boolean out param for whether a property with that index
+ should exist at all. The implementation must set this out param
+ correctly. The return value is guaranteed to be ignored if the out
+ param is set to false.
+
+So for example, given this IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+interface InterfaceWithIndexedGetter {
+ getter long(unsigned long index);
+ readonly attribute unsigned long length;
+};
+```
+
+the corresponding C++ would be:
+
+``` cpp
+class InterfaceWithIndexedGetter
+{
+public:
+ uint32_t Length() const;
+ int32_t IndexedGetter(uint32_t aIndex, bool& aFound) const;
+};
+```
+
+## Throwing exceptions from Web IDL methods, getters, and setters
+
+Web IDL methods, getters, and setters that are [explicitly marked as
+allowed to throw](#throws-getterthrows-setterthrows) have an `ErrorResult&` argument as their
+last argument. To throw an exception, simply call `Throw()` on the
+`ErrorResult&` and return from your C++ back into the binding code.
+
+In cases when the specification calls for throwing a `TypeError`, you
+should use `ErrorResult::ThrowTypeError()` instead of calling
+`Throw()`.
+
+## Custom extended attributes
+
+Our Web IDL parser and code generator recognize several extended
+attributes that are not present in the Web IDL spec.
+
+### `[Alias=propName]`
+
+This extended attribute can be specified on a method and indicates that
+another property with the specified name will also appear on the
+interface prototype object and will have the same Function object value
+as the property for the method. For example:
+
+``` webidl
+interface MyInterface {
+ [Alias=performSomething] undefined doSomething();
+};
+```
+
+`MyInterface.prototype.performSomething` will have the same Function
+object value as `MyInterface.prototype.doSomething`.
+
+Multiple `[Alias]` extended attribute can be used on the one method.
+`[Alias]` cannot be used on a static method, nor on methods on a
+global interface (such as `Window`).
+
+Aside from regular property names, the name of an alias can be
+[Symbol.iterator](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Symbol/iterator).
+This is specified by writing `[Alias="@@iterator"]`.
+
+### `[BindingAlias=propName]`
+
+This extended attribute can be specified on an attribute and indicates
+that another property with the specified name will also appear on the
+interface prototype object and will call the same underlying C++
+implementation for the getter and setter. This is more efficient than
+using the same `BinaryName` for both attributes, because it shares the
+binding glue code between them. The properties still have separate
+getter/setter functions in JavaScript, so from the point of view of web
+consumers it's as if you actually had two separate attribute
+declarations on your interface. For example:
+
+``` webidl
+interface MyInterface {
+ [BindingAlias=otherAttr] readonly attribute boolean attr;
+};
+```
+
+`MyInterface.prototype.otherAttr` and `MyInterface.prototype.attr`
+will both exist, have separate getter/setter functions, but call the
+same binding glue code and implementation function on the objects
+implementing `MyInterface`.
+
+Multiple `[BindingAlias]` extended attributes can be used on a single
+attribute.
+
+### `[ChromeOnly]`
+
+This extended attribute can be specified on any method, attribute, or
+constant on an interface or on an interface as a whole. It can also be
+specified on dictionary members.
+
+Interface members flagged as `[ChromeOnly]` are only exposed in chrome
+Windows (and in particular, are not exposed to webpages). From the point
+of view of web content, it's as if the interface member were not there
+at all. These members *are* exposed to chrome script working with a
+content object via Xrays.
+
+If specified on an interface as a whole, this functions like
+[`[Func]`](#func-funcname) except that the binding code will automatically
+check whether the caller script has the system principal (is chrome or a
+worker started from a chrome page) instead of calling into the C++
+implementation to determine whether to expose the interface object on
+the global. This means that accessing a content global via Xrays will
+show `[ChromeOnly]` interface objects on it.
+
+If specified on a dictionary member, then the dictionary member will
+only appear to exist in system-privileged code.
+
+This extended attribute can be specified together with `[Func]`, and
+`[Pref]`. If more than one of these is specified, all conditions will
+need to test true for the interface or interface member to be exposed.
+
+### `[Pref=prefname]`
+
+This extended attribute can be specified on any method, attribute, or
+constant on an interface or on an interface as a whole. It can also be
+specified on dictionary members. It takes a value, which must be the
+name of a boolean preference exposed from `StaticPrefs`. The
+`StaticPrefs` function that will be called is calculated from the
+value of the extended attribute, with dots replaced by underscores
+(`StaticPrefs::my_pref_name()` in the example below).
+
+If specified on an interface member, the interface member involved is
+only exposed if the preference is set to `true`. An example of how
+this can be used:
+
+``` webidl
+interface MyInterface {
+ attribute long alwaysHere;
+ [Pref="my.pref.name"] attribute long onlyHereIfEnabled;
+};
+```
+
+If specified on an interface as a whole, this functions like
+[`[Func]`](#func-funcname) except that the binding will check the value of
+the preference directly without calling into the C++ implementation of
+the interface at all. This is useful when the enable check is simple and
+it's desirable to keep the prefname with the Web IDL declaration.
+
+If specified on a dictionary member, the web-observable behavior when
+the pref is set to false will be as if the dictionary did not have a
+member of that name defined. That means that on the JS side no
+observable get of the property will happen. On the C++ side, the
+behavior would be as if the passed-in object did not have a property
+with the relevant name: the dictionary member would either be
+`!Passed()` or have the default value if there is a default value.
+
+> An example of how this can be used:
+
+``` webidl
+[Pref="my.pref.name"]
+interface MyConditionalInterface {
+};
+```
+
+This extended attribute can be specified together with `[ChromeOnly]`,
+and `[Func]`. If more than one of these is specified, all conditions
+will need to test true for the interface or interface member to be
+exposed.
+
+### `[Func="funcname"]`
+
+This extended attribute can be specified on any method, attribute, or
+constant on an interface or on an interface as a whole. It can also be
+specified on dictionary members. It takes a value, which must be the
+name of a static function.
+
+If specified on an interface member, the interface member involved is
+only exposed if the specified function returns `true`. An example of
+how this can be used:
+
+``` webidl
+interface MyInterface {
+ attribute long alwaysHere;
+ [Func="MyClass::StuffEnabled"] attribute long onlyHereIfEnabled;
+};
+```
+
+The function is invoked with two arguments: the `JSContext` that the
+operation is happening on and the `JSObject` for the global of the
+object that the property will be defined on if the function returns
+true. In particular, in the Xray case the `JSContext` is in the caller
+compartment (typically chrome) but the `JSObject` is in the target
+compartment (typically content). This allows the method implementation
+to select which compartment it cares about in its checks.
+
+The above IDL would also require the following C++:
+
+``` cpp
+class MyClass {
+ static bool StuffEnabled(JSContext* cx, JSObject* obj);
+};
+```
+
+If specified on an interface as a whole, then lookups for the interface
+object for this interface on a DOM Window will only find it if the
+specified function returns true. For objects that can only be created
+via a constructor, this allows disabling the functionality altogether
+and making it look like the feature is not implemented at all.
+
+If specified on a dictionary member, the web-observable behavior when
+the function returns false will be as if the dictionary did not have a
+member of that name defined. That means that on the JS side no
+observable get of the property will happen. On the C++ side, the
+behavior would be as if the passed-in object did not have a property
+with the relevant name: the dictionary member would either be
+`!Passed()` or have the default value if there is a default value.
+
+An example of how `[Func]` can be used:
+
+``` webidl
+[Func="MyClass::MyConditionalInterfaceEnabled"]
+interface MyConditionalInterface {
+};
+```
+
+In this case, the C++ function is passed a `JS::Handle<JSObject*>`. So
+the C++ in this case would look like this:
+
+``` cpp
+class MyClass {
+ static bool MyConditionalInterfaceEnabled(JSContext* cx, JS::Handle<JSObject*> obj);
+};
+```
+
+Just like in the interface member case, the `JSContext` is in the
+caller compartment but the `JSObject` is the actual object the
+property would be defined on. In the Xray case that means obj is in the
+target compartment (typically content) and `cx` is typically chrome.
+
+This extended attribute can be specified together with `[ChromeOnly]`,
+and `[Pref]`. If more than one of these is specified, all conditions
+will need to test true for the interface or interface member to be
+exposed.
+
+Binding code will include the headers necessary for a `[Func]`, unless
+the interface is using a non-default header file. If a non-default
+header file is used, that header file needs to do any header inclusions
+necessary for `[Func]` annotations.
+
+### `[Throws]`, `[GetterThrows]`, `[SetterThrows]`
+
+Used to flag methods or attributes as allowing the C++ callee to throw.
+This causes the binding generator, and in many cases the JIT, to
+generate extra code to handle possible exceptions. Possibly-throwing
+methods and attributes get an `ErrorResult&` argument.
+
+`[Throws]` applies to both methods and attributes; for attributes it
+means both the getter and the setter can throw. `[GetterThrows]`
+applies only to attributes. `[SetterThrows]` applies only to
+non-readonly attributes.
+
+For interfaces flagged with `[JSImplementation]`, all methods and
+properties are assumed to be able to throw and do not need to be flagged
+as throwing.
+
+### `[DependsOn]`
+
+Used for a method or attribute to indicate what the return value depends
+on. Possible values are:
+
+* `Everything`
+
+ This value can't actually be specified explicitly; this is the
+ default value you get when `[DependsOn]` is not specified. This
+ means we don't know anything about the return value's dependencies
+ and hence can't rearrange other code that might change values around
+ the method or attribute.
+
+* `DOMState`
+
+ The return value depends on the state of the "DOM", by which we mean
+ all objects specified via Web IDL. The return value is guaranteed to
+ not depend on the state of the JS heap or other JS engine data
+ structures, and is guaranteed to not change unless some function with
+ [`[Affects=Everything]`](#affects) is executed.
+
+* `DeviceState`
+
+ The return value depends on the state of the device we're running on
+ (e.g., the system clock). The return value is guaranteed to not be
+ affected by any code running inside Gecko itself, but we might get a
+ new value every time the method or getter is called even if no Gecko
+ code ran between the calls.
+
+* `Nothing`
+
+ The return value is a constant that never changes. This value cannot
+ be used on non-readonly attributes, since having a non-readonly
+ attribute whose value never changes doesn't make sense.
+
+Values other than `Everything`, when used in combination with
+[`[Affects=Nothing]`](#affects), can used by the JIT to
+perform loop-hoisting and common subexpression elimination on the return
+values of IDL attributes and methods.
+
+### `[Affects]`
+
+Used for a method or attribute getter to indicate what sorts of state
+can be affected when the function is called. Attribute setters are, for
+now, assumed to affect everything. Possible values are:
+
+* `Everything`
+
+ This value can't actually be specified explicitly; this is the
+ default value you get when `[Affects]` is not specified. This means
+ that calling the method or getter might change any mutable state in
+ the DOM or JS heap.
+
+* `Nothing`
+
+ Calling the method or getter will have no side-effects on either the
+ DOM or the JS heap.
+
+Methods and attribute getters with `[Affects=Nothing]` are allowed to
+throw exceptions, as long as they do so deterministically. In the case
+of methods, whether an exception is thrown is allowed to depend on the
+arguments, as long as calling the method with the same arguments will
+always either throw or not throw.
+
+The `Nothing` value, when used with `[DependsOn]` values other than
+`Everything`, can used by the JIT to perform loop-hoisting and common
+subexpression elimination on the return values of IDL attributes and
+methods, as well as code motion past DOM methods that might depend on
+system state but have no side effects.
+
+### `[Pure]`
+
+This is an alias for `[Affects=Nothing, DependsOn=DOMState]`.
+Attributes/methods flagged in this way promise that they will keep
+returning the same value as long as nothing that has
+`[Affects=Everything]` executes.
+
+### `[Constant]`
+
+This is an alias for `[Affects=Nothing, DependsOn=Nothing]`. Used to
+flag readonly attributes or methods that could have been annotated with
+`[Pure]` and also always return the same value. This should only be
+used when it's absolutely guaranteed that the return value of the
+attribute getter will always be the same from the JS engine's point of
+view.
+
+The spec's `[SameObject]` extended attribute is an alias for
+`[Constant]`, but can only be applied to things returning objects,
+whereas `[Constant]` can be used for any type of return value.
+
+### `[NeedResolve]`
+
+Used to flag interfaces which have a custom resolve hook. This
+annotation will cause the `DoResolve` method to be called on the
+underlying C++ class when a property lookup happens on the object. The
+signature of this method is:
+`bool DoResolve(JSContext*, JS::Handle<JSObject*>, JS::Handle<jsid>, JS::MutableHandle<JS::Value>)`.
+Here the passed-in object is the object the property lookup is happening
+on (which may be an Xray for the actual DOM object) and the jsid is the
+property name. The value that the property should have is returned in
+the `MutableHandle<Value>`, with `UndefinedValue()` indicating that
+the property does not exist.
+
+If this extended attribute is used, then the underlying C++ class must
+also implement a method called `GetOwnPropertyNames` with the
+signature
+`void GetOwnPropertyNames(JSContext* aCx, nsTArray<nsString>& aNames, ErrorResult& aRv)`.
+This method will be called by the JS engine's enumerate hook and must
+provide a superset of all the property names that `DoResolve` might
+resolve. Providing names that `DoResolve` won't actually resolve is
+OK.
+
+### `[HeaderFile="path/to/headerfile.h"]`
+
+Indicates where the implementation can be found. Similar to the
+headerFile annotation in Bindings.conf. Just like headerFile in
+Bindings.conf, should be avoided.
+
+### `[JSImplementation="@mozilla.org/some-contractid;1"]`
+
+Used on an interface to provide the contractid of the [JavaScript
+component implementing the
+interface](#implementing-webidl-using-javascript).
+
+### `[StoreInSlot]`
+
+Used to flag attributes that can be gotten very quickly from the JS
+object by the JIT. Such attributes will have their getter called
+immediately when the JS wrapper for the DOM object is created, and the
+returned value will be stored directly on the JS object. Later gets of
+the attribute will not call the C++ getter and instead use the cached
+value. If the value returned by the attribute needs to change, the C++
+code should call the `ClearCachedFooValue` method in the namespace of
+the relevant binding, where `foo` is the name of the attribute. This
+will immediately call the C++ getter and cache the value it returns, so
+it needs a `JSContext` to work on. This extended attribute can only be
+used on attributes whose getters are [`[Pure]`](#pure) or
+[`[Constant]`](#constant) and which are not
+[`[Throws]`](#throws-getterthrows-setterthrows) or [`[GetterThrows]`](#throws-getterthrows-setterthrows).
+
+So for example, given this IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+interface MyInterface {
+ [Pure, StoreInSlot] attribute long myAttribute;
+};
+```
+
+the C++ implementation of MyInterface would clear the cached value by
+calling
+`mozilla::dom::MyInterface_Binding::ClearCachedMyAttributeValue(cx, this)`.
+This function will return false on error and the caller is responsible
+for handling any JSAPI exception that is set by the failure.
+
+If the attribute is not readonly, setting it will automatically clear
+the cached value and reget it again before the setter returns.
+
+### `[Cached]`
+
+Used to flag attributes that, when their getter is called, will cache
+the returned value on the JS object. This can be used to implement
+attributes whose value is a sequence or dictionary (which would
+otherwise end up returning a new object each time and hence not be
+allowed in Web IDL).
+
+Unlike [`[StoreInSlot]`](#storeinslot) this does *not* cause the
+getter to be eagerly called at JS wrapper creation time; the caching is
+lazy. `[Cached]` attributes must be [`[Pure]`](#pure) or
+[`[Constant]`](#constant), because otherwise not calling the C++
+getter would be observable, but are allowed to have throwing getters.
+Their cached value can be cleared by calling the `ClearCachedFooValue`
+method in the namespace of the relevant binding, where `foo` is the
+name of the attribute. Unlike `[StoreInSlot]` attributes, doing so
+will not immediately invoke the getter, so it does not need a
+`JSContext`.
+
+So for example, given this IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+interface MyInterface {
+ [Pure, StoreInSlot] attribute long myAttribute;
+};
+```
+
+the C++ implementation of MyInterface would clear the cached value by
+calling
+`mozilla::dom::MyInterface_Binding::ClearCachedMyAttributeValue(this)`.
+JS-implemented Web IDL can clear the cached value by calling
+`this.__DOM_IMPL__._clearCachedMyAttributeValue()`.
+
+If the attribute is not readonly, setting it will automatically clear
+the cached value.
+
+### `[Frozen]`
+
+Used to flag attributes that, when their getter is called, will call
+[`Object.freeze`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object/freeze)
+on the return value before returning it. This extended attribute is only
+allowed on attributes that return sequences, dictionaries and
+`MozMap`, and corresponds to returning a frozen `Array` (for the
+sequence case) or `Object` (for the other two cases).
+
+### `[BinaryName]`
+
+`[BinaryName]` can be specified on method or attribute to change the
+C++ function name that will be used for the method or attribute. It
+takes a single string argument, which is the name you wish the method or
+attribute had instead of the one it actually has.
+
+For example, given this IDL:
+
+``` webidl
+interface InterfaceWithRenamedThings {
+ [BinaryName="renamedMethod"]
+ undefined someMethod();
+ [BinaryName="renamedAttribute"]
+ attribute long someAttribute;
+};
+```
+
+the corresponding C++ would be:
+
+``` cpp
+class InterfaceWithRenamedThings
+{
+public:
+ void RenamedMethod();
+ int32_t RenamedAttribute();
+ void SetRenamedAttribute(int32_t);
+};
+```
+
+### `[Deprecated="tag"]`
+
+When deprecating an interface or method, the `[Deprecated]` annotation
+causes the Web IDL compiler to insert code that generates deprecation
+warnings. This annotation can be added to interface methods or
+interfaces. Adding this to an interface causes a warning to be issued
+the first time the object is constructed, or any static method on the
+object is invoked.
+
+The complete list of valid deprecation tags is maintained in
+[nsDeprecatedOperationList.h](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/dom/base/nsDeprecatedOperationList.h).
+Each new tag requires that a localized string be defined, containing the
+deprecation message to display.
+
+### `[CrossOriginReadable]`
+
+Used to flag an attribute that, when read, will not have the same-origin
+constraint tested: it can be read from a context with a different
+origin.
+
+### `[CrossOriginWrite]`
+
+Used to flag an attribute that, when written, will not have the
+same-origin constraint tested: it can be written from a context with a
+different origin.
+
+### `[CrossOriginCallable]`
+
+Used to flag a method that, when called, will not have the same-origin
+constraint tested: it can be called from a context with a different
+origin.
+
+### `[SecureContext]`
+
+We implement the [standard extended
+attribute](https://webidl.spec.whatwg.org/#SecureContext) with a few
+details specific to Gecko:
+
+- System principals are considered secure.
+- An extension poking at non-secured DOM objects will see APIs marked
+ with `[SecureContext]`.
+- XPConnect sandboxes don't see `[SecureContext]` APIs, except if
+ they're created with `isSecureContext: true`.
+
+### `[NeedsSubjectPrincipal]`, `[GetterNeedsSubjectPrincipal]`, `[SetterNeedsSubjectPrincipal]`
+
+Used to flag a method or an attribute that needs to know the subject
+principal. This principal will be passed as argument. If the interface
+is not exposed on any worker global, the argument will be a
+`nsIPrincipal&` because a subject principal is always available in
+mainthread globals. If the interface is exposed on some worker global,
+the argument will be a `const Maybe<nsIPrincipal*>&`. This `Maybe<>`
+object contains the principal *only* on the main thread; when the method
+is called on a {{domxref("Worker")}} thread, the value of the object
+will be `Nothing()`. Note that, in workers, it is always possible to
+retrieve the correct subject principal from the `WorkerPrivate`
+object, though it cannot be used on the worker thread.
+
+`[NeedsSubjectPrincipal]` applies to both methods and attributes; for
+attributes it means both the getter and the setter need a subject
+principal. `[GetterNeedsSubjectPrincipal]` applies only to attributes.
+`[SetterNeedsSubjectPrincipal]` applies only to non-readonly
+attributes.
+
+### `[NeedsCallerType]`
+
+Used to flag a method or an attribute that needs to know the caller
+type, in the `mozilla::dom::CallerType` sense. This can be safely
+used for APIs exposed in workers; there it will indicate whether the
+worker involved is a `ChromeWorker` or not. At the moment the only
+possible caller types are `System` (representing system-principal
+callers) and `NonSystem`.
+
+## Helper objects
+
+The C++ side of the bindings uses a number of helper objects.
+
+### `Nullable<T>`
+
+`Nullable<>` is a struct declared in
+[`Nullable.h`](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/dom/bindings/Nullable.h)
+and exported to `mozilla/dom/Nullable.h` that is used to represent
+nullable values of types that don't have a natural way to represent
+null.
+
+`Nullable<T>` has an `IsNull()` getter that returns whether null is
+represented and a `Value()` getter that returns a `const T&` and can
+be used to get the value when it's not null.
+
+`Nullable<T>` has a `SetNull()` setter that sets it as representing
+null and two setters that can be used to set it to a value:
+`void SetValue(T)` (for setting it to a given value) and
+`T& SetValue()` for directly modifying the underlying `T&`.
+
+### `Optional<T>`
+
+`Optional<>` is a struct declared in
+[`BindingDeclarations.h`](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/dom/bindings/BindingDeclarations.h)
+and exported to `mozilla/dom/BindingDeclarations.h` that is used to
+represent optional arguments and dictionary members, but only those that
+have no default value.
+
+`Optional<T>` has a `WasPassed()` getter that returns true if a
+value is available. In that case, the `Value()` getter can be used to
+get a `const T&` for the value.
+
+### `NonNull<T>`
+
+`NonNull<T>` is a struct declared in
+[`BindingUtils.h`](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/dom/bindings/BindingUtils.h)
+and exported to `mozilla/dom/BindingUtils.h` that is used to represent
+non-null C++ objects. It has a conversion operator that produces `T&`.
+
+### `OwningNonNull<T>`
+
+`OwningNonNull<T>` is a struct declared in
+[`OwningNonNull.h`](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/xpcom/base/OwningNonNull.h)
+and exported to `mozilla/OwningNonNull.h` that is used to represent
+non-null C++ objects and holds a strong reference to them. It has a
+conversion operator that produces `T&`.
+
+### Typed arrays, arraybuffers, array buffer views
+
+`TypedArray.h` is exported to `mozilla/dom/TypedArray.h` and exposes
+structs that correspond to the various typed array types, as well as
+`ArrayBuffer` and `ArrayBufferView`, all in the `mozilla::dom`
+namespace. Each struct has a `Data()` method that returns a pointer to
+the relevant type (`uint8_t` for `ArrayBuffer` and
+`ArrayBufferView`) and a `Length()` method that returns the length
+in units of `*Data()`. So for example, `Int32Array` has a `Data()`
+returning `int32_t*` and a `Length()` that returns the number of
+32-bit ints in the array.
+
+### `Sequence<T>`
+
+`Sequence<>` is a type declared in
+[`BindingDeclarations.h`](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/dom/bindings/BindingDeclarations.h)
+and exported to `mozilla/dom/BindingDeclarations.h` that is used to
+represent sequence arguments. It's some kind of typed array, but which
+exact kind is opaque to consumers. This allows the binding code to
+change the exact definition (e.g., to use auto arrays of different sizes
+and so forth) without having to update all the callees.
+
+### `CallbackFunction`
+
+`CallbackFunction` is a type declared in
+[CallbackFunction.h](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/dom/bindings/CallbackFunction.h)
+and exported to `mozilla/dom/CallbackFunction.h` that is used as a
+common base class for all the generated callback function
+representations. This class inherits from `nsISupports`, and consumers
+must make sure to cycle-collect it, since it keeps JS objects alive.
+
+### `CallbackInterface`
+
+`CallbackInterface` is a type declared in
+[CallbackInterface.h](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/dom/bindings/CallbackInterface.h)
+and exported to `mozilla/dom/CallbackInterface.h` that is used as a
+common base class for all the generated callback interface
+representations. This class inherits from `nsISupports`, and consumers
+must make sure to cycle-collect it, since it keeps JS objects alive.
+
+### `DOMString`
+
+`DOMString` is a class declared in
+[BindingDeclarations.h](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/dom/bindings/BindingDeclarations.h)
+and exported to `mozilla/dom/BindingDeclarations.h` that is used for
+Web IDL `DOMString` return values. It has a conversion operator to
+`nsString&` so that it can be passed to methods that take that type or
+`nsAString&`, but callees that care about performance, have an
+`nsStringBuffer` available, and promise to hold on to the
+`nsStringBuffer` at least until the binding code comes off the stack
+can also take a `DOMString` directly for their string return value and
+call its `SetStringBuffer` method with the `nsStringBuffer` and its
+length. This allows the binding code to avoid extra reference-counting
+of the string buffer in many cases, and allows it to take a faster
+codepath even if it does end up having to addref the `nsStringBuffer`.
+
+### `GlobalObject`
+
+`GlobalObject` is a class declared in
+[BindingDeclarations.h](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/dom/bindings/BindingDeclarations.h)
+and exported to `mozilla/dom/BindingDeclarations.h` that is used to
+represent the global object for static attributes and operations
+(including constructors). It has a `Get()` method that returns the
+`JSObject*` for the global and a `GetAsSupports()` method that
+returns an `nsISupports*` for the global on the main thread, if such
+is available. It also has a `Context()` method that returns the
+`JSContext*` the call is happening on. A caveat: the compartment of
+the `JSContext` may not match the compartment of the global!
+
+### `Date`
+
+`Date` is a class declared in
+[BindingDeclarations.h](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/dom/bindings/BindingDeclarations.h)
+and exported to `mozilla/dom/BindingDeclarations.h` that is used to
+represent Web IDL Dates. It has a `TimeStamp()` method returning a
+double which represents a number of milliseconds since the epoch, as
+well as `SetTimeStamp()` methods that can be used to initialize it
+with a double timestamp or a JS `Date` object. It also has a
+`ToDateObject()` method that can be used to create a new JS `Date`.
+
+### `ErrorResult`
+
+`ErrorResult` is a class declared in
+[ErrorResult.h](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/dom/bindings/ErrorResult.h)
+and exported to `mozilla/ErrorResult.h` that is used to represent
+exceptions in Web IDL bindings. This has the following methods:
+
+- `Throw`: allows throwing an `nsresult`. The `nsresult` must be
+ a failure code.
+- `ThrowTypeError`: allows throwing a `TypeError` with the given
+ error message. The list of allowed `TypeError`s and corresponding
+ messages is in
+ [`dom/bindings/Errors.msg`](https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/dom/bindings/Errors.msg).
+- `ThrowJSException`: allows throwing a preexisting JS exception
+ value. However, the `MightThrowJSException()` method must be called
+ before any such exceptions are thrown (even if no exception is
+ thrown).
+- `Failed`: checks whether an exception has been thrown on this
+ `ErrorResult`.
+- `ErrorCode`: returns a failure `nsresult` representing (perhaps
+ incompletely) the state of this `ErrorResult`.
+- `operator=`: takes an `nsresult` and acts like `Throw` if the
+ result is an error code, and like a no-op otherwise (unless an
+ exception has already been thrown, in which case it asserts). This
+ should only be used for legacy code that has nsresult everywhere; we
+ would like to get rid of this operator at some point.
+
+## Events
+
+Simple `Event` interfaces can be automatically generated by adding the
+interface file to GENERATED_EVENTS_WEBIDL_FILES in the
+appropriate dom/webidl/moz.build file. You can also take a simple
+generated C++ file pair and use it to build a more complex event (i.e.,
+one that has methods).
+
+### Event handler attributes
+
+A lot of interfaces define event handler attributes, like:
+
+``` webidl
+attribute EventHandler onthingchange;
+```
+
+If you need to implement an event handler attribute for an interface, in
+the definition (header file), you use the handy
+"IMPL_EVENT_HANDLER" macro:
+
+``` cpp
+IMPL_EVENT_HANDLER(onthingchange);
+```
+
+The "onthingchange" needs to be added to the StaticAtoms.py file:
+
+``` py
+Atom("onthingchange", "onthingchange")
+```
+
+The actual implementation (.cpp) for firing the event would then look
+something like:
+
+``` cpp
+nsresult
+MyInterface::DispatchThingChangeEvent()
+{
+ NS_NAMED_LITERAL_STRING(type, "thingchange");
+ EventInit init;
+ init.mBubbles = false;
+ init.mCancelable = false;
+ RefPtr<Event> event = Event::Constructor(this, type, init);
+ event->SetTrusted(true);
+ ErrorResult rv;
+ DispatchEvent(*event, rv);
+ return rv.StealNSResult(); // Assuming the caller cares about the return code.
+}
+```
+
+## `Bindings.conf` details
+
+Write me. In particular, need to describe at least use of `concrete`,
+`prefable`, and `addExternalInterface`.
+
+### How to get a JSContext passed to a given method
+
+In some rare cases you may need a `JSContext*` argument to be passed
+to a C++ method that wouldn't otherwise get such an argument. To see how
+to achieve this, search for `implicitJSContext` in
+[dom/bindings/Bindings.conf](#bindings-conf-details).
+
+## Implementing Web IDL using Javascript
+
+<div class="warning"><div class="admonition-title">Warning</div>
+
+Implementing Web IDL using Javascript is deprecated. New interfaces
+should always be implemented in C++!
+
+</div>
+
+It is possible to implement Web IDL interfaces in JavaScript within Gecko
+-- however, **this is limited to interfaces that are not exposed in Web
+Workers**. When the binding occurs, two objects are created:
+
+- *Content-exposed object:* what gets exposed to the web page.
+- *Implementation object:* running as a chrome-privileged script. This
+ allows the implementation object to have various APIs that the
+ content-exposed object does not.
+
+Because there are two types of objects, you have to be careful about
+which object you are creating.
+
+### Creating JS-implemented Web IDL objects
+
+To create a JS-implemented Web IDL object, one must create both the
+chrome-side implementation object and the content-side page-exposed
+object. There are three ways to do this.
+
+#### Using the Web IDL constructor
+
+If the interface has a constructor, a content-side object can be created
+by getting that constructor from the relevant content window and
+invoking it. For example:
+
+``` js
+var contentObject = new contentWin.RTCPeerConnection();
+```
+
+The returned object will be an Xray wrapper for the content-side object.
+Creating the object this way will automatically create the chrome-side
+object using its contractID.
+
+This method is limited to the constructor signatures exposed to
+webpages. Any additional configuration of the object needs to be done
+methods on the interface.
+
+Creating many objects this way can be slow due to the createInstance
+overhead involved.
+
+#### Using a `_create` method
+
+A content-side object can be created for a given chrome-side object by
+invoking the static `_create` method on the interface. This method
+takes two arguments: the content window in which to create the object
+and the chrome-side object to use. For example:
+
+``` js
+var contentObject = RTCPeerConnection._create(contentWin, new
+MyPeerConnectionImpl());
+```
+
+However, if you are in a JS component, you may only be able to get to
+the correct interface object via some window object. In this case, the
+code would look more like:
+
+``` js
+var contentObject = contentWin.RTCPeerConnection._create(contentWin,
+new MyPeerConnectionImpl());
+```
+
+Creating the object this way will not invoke its `__init` method or
+`init` method.
+
+#### By returning a chrome-side object from a JS-implemented Web IDL method
+
+If a JS-implemented Web IDL method is declared as returning a
+JS-implemented interface, then a non-Web IDL object returned from that
+method will be treated as the chrome-side part of a JS-implemented
+WebIdL object and the content-side part will be automatically created.
+
+Creating the object this way will not invoke its `__init` method or
+`init` method.
+
+### Implementing a Web IDL object in JavaScript
+
+To implement a Web IDL interface in JavaScript, first add a Web IDL file,
+in the same way as you would for a C++-implemented interface. To support
+implementation in JS, you must add an extended attribute
+`JSImplementation="CONTRACT_ID_STRING"` on your interface, where
+CONTRACT_ID_STRING is the XPCOM component contract ID of the JS
+implementation -- note ";1" is just a Mozilla convention for versioning
+APIs. Here's an example:
+
+``` webidl
+[JSImplementation="@mozilla.org/my-number;1"]
+interface MyNumber {
+ constructor(optional long firstNumber);
+ attribute long value;
+ readonly attribute long otherValue;
+ undefined doNothing();
+};
+```
+
+Next, create an XPCOM component that implements this interface. Use
+the same contract ID as you specified in the Web IDL file. The class
+ID doesn't matter, except that it should be a newly generated one. For
+`QueryInterface`, you only need to implement `nsISupports`, not
+anything corresponding to the Web IDL interface. The name you use for
+the XPCOM component should be distinct from the name of the interface,
+to avoid confusing error messages.
+
+Web IDL attributes are implemented as properties on the JS object or its
+prototype chain, whereas Web IDL methods are implemented as methods on
+the object or prototype. Note that any other instances of the interface
+that you are passed in as arguments are the full web-facing version of
+the object, and not the JS implementation, so you currently cannot
+access any private data.
+
+The Web IDL constructor invocation will first create your object. If the
+XPCOM component implements `nsIDOMGlobalPropertyInitializer`, then
+the object's `init` method will be invoked with a single argument:
+the content window the constructor came from. This allows the JS
+implementation to know which content window it's associated with.
+The `init` method should not return anything. After this, the
+content-side object will be created. Then,if there are any constructor
+arguments, the object's `__init` method will be invoked, with the
+constructor arguments as its arguments.
+
+### Static Members
+
+Static attributes and methods are not supported on JS-implemented Web IDL
+(see [bug
+863952](https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=863952)).
+However, with the changes in [bug
+1172785](https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1172785) you
+can route static methods to a C++ implementation on another object using
+a `StaticClassOverride` annotation. This annotation includes the
+full, namespace-qualified name of the class that contains an
+implementation of the named method. The include for that class must be
+found in a directory based on its name.
+
+``` webidl
+[JSImplementation="@mozilla.org/dom/foo;1"]
+interface Foo {
+ [StaticClassOverride="mozilla::dom::OtherClass"]
+ static Promise<undefined> doSomething();
+};
+```
+
+Rather than calling into a method on the JS implementation; calling
+`Foo.doSomething()` will result in calling
+`mozilla::dom::OtherClass::DoSomething()`.
+
+### Checking for Permissions or Preferences
+
+With JS-implemented Web IDL, the `init` method should only return
+undefined. If any other value, such as `null`, is returned, the
+bindings code will assert or crash. In other words, it acts like it has
+an "undefined" return type. Preference or permission checking should be
+implemented by adding an extended attribute to the Web IDL interface.
+This has the advantage that if the check fails, the constructor or
+object will not show up at all.
+
+For preference checking, add an extended attribute
+`Pref="myPref.enabled"` where `myPref.enabled` is the preference
+that should be checked. `SettingsLock` is an example of this.
+
+For permissions or other kinds of checking, add an extended attribute
+`Func="MyPermissionChecker"` where `MyPermissionChecker` is a
+function implemented in C++ that returns true if the interface should be
+enabled. This function can do whatever checking is needed. One example
+of this is `PushManager`.
+
+### Example
+
+Here's an example JS implementation of the above interface. The
+`invisibleValue` field will not be accessible to web content, but is
+usable by the doNothing() method.
+
+``` js
+function MyNumberInner() {
+ this.value = 111;
+ this.invisibleValue = 12345;
+}
+
+MyNumberInner.prototype = {
+ classDescription: "Get my number XPCOM Component",
+ contractID: "@mozilla.org/my-number;1",
+ QueryInterface: ChromeUtils.generateQI([]),
+ doNothing: function() {},
+ get otherValue() { return this.invisibleValue - 4; },
+ __init: function(firstNumber) {
+ if (arguments.length > 0) {
+ this.value = firstNumber;
+ }
+ }
+}
+```
+
+Finally, add a component and a contract and whatever other manifest
+stuff you need to implement an XPCOM component.
+
+### Guarantees provided by bindings
+
+When implementing a Web IDL interface in JavaScript, certain guarantees
+will be provided by the binding implementation. For example, string or
+numeric arguments will actually be primitive strings or numbers.
+Dictionaries will contain only the properties that they are declared to
+have, and they will have the right types. Interface arguments will
+actually be objects implementing that interface.
+
+What the bindings will NOT guarantee is much of anything about
+`object` and `any` arguments. They will get cross-compartment
+wrappers that make touching them from chrome code not be an immediate
+security bug, but otherwise they can have quite surprising behavior if
+the page is trying to be malicious. Try to avoid using these types if
+possible.
+
+### Accessing the content object from the implementation
+
+If the JS implementation of the Web IDL interface needs to access the
+content object, it is available as a property called `__DOM_IMPL__` on
+the chrome implementation object. This property only appears after the
+content-side object has been created. So it is available in `__init`
+but not in `init`.
+
+### Determining the principal of the caller that invoked the Web IDL API
+
+This can be done by calling
+`Component.utils.getWebIDLCallerPrincipal()`.
+
+### Throwing exceptions from JS-implemented APIs
+
+There are two reasons a JS implemented API might throw. The first reason
+is that some unforeseen condition occurred and the second is that a
+specification requires an exception to be thrown.
+
+When throwing for an unforeseen condition, the exception will be
+reported to the console, and a sanitized NS_ERROR_UNEXPECTED exception
+will be thrown to the calling content script, with the file/line of the
+content code that invoked your API. This will avoid exposing chrome URIs
+and other implementation details to the content code.
+
+When throwing because a specification requires an exception, you need to
+create the exception from the window your Web IDL object is associated
+with (the one that was passed to your `init` method). The binding code
+will then rethrow that exception to the web page. An example of how
+this could work:
+
+``` js
+if (!isValid(passedInObject)) {
+ throw new this.contentWindow.TypeError("Object is invalid");
+}
+```
+
+or
+
+``` js
+if (!isValid(passedInObject)) {
+ throw new this.contentWindow.DOMException("Object is invalid", "InvalidStateError");
+}
+```
+
+depending on which exact exception the specification calls for throwing
+in this situation.
+
+In some cases you may need to perform operations whose exception message
+you just want to propagate to the content caller. This can be done like
+so:
+
+``` js
+try {
+ someOperationThatCanThrow();
+} catch (e) {
+ throw new this.contentWindow.Error(e.message);
+}
+```
+
+### Inheriting from interfaces implemented in C++
+
+It's possible to have an interface implemented in JavaScript inherit
+from an interface implemented in C++. To do so, simply have one
+interface inherit from the other and the bindings code will
+auto-generate a C++ object inheriting from the implementation of the
+parent interface. The class implementing the parent interface will need
+a constructor that takes an `nsPIDOMWindow*` (though it doesn't have
+to do anything with that argument).
+
+If the class implementing the parent interface is abstract and you want
+to use a specific concrete class as the implementation to inherit from,
+you will need to add a `defaultImpl` annotation to the descriptor for
+the parent interface in `Bindings.conf`. The value of the annotation
+is the C++ class to use as the parent for JS-implemented descendants; if
+`defaultImpl` is not specified, the `nativeType` will be used.
+
+For example, consider this interface that we wish to implement in
+JavaScript:
+
+``` webidl
+[JSImplementation="some-contract"]
+interface MyEventTarget : EventTarget {
+ attribute EventHandler onmyevent;
+ undefined dispatchTheEvent(); // Sends a "myevent" event to this EventTarget
+}
+```
+
+The implementation would look something like this, ignoring most of the
+XPCOM boilerplate:
+
+``` js
+function MyEventTargetImpl() {
+}
+MyEventTargetImpl.prototype = {
+ // QI to nsIDOMGlobalPropertyInitializer so we get init() called on us.
+ QueryInterface: ChromeUtils.generateQI(["nsIDOMGlobalPropertyInitializer"]),
+
+ init: function(contentWindow) {
+ this.contentWindow = contentWindow;
+ },
+
+ get onmyevent() {
+ return this.__DOM_IMPL__.getEventHandler("onmyevent");
+ },
+
+ set onmyevent(handler) {
+ this.__DOM_IMPL__.setEventHandler("onmyevent", handler);
+ },
+
+ dispatchTheEvent: function() {
+ var event = new this.contentWindow.Event("myevent");
+ this.__DOM_IMPL__.dispatchEvent(event);
+ },
+};
+```
+
+The implementation would automatically support the API exposed on
+`EventTarget` (so, for example, `addEventListener`). Calling the
+`dispatchTheEvent` method would cause dispatch of an event that
+content script can see via listeners it has added.
+
+Note that in this case the chrome implementation is relying on some
+`[ChromeOnly]` methods on EventTarget that were added specifically to
+make it possible to easily implement event handlers. Other cases can do
+similar things as needed.