## GObject

GObject — The base object type

## Functions

void | (*GObjectGetPropertyFunc) ()
void | (*GObjectSetPropertyFunc) ()
void | (*GObjectFinalizeFunc) ()
#define | G_TYPE_IS_OBJECT()
#define | G_OBJECT()
#define | G_IS_OBJECT()
#define | G_OBJECT_CLASS()
#define | G_IS_OBJECT_CLASS()
#define | G_OBJECT_GET_CLASS()
#define | G_OBJECT_TYPE()
#define | G_OBJECT_TYPE_NAME()
#define | G_OBJECT_CLASS_TYPE()
#define | G_OBJECT_CLASS_NAME()
void | g_object_class_install_property ()
void | g_object_class_install_properties ()
GParamSpec * | g_object_class_find_property ()
GParamSpec ** | g_object_class_list_properties ()
void | g_object_class_override_property ()
void | g_object_interface_install_property ()
GParamSpec * | g_object_interface_find_property ()
GParamSpec ** | g_object_interface_list_properties ()
gpointer | g_object_new ()
GObject * | g_object_new_with_properties ()
gpointer | g_object_newv ()
gpointer | g_object_ref ()
void | g_object_unref ()
gpointer | g_object_ref_sink ()
#define | g_set_object()
void | g_clear_object ()
gboolean | g_object_is_floating ()
void | g_object_force_floating ()
void | (*GWeakNotify) ()
void | g_object_weak_ref ()
void | g_object_weak_unref ()
void | g_object_add_weak_pointer ()
void | g_object_remove_weak_pointer ()
void | (*GToggleNotify) ()
void | g_object_add_toggle_ref ()
void | g_object_remove_toggle_ref ()
gpointer | g_object_connect ()
void | g_object_disconnect ()
void | g_object_set ()
void | g_object_setv ()
void | g_object_get ()
void | g_object_getv ()
void | g_object_notify ()
void | g_object_notify_by_pspec ()
void | g_object_freeze_notify ()
void | g_object_thaw_notify ()
gpointer | g_object_get_data ()
void | g_object_set_data ()
void | g_object_set_data_full ()
gpointer | g_object_steal_data ()
gpointer | g_object_dup_data ()
gboolean | g_object_replace_data ()
gpointer | g_object_get_qdata ()
void | g_object_set_qdata ()
void | g_object_set_qdata_full ()
gpointer | g_object_steal_qdata ()
gpointer | g_object_dup_qdata ()
gboolean | g_object_replace_qdata ()
void | g_object_set_property ()
void | g_object_get_property ()
GObject * | g_object_new_valist ()
void | g_object_set_valist ()
void | g_object_get_valist ()
void | g_object_watch_closure ()
void | g_object_run_dispose ()
#define | G_OBJECT_WARN_INVALID_PROPERTY_ID()
void | g_weak_ref_init ()
void | g_weak_ref_clear ()
gpointer | g_weak_ref_get ()
void | g_weak_ref_set ()

## Signals

void | notify | No Hooks

## Types and Values

struct | GObject
struct | GObjectClass
struct | GObjectConstructParam
struct | GParameter
typedef | GInitiallyUnowned
typedef | GInitiallyUnownedClass
#define | G_TYPE_INITIALLY_UNOWNED
| GWeakRef

## Object Hierarchy

        GObject
        ├── GBinding
        ╰── GTypeModule

## Includes

    #include <glib-object.h>

## Description

GObject is the fundamental type providing the common attributes and methods for all object types in GTK+, Pango and other libraries based on GObject. The GObject class provides methods for object construction and destruction, property access methods, and signal support. Signals are described in detail here.

For a tutorial on implementing a new GObject class, see How to define and implement a new GObject. For a list of naming conventions for GObjects and their methods, see the GType conventions. For the high-level concepts behind GObject, read Instantiable classed types: Objects.

#### Floating references

GInitiallyUnowned is derived from GObject. The only difference between the two is that the initial reference of a GInitiallyUnowned is flagged as a "floating" reference. This means that it is not specifically claimed to be "owned" by any code portion. The main motivation for providing floating references is C convenience. In particular, it allows code to be written as:

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    container = create_container ();
    container_add_child (container, create_child());

If `container_add_child()` calls `g_object_ref_sink()` on the passed-in child, no reference of the newly created child is leaked. Without floating references, `container_add_child()` can only `g_object_ref()` the new child, so to implement this code without reference leaks, it would have to be written as:

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    Child *child;
    container = create_container ();
    child = create_child ();
    container_add_child (container, child);
    g_object_unref (child);

The floating reference can be converted into an ordinary reference by calling `g_object_ref_sink()`. For already sunken objects (objects that don't have a floating reference anymore), `g_object_ref_sink()` is equivalent to `g_object_ref()` and returns a new reference.

Since floating references are useful almost exclusively for C convenience, language bindings that provide automated reference and memory ownership maintenance (such as smart pointers or garbage collection) should not expose floating references in their API.

Some object implementations may need to save an objects floating state across certain code portions (an example is GtkMenu), to achieve this, the following sequence can be used:

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    // save floating state
    gboolean was_floating = g_object_is_floating (object);
    g_object_ref_sink (object);
    // protected code portion

    ...

    // restore floating state
    if (was_floating)
      g_object_force_floating (object);
    else
      g_object_unref (object); // release previously acquired reference

## Functions

### GObjectGetPropertyFunc ()

    void
    (*GObjectGetPropertyFunc) (GObject *object,
                               guint property_id,
                               GValue *value,
                               GParamSpec *pspec);

The type of the `get_property` function of GObjectClass.

#### Parameters

object | a GObject |
property_id | the numeric id under which the property was registered with `g_object_class_install_property()`. |
value | a GValue to return the property value in |
pspec | the GParamSpec describing the property |

### GObjectSetPropertyFunc ()

    void
    (*GObjectSetPropertyFunc) (GObject *object,
                               guint property_id,
                               const GValue *value,
                               GParamSpec *pspec);

The type of the `set_property` function of GObjectClass.

#### Parameters

object | a GObject |
property_id | the numeric id under which the property was registered with `g_object_class_install_property()`. |
value | the new value for the property |
pspec | the GParamSpec describing the property |

### GObjectFinalizeFunc ()

    void
    (*GObjectFinalizeFunc) (GObject *object);

The type of the `finalize` function of GObjectClass.

#### Parameters

object | the GObject being finalized |

### G_TYPE_IS_OBJECT()

    #define G_TYPE_IS_OBJECT(type)      (G_TYPE_FUNDAMENTAL (type) == G_TYPE_OBJECT)

Check if the passed in type id is a `G_TYPE_OBJECT` or derived from it.

#### Parameters

type | Type id to check |

#### Returns

`FALSE` or `TRUE`, indicating whether `type` is a `G_TYPE_OBJECT`.

### G_OBJECT()

    #define G_OBJECT(object)            (G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE_CAST ((object), G_TYPE_OBJECT, GObject))

Casts a GObject or derived pointer into a (GObject*) pointer. Depending on the current debugging level, this function may invoke certain runtime checks to identify invalid casts.

#### Parameters

object | Object which is subject to casting. |

### G_IS_OBJECT()

    #define G_IS_OBJECT(object)         (G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE_FUNDAMENTAL_TYPE ((object), G_TYPE_OBJECT))

Checks whether a valid GTypeInstance pointer is of type `G_TYPE_OBJECT`.

#### Parameters

object | Instance to check for being a `G_TYPE_OBJECT`. |

### G_OBJECT_CLASS()

    #define G_OBJECT_CLASS(class)       (G_TYPE_CHECK_CLASS_CAST ((class), G_TYPE_OBJECT, GObjectClass))

Casts a derived GObjectClass structure into a GObjectClass structure.

#### Parameters

class | a valid GObjectClass |

### G_IS_OBJECT_CLASS()

    #define G_IS_OBJECT_CLASS(class)    (G_TYPE_CHECK_CLASS_TYPE ((class), G_TYPE_OBJECT))

Checks whether `class` "is a" valid GObjectClass structure of type `G_TYPE_OBJECT` or derived.

#### Parameters

class | a GObjectClass |

### G_OBJECT_GET_CLASS()

    #define G_OBJECT_GET_CLASS(object)  (G_TYPE_INSTANCE_GET_CLASS ((object), G_TYPE_OBJECT, GObjectClass))

Get the class structure associated to a GObject instance.

#### Parameters

object | a GObject instance. |

#### Returns

pointer to object class structure.

### G_OBJECT_TYPE()

    #define G_OBJECT_TYPE(object)       (G_TYPE_FROM_INSTANCE (object))

Get the type id of an object.

#### Parameters

object | Object to return the type id for. |

#### Returns

Type id of `object` .

### G_OBJECT_TYPE_NAME()

    #define G_OBJECT_TYPE_NAME(object)  (g_type_name (G_OBJECT_TYPE (object)))

Get the name of an object's type.

#### Parameters

object | Object to return the type name for. |

#### Returns

Type name of `object` . The string is owned by the type system and should not be freed.

### G_OBJECT_CLASS_TYPE()

    #define G_OBJECT_CLASS_TYPE(class)  (G_TYPE_FROM_CLASS (class))

Get the type id of a class structure.

#### Parameters

class | a valid GObjectClass |

#### Returns

Type id of `class` .

### G_OBJECT_CLASS_NAME()

    #define G_OBJECT_CLASS_NAME(class)  (g_type_name (G_OBJECT_CLASS_TYPE (class)))

Return the name of a class structure's type.

#### Parameters

class | a valid GObjectClass |

#### Returns

Type name of `class` . The string is owned by the type system and should not be freed.

### g_object_class_install_property ()

    void
    g_object_class_install_property (GObjectClass *oclass,
                                     guint property_id,
                                     GParamSpec *pspec);

Installs a new property.

All properties should be installed during the class initializer. It is possible to install properties after that, but doing so is not recommend, and specifically, is not guaranteed to be thread-safe vs. use of properties on the same type on other threads.

Note that it is possible to redefine a property in a derived class, by installing a property with the same name. This can be useful at times, e.g. to change the range of allowed values or the default value.

#### Parameters

oclass | a GObjectClass |
property_id | the id for the new property |
pspec | the GParamSpec for the new property |

### g_object_class_install_properties ()

    void
    g_object_class_install_properties (GObjectClass *oclass,
                                       guint n_pspecs,
                                       GParamSpec **pspecs);

Installs new properties from an array of GParamSpecs.

All properties should be installed during the class initializer. It is possible to install properties after that, but doing so is not recommend, and specifically, is not guaranteed to be thread-safe vs. use of properties on the same type on other threads.

The property id of each property is the index of each GParamSpec in the `pspecs` array.

The property id of 0 is treated specially by GObject and it should not be used to store a GParamSpec.

This function should be used if you plan to use a static array of GParamSpecs and `g_object_notify_by_pspec()`. For instance, this class initialization:

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    enum {
      PROP_0, PROP_FOO, PROP_BAR, N_PROPERTIES
    };

    static GParamSpec *obj_properties[N_PROPERTIES] = { NULL, };

    static void
    my_object_class_init (MyObjectClass *klass)
    {
      GObjectClass *gobject_class = G_OBJECT_CLASS (klass);

      obj_properties[PROP_FOO] =
        g_param_spec_int ("foo", "Foo", "Foo",
                          -1, G_MAXINT,
                          0,
                          G_PARAM_READWRITE);

      obj_properties[PROP_BAR] =
        g_param_spec_string ("bar", "Bar", "Bar",
                             NULL,
                             G_PARAM_READWRITE);

      gobject_class->set_property = my_object_set_property;
      gobject_class->get_property = my_object_get_property;
      g_object_class_install_properties (gobject_class,
                                         N_PROPERTIES,
                                         obj_properties);
    }

allows calling `g_object_notify_by_pspec()` to notify of property changes:

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    void
    my_object_set_foo (MyObject *self, gint foo)
    {
      if (self->foo != foo)
        {
          self->foo = foo;
          g_object_notify_by_pspec (G_OBJECT (self), obj_properties[PROP_FOO]);
        }
     }

#### Parameters

oclass | a GObjectClass |
n_pspecs | the length of the GParamSpecs array |
pspecs | the GParamSpecs array defining the new properties. | [array length=n_pspecs]

Since: 2.26

### g_object_class_find_property ()

    GParamSpec *
    g_object_class_find_property (GObjectClass *oclass,
                                  const gchar *property_name);

Looks up the GParamSpec for a property of a class.

#### Parameters

oclass | a GObjectClass |
property_name | the name of the property to look up |

#### Returns

the GParamSpec for the property, or `NULL` if the class doesn't have a property of that name.

[transfer none]

### g_object_class_list_properties ()

    GParamSpec **
    g_object_class_list_properties (GObjectClass *oclass,
                                    guint *n_properties);

Get an array of GParamSpec* for all properties of a class.

#### Parameters

oclass | a GObjectClass |
n_properties | return location for the length of the returned array. | [out]

#### Returns

an array of GParamSpec* which should be freed after use.

[array length=n_properties][transfer container]

### g_object_class_override_property ()

    void
    g_object_class_override_property (GObjectClass *oclass,
                                      guint property_id,
                                      const gchar *name);

Registers `property_id` as referring to a property with the name `name` in a parent class or in an interface implemented by `oclass` . This allows this class to "override" a property implementation in a parent class or to provide the implementation of a property from an interface.

Internally, overriding is implemented by creating a property of type GParamSpecOverride; generally operations that query the properties of the object class, such as `g_object_class_find_property()` or `g_object_class_list_properties()` will return the overridden property. However, in one case, the `construct_properties` argument of the `constructor` virtual function, the GParamSpecOverride is passed instead, so that the `param_id` field of the GParamSpec will be correct. For virtually all uses, this makes no difference. If you need to get the overridden property, you can call `g_param_spec_get_redirect_target()`.

#### Parameters

oclass | a GObjectClass |
property_id | the new property ID |
name | the name of a property registered in a parent class or in an interface of this class. |

Since: 2.4

### g_object_interface_install_property ()

    void
    g_object_interface_install_property (gpointer g_iface,
                                         GParamSpec *pspec);

Add a property to an interface; this is only useful for interfaces that are added to GObject-derived types. Adding a property to an interface forces all objects classes with that interface to have a compatible property. The compatible property could be a newly created GParamSpec, but normally `g_object_class_override_property()` will be used so that the object class only needs to provide an implementation and inherits the property description, default value, bounds, and so forth from the interface property.

This function is meant to be called from the interface's default vtable initialization function (the `class_init` member of GTypeInfo.) It must not be called after after `class_init` has been called for any object types implementing this interface.

#### Parameters

g_iface | any interface vtable for the interface, or the default vtable for the interface. | [type GObject.TypeInterface]
pspec | the GParamSpec for the new property |

Since: 2.4

### g_object_interface_find_property ()

    GParamSpec *
    g_object_interface_find_property (gpointer g_iface,
                                      const gchar *property_name);

Find the GParamSpec with the given name for an interface. Generally, the interface vtable passed in as `g_iface` will be the default vtable from `g_type_default_interface_ref()`, or, if you know the interface has already been loaded, `g_type_default_interface_peek()`.

#### Parameters

g_iface | any interface vtable for the interface, or the default vtable for the interface. | [type GObject.TypeInterface]
property_name | name of a property to lookup. |

#### Returns

the GParamSpec for the property of the interface with the name `property_name` , or `NULL` if no such property exists.

[transfer none]

Since: 2.4

### g_object_interface_list_properties ()

    GParamSpec **
    g_object_interface_list_properties (gpointer g_iface,
                                        guint *n_properties_p);

Lists the properties of an interface.Generally, the interface vtable passed in as `g_iface` will be the default vtable from `g_type_default_interface_ref()`, or, if you know the interface has already been loaded, `g_type_default_interface_peek()`.

#### Parameters

g_iface | any interface vtable for the interface, or the default vtable for the interface. | [type GObject.TypeInterface]
n_properties_p | location to store number of properties returned. | [out]

#### Returns

a pointer to an array of pointers to GParamSpec structures. The paramspecs are owned by GLib, but the array should be freed with `g_free()` when you are done with it.

[array length=n_properties_p][transfer container]

Since: 2.4

### g_object_new ()

    gpointer
    g_object_new (GType object_type,
                  const gchar *first_property_name,
                  ...);

Creates a new instance of a GObject subtype and sets its properties.

Construction parameters (see G_PARAM_CONSTRUCT, G_PARAM_CONSTRUCT_ONLY) which are not explicitly specified are set to their default values.

[skip]

#### Parameters

object_type | the type id of the GObject subtype to instantiate |
first_property_name | the name of the first property |
... | the value of the first property, followed optionally by more name/value pairs, followed by `NULL` |

#### Returns

a new instance of `object_type` .

[transfer full][type GObject.Object]

### g_object_new_with_properties ()

    GObject *
    g_object_new_with_properties (GType object_type,
                                  guint n_properties,
                                  const char *names[],
                                  const GValue values[]);

Creates a new instance of a GObject subtype and sets its properties using the provided arrays. Both arrays must have exactly `n_properties` elements, and the names and values correspond by index.

Construction parameters (see `G_PARAM_CONSTRUCT`, `G_PARAM_CONSTRUCT_ONLY`) which are not explicitly specified are set to their default values.

[rename-to g_object_new]

#### Parameters

object_type | the object type to instantiate |
n_properties | the number of properties |
names | the names of each property to be set. | [array length=n_properties]
values | the values of each property to be set. | [array length=n_properties]

#### Returns

a new instance of `object_type` .

[type GObject.Object][transfer full]

Since: 2.54

### g_object_newv ()

    gpointer
    g_object_newv (GType object_type,
                   guint n_parameters,
                   GParameter *parameters);

`g_object_newv` has been deprecated since version 2.54 and should not be used in newly-written code.

Use `g_object_new_with_properties()` instead. deprecated. See GParameter for more information.

Creates a new instance of a GObject subtype and sets its properties.

Construction parameters (see G_PARAM_CONSTRUCT, G_PARAM_CONSTRUCT_ONLY) which are not explicitly specified are set to their default values.

#### Parameters

object_type | the type id of the GObject subtype to instantiate |
n_parameters | the length of the `parameters` array |
parameters | an array of GParameter. | [array length=n_parameters]

#### Returns

a new instance of `object_type` .

[type GObject.Object][transfer full]

### g_object_ref ()

    gpointer
    g_object_ref (gpointer object);

Increases the reference count of `object` .

#### Parameters

object | a GObject. | [type GObject.Object]

#### Returns

the same `object` .

[type GObject.Object][transfer none]

### g_object_unref ()

    void
    g_object_unref (gpointer object);

Decreases the reference count of `object` . When its reference count drops to 0, the object is finalized (i.e. its memory is freed).

If the pointer to the GObject may be reused in future (for example, if it is an instance variable of another object), it is recommended to clear the pointer to `NULL` rather than retain a dangling pointer to a potentially invalid GObject instance. Use `g_clear_object()` for this.

#### Parameters

object | a GObject. | [type GObject.Object]

### g_object_ref_sink ()

    gpointer
    g_object_ref_sink (gpointer object);

Increase the reference count of `object` , and possibly remove the floating reference, if `object` has a floating reference.

In other words, if the object is floating, then this call "assumes ownership" of the floating reference, converting it to a normal reference by clearing the floating flag while leaving the reference count unchanged. If the object is not floating, then this call adds a new normal reference increasing the reference count by one.

#### Parameters

object | a GObject. | [type GObject.Object]

#### Returns

`object` .

[type GObject.Object][transfer none]

Since: 2.10

### g_set_object()

    #define             g_set_object(object_ptr, new_object)

Updates a GObject pointer to refer to `new_object` . It increments the reference count of `new_object` (if non-`NULL`), decrements the reference count of the current value of `object_ptr` (if non-`NULL`), and assigns `new_object` to `object_ptr` . The assignment is not atomic.

`object_ptr` must not be `NULL`.

A macro is also included that allows this function to be used without pointer casts. The function itself is static inline, so its address may vary between compilation units.

One convenient usage of this function is in implementing property setters:

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    void
    foo_set_bar (Foo *foo,
                 Bar *new_bar)
    {
      g_return_if_fail (IS_FOO (foo));
      g_return_if_fail (new_bar == NULL || IS_BAR (new_bar));

      if (g_set_object (&foo->bar, new_bar))
        g_object_notify (foo, "bar");
    }

#### Parameters

object_ptr | a pointer to a GObject reference |
new_object | a pointer to the new GObject to assign to it, or `NULL` to clear the pointer. | [nullable][transfer none]

#### Returns

`TRUE` if the value of `object_ptr` changed, `FALSE` otherwise

Since: 2.44

### g_clear_object ()

    void
    g_clear_object (volatile GObject **object_ptr);

Clears a reference to a GObject.

`object_ptr` must not be `NULL`.

If the reference is `NULL` then this function does nothing. Otherwise, the reference count of the object is decreased and the pointer is set to `NULL`.

A macro is also included that allows this function to be used without pointer casts.

[skip]

#### Parameters

object_ptr | a pointer to a GObject reference |

Since: 2.28

### g_object_is_floating ()

    gboolean
    g_object_is_floating (gpointer object);

Checks whether `object` has a floating reference.

#### Parameters

object | a GObject. | [type GObject.Object]

#### Returns

`TRUE` if `object` has a floating reference

Since: 2.10

### g_object_force_floating ()

    void
    g_object_force_floating (GObject *object);

This function is intended for GObject implementations to re-enforce a floating object reference. Doing this is seldom required: all GInitiallyUnowneds are created with a floating reference which usually just needs to be sunken by calling `g_object_ref_sink()`.

#### Parameters

object | a GObject |

Since: 2.10

### GWeakNotify ()

    void
    (*GWeakNotify) (gpointer data,
                    GObject *where_the_object_was);

A GWeakNotify function can be added to an object as a callback that gets triggered when the object is finalized. Since the object is already being finalized when the GWeakNotify is called, there's not much you could do with the object, apart from e.g. using its address as hash-index or the like.

#### Parameters

data | data that was provided when the weak reference was established |
where_the_object_was | the object being finalized |

### g_object_weak_ref ()

    void
    g_object_weak_ref (GObject *object,
                       GWeakNotify notify,
                       gpointer data);

Adds a weak reference callback to an object. Weak references are used for notification when an object is finalized. They are called "weak references" because they allow you to safely hold a pointer to an object without calling `g_object_ref()` (`g_object_ref()` adds a strong reference, that is, forces the object to stay alive).

Note that the weak references created by this method are not thread-safe: they cannot safely be used in one thread if the object's last `g_object_unref()` might happen in another thread. Use GWeakRef if thread-safety is required.

[skip]

#### Parameters

object | GObject to reference weakly |
notify | callback to invoke before the object is freed |
data | extra data to pass to notify |

### g_object_weak_unref ()

    void
    g_object_weak_unref (GObject *object,
                         GWeakNotify notify,
                         gpointer data);

Removes a weak reference callback to an object.

[skip]

#### Parameters

object | GObject to remove a weak reference from |
notify | callback to search for |
data | data to search for |

### g_object_add_weak_pointer ()

    void
    g_object_add_weak_pointer (GObject *object,
                               gpointer *weak_pointer_location);

Adds a weak reference from weak_pointer to `object` to indicate that the pointer located at `weak_pointer_location` is only valid during the lifetime of `object` . When the `object` is finalized, `weak_pointer` will be set to `NULL`.

Note that as with `g_object_weak_ref()`, the weak references created by this method are not thread-safe: they cannot safely be used in one thread if the object's last `g_object_unref()` might happen in another thread. Use GWeakRef if thread-safety is required.

[skip]

#### Parameters

object | The object that should be weak referenced. |
weak_pointer_location | The memory address of a pointer. | [inout][not optional]

### g_object_remove_weak_pointer ()

    void
    g_object_remove_weak_pointer (GObject *object,
                                  gpointer *weak_pointer_location);

Removes a weak reference from `object` that was previously added using `g_object_add_weak_pointer()`. The `weak_pointer_location` has to match the one used with `g_object_add_weak_pointer()`.

[skip]

#### Parameters

object | The object that is weak referenced. |
weak_pointer_location | The memory address of a pointer. | [inout][not optional]

### GToggleNotify ()

    void
    (*GToggleNotify) (gpointer data,
                      GObject *object,
                      gboolean is_last_ref);

A callback function used for notification when the state of a toggle reference changes. See `g_object_add_toggle_ref()`.

#### Parameters

data | Callback data passed to `g_object_add_toggle_ref()` |
object | The object on which `g_object_add_toggle_ref()` was called. |
is_last_ref | `TRUE` if the toggle reference is now the last reference to the object. `FALSE` if the toggle reference was the last reference and there are now other references. |

### g_object_add_toggle_ref ()

    void
    g_object_add_toggle_ref (GObject *object,
                             GToggleNotify notify,
                             gpointer data);

Increases the reference count of the object by one and sets a callback to be called when all other references to the object are dropped, or when this is already the last reference to the object and another reference is established.

This functionality is intended for binding `object` to a proxy object managed by another memory manager. This is done with two paired references: the strong reference added by `g_object_add_toggle_ref()` and a reverse reference to the proxy object which is either a strong reference or weak reference.

The setup is that when there are no other references to `object` , only a weak reference is held in the reverse direction from `object` to the proxy object, but when there are other references held to `object` , a strong reference is held. The `notify` callback is called when the reference from `object` to the proxy object should be "toggled" from strong to weak (`is_last_ref` true) or weak to strong (`is_last_ref` false).

Since a (normal) reference must be held to the object before calling `g_object_add_toggle_ref()`, the initial state of the reverse link is always strong.

Multiple toggle references may be added to the same gobject, however if there are multiple toggle references to an object, none of them will ever be notified until all but one are removed. For this reason, you should only ever use a toggle reference if there is important state in the proxy object.

[skip]

#### Parameters

object | a GObject |
notify | a function to call when this reference is the last reference to the object, or is no longer the last reference. |
data | data to pass to `notify` |

Since: 2.8

### g_object_remove_toggle_ref ()

    void
    g_object_remove_toggle_ref (GObject *object,
                                GToggleNotify notify,
                                gpointer data);

Removes a reference added with `g_object_add_toggle_ref()`. The reference count of the object is decreased by one.

[skip]

#### Parameters

object | a GObject |
notify | a function to call when this reference is the last reference to the object, or is no longer the last reference. |
data | data to pass to `notify` |

Since: 2.8

### g_object_connect ()

    gpointer
    g_object_connect (gpointer object,
                      const gchar *signal_spec,
                      ...);

A convenience function to connect multiple signals at once.

The signal specs expected by this function have the form "modifier::signal_name", where modifier can be one of the following:

- - signal: equivalent to g_signal_connect_data (..., NULL, 0)

- object-signal, object_signal: equivalent to g_signal_connect_object (..., 0)

- swapped-signal, swapped_signal: equivalent to g_signal_connect_data (..., NULL, G_CONNECT_SWAPPED)

- swapped_object_signal, swapped-object-signal: equivalent to g_signal_connect_object (..., G_CONNECT_SWAPPED)

- signal_after, signal-after: equivalent to g_signal_connect_data (..., NULL, G_CONNECT_AFTER)

- object_signal_after, object-signal-after: equivalent to g_signal_connect_object (..., G_CONNECT_AFTER)

- swapped_signal_after, swapped-signal-after: equivalent to g_signal_connect_data (..., NULL, G_CONNECT_SWAPPED | G_CONNECT_AFTER)

- swapped_object_signal_after, swapped-object-signal-after: equivalent to g_signal_connect_object (..., G_CONNECT_SWAPPED | G_CONNECT_AFTER)

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    menu->toplevel = g_object_connect (g_object_new (GTK_TYPE_WINDOW,
    						   "type", GTK_WINDOW_POPUP,
    						   "child", menu,
    						   NULL),
    				     "signal::event", gtk_menu_window_event, menu,
    				     "signal::size_request", gtk_menu_window_size_request, menu,
    				     "signal::destroy", gtk_widget_destroyed, &menu->toplevel,
    				     NULL);

[skip]

#### Parameters

object | a GObject. | [type GObject.Object]
signal_spec | the spec for the first signal |
... | GCallback for the first signal, followed by data for the first signal, followed optionally by more signal spec/callback/data triples, followed by `NULL` |

#### Returns

`object` .

[transfer none][type GObject.Object]

### g_object_disconnect ()

    void
    g_object_disconnect (gpointer object,
                         const gchar *signal_spec,
                         ...);

A convenience function to disconnect multiple signals at once.

The signal specs expected by this function have the form "any_signal", which means to disconnect any signal with matching callback and data, or "any_signal::signal_name", which only disconnects the signal named "signal_name".

[skip]

#### Parameters

object | a GObject. | [type GObject.Object]
signal_spec | the spec for the first signal |
... | GCallback for the first signal, followed by data for the first signal, followed optionally by more signal spec/callback/data triples, followed by `NULL` |

### g_object_set ()

    void
    g_object_set (gpointer object,
                  const gchar *first_property_name,
                  ...);

Sets properties on an object.

Note that the "notify" signals are queued and only emitted (in reverse order) after all properties have been set. See `g_object_freeze_notify()`.

[skip]

#### Parameters

object | a GObject. | [type GObject.Object]
first_property_name | name of the first property to set |
... | value for the first property, followed optionally by more name/value pairs, followed by `NULL` |

### g_object_setv ()

    void
    g_object_setv (GObject *object,
                   guint n_properties,
                   const gchar *names[],
                   const GValue values[]);

Sets `n_properties` properties for an `object` . Properties to be set will be taken from `values` . All properties must be valid. Warnings will be emitted and undefined behaviour may result if invalid properties are passed in.

[skip]

#### Parameters

object | a GObject |
n_properties | the number of properties |
names | the names of each property to be set. | [array length=n_properties]
values | the values of each property to be set. | [array length=n_properties]

Since: 2.54

### g_object_get ()

    void
    g_object_get (gpointer object,
                  const gchar *first_property_name,
                  ...);

Gets properties of an object.

In general, a copy is made of the property contents and the caller is responsible for freeing the memory in the appropriate manner for the type, for instance by calling `g_free()` or `g_object_unref()`.

Here is an example of using `g_object_get()` to get the contents of three properties: an integer, a string and an object:

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    gint intval;
    gchar *strval;
    GObject *objval;

    g_object_get (my_object,
                  "int-property", &intval,
                  "str-property", &strval,
                  "obj-property", &objval,
                  NULL);

    // Do something with intval, strval, objval

    g_free (strval);
    g_object_unref (objval);

[skip]

#### Parameters

object | a GObject. | [type GObject.Object]
first_property_name | name of the first property to get |
... | return location for the first property, followed optionally by more name/return location pairs, followed by `NULL` |

### g_object_getv ()

    void
    g_object_getv (GObject *object,
                   guint n_properties,
                   const gchar *names[],
                   GValue values[]);

Gets `n_properties` properties for an `object` . Obtained properties will be set to `values` . All properties must be valid. Warnings will be emitted and undefined behaviour may result if invalid properties are passed in.

#### Parameters

object | a GObject |
n_properties | the number of properties |
names | the names of each property to get. | [array length=n_properties]
values | the values of each property to get. | [array length=n_properties]

Since: 2.54

### g_object_notify ()

    void
    g_object_notify (GObject *object,
                     const gchar *property_name);

Emits a "notify" signal for the property `property_name` on `object` .

When possible, eg. when signaling a property change from within the class that registered the property, you should use `g_object_notify_by_pspec()` instead.

Note that emission of the notify signal may be blocked with `g_object_freeze_notify()`. In this case, the signal emissions are queued and will be emitted (in reverse order) when `g_object_thaw_notify()` is called.

#### Parameters

object | a GObject |
property_name | the name of a property installed on the class of `object` . |

### g_object_notify_by_pspec ()

    void
    g_object_notify_by_pspec (GObject *object,
                              GParamSpec *pspec);

Emits a "notify" signal for the property specified by `pspec` on `object` .

This function omits the property name lookup, hence it is faster than `g_object_notify()`.

One way to avoid using `g_object_notify()` from within the class that registered the properties, and using `g_object_notify_by_pspec()` instead, is to store the GParamSpec used with `g_object_class_install_property()` inside a static array, e.g.:

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    enum
    {
      PROP_0,
      PROP_FOO,
      PROP_LAST
    };

    static GParamSpec *properties[PROP_LAST];

    static void
    my_object_class_init (MyObjectClass *klass)
    {
      properties[PROP_FOO] = g_param_spec_int ("foo", "Foo", "The foo",
                                               0, 100,
                                               50,
                                               G_PARAM_READWRITE);
      g_object_class_install_property (gobject_class,
                                       PROP_FOO,
                                       properties[PROP_FOO]);
    }

and then notify a change on the "foo" property with:

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    g_object_notify_by_pspec (self, properties[PROP_FOO]);

#### Parameters

object | a GObject |
pspec | the GParamSpec of a property installed on the class of `object` . |

Since: 2.26

### g_object_freeze_notify ()

    void
    g_object_freeze_notify (GObject *object);

Increases the freeze count on `object` . If the freeze count is non-zero, the emission of "notify" signals on `object` is stopped. The signals are queued until the freeze count is decreased to zero. Duplicate notifications are squashed so that at most one “notify” signal is emitted for each property modified while the object is frozen.

This is necessary for accessors that modify multiple properties to prevent premature notification while the object is still being modified.

#### Parameters

object | a GObject |

### g_object_thaw_notify ()

    void
    g_object_thaw_notify (GObject *object);

Reverts the effect of a previous call to `g_object_freeze_notify()`. The freeze count is decreased on `object` and when it reaches zero, queued "notify" signals are emitted.

Duplicate notifications for each property are squashed so that at most one “notify” signal is emitted for each property, in the reverse order in which they have been queued.

It is an error to call this function when the freeze count is zero.

#### Parameters

object | a GObject |

### g_object_get_data ()

    gpointer
    g_object_get_data (GObject *object,
                       const gchar *key);

Gets a named field from the objects table of associations (see `g_object_set_data()`).

#### Parameters

object | GObject containing the associations |
key | name of the key for that association |

#### Returns

the data if found, or `NULL` if no such data exists.

[transfer none]

### g_object_set_data ()

    void
    g_object_set_data (GObject *object,
                       const gchar *key,
                       gpointer data);

Each object carries around a table of associations from strings to pointers. This function lets you set an association.

If the object already had an association with that name, the old association will be destroyed.

#### Parameters

object | GObject containing the associations. |
key | name of the key |
data | data to associate with that key |

### g_object_set_data_full ()

    void
    g_object_set_data_full (GObject *object,
                            const gchar *key,
                            gpointer data,
                            GDestroyNotify destroy);

Like `g_object_set_data()` except it adds notification for when the association is destroyed, either by setting it to a different value or when the object is destroyed.

Note that the `destroy` callback is not called if `data` is `NULL`.

[skip]

#### Parameters

object | GObject containing the associations |
key | name of the key |
data | data to associate with that key |
destroy | function to call when the association is destroyed |

### g_object_steal_data ()

    gpointer
    g_object_steal_data (GObject *object,
                         const gchar *key);

Remove a specified datum from the object's data associations, without invoking the association's destroy handler.

#### Parameters

object | GObject containing the associations |
key | name of the key |

#### Returns

the data if found, or `NULL` if no such data exists.

[transfer full]

### g_object_dup_data ()

    gpointer
    g_object_dup_data (GObject *object,
                       const gchar *key,
                       GDuplicateFunc dup_func,
                       gpointer user_data);

This is a variant of `g_object_get_data()` which returns a 'duplicate' of the value. `dup_func` defines the meaning of 'duplicate' in this context, it could e.g. take a reference on a ref-counted object.

If the `key` is not set on the object then `dup_func` will be called with a `NULL` argument.

Note that `dup_func` is called while user data of `object` is locked.

This function can be useful to avoid races when multiple threads are using object data on the same key on the same object.

#### Parameters

object | the GObject to store user data on |
key | a string, naming the user data pointer |
dup_func | function to dup the value. | [nullable]
user_data | passed as user_data to `dup_func` . | [nullable]

#### Returns

the result of calling `dup_func` on the value associated with `key` on `object` , or `NULL` if not set. If `dup_func` is `NULL`, the value is returned unmodified.

Since: 2.34

### g_object_replace_data ()

    gboolean
    g_object_replace_data (GObject *object,
                           const gchar *key,
                           gpointer oldval,
                           gpointer newval,
                           GDestroyNotify destroy,
                           GDestroyNotify *old_destroy);

Compares the user data for the key `key` on `object` with `oldval` , and if they are the same, replaces `oldval` with `newval` .

This is like a typical atomic compare-and-exchange operation, for user data on an object.

If the previous value was replaced then ownership of the old value (`oldval` ) is passed to the caller, including the registered destroy notify for it (passed out in `old_destroy` ). Its up to the caller to free this as he wishes, which may or may not include using `old_destroy` as sometimes replacement should not destroy the object in the normal way.

#### Parameters

object | the GObject to store user data on |
key | a string, naming the user data pointer |
oldval | the old value to compare against. | [nullable]
newval | the new value. | [nullable]
destroy | a destroy notify for the new value. | [nullable]
old_destroy | destroy notify for the existing value. | [nullable]

#### Returns

`TRUE` if the existing value for `key` was replaced by `newval` , `FALSE` otherwise.

Since: 2.34

### g_object_get_qdata ()

    gpointer
    g_object_get_qdata (GObject *object,
                        GQuark quark);

This function gets back user data pointers stored via `g_object_set_qdata()`.

#### Parameters

object | The GObject to get a stored user data pointer from |
quark | A GQuark, naming the user data pointer |

#### Returns

The user data pointer set, or `NULL`.

[transfer none]

### g_object_set_qdata ()

    void
    g_object_set_qdata (GObject *object,
                        GQuark quark,
                        gpointer data);

This sets an opaque, named pointer on an object. The name is specified through a GQuark (retrived e.g. via `g_quark_from_static_string()`), and the pointer can be gotten back from the `object` with `g_object_get_qdata()` until the `object` is finalized. Setting a previously set user data pointer, overrides (frees) the old pointer set, using NULL as pointer essentially removes the data stored.

[skip]

#### Parameters

object | The GObject to set store a user data pointer |
quark | A GQuark, naming the user data pointer |
data | An opaque user data pointer |

### g_object_set_qdata_full ()

    void
    g_object_set_qdata_full (GObject *object,
                             GQuark quark,
                             gpointer data,
                             GDestroyNotify destroy);

This function works like `g_object_set_qdata()`, but in addition, a void (*destroy) (gpointer) function may be specified which is called with `data` as argument when the `object` is finalized, or the data is being overwritten by a call to `g_object_set_qdata()` with the same `quark` .

[skip]

#### Parameters

object | The GObject to set store a user data pointer |
quark | A GQuark, naming the user data pointer |
data | An opaque user data pointer |
destroy | Function to invoke with `data` as argument, when `data` needs to be freed |

### g_object_steal_qdata ()

    gpointer
    g_object_steal_qdata (GObject *object,
                          GQuark quark);

This function gets back user data pointers stored via `g_object_set_qdata()` and removes the `data` from object without invoking its `destroy()` function (if any was set). Usually, calling this function is only required to update user data pointers with a destroy notifier, for example:

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    void
    object_add_to_user_list (GObject     *object,
                             const gchar *new_string)
    {
      // the quark, naming the object data
      GQuark quark_string_list = g_quark_from_static_string ("my-string-list");
      // retrive the old string list
      GList *list = g_object_steal_qdata (object, quark_string_list);

      // prepend new string
      list = g_list_prepend (list, g_strdup (new_string));
      // this changed 'list', so we need to set it again
      g_object_set_qdata_full (object, quark_string_list, list, free_string_list);
    }
    static void
    free_string_list (gpointer data)
    {
      GList *node, *list = data;

      for (node = list; node; node = node->next)
        g_free (node->data);
      g_list_free (list);
    }

Using `g_object_get_qdata()` in the above example, instead of `g_object_steal_qdata()` would have left the destroy function set, and thus the partial string list would have been freed upon `g_object_set_qdata_full()`.

#### Parameters

object | The GObject to get a stored user data pointer from |
quark | A GQuark, naming the user data pointer |

#### Returns

The user data pointer set, or `NULL`.

[transfer full]

### g_object_dup_qdata ()

    gpointer
    g_object_dup_qdata (GObject *object,
                        GQuark quark,
                        GDuplicateFunc dup_func,
                        gpointer user_data);

This is a variant of `g_object_get_qdata()` which returns a 'duplicate' of the value. `dup_func` defines the meaning of 'duplicate' in this context, it could e.g. take a reference on a ref-counted object.

If the `quark` is not set on the object then `dup_func` will be called with a `NULL` argument.

Note that `dup_func` is called while user data of `object` is locked.

This function can be useful to avoid races when multiple threads are using object data on the same key on the same object.

#### Parameters

object | the GObject to store user data on |
quark | a GQuark, naming the user data pointer |
dup_func | function to dup the value. | [nullable]
user_data | passed as user_data to `dup_func` . | [nullable]

#### Returns

the result of calling `dup_func` on the value associated with `quark` on `object` , or `NULL` if not set. If `dup_func` is `NULL`, the value is returned unmodified.

Since: 2.34

### g_object_replace_qdata ()

    gboolean
    g_object_replace_qdata (GObject *object,
                            GQuark quark,
                            gpointer oldval,
                            gpointer newval,
                            GDestroyNotify destroy,
                            GDestroyNotify *old_destroy);

Compares the user data for the key `quark` on `object` with `oldval` , and if they are the same, replaces `oldval` with `newval` .

This is like a typical atomic compare-and-exchange operation, for user data on an object.

If the previous value was replaced then ownership of the old value (`oldval` ) is passed to the caller, including the registered destroy notify for it (passed out in `old_destroy` ). Its up to the caller to free this as he wishes, which may or may not include using `old_destroy` as sometimes replacement should not destroy the object in the normal way.

#### Parameters

object | the GObject to store user data on |
quark | a GQuark, naming the user data pointer |
oldval | the old value to compare against. | [nullable]
newval | the new value. | [nullable]
destroy | a destroy notify for the new value. | [nullable]
old_destroy | destroy notify for the existing value. | [nullable]

#### Returns

`TRUE` if the existing value for `quark` was replaced by `newval` , `FALSE` otherwise.

Since: 2.34

### g_object_set_property ()

    void
    g_object_set_property (GObject *object,
                           const gchar *property_name,
                           const GValue *value);

Sets a property on an object.

#### Parameters

object | a GObject |
property_name | the name of the property to set |
value | the value |

### g_object_get_property ()

    void
    g_object_get_property (GObject *object,
                           const gchar *property_name,
                           GValue *value);

Gets a property of an object. `value` must have been initialized to the expected type of the property (or a type to which the expected type can be transformed) using `g_value_init()`.

In general, a copy is made of the property contents and the caller is responsible for freeing the memory by calling `g_value_unset()`.

Note that `g_object_get_property()` is really intended for language bindings, `g_object_get()` is much more convenient for C programming.

#### Parameters

object | a GObject |
property_name | the name of the property to get |
value | return location for the property value |

### g_object_new_valist ()

    GObject *
    g_object_new_valist (GType object_type,
                         const gchar *first_property_name,
                         va_list var_args);

Creates a new instance of a GObject subtype and sets its properties.

Construction parameters (see G_PARAM_CONSTRUCT, G_PARAM_CONSTRUCT_ONLY) which are not explicitly specified are set to their default values.

[skip]

#### Parameters

object_type | the type id of the GObject subtype to instantiate |
first_property_name | the name of the first property |
var_args | the value of the first property, followed optionally by more name/value pairs, followed by `NULL` |

#### Returns

a new instance of `object_type`

### g_object_set_valist ()

    void
    g_object_set_valist (GObject *object,
                         const gchar *first_property_name,
                         va_list var_args);

Sets properties on an object.

[skip]

#### Parameters

object | a GObject |
first_property_name | name of the first property to set |
var_args | value for the first property, followed optionally by more name/value pairs, followed by `NULL` |

### g_object_get_valist ()

    void
    g_object_get_valist (GObject *object,
                         const gchar *first_property_name,
                         va_list var_args);

Gets properties of an object.

In general, a copy is made of the property contents and the caller is responsible for freeing the memory in the appropriate manner for the type, for instance by calling `g_free()` or `g_object_unref()`.

See `g_object_get()`.

[skip]

#### Parameters

object | a GObject |
first_property_name | name of the first property to get |
var_args | return location for the first property, followed optionally by more name/return location pairs, followed by `NULL` |

### g_object_watch_closure ()

    void
    g_object_watch_closure (GObject *object,
                            GClosure *closure);

This function essentially limits the life time of the `closure` to the life time of the object. That is, when the object is finalized, the `closure` is invalidated by calling `g_closure_invalidate()` on it, in order to prevent invocations of the closure with a finalized (nonexisting) object. Also, `g_object_ref()` and `g_object_unref()` are added as marshal guards to the `closure` , to ensure that an extra reference count is held on `object` during invocation of the `closure` . Usually, this function will be called on closures that use this `object` as closure data.

#### Parameters

object | GObject restricting lifetime of `closure` |
closure | GClosure to watch |

### g_object_run_dispose ()

    void
    g_object_run_dispose (GObject *object);

Releases all references to other objects. This can be used to break reference cycles.

This function should only be called from object system implementations.

#### Parameters

object | a GObject |

### G_OBJECT_WARN_INVALID_PROPERTY_ID()

    #define             G_OBJECT_WARN_INVALID_PROPERTY_ID(object, property_id, pspec)

This macro should be used to emit a standard warning about unexpected properties in `set_property()` and `get_property()` implementations.

#### Parameters

object | the GObject on which `set_property()` or `get_property()` was called |
property_id | the numeric id of the property |
pspec | the GParamSpec of the property |

### g_weak_ref_init ()

    void
    g_weak_ref_init (GWeakRef *weak_ref,
                     gpointer object);

Initialise a non-statically-allocated GWeakRef.

This function also calls `g_weak_ref_set()` with `object` on the freshly-initialised weak reference.

This function should always be matched with a call to `g_weak_ref_clear()`. It is not necessary to use this function for a GWeakRef in static storage because it will already be properly initialised. Just use `g_weak_ref_set()` directly.

[skip]

#### Parameters

weak_ref | uninitialized or empty location for a weak reference. | [inout]
object | a GObject or `NULL`. | [type GObject.Object][nullable]

Since: 2.32

### g_weak_ref_clear ()

    void
    g_weak_ref_clear (GWeakRef *weak_ref);

Frees resources associated with a non-statically-allocated GWeakRef. After this call, the GWeakRef is left in an undefined state.

You should only call this on a GWeakRef that previously had `g_weak_ref_init()` called on it.

[skip]

#### Parameters

weak_ref | location of a weak reference, which may be empty. | [inout]

Since: 2.32

### g_weak_ref_get ()

    gpointer
    g_weak_ref_get (GWeakRef *weak_ref);

If `weak_ref` is not empty, atomically acquire a strong reference to the object it points to, and return that reference.

This function is needed because of the potential race between taking the pointer value and `g_object_ref()` on it, if the object was losing its last reference at the same time in a different thread.

The caller should release the resulting reference in the usual way, by using `g_object_unref()`.

[skip]

#### Parameters

weak_ref | location of a weak reference to a GObject. | [inout]

#### Returns

the object pointed to by `weak_ref` , or `NULL` if it was empty.

[transfer full][type GObject.Object]

Since: 2.32

### g_weak_ref_set ()

    void
    g_weak_ref_set (GWeakRef *weak_ref,
                    gpointer object);

Change the object to which `weak_ref` points, or set it to `NULL`.

You must own a strong reference on `object` while calling this function.

[skip]

#### Parameters

weak_ref | location for a weak reference |
object | a GObject or `NULL`. | [type GObject.Object][nullable]

Since: 2.32

## Types and Values

### struct GObject

    struct GObject;

All the fields in the GObject structure are private to the GObject implementation and should never be accessed directly.

### struct GObjectClass

    struct GObjectClass {
      GTypeClass   g_type_class;

      /* seldom overidden */
      GObject*   (*constructor)     (GType                  type,
                                     guint                  n_construct_properties,
                                     GObjectConstructParam *construct_properties);
      /* overridable methods */
      void       (*set_property)		(GObject        *object,
                                             guint           property_id,
                                             const GValue   *value,
                                             GParamSpec     *pspec);
      void       (*get_property)		(GObject        *object,
                                             guint           property_id,
                                             GValue         *value,
                                             GParamSpec     *pspec);
      void       (*dispose)			(GObject        *object);
      void       (*finalize)		(GObject        *object);
      /* seldom overidden */
      void       (*dispatch_properties_changed) (GObject      *object,
    					     guint	   n_pspecs,
    					     GParamSpec  **pspecs);
      /* signals */
      void	     (*notify)			(GObject *object,
    					 GParamSpec *pspec);

      /* called when done constructing */
      void	     (*constructed)		(GObject *object);
    };

The class structure for the GObject type.

<example> <title>Implementing singletons using a constructor</title> <programlisting> static MySingleton *the_singleton = NULL;

static GObject* my_singleton_constructor (GType type, guint n_construct_params, GObjectConstructParam *construct_params) { GObject *object;

if (!the_singleton) { object = G_OBJECT_CLASS (parent_class)->constructor (type, n_construct_params, construct_params); the_singleton = MY_SINGLETON (object); } else object = g_object_ref (G_OBJECT (the_singleton));

return object; } </programlisting></example>

#### Members

GTypeClass `g_type_class`; | the parent class |
`constructor` () | the `constructor` function is called by `g_object_new()` to complete the object initialization after all the construction properties are set. The first thing a `constructor` implementation must do is chain up to the `constructor` of the parent class. Overriding `constructor` should be rarely needed, e.g. to handle construct properties, or to implement singletons. |
`set_property` () | the generic setter for all properties of this type. Should be overridden for every type with properties. If implementations of `set_property` don't emit property change notification explicitly, this will be done implicitly by the type system. However, if the notify signal is emitted explicitly, the type system will not emit it a second time. |
`get_property` () | the generic getter for all properties of this type. Should be overridden for every type with properties. |
`dispose` () | the `dispose` function is supposed to drop all references to other objects, but keep the instance otherwise intact, so that client method invocations still work. It may be run multiple times (due to reference loops). Before returning, `dispose` should chain up to the `dispose` method of the parent class. |
`finalize` () | instance finalization function, should finish the finalization of the instance begun in `dispose` and chain up to the `finalize` method of the parent class. |
`dispatch_properties_changed` () | emits property change notification for a bunch of properties. Overriding `dispatch_properties_changed` should be rarely needed. |
`notify` () | the class closure for the notify signal |

`constructed` ()

the `constructed` function is called by `g_object_new()` as the final step of the object creation process. At the point of the call, all construction properties have been set on the object. The purpose of this call is to allow for object initialisation steps that can only be performed after construction properties have been set. `constructed` implementors should chain up to the `constructed` call of their parent class to allow it to complete its initialisation.

### struct GObjectConstructParam

    struct GObjectConstructParam {
      GParamSpec *pspec;
      GValue     *value;
    };

The GObjectConstructParam struct is an auxiliary structure used to hand GParamSpec/GValue pairs to the `constructor` of a GObjectClass.

#### Members

GParamSpec *`pspec`; | the GParamSpec of the construct parameter |
GValue *`value`; | the value to set the parameter to |

### struct GParameter

    struct GParameter {
      const gchar *name;
      GValue       value;
    };

`GParameter` has been deprecated since version 2.54 and should not be used in newly-written code.

This type is not introspectable.

The GParameter struct is an auxiliary structure used to hand parameter name/value pairs to `g_object_newv()`.

#### Members

const gchar *`name`; | the parameter name |
GValue `value`; | the parameter value |

### GInitiallyUnowned

    typedef struct _GObject                  GInitiallyUnowned;

All the fields in the GInitiallyUnowned structure are private to the GInitiallyUnowned implementation and should never be accessed directly.

### GInitiallyUnownedClass

    typedef struct _GObjectClass             GInitiallyUnownedClass;

The class structure for the GInitiallyUnowned type.

### G_TYPE_INITIALLY_UNOWNED

    #define G_TYPE_INITIALLY_UNOWNED	      (g_initially_unowned_get_type())

The type for GInitiallyUnowned.

### GWeakRef

    typedef struct {
    } GWeakRef;

A structure containing a weak reference to a GObject. It can either be empty (i.e. point to `NULL`), or point to an object for as long as at least one "strong" reference to that object exists. Before the object's GObjectClass.dispose method is called, every GWeakRef associated with becomes empty (i.e. points to `NULL`).

Like GValue, GWeakRef can be statically allocated, stack- or heap-allocated, or embedded in larger structures.

Unlike `g_object_weak_ref()` and `g_object_add_weak_pointer()`, this weak reference is thread-safe: converting a weak pointer to a reference is atomic with respect to invalidation of weak pointers to destroyed objects.

If the object's GObjectClass.dispose method results in additional references to the object being held, any GWeakRefs taken before it was disposed will continue to point to `NULL`. If GWeakRefs are taken after the object is disposed and re-referenced, they will continue to point to it until its refcount goes back to zero, at which point they too will be invalidated.

## Signal Details

### The `“notify”` signal

    void
    user_function (GObject    *gobject,
                   GParamSpec *pspec,
                   gpointer    user_data)

The notify signal is emitted on an object when one of its properties has been changed. Note that getting this signal doesn't guarantee that the value of the property has actually changed, it may also be emitted when the setter for the property is called to reinstate the previous value.

This signal is typically used to obtain change notification for a single property, by specifying the property name as a detail in the `g_signal_connect()` call, like this:

    1
    2
    3

    g_signal_connect (text_view->buffer, "notify::paste-target-list",
                      G_CALLBACK (gtk_text_view_target_list_notify),
                      text_view)

It is important to note that you must use canonical parameter names as detail strings for the notify signal.

#### Parameters

gobject | the object which received the signal. |
pspec | the GParamSpec of the property which changed. |
user_data | user data set when the signal handler was connected. |

Flags: No Hooks

## See Also

GParamSpecObject, `g_param_spec_object()`