ARES_INET_NTOP(3)

💅 ARES_INET_NTOP — ok bestie, let's talk

so this is the ares_inet_ntop page from the Library Functions Manual (third section, obviously, it's a library function bestie) and it's literally about turning a network format address into a cute little presentation format string. yes we're doing address glow-ups today. ✨

🌸 NAME 🌸

ares_inet_ntop — convert a network format address to presentation format

like. that's the whole job. network address goes in, pretty text comes out. 💖

🎀 SYNOPSIS 🎀

#include <ares.h>

const char *ares_inet_ntop(int af, const void *src, char *dst,
                           ares_socklen_t size);

look at her. four args, one return value, zero drama. 🫶

✨ DESCRIPTION ✨

okay so first things first: this is a portable version with the identical functionality of the commonly available inet_ntop. same energy, just built to travel. it's giving "i can do what she does but everywhere." 🌍

The ares_inet_ntop() function converts a numeric address into a text string suitable for presentation. raw bytes in, readable string out, no cap. 💅

The af argument shall specify the family of the address. This can be AF_INET or AF_INET6. pick your fighter. 👑

The src argument points to a buffer holding an IPv4 address if the af argument is AF_INET, or an IPv6 address if the af argument is AF_INET6; the address must be in network byte order. yes bestie, network byte order, that's not optional, that's the vibe. 🙈

The dst argument points to a buffer where the function stores the resulting text string; it shall not be NULL. like, do not do that. do not pass NULL. that's not a personality trait, that's a crash waiting to happen. 💀

The size argument specifies the size of this buffer, which shall be large enough to hold the text string — that's INET_ADDRSTRLEN (16) characters for IPv4, and INET6_ADDRSTRLEN (46) characters for IPv6. tiny buffer? no ma'am. give her room to breathe. 🦋

⚠️ real talk: buffer too small = the string does not fit = you're in trouble. use INET_ADDRSTRLEN (16) or INET6_ADDRSTRLEN (46) and keep it moving. periodt.

🌈 SEE ALSO 🌈

• ares_init(3)
• ares_inet_pton(3)

(the reverse direction of this whole situation. pton goes text → network, ntop goes network → text. two icons, one duo. 🎀)

👑 AVAILABILITY 👑

made properly publicly available in c-ares for real in version 1.10.0 🎉

like before that it was lowkey not really out there out there, but as of 1.10.0 it's official, it's public, it's hers. slay.

and that's the whole page bestie!! this little number is dated 17 Feb 2013 and it's part of c-ares (the library, the moment, the legend). love that for us. mwah. 💖✨🦋