solvehandle

Solvehandle is a term used in software libraries that manage executions of numerical solvers. In this context, a solvehandle is an opaque reference or token that represents a single solver session or solving task. The handle is produced by an initialization or solve call and is then used to direct subsequent interactions with the solver, such as querying progress, retrieving results, or controlling execution.

Characteristics vary by library but generally include being lightweight and designed to encapsulate internal state away from user code. The solvehandle may be implemented as a pointer, an index into a session table, or as a small object containing identifiers and configuration. It is often non-copyable to prevent accidental duplication of resources.

Typical lifecycle: create a solvehandle by invoking a solve function with a model or problem specification; use it to poll status, request intermediate or final results, adjust parameters, or cancel the task; finally release or destroy the handle to free resources.

Usage patterns include asynchronous or staged solving, where computation overlaps with other work, and multi-solve workflows where an application manages multiple solver jobs via distinct handles. In some APIs, a solvehandle can also be passed to helper routines to perform specialized queries or to collect statistics about iterations, convergence, and time.

Limitations and notes: because the term is not standardized, interfaces and guarantees vary. Developers should consult the specific library documentation to understand ownership semantics, lifetime rules, error codes, and how handles interact with resources such as memory and threads. See also related concepts such as opaque pointers, session handles, and asynchronous task handles.