changeset 74952:0e7b380a6c47

(Bindat Spec): Explain eval forms and lengths better. Add count and index variables for eval forms in repeat blocks.

--- a/lispref/processes.texi	Thu Dec 28 00:05:53 2006 +0000
+++ b/lispref/processes.texi	Fri Dec 29 01:17:06 2006 +0000
@@ -2144,7 +2144,7 @@
 String of length @var{len}.
 
 @item strz @var{len}
-Zero-terminated string of length @var{len}.
+Zero-terminated string, in a fixed-size field with length @var{len}.
 
 @item vec @var{len}
 Vector of @var{len} bytes.
@@ -2166,6 +2166,14 @@
 above-listed type specifications.
 @end table
 
+For a fixed-size field, the length @var{len} is given as an
+integer specifying the number of bytes in the field.  When the
+length of a field is not fixed, it typically depends on the value of a
+preceding field.  In this case, the length can be given either by
+that field's name as specified for @code{bindat-get-field} below, or by
+an expression @code{(eval @var{form})} where @var{form} should
+evaluate to an integer, specifying the field length.
+
 A field specification generally has the form @code{([@var{name}]
 @var{handler})}.  The square braces indicate that @var{name} is
 optional.  (Don't use names that are symbols meaningful as type
@@ -2184,21 +2192,6 @@
 @item eval @var{form}
 Evaluate @var{form}, a Lisp expression, for side-effect only.  If the
 field name is specified, the value is bound to that field name.
-@var{form} can access and update these dynamically bound variables:
-
-@table @code
-@item bindat-raw
-The data as a byte array.
-
-@item bindat-idx
-Current index into bindat-raw of the unpacking or packing operation.
-
-@item struct
-Alist.
-
-@item last
-Value of the last field processed.
-@end table
 
 @item fill @var{len}
 Skip @var{len} bytes.  In packing, this leaves them unchanged,
@@ -2235,9 +2228,37 @@
 @item repeat @var{count} @var{field-specs}@dots{}
 Process the @var{field-specs} recursively, in order, then repeat
 starting from the first one, processing all the specs @var{count}
-times overall.  @var{count} may be an integer, or a list of one
-element that names a previous field.  For correct operation, each spec
-in @var{field-specs} must include a name.
+times overall.  The @var{count} is given using the same formats as a
+field length---if an @code{eval} form is used, it is evaluated just once.
+For correct operation, each spec in @var{field-specs} must include a name.
+@end table
+
+For the @code{(eval @var{form})} forms used in a bindat specification,
+the @var{form} can access and update these dynamically bound variables
+during evaluation:
+
+@table @code
+@item last
+Value of the last field processed.
+
+@item bindat-raw
+The data as a byte array.
+
+@item bindat-idx
+Current index into bindat-raw of the unpacking or packing operation.
+
+@item struct
+The alist containing the structured data that have been unpacked so
+far, or the entire structure being packed.  You can use
+@code{bindat-get-field} to access specific fields of this structure.
+
+@item count
+@itemx index
+Inside a @code{repeat} block, these contain the maximum number of
+repetitions (as specified by the @var{count} parameter), and the
+current repetition number (counting from 0).  Setting @code{count} to
+zero will terminate the inner-most repeat block after the current
+repetition has completed.
 @end table
 
 @node Bindat Functions