uCalc API Version: 2.1.3-preview.2 Released: 6/16/2026
Warning
uCalc API Preview Release Notice:The documentation describes the intended behavior of the API. The current preview build contains incomplete features, unoptimized performance, and is subject to breaking changes.
Handle
Method
Retrieves the internal, low-level identifier for the uCalc item.
Syntax
Parameters
Return
ADDR
Returns the internal handle of the current Item. While typed as an Item for convenience, it represents an opaque identifier whose numeric value is not guaranteed to be consistent across application runs.
Remarks
This method retrieves the internal handle of an Item object. Handles are opaque, pointer-like identifiers used by the uCalc library to manage objects. This method is primarily intended for advanced debugging and internal diagnostics.
What is a Handle?
A handle is a unique, low-level identifier for a specific uCalc Item in memory. Its actual numeric value is unpredictable and can change every time the application runs. It should not be stored or used for serialization.
For a stable and predictable identifier, use MemoryIndex instead.
⚖️ Handle vs. MemoryIndex
It is crucial to understand the difference between these two identifiers:
| Feature | Handle | MemoryIndex |
|---|---|---|
| Stability | Volatile. Changes between application runs. | Stable. Predictable and sequential. |
| Uniqueness | Guaranteed unique for the object's lifetime. | Can be recycled after an object is released. |
| Purpose | Low-level object identification for the C++ core. | High-level diagnostics and tracking object lifetime. |
| Use Case | Advanced debugging. | Identifying specific instances for logging or in diagnostic tools. |
Comparative Analysis
In C# or C++, you can think of a handle as being similar to an IntPtr or a raw pointer (void*). It refers to a specific memory location managed by the uCalc engine. However, unlike raw pointers, the uCalc handle is managed within the uCalc ecosystem. The key takeaway for developers is to use MemoryIndex for any form of stable identification and to treat the Handle as a transient, internal-only value.