SSL_RSTATE_STRING(3ossl)

💖 SSL_RSTATE_STRING — bestie edition 💖

okay so this is the manual page for SSL_RSTATE_STRING(3ossl) from OpenSSL, and it's literally just two lil functions that tell you what an SSL object is doing while it's reading. yes bestie, we're peeking at the read state. it's giving very backstage-pass energy. 🎀

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✨ NAME ✨

SSL_rstate_string, SSL_rstate_string_long — get textual description of state of an SSL object during read operation 🦋

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🌸 SYNOPSIS 🌸

#include <openssl/ssl.h>

const char *SSL_rstate_string(SSL *ssl);
const char *SSL_rstate_string_long(SSL *ssl);

like… two functions, both taking your SSL *ssl, both handing you back a const char *. no cap. 💅

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👑 DESCRIPTION 👑

SSL_rstate_string() returns a 2 letter string indicating the current read state of the SSL object ssl.

SSL_rstate_string_long() returns a string indicating the current read state of the SSL object ssl.

so one is the ✨abbreviated✨ baddie and one spells the whole thing out. same vibe, different word count. 🌈

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🔥 NOTES 🔥

When performing a read operation, the SSL/TLS engine must parse the record, consisting of header and body.

When working in a blocking environment, SSL_rstate_string[_long]() should always return "RD"/"read done". periodt.

This function should only seldom be needed in applications. 👀 like it's not a daily-driver situation, it's more of a niche little moment.

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💀 RETURN VALUES 💀

SSL_rstate_string() and SSL_rstate_string_long() can return the following values:

• "RH"/"read header" — The header of the record is being evaluated. 🧚
• "RB"/"read body" — The body of the record is being evaluated. 🍓
• "unknown"/"unknown" — The read state is unknown. This should never happen. 😭 (fr fr, if you see this, something is not slaying)

When used with QUIC SSL objects, these functions always return "RH"/"read header" in normal conditions. 📌

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🫶 SEE ALSO 🫶

ssl(7)

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💜 COPYRIGHT 💜

Copyright 2001-2023 The OpenSSL Project Authors. All Rights Reserved.

Licensed under the Apache License 2.0 (the "License"). You may not use this file except in compliance with the License. You can obtain a copy in the file LICENSE in the source distribution or at <https://www.openssl.org/source/license.html>.

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and that's the whole thing, bestie 💅 this was OpenSSL version 3.5.9, dated 2026-09-29, and you just read the SSL_RSTATE_STRING(3ossl) page in its full chaotic glory. stay hydrated, go read your records, and remember: "RD" is the goal, "unknown" should never happen. mwah 🎀✨