qubit_codec/codec/codec/codec.rs
1// =============================================================================
2// Copyright (c) 2026 Haixing Hu.
3//
4// SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
5//
6// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
7// =============================================================================
8
9use core::num::NonZeroUsize;
10
11use super::super::decode_failure::DecodeFailure;
12
13/// Encodes and decodes one value or codec quantum against a unit buffer.
14///
15/// `Codec` is the lowest-level abstraction in the codec stack. It is intended
16/// for hot paths that have already validated buffer capacity and want to avoid
17/// constructing subslices for every value. Higher-level transcoders and
18/// convenience APIs are responsible for checked buffer management and owned
19/// output allocation.
20///
21/// `MIN_UNITS_PER_VALUE` and `MAX_DECODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE` describe the readable
22/// representation-width bounds for one decoded value. If fewer than the
23/// minimum units are available, no complete value can exist, so a streaming
24/// caller can request more input or report an incomplete EOF tail. The minimum
25/// is also the smallest safety precondition checked callers must satisfy before
26/// entering [`decode`](Self::decode). The decode maximum bounds successful
27/// consumption and incomplete-input requirements for one value.
28///
29/// `MAX_ENCODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE` is the independent value-agnostic upper bound
30/// for main-phase encode output. Reserving that many units makes encoding safe
31/// for every encodable value. Once a value and encode state are known, callers
32/// may instead reserve the exact [`encode_len`](Self::encode_len), which must
33/// not exceed the encode maximum. Complete-lifecycle adapters that still need
34/// to run [`encode_reset`](Self::encode_reset) must reserve the maximum first
35/// because reset may change the exact width.
36///
37/// A codec may keep decode-side and encode-side stream state. That state is an
38/// implementation detail owned by the codec. Callers do not snapshot or restore
39/// it; implementations must keep their own state internally consistent across
40/// every public operation. A failed decode attempt must not advance decode
41/// state, so callers can retry the same input after refilling their buffer or
42/// applying an invalid-input policy.
43///
44/// Decode operations see only the currently supplied input slice and codec
45/// state. [`decode`](Self::decode) treats that slice as an open stream segment;
46/// [`decode_eof`](Self::decode_eof) receives the same preconditions after the
47/// caller has established that no more units will arrive. Returning
48/// [`DecodeFailure::Incomplete`] from `decode` requests more input for the
49/// current value; it is not itself an EOF error. Codecs that need EOF-aware
50/// maximal-munch parsing or reinterpretation of a trailing prefix can override
51/// `decode_eof` without changing their streaming behavior.
52/// An incomplete failure may also retain codec-specific context through
53/// [`DecodeFailure::incomplete_with_source`]; stream drivers may ignore that
54/// context while retrying and use it for detailed EOF diagnostics.
55///
56/// # Associated Types
57///
58/// - `Value`: Logical value decoded from or encoded into the buffer. This may
59/// be a scalar such as `u8`, `u16`, `u64`, a `char`, a fixed quantum such as
60/// `[u8; 3]`, or an owned value such as `String`/`Vec<u8>`. Adapters that
61/// need scratch initialization add their own bounds at the use site.
62/// - `Unit`: Buffer unit used by the encoded representation. Implementations
63/// are typically scalar storage units such as `u8`, `u16`, or `char`.
64/// Adapters that allocate owned output add their own initialization bounds at
65/// the use site.
66///
67/// Implementors must uphold the safety contract documented by
68/// [`decode`](Self::decode), [`encode`](Self::encode),
69/// [`encode_reset`](Self::encode_reset), and
70/// [`decode_finish`](Self::decode_finish). Unchecked implementations must not
71/// read or write outside the caller-provided ranges. Implementations should use
72/// `debug_assert!` to state the expected buffer bounds at the unchecked entry
73/// point.
74///
75/// Implementations must also guarantee that
76/// [`MIN_UNITS_PER_VALUE`](Self::MIN_UNITS_PER_VALUE) is non-zero and no larger
77/// than [`MAX_DECODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE`](Self::MAX_DECODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE), which
78/// must also be non-zero. `MAX_ENCODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE` may be zero for a codec
79/// that always buffers each accepted value instead of immediately emitting
80/// units. Checked adapters enforce the decode-bound invariants with
81/// compile-time assertions before using codec-provided bounds.
82///
83/// # Why the low-level methods are unchecked
84///
85/// The `unsafe` entry points are intentional: checked adapters validate the
86/// index and capacity preconditions once, then call [`encode`](Self::encode)
87/// and [`decode`](Self::decode) without rebuilding subslices or repeating
88/// bounds checks for every value. The `safe_vs_unchecked` benchmark in
89/// `benches/transcode.rs` compares the same 64 KiB copy loop in release mode.
90/// Its result is workload- and toolchain-specific, so callers should use
91/// checked adapters unless they can establish the documented preconditions at
92/// a trusted boundary. Measure representative codec workloads before choosing
93/// an unchecked entry point. Codec implementations should keep the unchecked
94/// methods small and use `debug_assert!` for those assumptions.
95///
96/// # Examples
97///
98/// A minimal identity codec exposes its bounds and decodes one byte:
99///
100/// ```
101/// use core::convert::Infallible;
102/// use core::num::NonZeroUsize;
103///
104/// use qubit_codec::Codec;
105/// use qubit_codec::DecodeFailure;
106///
107/// struct Identity;
108/// impl Identity {
109/// fn new() -> Self { Self }
110/// }
111/// impl Codec for Identity {
112/// type Value = u8;
113/// type Unit = u8;
114/// type DecodeError = Infallible;
115/// type EncodeError = Infallible;
116/// const MIN_UNITS_PER_VALUE: usize = 1;
117/// const MAX_DECODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE: usize = 1;
118/// const MAX_ENCODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE: usize = 1;
119///
120/// unsafe fn decode(&mut self, input: &[u8], index: usize)
121/// -> Result<(u8, NonZeroUsize), DecodeFailure<Infallible>> {
122/// Ok((input[index], NonZeroUsize::MIN))
123/// }
124///
125/// unsafe fn encode(&mut self, value: &u8, output: &mut [u8], index: usize)
126/// -> Result<usize, Infallible> {
127/// output[index] = *value;
128/// Ok(1)
129/// }
130/// }
131///
132/// let mut codec = Identity::new();
133/// assert_eq!(codec.encode_len(&42), 1);
134/// // SAFETY: the input contains the one readable unit required by Identity.
135/// let (value, consumed) = unsafe { codec.decode(&[42], 0) }.unwrap();
136/// assert_eq!((value, consumed.get()), (42, 1));
137/// ```
138pub trait Codec {
139 /// The type of logical values decoded from or encoded into the buffer.
140 type Value;
141
142 /// The type of buffer units used by the encoded representation.
143 type Unit;
144
145 /// The type of errors reported when decoding malformed units.
146 type DecodeError;
147
148 /// The type of errors reported when encoding an unsupported value.
149 type EncodeError;
150
151 /// The minimum possible non-zero readable unit count for one decoded value.
152 ///
153 /// This is a lower bound used by checked callers for planning and fast
154 /// impossibility checks. If a streaming decoder has fewer than this many
155 /// readable units, no complete value can be present at the current
156 /// position. It is also the denominator used by default decode hooks when
157 /// estimating the maximum number of values that can be produced from an
158 /// input unit count.
159 const MIN_UNITS_PER_VALUE: usize;
160
161 /// The maximum unit count emitted when encoding one value.
162 ///
163 /// This is a value-independent upper bound for the main encode phase. When
164 /// no concrete value is available, reserving this many writable units is
165 /// sufficient for any encodable value, without first calling
166 /// [`encode_len`](Self::encode_len). For a known value, callers may reserve
167 /// only the exact length returned by `encode_len` instead. This bound does
168 /// not include output produced by encode reset or finish phases.
169 ///
170 /// This is also the multiplier used by default encode hooks when estimating
171 /// the maximum number of output units needed for an input value count.
172 ///
173 /// The bound may be zero for a codec that buffers every accepted value and
174 /// emits retained output only during a later lifecycle phase.
175 const MAX_ENCODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE: usize;
176
177 /// The maximum non-zero unit count consumed to decode one value.
178 ///
179 /// This is a value-independent upper bound for one complete encoded value
180 /// or codec quantum on the decode side. Successful decode consumption and
181 /// the `required_total` carried by [`DecodeFailure::Incomplete`] must not
182 /// exceed this bound.
183 const MAX_DECODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE: usize;
184
185 /// The maximum unit count emitted when resetting encode state.
186 ///
187 /// This bound covers only output written by
188 /// [`encode_reset`](Self::encode_reset). It does not include hook-owned
189 /// reset output or any ordinary encoded input values. It must cover every
190 /// reachable pre-reset encode state. Stateless codecs should use the
191 /// default `0`.
192 const MAX_ENCODE_RESET_UNITS: usize = 0;
193
194 /// The maximum unit count emitted when finishing encode state at EOF.
195 ///
196 /// This bound covers only output written by
197 /// [`encode_finish`](Self::encode_finish). It does not include hook-owned
198 /// finish output and must cover every reachable encode state, even when the
199 /// current stream has no pending finish output. Stateless codecs should use
200 /// the default `0`. Codecs that emit a stream trailer (padding, checksum,
201 /// or end-of-stream marker) should override this with the exact maximum
202 /// unit count.
203 const MAX_ENCODE_FINISH_UNITS: usize = 0;
204
205 /// The maximum value count emitted when resetting decode state.
206 ///
207 /// This bound covers only values written by
208 /// [`decode_reset`](Self::decode_reset). It does not include hook-owned
209 /// reset output or values decoded from source units. It must cover every
210 /// reachable pre-reset decode state. Stateless codecs should use the
211 /// default `0`. Codecs that emit a stream-start sentinel or BOM on reset
212 /// should override this.
213 const MAX_DECODE_RESET_VALUES: usize = 0;
214
215 /// The maximum value count emitted when finishing decode state.
216 ///
217 /// This bound covers only values written by
218 /// [`decode_finish`](Self::decode_finish). It does not include hook-owned
219 /// finish output and must cover every reachable decode state, even when the
220 /// current stream has no pending finish output. Stateless codecs should use
221 /// the default `0`.
222 const MAX_DECODE_FINISH_VALUES: usize = 0;
223
224 /// Returns whether `value` is in this codec's encodable value domain.
225 ///
226 /// The default implementation returns `true`, which is correct for codecs
227 /// whose [`Value`](Self::Value) type contains only values they can encode.
228 /// Codecs whose logical value type is broader than their representation
229 /// domain, such as an ASCII codec with `Value = char`, must override this
230 /// method.
231 ///
232 /// Checked encoder adapters call this method in the same codec state used
233 /// to query [`encode_len`](Self::encode_len) and enter the unsafe
234 /// [`encode`](Self::encode) method. Complete-lifecycle adapters do so after
235 /// [`encode_reset`](Self::encode_reset). Direct unsafe callers must uphold
236 /// the same ordering.
237 ///
238 /// # Parameters
239 ///
240 /// - `value`: Value whose encodability is queried.
241 ///
242 /// # Returns
243 ///
244 /// Returns `true` when `value` may be passed to
245 /// [`encode_len`](Self::encode_len) and [`encode`](Self::encode).
246 #[inline]
247 #[must_use]
248 fn can_encode_value(&self, _value: &Self::Value) -> bool {
249 true
250 }
251
252 /// Returns the exact unit count this codec will write when encoding
253 /// `value`.
254 ///
255 /// The default implementation returns
256 /// [`MAX_ENCODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE`](Self::MAX_ENCODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE). This
257 /// default is correct only when every successful main encode writes exactly
258 /// that many units in the relevant codec state, as fixed-width codecs
259 /// normally do.
260 ///
261 /// Variable-width, buffering, or otherwise state-dependent codecs must
262 /// override this method to report the true encoded length for encodable
263 /// `value`s. The return value is never an estimate or an "unknown" marker:
264 /// it must equal the unit count [`encode`](Self::encode) subsequently
265 /// writes for the same `value` under the same codec state. It must also
266 /// never exceed
267 /// [`MAX_ENCODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE`](Self::MAX_ENCODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE).
268 /// Callers that do not yet have a concrete value should use
269 /// `MAX_ENCODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE` directly instead of calling this method.
270 ///
271 /// Default codec-backed encoders use this exact value for per-value output
272 /// capacity. The contract requires callers to use this method only when
273 /// [`can_encode_value`](Self::can_encode_value) returned `true` for the
274 /// same `value`.
275 ///
276 /// # Parameters
277 ///
278 /// - `value`: Value whose encoded length is queried.
279 ///
280 /// # Returns
281 ///
282 /// Returns the unit count [`encode`](Self::encode) will write for an
283 /// encodable `value`.
284 ///
285 /// A return value of `0` is valid for stateful encoders that accept a
286 /// value into internal state without immediately emitting units. Examples
287 /// include codecs that aggregate values into fixed-size quanta, shift-state
288 /// encodings, or framing layers that defer output until enough values have
289 /// been seen or EOF is finalized. Stateless and directly value-to-unit
290 /// codecs should continue returning a positive length.
291 #[inline]
292 #[must_use]
293 fn encode_len(&self, _value: &Self::Value) -> usize {
294 Self::MAX_ENCODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE
295 }
296
297 /// Emits stream-start output and resets encode-side state.
298 ///
299 /// # Parameters
300 ///
301 /// - `output`: Destination unit buffer.
302 /// - `output_index`: Start index in `output`.
303 ///
304 /// # Returns
305 ///
306 /// Returns the number of reset units written.
307 ///
308 /// # Errors
309 ///
310 /// Returns `Self::EncodeError` when reset output cannot be emitted.
311 /// Implementations must leave encode state unchanged when returning an
312 /// error.
313 ///
314 /// # Safety
315 ///
316 /// The caller must guarantee that the implementation can write up to
317 /// [`MAX_ENCODE_RESET_UNITS`](Self::MAX_ENCODE_RESET_UNITS) units starting
318 /// at `output_index`.
319 #[inline]
320 unsafe fn encode_reset(
321 &mut self,
322 _output: &mut [Self::Unit],
323 _output_index: usize,
324 ) -> Result<usize, Self::EncodeError> {
325 Ok(0)
326 }
327
328 /// Encodes one borrowed value into `output` starting at `output_index`.
329 ///
330 /// # Parameters
331 ///
332 /// - `value`: Value to encode.
333 /// - `output`: Destination unit buffer.
334 /// - `output_index`: Start index in `output`.
335 ///
336 /// # Returns
337 ///
338 /// Returns the number of written units.
339 ///
340 /// A successful encode may return `0` when the codec accepted `value` into
341 /// internal encode-side state but intentionally deferred output. This is
342 /// the normal shape for accumulative encoders such as base64-byte
343 /// aggregators, shift-state encodings, or frame builders. In that case
344 /// [`encode_len`](Self::encode_len) for the same `value` and state must
345 /// also return `0`, and the retained output must be emitted by a later
346 /// successful [`encode`](Self::encode),
347 /// [`encode_finish`](Self::encode_finish), or codec-specific facade.
348 ///
349 /// # Errors
350 ///
351 /// Returns `Self::EncodeError` for encode-side state or representation
352 /// failures other than a value being outside the codec's encodable domain.
353 /// Checked callers reject values for which
354 /// [`can_encode_value`](Self::can_encode_value) returns `false` before
355 /// entering this unsafe method. Implementations must leave their internal
356 /// state consistent when returning an error.
357 ///
358 /// # Safety
359 ///
360 /// The caller must guarantee that
361 /// [`can_encode_value`](Self::can_encode_value) returned `true` for
362 /// `value`. Starting at `output_index`, the caller must also provide either
363 /// at least
364 /// [`MAX_ENCODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE`](Self::MAX_ENCODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE)
365 /// writable
366 /// units, which is sufficient for every encodable value, or at least the
367 /// exact [`encode_len`](Self::encode_len) for the same `value` and codec
368 /// state. On success, implementations must return that exact written unit
369 /// count, including `0` for deliberate buffering, and the count must be no
370 /// larger than `MAX_ENCODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE`. Implementations must not write
371 /// beyond the exact `encode_len` capacity on either the success or error
372 /// path.
373 unsafe fn encode(
374 &mut self,
375 value: &Self::Value,
376 output: &mut [Self::Unit],
377 output_index: usize,
378 ) -> Result<usize, Self::EncodeError>;
379
380 /// Emits EOF trailer output and finishes encode-side state.
381 ///
382 /// This is the encode-side counterpart of
383 /// [`decode_finish`](Self::decode_finish). Codecs that append stream
384 /// trailers (padding, checksums, end-of-stream markers) emit them here.
385 /// Stateless codecs use the default no-op.
386 ///
387 /// # Parameters
388 ///
389 /// - `output`: Destination unit buffer.
390 /// - `output_index`: Start index in `output`.
391 ///
392 /// # Returns
393 ///
394 /// Returns the number of finish units written.
395 ///
396 /// # Errors
397 ///
398 /// Returns `Self::EncodeError` when finish output cannot be emitted.
399 /// Implementations must leave their internal state consistent when
400 /// returning an error.
401 ///
402 /// # Safety
403 ///
404 /// The caller must guarantee that the implementation can write up to
405 /// [`MAX_ENCODE_FINISH_UNITS`](Self::MAX_ENCODE_FINISH_UNITS) units
406 /// starting at `output_index`.
407 #[inline]
408 unsafe fn encode_finish(
409 &mut self,
410 _output: &mut [Self::Unit],
411 _output_index: usize,
412 ) -> Result<usize, Self::EncodeError> {
413 Ok(0)
414 }
415
416 /// Emits stream-start values and resets decode-side state.
417 ///
418 /// This is the decode-side counterpart of
419 /// [`encode_reset`](Self::encode_reset). Codecs that emit a
420 /// stream-start marker or BOM before decoding a new stream emit them
421 /// here. Stateless codecs use the default no-op.
422 ///
423 /// # Parameters
424 ///
425 /// - `output`: Destination value buffer.
426 /// - `output_index`: Start index in `output`.
427 ///
428 /// # Returns
429 ///
430 /// Returns the number of reset values written.
431 ///
432 /// # Errors
433 ///
434 /// Returns `Self::DecodeError` when reset output cannot be emitted.
435 /// Implementations must leave their internal state consistent when
436 /// returning an error.
437 ///
438 /// # Safety
439 ///
440 /// The caller must guarantee that the implementation can write up to
441 /// [`MAX_DECODE_RESET_VALUES`](Self::MAX_DECODE_RESET_VALUES) values
442 /// starting at `output_index`.
443 #[inline]
444 unsafe fn decode_reset(
445 &mut self,
446 _output: &mut [Self::Value],
447 _output_index: usize,
448 ) -> Result<usize, Self::DecodeError> {
449 Ok(0)
450 }
451
452 /// Decodes one value from `input` starting at `input_index`.
453 ///
454 /// # Parameters
455 ///
456 /// - `input`: Source unit buffer.
457 /// - `input_index`: Start index in `input`.
458 ///
459 /// # Returns
460 ///
461 /// Returns the decoded value and the non-zero number of consumed units.
462 ///
463 /// # Errors
464 ///
465 /// Returns [`DecodeFailure::Incomplete`] when the visible input is a
466 /// valid prefix but more units are needed to decide or complete a value.
467 /// This reports a streaming boundary, not a final EOF condition; the
468 /// caller or higher-level adapter decides what an incomplete tail means
469 /// when the upstream source is closed. Codec-specific context may be
470 /// retained in the failure's optional `source` field.
471 /// Returns [`DecodeFailure::Invalid`] when the units are malformed,
472 /// non-canonical, unmappable, or otherwise invalid for this codec and the
473 /// span is known or unknown. Unknown span is represented as
474 /// [`DecodeFailure::Invalid`] with an unknown consumed-unit hint.
475 /// Implementations must leave their internal state consistent when
476 /// returning an error.
477 ///
478 /// # Safety
479 ///
480 /// The caller must guarantee that `input_index` is a valid boundary in
481 /// `input` and that at least
482 /// [`MIN_UNITS_PER_VALUE`](Self::MIN_UNITS_PER_VALUE)
483 /// units are readable from `input_index`. Implementations must not read
484 /// beyond the currently available units under that precondition. They
485 /// may return [`DecodeFailure::Incomplete`] when those units are a
486 /// valid but incomplete prefix.
487 ///
488 /// On success, implementations must return a consumed unit count no larger
489 /// than either the available input or
490 /// [`MAX_DECODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE`](Self::MAX_DECODE_UNITS_PER_VALUE). An
491 /// incomplete result's `required_total` must also not exceed that maximum.
492 /// The return type guarantees that successful decoding always consumes at
493 /// least one unit. Implementations should use `debug_assert!` to state
494 /// these unchecked entry-point assumptions.
495 unsafe fn decode(
496 &mut self,
497 input: &[Self::Unit],
498 input_index: usize,
499 ) -> Result<(Self::Value, NonZeroUsize), DecodeFailure<Self::DecodeError>>;
500
501 /// Decodes one value after the caller has established end of input.
502 ///
503 /// This method has the same safety and state guarantees as
504 /// [`decode`](Self::decode), but may resolve an otherwise incomplete
505 /// trailing prefix using EOF-aware format rules. The default preserves the
506 /// open-stream behavior by delegating to [`decode`](Self::decode).
507 ///
508 /// # Parameters
509 ///
510 /// - `input`: Final source unit buffer; no more units will arrive.
511 /// - `input_index`: Start index of the value in `input`.
512 ///
513 /// # Returns
514 ///
515 /// Returns the decoded value and the non-zero number of consumed units.
516 ///
517 /// # Errors
518 ///
519 /// Returns [`DecodeFailure::Incomplete`] for an unresolved final prefix,
520 /// or [`DecodeFailure::Invalid`] for malformed input, as in
521 /// [`decode`](Self::decode). An override may resolve a prefix at EOF.
522 ///
523 /// # Safety
524 ///
525 /// The caller must satisfy the same input-index and minimum-readable-unit
526 /// preconditions as [`decode`](Self::decode). Implementations must not
527 /// read beyond the currently available units.
528 #[inline]
529 unsafe fn decode_eof(
530 &mut self,
531 input: &[Self::Unit],
532 input_index: usize,
533 ) -> Result<(Self::Value, NonZeroUsize), DecodeFailure<Self::DecodeError>> {
534 // SAFETY: `decode_eof` has the same preconditions as `decode`.
535 unsafe { self.decode(input, input_index) }
536 }
537
538 /// Finishes decode-side EOF state into `output`.
539 ///
540 /// `decode_finish` receives no source input. Callers must have already
541 /// handled any tail reported by [`DecodeFailure::Incomplete`] before
542 /// finishing decode state. Implementations may emit retained values or
543 /// validate internal EOF state, but they must not depend on re-reading the
544 /// incomplete source tail.
545 ///
546 /// # Parameters
547 ///
548 /// - `output`: Destination value buffer.
549 /// - `output_index`: Start index in `output`.
550 ///
551 /// # Returns
552 ///
553 /// Returns the number of finished values written.
554 ///
555 /// # Errors
556 ///
557 /// Returns `Self::DecodeError` when retained decode state is invalid at
558 /// EOF. Implementations must leave their internal state consistent when
559 /// returning an error.
560 ///
561 /// # Safety
562 ///
563 /// The caller must guarantee that the implementation can write up to
564 /// [`MAX_DECODE_FINISH_VALUES`](Self::MAX_DECODE_FINISH_VALUES) values
565 /// starting at `output_index`.
566 #[inline]
567 unsafe fn decode_finish(
568 &mut self,
569 _output: &mut [Self::Value],
570 _output_index: usize,
571 ) -> Result<usize, Self::DecodeError> {
572 Ok(0)
573 }
574}