kCFNumberSInt8Type

kCFNumberSInt8Type is a constant defined in the Core Foundation framework on Apple platforms, used to specify the type of an integer value when working with Core Foundation numbers. Core Foundation provides a type-safe way to handle numeric values through the CFNumberRef type, which allows developers to store and manipulate integers, floating-point numbers, and other numeric types in a platform-independent manner.

The kCFNumberSInt8Type constant represents an 8-bit signed integer, also known as a char or signed char in C programming. This type is part of the Core Foundation number type constants, which are used in functions that require explicit specification of the numeric type being passed. For example, when creating a CFNumberRef object, the appropriate type constant must be provided to ensure the correct interpretation of the underlying data.

In practice, kCFNumberSInt8Type is used in conjunction with functions like CFNumberCreate or CFNumberGetValue, where the type constant determines how the numeric value is stored and retrieved. This ensures type safety and prevents potential issues related to data corruption or incorrect interpretation of integer values. The value is typically passed as an argument alongside the actual integer data, allowing Core Foundation to create a properly typed numeric object.

This type is particularly useful in scenarios where interoperability between Core Foundation and other frameworks or APIs is required, as it provides a standardized way to handle small signed integers. However, due to its limited range (typically -128 to 127), it is generally only suitable for cases where the integer values fall within these constraints. For larger or unsigned integer values, other type constants such as kCFNumberSInt16Type, kCFNumberSInt32Type, or kCFNumberSInt64Type may be more appropriate.