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Apache Celix Framework

The Apache Celix framework is the core of Apache Celix applications and provides supports for deployments of dynamic, extensible modules known as bundles.

An instance of an Apache Celix framework can be created with the celix framework factory or by configuring Apache Celix containers using the add_celix_container Apache Celix CMake command.

Framework factory

A new instance of an Apache Celix framework can be created using the C/C++ function/method:

celix_frameworkFactory_createFramework
celix::createFramework

When an Apache Celix framework is destroyed it will automatically stop and uninstall all running bundles. For C, an Apache Celix framework needs to be destroyed with the call celix_frameworkFactory_destroyFramework and for C++ this happens when the framework goes out of scope.

Example: Creating an Apache Celix Framework in C

//src/main.c
#include <celix_api.h>
int main() {
    //create framework properties
    celix_properties_t* properties = properties_create();
    properties_set(properties, "CELIX_LOGGING_DEFAULT_ACTIVE_LOG_LEVEL", "debug");

    //create framework
    celix_framework_t* fw = celix_frameworkFactory_createFramework(properties);

    //get framework bundle context and log hello
    celix_bundle_context_t* fwContext = celix_framework_getFrameworkContext(fw);
    celix_bundleContext_log(fwContext, CELIX_LOG_LEVEL_INFO, "Hello from framework bundle context");

    //destroy framework
    celix_frameworkFactory_destroyFramework(fw);
}

#CMakeLists.txt
find_package(Celix REQUIRED)
add_executable(create_framework_in_c src/main.c)
target_link_libraries(create_framework_in_c PRIVATE Celix::framework)

Example: Creating an Apache Celix Framework in C++

//src/main.cc
#include <celix/FrameworkFactory.h>
int main() {
    //create framework properties
    celix::Properties properties{};
    properties.set("CELIX_LOGGING_DEFAULT_ACTIVE_LOG_LEVEL", "debug");

    //create framework
    std::shared_ptr<celix::Framework> fw = celix::createFramework(properties);

    //get framework bundle context and log hello
    std::shared_ptr<celix::BundleContext> ctx = fw->getFrameworkBundleContext();
    ctx->logInfo("Hello from framework bundle context");
}

#CMakeLists.txt
find_package(Celix REQUIRED)
add_executable(create_framework_in_cxx src/main.cc)
target_link_libraries(create_framework_in_cxx PRIVATE Celix::framework)

Apache Celix launcher

If the Apache Celix framework is the main application, the Apache Celix launcher can be used to create the framework and wait for a framework shutdown.

The Apache Celix launcher also does some additional work:

Handles command arguments (mainly to print to embedded and runtime framework properties).
Tries to read a “config.properties” file from the current workdir and combines this with the optional provided embedded properties to the Apache Celix Launcher.
Configures a framework shutdown for the SIGINT and SIGTERM signal.
Configures an “ignore” signal handler for the SIGUSR1 and SIGUSR2 signal.
Calls the curl_global_init to initialize potential use of curl. Note that the curl_global_init is not thread safe or protected by something like pthread_once.
Destroys the Apache Celix Framework after shutdown.

Example: Creating an Apache Celix Framework with the Apache Celix Launcher

//src/launcher.c
#include <celix_api.h>
int main(int argc, char** argv) {
    return celixLauncher_launchAndWaitForShutdown(argc, argv, NULL);
}

#CMakeLists.txt
find_package(Celix REQUIRED)
add_executable(create_framework_with_celix_launcher src/launcher.c)
target_link_libraries(create_framework_with_celix_launcher PRIVATE Celix::framework)

Installing and starting bundles in an Apache Celix framework

Bundles can be installed and started using the Apache Celix framework bundle context or - when using the Apache Celix launcher - with a “config.properties” file.

Bundles are installed using a path to a zip file. If the path is a relative path, the framework will search for the bundle in the directories configured in the framework property CELIX_BUNDLES_PATH. The default value of CELIX_BUNDLES_PATH is “bundles”.

Another option is to use framework properties to configure which bundles to install and start. This can be done by using the CELIX_AUTO_START_0 till CELIX_AUTO_START_6 framework properties. (note that bundles configured in CELIX_AUTO_START_0 are installed and started first). For a more complete overview of possible framework properties see celix_constants.h

If the Apache Celix launcher is used, the framework properties can be provided with a “config.properties” file using the Java Properties File Format.

Framework properties to install and start bundles:

CELIX_AUTO_START_0
CELIX_AUTO_START_1
CELIX_AUTO_START_2
CELIX_AUTO_START_3
CELIX_AUTO_START_4
CELIX_AUTO_START_5
CELIX_AUTO_START_6

Example: Installing and starting bundles in C

//src/main.c
#include <celix_api.h>
int main() {
    //create framework properties
    celix_properties_t* properties = properties_create();
    properties_set(properties, "CELIX_BUNDLES_PATH", "bundles;/opt/alternative/bundles");
    
    //create framework
    celix_framework_t* fw = celix_frameworkFactory_createFramework(NULL);

    //get framework bundle context and install a bundle
    celix_bundle_context_t* fwContext = celix_framework_getFrameworkContext(fw);
    celix_bundleContext_installBundle(fwContext, "FooBundle.zip", true);

    //destroy framework
    celix_frameworkFactory_destroyFramework(fw);
}

Example: Installing and starting bundles in C++

//src/main.cc
#include <celix/FrameworkFactory.h>
int main() {
    //create framework properties
    celix::Properties properties{};
    properties.set("CELIX_BUNDLES_PATH", "bundles;/opt/alternative/bundles");
    
    //create framework
    std::shared_ptr<celix::Framework> fw = celix::createFramework(properties);
    
    //get framework bundle context and install a bundle
    std::shared_ptr<celix::BundleContext> ctx = fw->getFrameworkBundleContext();
    ctx->installBundle("FooBundle.zip");
}

Example: Installing and starting bundles using the Apache Celix Launcher

//src/launcher.c
#include <celix_api.h>
int main(int argc, char** argv) {
    return celixLauncher_launchAndWaitForShutdown(argc, argv, NULL);
}

#CMakeLists.txt
find_package(Celix REQUIRED)
file(GENERATE OUTPUT ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/config.properties CONTENT "
CELIX_BUNDLES_PATH=bundles;/opt/alternative/bundles
CELIX_AUTO_START_3=FooBundle.zip
")
add_executable(create_framework_with_celix_launcher src/launcher.c)
target_link_libraries(create_framework_with_celix_launcher PRIVATE Celix::framework)