nOutBufferSize

nOutBufferSize is a variable name commonly used in programming, especially in C and C++ codebases, to denote the size of an output buffer. The prefix n follows Hungarian notation, indicating that the variable holds an integer value, typically representing a count of bytes or elements. In many contexts, nOutBufferSize specifies the amount of memory allocated for an outbound data buffer or the maximum amount of data that a function should write to an output buffer.

In typical usage, a function may accept a pointer to an output buffer and a parameter representing the size of that buffer. The function writes data into the buffer and may update nOutBufferSize to reflect the number of bytes actually written, or return an error if the buffer is too small. Programs may allocate memory using the size nOutBufferSize and then adjust it after the write operation.

Common patterns:

- Allocation: allocate nOutBufferSize bytes, for example by calling a memory allocation routine with that size.

- In/out parameter: a function takes a pointer to the buffer and a pointer to nOutBufferSize, using the input value as the buffer’s capacity and updating it with the actual used size.

- Validation: checks ensure nOutBufferSize is non-negative and within expected limits.

Context and considerations: The exact meaning of nOutBufferSize can vary by API. Some libraries distinguish between the requested size and the actual written size; others use separate return codes. It represents a size in bytes or elements, with the precise type (int, size_t, DWORD, etc.) depending on language and API conventions.

Related terms: nInBufferSize, inBuffer, buffer capacity, allocated size, actualOutSize.