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C/C++ API Documentation | 2026.1

# Sample application

The sample application, `p4api.cc`, is located in the `sample` directory. You can build the sample application with either Make or Jam.

    /*
    * p4api.cc - a p4 client API example
    *
    * This file is part of the p4api distribution package.
    *
    * This barebones example simply mimics the regular p4 command line
    * program.
    *
    * Generally, compiling with the C++ compiler and linking with the
    * three provided libraries is sufficient to build this sample program.
    *
    * See the Perforce C/C++ API User's Guide for further information.
    * https://www.perforce.com/manuals/p4api/Content/P4API/Home-p4api.html
    *
    * $Id: //depot/r21.2/p4/api/p4api.cc#1 $
    */

    # include "clientapi.h"
    # include "p4libs.h"

    int main( int argc, char **argv )
    {
        ClientUser ui;
        ClientApi client;
        StrBuf msg;
        Error e;

        P4Libraries::Initialize( P4LIBRARIES_INIT_ALL, &e );

        if( e.Test() )
        {
            e.Fmt( &msg );
            fprintf( stderr, "%s\n", msg.Text() );
            return 1;
        }

        // Any special protocol mods

        // client.SetProtocol( "tag" );

        // Enable client-side Extensions
        // client.EnableExtensions();

        // Connect to server

        client.Init( &e );

        if( e.Test() )
        {
            e.Fmt( &msg );
            fprintf( stderr, "%s\n", msg.Text() );
            return 1;
        }

        // Run the command "argv[1] argv[2...]"
        client.SetArgv( argc - 2, argv + 2 );
        client.Run( argv[1], &ui );

        // Close connection

        client.Final( &e );
        if( e.Test() )
        {
            e.Fmt( &msg );
            fprintf( stderr, "%s\n", msg.Text() );
            return 1;
        }

        P4Libraries::Shutdown( P4LIBRARIES_INIT_ALL, &e );

        if( e.Test() )
        {
            e.Fmt( &msg );
            fprintf( stderr, "%s\n", msg.Text() );
            return 1;
        }

        return 0;
    }

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