Custom .so file

[d__M]

Hi Guys,

Recently we have purchased Freedom plan from Jaguar. We have a query. We are required to integrate our application with citibank. In order to integrate, citibank provided us with a .so file for linux/apache system which is required to generate checksum. There is no documentation attached with the file. They only said we need to put it in the path and call a function. We are little bit confused about it.

Can anybody help in this regard?

Thanks

[Vin DSL]

Hrm...

Doesn't ring a bell for me either!

I understand paths and calls, but that's not enough info to go on...

Do you have a link to a web page where we can see the instructions? Or, can you do a copy n' paste here?

[Ron]

In what language is the program that you're writing to call this function? I don't think PHP is going to get you there, but I could be wrong.

Are we talking C or C++ or some such?

[homoludens]

Surely the .so just needs to be loaded by apache so you can use the relevant function in your PHP script.

[maveric]

Hi Guys,

Recently we have purchased Freedom plan from Jaguar. We have a query. We are required to integrate our application with citibank. In order to integrate, citibank provided us with a .so file for linux/apache system which is required to generate checksum. There is no documentation attached with the file. They only said we need to put it in the path and call a function. We are little bit confused about it.

Can anybody help in this regard?

Thanks

You can ask them for some deetails. .so are usually php extension files, you can check the path of php exension dir using this command

php -i |grep extension_dir

Place the .so file in the path resulting from the above command and then add the extension to php.ini file on the server. Search extension in the php.ini file and you ll know the syntax.

[Ron]

Surely the .so just needs to be loaded by apache so you can use the relevant function in your PHP script.

You can ask them for some deetails. .so are usually php extension files, you can check the path of php exension dir using this command

I don't think that .so are "surely" for apache/php nor are they "usually" php extension files, but since the OP hasn't told us anything, I'm probably wrong. As the OP used the phrase "integrate our app" perhaps they're expecting their users to use java apps, or C apps or perl or yacc or fortran... even maybe PHP. Since they are supplying a binary .so file which would need to be compiled on a very similar machine/OS perhaps ... oh never mind.

The OP could also open a ticket with support and ask them to help place his .so wherever it belongs and/or update whatever path needs to be updated so that an executable can locate it. Or s/he could contact citibank and ask for a little help in integrating with their application.

[homoludens]

It's a shared object for a linux/apache system. It's most likely going to be for a php/perl/python script. It's not going to be for yacc/fortran/roncode.

I mentioned PHP only because you did. ;o)

[jason]

.so files are about the equivalent of DLLs on Windows. They are shared objects. There are many different kinds and many different uses. Just knowing that it is an so file isn't enough to go on.

True, Apache modules and PHP extensions are generally distributed as so files, but each requires a particular interface be present in that file for the host to be able to use it.

Surely Citibank provided some documentation to go along with the file, didn't they? Or was that cut from the budget now that they're in financial trouble?

--Jason

[homoludens]

Sure, but Ron wanted a PHP-based flame war. Blame him for what followed. Blame me for implying apache module when I meant php extension - although it could be the former.

More interestingly, two coincident first posts?

[Ron]

Sure, but Ron wanted a PHP-based flame war. Blame him for what followed.

I wasn't inviting a war, OK? Let's drop it.

More interestingly, two coincident first posts?

That was noticed with a sub-vocalized "hmmmmm".

[Ron]

There are many different kinds and many different uses. Just knowing that it is an so file isn't enough to go on.

Exactly my point. Much more explicitly and concisely said.

[Vin DSL]

...perhaps they're expecting their users to use java apps...

That would be my *guess*... JAVA, but it's hard to say without more info.

[Vin DSL]

...roncode...

LoL!

[d__M]

Hi Guys, thanks for inputs, sorry though for no details earlier.

ok, our application would be in php. we are only required to generate a checksum through this .so file and send to their payment gateway. About usage this is the info what we received from them

CHECKSUM DLL For Linux
======================

1) checksum.so.1 is the dll that has to deployed to generate the checksum value.
2) A function Transpo will accept two parameters (one is the input string and the other is the 16 digit hexadecial key). This will return the checksum value which has to be padded with all messages that is being sent to Citibank.

and when talking to their tech team, this was the info we got

No dependence on the Apache 1.x or 2.x version

It is simple program, does not required any installation. In the program you need to call the checksum.so.1 file with required parameter.

Places the “checksum.so.1” file in the folder/path from where you will this “checksum.so.1”.

Now, its really confusing what this file is all about and we feel that it has become "DO IT YOURSELF" thing for us? I just need some different measures which we can use to test it. Hope i have cleared the sky

[JPC-NickO]

Hi Guys,

Please try to keep the posts to this thread on topic. If you'd like to debate PHP's merits please open a new thread or take it to PM.

Unfortunately, I still don't think your software vendor gave you enough documentation with the library. Normally such APIs come with at least a few sample implementations. I'd ask Citibank for some documentation/examples if I were you.

Only other option would be to apply reverse engineering techniques to determine what the library does and then figure out how to use it.