C API reference#
metatensor offers a C API that can be called from any language able to call
C functions (in particular, this includes Python, Fortran with iso_c_env,
C++, and most languages used nowadays). Convenient wrappers of the C API are
also provided for Python users.
The C API is implemented in Rust. You can use these functions in your own code
by installing the corresponding shared library and header, and then including metatensor.h and linking with
-lmetatensor. Alternatively, we provide a cmake package config file, allowing
you to do use metatensor like this (after installation):
find_package(metatensor)
# add executables/libraries
add_executable(MyExecutable my_sources.c)
add_library(MyLibrary my_sources.c)
# Links metatensor with MyExecutable, this makes the header accessible
target_link_libraries(MyExecutable metatensor)
# alternatively, use the static build of metatensor
# target_link_libraries(MyExecutable metatensor::static)
The functions and types provided in metatensor.h can be grouped in five
main groups: