http://netty.io/netty-all/: Netty is an asynchronous event-driven network application framework for rapid development of maintainable high performance protocol servers and clients. (The Netty Project) 
/*
 * Copyright 2012 The Netty Project
 *
 * The Netty Project licenses this file to you under the Apache License,
 * version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
 * with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at:
 *
 *   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
 *
 * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
 * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
 * WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
 * License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
 * under the License.
 */
package io.netty.buffer;

import io.netty.util.ByteProcessor;
import io.netty.util.ReferenceCounted;

import java.io.IOException;
import java.io.InputStream;
import java.io.OutputStream;
import java.nio.ByteBuffer;
import java.nio.ByteOrder;
import java.nio.channels.FileChannel;
import java.nio.channels.GatheringByteChannel;
import java.nio.channels.ScatteringByteChannel;
import java.nio.charset.Charset;
import java.nio.charset.UnsupportedCharsetException;


A random and sequential accessible sequence of zero or more bytes (octets). This interface provides an abstract view for one or more primitive byte arrays (byte[]) and NIO buffers. 
Creation of a buffer
 It is recommended to create a new buffer using the helper methods in Unpooled rather than calling an individual implementation's constructor. 
Random Access Indexing
 Just like an ordinary primitive byte array, ByteBuf uses zero-based indexing. It means the index of the first byte is always 0 and the index of the last byte is always capacity - 1. For example, to iterate all bytes of a buffer, you can do the following, regardless of its internal implementation: 
ByteBuf buffer = ...; for (int i = 0; i < buffer.capacity(); i ++) { byte b = buffer.getByte(i); System.out.println((char) b); } 


Sequential Access Indexing
 ByteBuf provides two pointer variables to support sequential read and write operations - readerIndex for a read operation and writerIndex for a write operation respectively. The following diagram shows how a buffer is segmented into three areas by the two pointers: 
     +-------------------+------------------+------------------+
     | discardable bytes |  readable bytes  |  writable bytes  |
     |                   |     (CONTENT)    |                  |
     +-------------------+------------------+------------------+
     |                   |                  |                  |
     0      <=      readerIndex   <=   writerIndex    <=    capacity



Readable bytes (the actual content)
 This segment is where the actual data is stored. Any operation whose name starts with read or skip will get or skip the data at the current readerIndex and increase it by the number of read bytes. If the argument of the read operation is also a ByteBuf and no destination index is specified, the specified buffer's writerIndex is increased together. 
 If there's not enough content left, IndexOutOfBoundsException is raised. The default value of newly allocated, wrapped or copied buffer's readerIndex is 0. 
// Iterates the readable bytes of a buffer. ByteBuf buffer = ...; while (buffer.isReadable()) { System.out.println(buffer.readByte()); } 


Writable bytes
 This segment is a undefined space which needs to be filled. Any operation whose name starts with write will write the data at the current writerIndex and increase it by the number of written bytes. If the argument of the write operation is also a ByteBuf, and no source index is specified, the specified buffer's readerIndex is increased together. 
 If there's not enough writable bytes left, IndexOutOfBoundsException is raised. The default value of newly allocated buffer's writerIndex is 0. The default value of wrapped or copied buffer's writerIndex is the capacity of the buffer. 
// Fills the writable bytes of a buffer with random integers. ByteBuf buffer = ...; while (buffer.maxWritableBytes() >= 4) { buffer.writeInt(random.nextInt()); } 


Discardable bytes
 This segment contains the bytes which were read already by a read operation. Initially, the size of this segment is 0, but its size increases up to the writerIndex as read operations are executed. The read bytes can be discarded by calling discardReadBytes() to reclaim unused area as depicted by the following diagram: 
 BEFORE discardReadBytes()
     +-------------------+------------------+------------------+
     | discardable bytes |  readable bytes  |  writable bytes  |
     +-------------------+------------------+------------------+
     |                   |                  |                  |
     0      <=      readerIndex   <=   writerIndex    <=    capacity
 AFTER discardReadBytes()
     +------------------+--------------------------------------+
     |  readable bytes  |    writable bytes (got more space)   |
     +------------------+--------------------------------------+
     |                  |                                      |
readerIndex (0) <= writerIndex (decreased)        <=        capacity

 Please note that there is no guarantee about the content of writable bytes after calling discardReadBytes(). The writable bytes will not be moved in most cases and could even be filled with completely different data depending on the underlying buffer implementation. 
Clearing the buffer indexes
 You can set both readerIndex and writerIndex to 0 by calling clear(). It does not clear the buffer content (e.g. filling with 0) but just clears the two pointers. Please also note that the semantic of this operation is different from Buffer.clear(). 
 BEFORE clear()
     +-------------------+------------------+------------------+
     | discardable bytes |  readable bytes  |  writable bytes  |
     +-------------------+------------------+------------------+
     |                   |                  |                  |
     0      <=      readerIndex   <=   writerIndex    <=    capacity
 AFTER clear()
     +---------------------------------------------------------+
     |             writable bytes (got more space)             |
     +---------------------------------------------------------+
     |                                                         |
     0 = readerIndex = writerIndex            <=            capacity



Search operations
 For simple single-byte searches, use indexOf(int, int, byte) and bytesBefore(int, int, byte). bytesBefore(byte) is especially useful when you deal with a NUL-terminated string. For complicated searches, use forEachByte(int, int, ByteProcessor) with a ByteProcessor implementation. 
Mark and reset
 There are two marker indexes in every buffer. One is for storing readerIndex and the other is for storing writerIndex. You can always reposition one of the two indexes by calling a reset method. It works in a similar fashion to the mark and reset methods in InputStream except that there's no readlimit. 
Derived buffers

You can create a view of an existing buffer by calling one of the following methods:
 A derived buffer will have an independent readerIndex, writerIndex and marker indexes, while it shares other internal data representation, just like a NIO buffer does. 
 In case a completely fresh copy of an existing buffer is required, please call copy() method instead. 
Non-retained and retained derived buffers
 Note that the duplicate(), slice(), slice(int, int) and readSlice(int) does NOT call retain() on the returned derived buffer, and thus its reference count will NOT be increased. If you need to create a derived buffer with increased reference count, consider using retainedDuplicate(), retainedSlice(), retainedSlice(int, int) and readRetainedSlice(int) which may return a buffer implementation that produces less garbage. 
Conversion to existing JDK types


Byte array
 If a ByteBuf is backed by a byte array (i.e. byte[]), you can access it directly via the array() method. To determine if a buffer is backed by a byte array, hasArray() should be used. 
NIO Buffers
 If a ByteBuf can be converted into an NIO ByteBuffer which shares its content (i.e. view buffer), you can get it via the nioBuffer() method. To determine if a buffer can be converted into an NIO buffer, use nioBufferCount(). 
Strings
 Various toString(Charset) methods convert a ByteBuf into a String. Please note that toString() is not a conversion method. 
I/O Streams
 Please refer to ByteBufInputStream and ByteBufOutputStream. 
/**
 * A random and sequential accessible sequence of zero or more bytes (octets).
 * This interface provides an abstract view for one or more primitive byte
 * arrays ({@code byte[]}) and {@linkplain ByteBuffer NIO buffers}.
 *
 * <h3>Creation of a buffer</h3>
 *
 * It is recommended to create a new buffer using the helper methods in
 * {@link Unpooled} rather than calling an individual implementation's
 * constructor.
 *
 * <h3>Random Access Indexing</h3>
 *
 * Just like an ordinary primitive byte array, {@link ByteBuf} uses
 * <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-based_numbering">zero-based indexing</a>.
 * It means the index of the first byte is always {@code 0} and the index of the last byte is
 * always {@link #capacity() capacity - 1}.  For example, to iterate all bytes of a buffer, you
 * can do the following, regardless of its internal implementation:
 *
 * <pre>
 * {@link ByteBuf} buffer = ...;
 * for (int i = 0; i &lt; buffer.capacity(); i ++) {
 *     byte b = buffer.getByte(i);
 *     System.out.println((char) b);
 * }
 * </pre>
 *
 * <h3>Sequential Access Indexing</h3>
 *
 * {@link ByteBuf} provides two pointer variables to support sequential
 * read and write operations - {@link #readerIndex() readerIndex} for a read
 * operation and {@link #writerIndex() writerIndex} for a write operation
 * respectively.  The following diagram shows how a buffer is segmented into
 * three areas by the two pointers:
 *
 * <pre>
 *      +-------------------+------------------+------------------+
 *      | discardable bytes |  readable bytes  |  writable bytes  |
 *      |                   |     (CONTENT)    |                  |
 *      +-------------------+------------------+------------------+
 *      |                   |                  |                  |
 *      0      <=      readerIndex   <=   writerIndex    <=    capacity
 * </pre>
 *
 * <h4>Readable bytes (the actual content)</h4>
 *
 * This segment is where the actual data is stored.  Any operation whose name
 * starts with {@code read} or {@code skip} will get or skip the data at the
 * current {@link #readerIndex() readerIndex} and increase it by the number of
 * read bytes.  If the argument of the read operation is also a
 * {@link ByteBuf} and no destination index is specified, the specified
 * buffer's {@link #writerIndex() writerIndex} is increased together.
 * <p>
 * If there's not enough content left, {@link IndexOutOfBoundsException} is
 * raised.  The default value of newly allocated, wrapped or copied buffer's
 * {@link #readerIndex() readerIndex} is {@code 0}.
 *
 * <pre>
 * // Iterates the readable bytes of a buffer.
 * {@link ByteBuf} buffer = ...;
 * while (buffer.isReadable()) {
 *     System.out.println(buffer.readByte());
 * }
 * </pre>
 *
 * <h4>Writable bytes</h4>
 *
 * This segment is a undefined space which needs to be filled.  Any operation
 * whose name starts with {@code write} will write the data at the current
 * {@link #writerIndex() writerIndex} and increase it by the number of written
 * bytes.  If the argument of the write operation is also a {@link ByteBuf},
 * and no source index is specified, the specified buffer's
 * {@link #readerIndex() readerIndex} is increased together.
 * <p>
 * If there's not enough writable bytes left, {@link IndexOutOfBoundsException}
 * is raised.  The default value of newly allocated buffer's
 * {@link #writerIndex() writerIndex} is {@code 0}.  The default value of
 * wrapped or copied buffer's {@link #writerIndex() writerIndex} is the
 * {@link #capacity() capacity} of the buffer.
 *
 * <pre>
 * // Fills the writable bytes of a buffer with random integers.
 * {@link ByteBuf} buffer = ...;
 * while (buffer.maxWritableBytes() >= 4) {
 *     buffer.writeInt(random.nextInt());
 * }
 * </pre>
 *
 * <h4>Discardable bytes</h4>
 *
 * This segment contains the bytes which were read already by a read operation.
 * Initially, the size of this segment is {@code 0}, but its size increases up
 * to the {@link #writerIndex() writerIndex} as read operations are executed.
 * The read bytes can be discarded by calling {@link #discardReadBytes()} to
 * reclaim unused area as depicted by the following diagram:
 *
 * <pre>
 *  BEFORE discardReadBytes()
 *
 *      +-------------------+------------------+------------------+
 *      | discardable bytes |  readable bytes  |  writable bytes  |
 *      +-------------------+------------------+------------------+
 *      |                   |                  |                  |
 *      0      <=      readerIndex   <=   writerIndex    <=    capacity
 *
 *
 *  AFTER discardReadBytes()
 *
 *      +------------------+--------------------------------------+
 *      |  readable bytes  |    writable bytes (got more space)   |
 *      +------------------+--------------------------------------+
 *      |                  |                                      |
 * readerIndex (0) <= writerIndex (decreased)        <=        capacity
 * </pre>
 *
 * Please note that there is no guarantee about the content of writable bytes
 * after calling {@link #discardReadBytes()}.  The writable bytes will not be
 * moved in most cases and could even be filled with completely different data
 * depending on the underlying buffer implementation.
 *
 * <h4>Clearing the buffer indexes</h4>
 *
 * You can set both {@link #readerIndex() readerIndex} and
 * {@link #writerIndex() writerIndex} to {@code 0} by calling {@link #clear()}.
 * It does not clear the buffer content (e.g. filling with {@code 0}) but just
 * clears the two pointers.  Please also note that the semantic of this
 * operation is different from {@link ByteBuffer#clear()}.
 *
 * <pre>
 *  BEFORE clear()
 *
 *      +-------------------+------------------+------------------+
 *      | discardable bytes |  readable bytes  |  writable bytes  |
 *      +-------------------+------------------+------------------+
 *      |                   |                  |                  |
 *      0      <=      readerIndex   <=   writerIndex    <=    capacity
 *
 *
 *  AFTER clear()
 *
 *      +---------------------------------------------------------+
 *      |             writable bytes (got more space)             |
 *      +---------------------------------------------------------+
 *      |                                                         |
 *      0 = readerIndex = writerIndex            <=            capacity
 * </pre>
 *
 * <h3>Search operations</h3>
 *
 * For simple single-byte searches, use {@link #indexOf(int, int, byte)} and {@link #bytesBefore(int, int, byte)}.
 * {@link #bytesBefore(byte)} is especially useful when you deal with a {@code NUL}-terminated string.
 * For complicated searches, use {@link #forEachByte(int, int, ByteProcessor)} with a {@link ByteProcessor}
 * implementation.
 *
 * <h3>Mark and reset</h3>
 *
 * There are two marker indexes in every buffer. One is for storing
 * {@link #readerIndex() readerIndex} and the other is for storing
 * {@link #writerIndex() writerIndex}.  You can always reposition one of the
 * two indexes by calling a reset method.  It works in a similar fashion to
 * the mark and reset methods in {@link InputStream} except that there's no
 * {@code readlimit}.
 *
 * <h3>Derived buffers</h3>
 *
 * You can create a view of an existing buffer by calling one of the following methods:
 * <ul>
 *   <li>{@link #duplicate()}</li>
 *   <li>{@link #slice()}</li>
 *   <li>{@link #slice(int, int)}</li>
 *   <li>{@link #readSlice(int)}</li>
 *   <li>{@link #retainedDuplicate()}</li>
 *   <li>{@link #retainedSlice()}</li>
 *   <li>{@link #retainedSlice(int, int)}</li>
 *   <li>{@link #readRetainedSlice(int)}</li>
 * </ul>
 * A derived buffer will have an independent {@link #readerIndex() readerIndex},
 * {@link #writerIndex() writerIndex} and marker indexes, while it shares
 * other internal data representation, just like a NIO buffer does.
 * <p>
 * In case a completely fresh copy of an existing buffer is required, please
 * call {@link #copy()} method instead.
 *
 * <h4>Non-retained and retained derived buffers</h4>
 *
 * Note that the {@link #duplicate()}, {@link #slice()}, {@link #slice(int, int)} and {@link #readSlice(int)} does NOT
 * call {@link #retain()} on the returned derived buffer, and thus its reference count will NOT be increased. If you
 * need to create a derived buffer with increased reference count, consider using {@link #retainedDuplicate()},
 * {@link #retainedSlice()}, {@link #retainedSlice(int, int)} and {@link #readRetainedSlice(int)} which may return
 * a buffer implementation that produces less garbage.
 *
 * <h3>Conversion to existing JDK types</h3>
 *
 * <h4>Byte array</h4>
 *
 * If a {@link ByteBuf} is backed by a byte array (i.e. {@code byte[]}),
 * you can access it directly via the {@link #array()} method.  To determine
 * if a buffer is backed by a byte array, {@link #hasArray()} should be used.
 *
 * <h4>NIO Buffers</h4>
 *
 * If a {@link ByteBuf} can be converted into an NIO {@link ByteBuffer} which shares its
 * content (i.e. view buffer), you can get it via the {@link #nioBuffer()} method.  To determine
 * if a buffer can be converted into an NIO buffer, use {@link #nioBufferCount()}.
 *
 * <h4>Strings</h4>
 *
 * Various {@link #toString(Charset)} methods convert a {@link ByteBuf}
 * into a {@link String}.  Please note that {@link #toString()} is not a
 * conversion method.
 *
 * <h4>I/O Streams</h4>
 *
 * Please refer to {@link ByteBufInputStream} and
 * {@link ByteBufOutputStream}.
 */
@SuppressWarnings("ClassMayBeInterface")
public abstract class ByteBuf implements ReferenceCounted, Comparable<ByteBuf> {

    
Returns the number of bytes (octets) this buffer can contain.

/**
     * Returns the number of bytes (octets) this buffer can contain.
     */
    public abstract int capacity();

    
Adjusts the capacity of this buffer. If the newCapacity is less than the current capacity, the content of this buffer is truncated. If the newCapacity is greater than the current capacity, the buffer is appended with unspecified data whose length is (newCapacity - currentCapacity). 
/**
     * Adjusts the capacity of this buffer.  If the {@code newCapacity} is less than the current
     * capacity, the content of this buffer is truncated.  If the {@code newCapacity} is greater
     * than the current capacity, the buffer is appended with unspecified data whose length is
     * {@code (newCapacity - currentCapacity)}.
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf capacity(int newCapacity);

    
Returns the maximum allowed capacity of this buffer. If a user attempts to increase the capacity of this buffer beyond the maximum capacity using capacity(int) or ensureWritable(int), those methods will raise an IllegalArgumentException. 
/**
     * Returns the maximum allowed capacity of this buffer.  If a user attempts to increase the
     * capacity of this buffer beyond the maximum capacity using {@link #capacity(int)} or
     * {@link #ensureWritable(int)}, those methods will raise an
     * {@link IllegalArgumentException}.
     */
    public abstract int maxCapacity();

    
Returns the ByteBufAllocator which created this buffer. 
/**
     * Returns the {@link ByteBufAllocator} which created this buffer.
     */
    public abstract ByteBufAllocator alloc();

    
Returns the endianness
of this buffer.

Deprecated:use the Little Endian accessors, e.g. getShortLE, getIntLE instead of creating a buffer with swapped endianness.
/**
     * Returns the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endianness">endianness</a>
     * of this buffer.
     *
     * @deprecated use the Little Endian accessors, e.g. {@code getShortLE}, {@code getIntLE}
     * instead of creating a buffer with swapped {@code endianness}.
     */
    @Deprecated
    public abstract ByteOrder order();

    
Returns a buffer with the specified endianness which shares the whole region, indexes, and marks of this buffer. Modifying the content, the indexes, or the marks of the returned buffer or this buffer affects each other's content, indexes, and marks. If the specified endianness is identical to this buffer's byte order, this method can return this. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Deprecated:use the Little Endian accessors, e.g. getShortLE, getIntLE instead of creating a buffer with swapped endianness.
/**
     * Returns a buffer with the specified {@code endianness} which shares the whole region,
     * indexes, and marks of this buffer.  Modifying the content, the indexes, or the marks of the
     * returned buffer or this buffer affects each other's content, indexes, and marks.  If the
     * specified {@code endianness} is identical to this buffer's byte order, this method can
     * return {@code this}.  This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex}
     * of this buffer.
     *
     * @deprecated use the Little Endian accessors, e.g. {@code getShortLE}, {@code getIntLE}
     * instead of creating a buffer with swapped {@code endianness}.
     */
    @Deprecated
    public abstract ByteBuf order(ByteOrder endianness);

    
Return the underlying buffer instance if this buffer is a wrapper of another buffer.

Returns:null if this buffer is not a wrapper
/**
     * Return the underlying buffer instance if this buffer is a wrapper of another buffer.
     *
     * @return {@code null} if this buffer is not a wrapper
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf unwrap();

    
Returns true if and only if this buffer is backed by an NIO direct buffer. 
/**
     * Returns {@code true} if and only if this buffer is backed by an
     * NIO direct buffer.
     */
    public abstract boolean isDirect();

    
Returns true if and only if this buffer is read-only. 
/**
     * Returns {@code true} if and only if this buffer is read-only.
     */
    public abstract boolean isReadOnly();

    
Returns a read-only version of this buffer.

/**
     * Returns a read-only version of this buffer.
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf asReadOnly();

    
Returns the readerIndex of this buffer. 
/**
     * Returns the {@code readerIndex} of this buffer.
     */
    public abstract int readerIndex();

    
Sets the readerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the {@code readerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code readerIndex} is
     *            less than {@code 0} or
     *            greater than {@code this.writerIndex}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf readerIndex(int readerIndex);

    
Returns the writerIndex of this buffer. 
/**
     * Returns the {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     */
    public abstract int writerIndex();

    
Sets the writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code writerIndex} is
     *            less than {@code this.readerIndex} or
     *            greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writerIndex(int writerIndex);

    
Sets the readerIndex and writerIndex of this buffer in one shot. This method is useful when you have to worry about the invocation order of readerIndex(int) and writerIndex(int) methods. For example, the following code will fail: 
// Create a buffer whose readerIndex, writerIndex and capacity are // 0, 0 and 8 respectively. ByteBuf buf = Unpooled.buffer(8); // IndexOutOfBoundsException is thrown because the specified // readerIndex (2) cannot be greater than the current writerIndex (0). buf.readerIndex(2); buf.writerIndex(4); 

The following code will also fail:

// Create a buffer whose readerIndex, writerIndex and capacity are // 0, 8 and 8 respectively. ByteBuf buf = Unpooled.wrappedBuffer(new byte[8]); // readerIndex becomes 8. buf.readLong(); // IndexOutOfBoundsException is thrown because the specified // writerIndex (4) cannot be less than the current readerIndex (8). buf.writerIndex(4); buf.readerIndex(2); 
 By contrast, this method guarantees that it never throws an IndexOutOfBoundsException as long as the specified indexes meet basic constraints, regardless what the current index values of the buffer are: 
// No matter what the current state of the buffer is, the following
// call always succeeds as long as the capacity of the buffer is not
// less than 4.
buf.setIndex(2, 4);



Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified readerIndex is less than 0, if the specified writerIndex is less than the specified readerIndex or if the specified writerIndex is greater than this.capacity
/**
     * Sets the {@code readerIndex} and {@code writerIndex} of this buffer
     * in one shot.  This method is useful when you have to worry about the
     * invocation order of {@link #readerIndex(int)} and {@link #writerIndex(int)}
     * methods.  For example, the following code will fail:
     *
     * <pre>
     * // Create a buffer whose readerIndex, writerIndex and capacity are
     * // 0, 0 and 8 respectively.
     * {@link ByteBuf} buf = {@link Unpooled}.buffer(8);
     *
     * // IndexOutOfBoundsException is thrown because the specified
     * // readerIndex (2) cannot be greater than the current writerIndex (0).
     * buf.readerIndex(2);
     * buf.writerIndex(4);
     * </pre>
     *
     * The following code will also fail:
     *
     * <pre>
     * // Create a buffer whose readerIndex, writerIndex and capacity are
     * // 0, 8 and 8 respectively.
     * {@link ByteBuf} buf = {@link Unpooled}.wrappedBuffer(new byte[8]);
     *
     * // readerIndex becomes 8.
     * buf.readLong();
     *
     * // IndexOutOfBoundsException is thrown because the specified
     * // writerIndex (4) cannot be less than the current readerIndex (8).
     * buf.writerIndex(4);
     * buf.readerIndex(2);
     * </pre>
     *
     * By contrast, this method guarantees that it never
     * throws an {@link IndexOutOfBoundsException} as long as the specified
     * indexes meet basic constraints, regardless what the current index
     * values of the buffer are:
     *
     * <pre>
     * // No matter what the current state of the buffer is, the following
     * // call always succeeds as long as the capacity of the buffer is not
     * // less than 4.
     * buf.setIndex(2, 4);
     * </pre>
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code readerIndex} is less than 0,
     *         if the specified {@code writerIndex} is less than the specified
     *         {@code readerIndex} or if the specified {@code writerIndex} is
     *         greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setIndex(int readerIndex, int writerIndex);

    
Returns the number of readable bytes which is equal to (this.writerIndex - this.readerIndex). 
/**
     * Returns the number of readable bytes which is equal to
     * {@code (this.writerIndex - this.readerIndex)}.
     */
    public abstract int readableBytes();

    
Returns the number of writable bytes which is equal to (this.capacity - this.writerIndex). 
/**
     * Returns the number of writable bytes which is equal to
     * {@code (this.capacity - this.writerIndex)}.
     */
    public abstract int writableBytes();

    
Returns the maximum possible number of writable bytes, which is equal to (this.maxCapacity - this.writerIndex). 
/**
     * Returns the maximum possible number of writable bytes, which is equal to
     * {@code (this.maxCapacity - this.writerIndex)}.
     */
    public abstract int maxWritableBytes();

    
Returns true if and only if (this.writerIndex - this.readerIndex) is greater than 0. 
/**
     * Returns {@code true}
     * if and only if {@code (this.writerIndex - this.readerIndex)} is greater
     * than {@code 0}.
     */
    public abstract boolean isReadable();

    
Returns true if and only if this buffer contains equal to or more than the specified number of elements. 
/**
     * Returns {@code true} if and only if this buffer contains equal to or more than the specified number of elements.
     */
    public abstract boolean isReadable(int size);

    
Returns true if and only if (this.capacity - this.writerIndex) is greater than 0. 
/**
     * Returns {@code true}
     * if and only if {@code (this.capacity - this.writerIndex)} is greater
     * than {@code 0}.
     */
    public abstract boolean isWritable();

    
Returns true if and only if this buffer has enough room to allow writing the specified number of elements. 
/**
     * Returns {@code true} if and only if this buffer has enough room to allow writing the specified number of
     * elements.
     */
    public abstract boolean isWritable(int size);

    
Sets the readerIndex and writerIndex of this buffer to 0. This method is identical to setIndex(0, 0). 
 Please note that the behavior of this method is different from that of NIO buffer, which sets the limit to the capacity of the buffer. 
/**
     * Sets the {@code readerIndex} and {@code writerIndex} of this buffer to
     * {@code 0}.
     * This method is identical to {@link #setIndex(int, int) setIndex(0, 0)}.
     * <p>
     * Please note that the behavior of this method is different
     * from that of NIO buffer, which sets the {@code limit} to
     * the {@code capacity} of the buffer.
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf clear();

    
Marks the current readerIndex in this buffer. You can reposition the current readerIndex to the marked readerIndex by calling resetReaderIndex(). The initial value of the marked readerIndex is 0. 
/**
     * Marks the current {@code readerIndex} in this buffer.  You can
     * reposition the current {@code readerIndex} to the marked
     * {@code readerIndex} by calling {@link #resetReaderIndex()}.
     * The initial value of the marked {@code readerIndex} is {@code 0}.
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf markReaderIndex();

    
Repositions the current readerIndex to the marked readerIndex in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Repositions the current {@code readerIndex} to the marked
     * {@code readerIndex} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the current {@code writerIndex} is less than the marked
     *         {@code readerIndex}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf resetReaderIndex();

    
Marks the current writerIndex in this buffer. You can reposition the current writerIndex to the marked writerIndex by calling resetWriterIndex(). The initial value of the marked writerIndex is 0. 
/**
     * Marks the current {@code writerIndex} in this buffer.  You can
     * reposition the current {@code writerIndex} to the marked
     * {@code writerIndex} by calling {@link #resetWriterIndex()}.
     * The initial value of the marked {@code writerIndex} is {@code 0}.
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf markWriterIndex();

    
Repositions the current writerIndex to the marked writerIndex in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Repositions the current {@code writerIndex} to the marked
     * {@code writerIndex} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the current {@code readerIndex} is greater than the marked
     *         {@code writerIndex}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf resetWriterIndex();

    
Discards the bytes between the 0th index and readerIndex. It moves the bytes between readerIndex and writerIndex to the 0th index, and sets readerIndex and writerIndex to 0 and oldWriterIndex - oldReaderIndex respectively. 

Please refer to the class documentation for more detailed explanation.

/**
     * Discards the bytes between the 0th index and {@code readerIndex}.
     * It moves the bytes between {@code readerIndex} and {@code writerIndex}
     * to the 0th index, and sets {@code readerIndex} and {@code writerIndex}
     * to {@code 0} and {@code oldWriterIndex - oldReaderIndex} respectively.
     * <p>
     * Please refer to the class documentation for more detailed explanation.
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf discardReadBytes();

    
Similar to discardReadBytes() except that this method might discard some, all, or none of read bytes depending on its internal implementation to reduce overall memory bandwidth consumption at the cost of potentially additional memory consumption. 
/**
     * Similar to {@link ByteBuf#discardReadBytes()} except that this method might discard
     * some, all, or none of read bytes depending on its internal implementation to reduce
     * overall memory bandwidth consumption at the cost of potentially additional memory
     * consumption.
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf discardSomeReadBytes();

    
Makes sure the number of the writable bytes is equal to or greater than the specified value. If there is enough writable bytes in this buffer, this method returns with no side effect. Otherwise, it raises an IllegalArgumentException. 
Params:
  • minWritableBytes – 
       the expected minimum number of writable bytes
Throws:
/**
     * Makes sure the number of {@linkplain #writableBytes() the writable bytes}
     * is equal to or greater than the specified value.  If there is enough
     * writable bytes in this buffer, this method returns with no side effect.
     * Otherwise, it raises an {@link IllegalArgumentException}.
     *
     * @param minWritableBytes
     *        the expected minimum number of writable bytes
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@link #writerIndex()} + {@code minWritableBytes} &gt; {@link #maxCapacity()}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf ensureWritable(int minWritableBytes);

    
Tries to make sure the number of the writable bytes is equal to or greater than the specified value. Unlike ensureWritable(int), this method does not raise an exception but returns a code. 
Params:
  • minWritableBytes – 
       the expected minimum number of writable bytes
  • force –  When writerIndex() + minWritableBytes > maxCapacity(): 
      
       
    • true - the capacity of the buffer is expanded to maxCapacity()
      • 
       
    • false - the capacity of the buffer is unchanged
      • 
       
Returns:0 if the buffer has enough writable bytes, and its capacity is unchanged. 1 if the buffer does not have enough bytes, and its capacity is unchanged. 2 if the buffer has enough writable bytes, and its capacity has been increased. 3 if the buffer does not have enough bytes, but its capacity has been increased to its maximum.
/**
     * Tries to make sure the number of {@linkplain #writableBytes() the writable bytes}
     * is equal to or greater than the specified value.  Unlike {@link #ensureWritable(int)},
     * this method does not raise an exception but returns a code.
     *
     * @param minWritableBytes
     *        the expected minimum number of writable bytes
     * @param force
     *        When {@link #writerIndex()} + {@code minWritableBytes} &gt; {@link #maxCapacity()}:
     *        <ul>
     *        <li>{@code true} - the capacity of the buffer is expanded to {@link #maxCapacity()}</li>
     *        <li>{@code false} - the capacity of the buffer is unchanged</li>
     *        </ul>
     * @return {@code 0} if the buffer has enough writable bytes, and its capacity is unchanged.
     *         {@code 1} if the buffer does not have enough bytes, and its capacity is unchanged.
     *         {@code 2} if the buffer has enough writable bytes, and its capacity has been increased.
     *         {@code 3} if the buffer does not have enough bytes, but its capacity has been
     *                   increased to its maximum.
     */
    public abstract int ensureWritable(int minWritableBytes, boolean force);

    
Gets a boolean at the specified absolute (@code index) in this buffer. This method does not modify the readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a boolean at the specified absolute (@code index) in this buffer.
     * This method does not modify the {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex}
     * of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 1} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract boolean getBoolean(int index);

    
Gets a byte at the specified absolute index in this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a byte at the specified absolute {@code index} in this buffer.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 1} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract byte  getByte(int index);

    
Gets an unsigned byte at the specified absolute index in this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets an unsigned byte at the specified absolute {@code index} in this
     * buffer.  This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or
     * {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 1} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract short getUnsignedByte(int index);

    
Gets a 16-bit short integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 16-bit short integer at the specified absolute {@code index} in
     * this buffer.  This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or
     * {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 2} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract short getShort(int index);

    
Gets a 16-bit short integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 16-bit short integer at the specified absolute {@code index} in
     * this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order. This method does not modify
     * {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 2} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract short getShortLE(int index);

    
Gets an unsigned 16-bit short integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets an unsigned 16-bit short integer at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer.  This method does not modify
     * {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 2} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract int getUnsignedShort(int index);

    
Gets an unsigned 16-bit short integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets an unsigned 16-bit short integer at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or
     * {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 2} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract int getUnsignedShortLE(int index);

    
Gets a 24-bit medium integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 24-bit medium integer at the specified absolute {@code index} in
     * this buffer.  This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or
     * {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 3} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract int   getMedium(int index);

    
Gets a 24-bit medium integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer in the Little Endian Byte Order. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 24-bit medium integer at the specified absolute {@code index} in
     * this buffer in the Little Endian Byte Order. This method does not
     * modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 3} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract int getMediumLE(int index);

    
Gets an unsigned 24-bit medium integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets an unsigned 24-bit medium integer at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer.  This method does not modify
     * {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 3} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract int   getUnsignedMedium(int index);

    
Gets an unsigned 24-bit medium integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets an unsigned 24-bit medium integer at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or
     * {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 3} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract int   getUnsignedMediumLE(int index);

    
Gets a 32-bit integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 32-bit integer at the specified absolute {@code index} in
     * this buffer.  This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or
     * {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 4} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract int   getInt(int index);

    
Gets a 32-bit integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer with Little Endian Byte Order. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 32-bit integer at the specified absolute {@code index} in
     * this buffer with Little Endian Byte Order. This method does not
     * modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 4} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract int   getIntLE(int index);

    
Gets an unsigned 32-bit integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets an unsigned 32-bit integer at the specified absolute {@code index}
     * in this buffer.  This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or
     * {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 4} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract long  getUnsignedInt(int index);

    
Gets an unsigned 32-bit integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets an unsigned 32-bit integer at the specified absolute {@code index}
     * in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order. This method does not
     * modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 4} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract long  getUnsignedIntLE(int index);

    
Gets a 64-bit long integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 64-bit long integer at the specified absolute {@code index} in
     * this buffer.  This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or
     * {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 8} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract long  getLong(int index);

    
Gets a 64-bit long integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 64-bit long integer at the specified absolute {@code index} in
     * this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order. This method does not
     * modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 8} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract long  getLongLE(int index);

    
Gets a 2-byte UTF-16 character at the specified absolute index in this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 2-byte UTF-16 character at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer.  This method does not modify
     * {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 2} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract char  getChar(int index);

    
Gets a 32-bit floating point number at the specified absolute index in this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 32-bit floating point number at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer.  This method does not modify
     * {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 4} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract float getFloat(int index);

    
Gets a 32-bit floating point number at the specified absolute index in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 32-bit floating point number at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or
     * {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 4} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public float getFloatLE(int index) {
        return Float.intBitsToFloat(getIntLE(index));
    }

    
Gets a 64-bit floating point number at the specified absolute index in this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 64-bit floating point number at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer.  This method does not modify
     * {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 8} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract double getDouble(int index);

    
Gets a 64-bit floating point number at the specified absolute index in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 64-bit floating point number at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or
     * {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 8} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public double getDoubleLE(int index) {
        return Double.longBitsToDouble(getLongLE(index));
    }

    
Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at the specified absolute index until the destination becomes non-writable. This method is basically same with getBytes(int, ByteBuf, int, int), except that this method increases the writerIndex of the destination by the number of the transferred bytes while getBytes(int, ByteBuf, int, int) does not. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of the source buffer (i.e. this). 
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified index is less than 0 or if index + dst.writableBytes is greater than this.capacity
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at
     * the specified absolute {@code index} until the destination becomes
     * non-writable.  This method is basically same with
     * {@link #getBytes(int, ByteBuf, int, int)}, except that this
     * method increases the {@code writerIndex} of the destination by the
     * number of the transferred bytes while
     * {@link #getBytes(int, ByteBuf, int, int)} does not.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * the source buffer (i.e. {@code this}).
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         if {@code index + dst.writableBytes} is greater than
     *            {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf getBytes(int index, ByteBuf dst);

    
Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at the specified absolute index. This method is basically same with getBytes(int, ByteBuf, int, int), except that this method increases the writerIndex of the destination by the number of the transferred bytes while getBytes(int, ByteBuf, int, int) does not. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of the source buffer (i.e. this). 
Params:
  • length – the number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified index is less than 0, if index + length is greater than this.capacity, or if length is greater than dst.writableBytes
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at
     * the specified absolute {@code index}.  This method is basically same
     * with {@link #getBytes(int, ByteBuf, int, int)}, except that this
     * method increases the {@code writerIndex} of the destination by the
     * number of the transferred bytes while
     * {@link #getBytes(int, ByteBuf, int, int)} does not.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * the source buffer (i.e. {@code this}).
     *
     * @param length the number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0},
     *         if {@code index + length} is greater than
     *            {@code this.capacity}, or
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code dst.writableBytes}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf getBytes(int index, ByteBuf dst, int length);

    
Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at the specified absolute index. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of both the source (i.e. this) and the destination. 
Params:
  • dstIndex – the first index of the destination
  • length –   the number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified index is less than 0, if the specified dstIndex is less than 0, if index + length is greater than this.capacity, or if dstIndex + length is greater than dst.capacity
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at
     * the specified absolute {@code index}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex}
     * of both the source (i.e. {@code this}) and the destination.
     *
     * @param dstIndex the first index of the destination
     * @param length   the number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0},
     *         if the specified {@code dstIndex} is less than {@code 0},
     *         if {@code index + length} is greater than
     *            {@code this.capacity}, or
     *         if {@code dstIndex + length} is greater than
     *            {@code dst.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf getBytes(int index, ByteBuf dst, int dstIndex, int length);

    
Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at the specified absolute index. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer 
Throws:
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at
     * the specified absolute {@code index}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         if {@code index + dst.length} is greater than
     *            {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf getBytes(int index, byte[] dst);

    
Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at the specified absolute index. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Params:
  • dstIndex – the first index of the destination
  • length –   the number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified index is less than 0, if the specified dstIndex is less than 0, if index + length is greater than this.capacity, or if dstIndex + length is greater than dst.length
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at
     * the specified absolute {@code index}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex}
     * of this buffer.
     *
     * @param dstIndex the first index of the destination
     * @param length   the number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0},
     *         if the specified {@code dstIndex} is less than {@code 0},
     *         if {@code index + length} is greater than
     *            {@code this.capacity}, or
     *         if {@code dstIndex + length} is greater than
     *            {@code dst.length}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf getBytes(int index, byte[] dst, int dstIndex, int length);

    
Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at the specified absolute index until the destination's position reaches its limit. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer while the destination's position will be increased. 
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified index is less than 0 or if index + dst.remaining() is greater than this.capacity
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at
     * the specified absolute {@code index} until the destination's position
     * reaches its limit.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer while the destination's {@code position} will be increased.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         if {@code index + dst.remaining()} is greater than
     *            {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf getBytes(int index, ByteBuffer dst);

    
Transfers this buffer's data to the specified stream starting at the specified absolute index. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Params:
  • length – the number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified index is less than 0 or if index + length is greater than this.capacity
  • IOException – 
        if the specified stream threw an exception during I/O
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data to the specified stream starting at the
     * specified absolute {@code index}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @param length the number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         if {@code index + length} is greater than
     *            {@code this.capacity}
     * @throws IOException
     *         if the specified stream threw an exception during I/O
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf getBytes(int index, OutputStream out, int length) throws IOException;

    
Transfers this buffer's data to the specified channel starting at the specified absolute index. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Params:
  • length – the maximum number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified index is less than 0 or if index + length is greater than this.capacity
  • IOException – 
        if the specified channel threw an exception during I/O
Returns:the actual number of bytes written out to the specified channel
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data to the specified channel starting at the
     * specified absolute {@code index}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @param length the maximum number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @return the actual number of bytes written out to the specified channel
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         if {@code index + length} is greater than
     *            {@code this.capacity}
     * @throws IOException
     *         if the specified channel threw an exception during I/O
     */
    public abstract int getBytes(int index, GatheringByteChannel out, int length) throws IOException;

    
Transfers this buffer's data starting at the specified absolute index to the specified channel starting at the given file position. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. This method does not modify the channel's position. 
Params:
  • position – the file position at which the transfer is to begin
  • length – the maximum number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified index is less than 0 or if index + length is greater than this.capacity
  • IOException – 
        if the specified channel threw an exception during I/O
Returns:the actual number of bytes written out to the specified channel
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data starting at the specified absolute {@code index}
     * to the specified channel starting at the given file position.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer. This method does not modify the channel's position.
     *
     * @param position the file position at which the transfer is to begin
     * @param length the maximum number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @return the actual number of bytes written out to the specified channel
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         if {@code index + length} is greater than
     *            {@code this.capacity}
     * @throws IOException
     *         if the specified channel threw an exception during I/O
     */
    public abstract int getBytes(int index, FileChannel out, long position, int length) throws IOException;

    
Gets a CharSequence with the given length at the given index. 
Params:
  • length – the length to read
  • charset – that should be used
Throws:
Returns:the sequence
/**
     * Gets a {@link CharSequence} with the given length at the given index.
     *
     * @param length the length to read
     * @param charset that should be used
     * @return the sequence
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.readableBytes}
     */
    public abstract CharSequence getCharSequence(int index, int length, Charset charset);

    
Sets the specified boolean at the specified absolute index in this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified boolean at the specified absolute {@code index} in this
     * buffer.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 1} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setBoolean(int index, boolean value);

    
Sets the specified byte at the specified absolute index in this buffer. The 24 high-order bits of the specified value are ignored. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified byte at the specified absolute {@code index} in this
     * buffer.  The 24 high-order bits of the specified value are ignored.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 1} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setByte(int index, int value);

    
Sets the specified 16-bit short integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer. The 16 high-order bits of the specified value are ignored. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 16-bit short integer at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer.  The 16 high-order bits of the specified
     * value are ignored.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 2} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setShort(int index, int value);

    
Sets the specified 16-bit short integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer with the Little Endian Byte Order. The 16 high-order bits of the specified value are ignored. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 16-bit short integer at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer with the Little Endian Byte Order.
     * The 16 high-order bits of the specified value are ignored.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 2} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setShortLE(int index, int value);

    
Sets the specified 24-bit medium integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer. Please note that the most significant byte is ignored in the specified value. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 24-bit medium integer at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer.  Please note that the most significant
     * byte is ignored in the specified value.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 3} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setMedium(int index, int value);

    
Sets the specified 24-bit medium integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer in the Little Endian Byte Order. Please note that the most significant byte is ignored in the specified value. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 24-bit medium integer at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer in the Little Endian Byte Order.
     * Please note that the most significant byte is ignored in the
     * specified value.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 3} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setMediumLE(int index, int value);

    
Sets the specified 32-bit integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 32-bit integer at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 4} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setInt(int index, int value);

    
Sets the specified 32-bit integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer with Little Endian byte order . This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 32-bit integer at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer with Little Endian byte order
     * .
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 4} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setIntLE(int index, int value);

    
Sets the specified 64-bit long integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 64-bit long integer at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 8} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setLong(int index, long value);

    
Sets the specified 64-bit long integer at the specified absolute index in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 64-bit long integer at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 8} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setLongLE(int index, long value);

    
Sets the specified 2-byte UTF-16 character at the specified absolute index in this buffer. The 16 high-order bits of the specified value are ignored. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 2-byte UTF-16 character at the specified absolute
     * {@code index} in this buffer.
     * The 16 high-order bits of the specified value are ignored.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 2} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setChar(int index, int value);

    
Sets the specified 32-bit floating-point number at the specified absolute index in this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 32-bit floating-point number at the specified
     * absolute {@code index} in this buffer.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 4} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setFloat(int index, float value);

    
Sets the specified 32-bit floating-point number at the specified absolute index in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 32-bit floating-point number at the specified
     * absolute {@code index} in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 4} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public ByteBuf setFloatLE(int index, float value) {
        return setIntLE(index, Float.floatToRawIntBits(value));
    }

    
Sets the specified 64-bit floating-point number at the specified absolute index in this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 64-bit floating-point number at the specified
     * absolute {@code index} in this buffer.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 8} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setDouble(int index, double value);

    
Sets the specified 64-bit floating-point number at the specified absolute index in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 64-bit floating-point number at the specified
     * absolute {@code index} in this buffer in Little Endian Byte Order.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         {@code index + 8} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public ByteBuf setDoubleLE(int index, double value) {
        return setLongLE(index, Double.doubleToRawLongBits(value));
    }

    
Transfers the specified source buffer's data to this buffer starting at the specified absolute index until the source buffer becomes unreadable. This method is basically same with setBytes(int, ByteBuf, int, int), except that this method increases the readerIndex of the source buffer by the number of the transferred bytes while setBytes(int, ByteBuf, int, int) does not. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of the source buffer (i.e. this). 
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified index is less than 0 or if index + src.readableBytes is greater than this.capacity
/**
     * Transfers the specified source buffer's data to this buffer starting at
     * the specified absolute {@code index} until the source buffer becomes
     * unreadable.  This method is basically same with
     * {@link #setBytes(int, ByteBuf, int, int)}, except that this
     * method increases the {@code readerIndex} of the source buffer by
     * the number of the transferred bytes while
     * {@link #setBytes(int, ByteBuf, int, int)} does not.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * the source buffer (i.e. {@code this}).
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         if {@code index + src.readableBytes} is greater than
     *            {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setBytes(int index, ByteBuf src);

    
Transfers the specified source buffer's data to this buffer starting at the specified absolute index. This method is basically same with setBytes(int, ByteBuf, int, int), except that this method increases the readerIndex of the source buffer by the number of the transferred bytes while setBytes(int, ByteBuf, int, int) does not. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of the source buffer (i.e. this). 
Params:
  • length – the number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified index is less than 0, if index + length is greater than this.capacity, or if length is greater than src.readableBytes
/**
     * Transfers the specified source buffer's data to this buffer starting at
     * the specified absolute {@code index}.  This method is basically same
     * with {@link #setBytes(int, ByteBuf, int, int)}, except that this
     * method increases the {@code readerIndex} of the source buffer by
     * the number of the transferred bytes while
     * {@link #setBytes(int, ByteBuf, int, int)} does not.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * the source buffer (i.e. {@code this}).
     *
     * @param length the number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0},
     *         if {@code index + length} is greater than
     *            {@code this.capacity}, or
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code src.readableBytes}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setBytes(int index, ByteBuf src, int length);

    
Transfers the specified source buffer's data to this buffer starting at the specified absolute index. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of both the source (i.e. this) and the destination. 
Params:
  • srcIndex – the first index of the source
  • length –   the number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified index is less than 0, if the specified srcIndex is less than 0, if index + length is greater than this.capacity, or if srcIndex + length is greater than src.capacity
/**
     * Transfers the specified source buffer's data to this buffer starting at
     * the specified absolute {@code index}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex}
     * of both the source (i.e. {@code this}) and the destination.
     *
     * @param srcIndex the first index of the source
     * @param length   the number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0},
     *         if the specified {@code srcIndex} is less than {@code 0},
     *         if {@code index + length} is greater than
     *            {@code this.capacity}, or
     *         if {@code srcIndex + length} is greater than
     *            {@code src.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setBytes(int index, ByteBuf src, int srcIndex, int length);

    
Transfers the specified source array's data to this buffer starting at the specified absolute index. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Transfers the specified source array's data to this buffer starting at
     * the specified absolute {@code index}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         if {@code index + src.length} is greater than
     *            {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setBytes(int index, byte[] src);

    
Transfers the specified source array's data to this buffer starting at the specified absolute index. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified index is less than 0, if the specified srcIndex is less than 0, if index + length is greater than this.capacity, or if srcIndex + length is greater than src.length
/**
     * Transfers the specified source array's data to this buffer starting at
     * the specified absolute {@code index}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0},
     *         if the specified {@code srcIndex} is less than {@code 0},
     *         if {@code index + length} is greater than
     *            {@code this.capacity}, or
     *         if {@code srcIndex + length} is greater than {@code src.length}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setBytes(int index, byte[] src, int srcIndex, int length);

    
Transfers the specified source buffer's data to this buffer starting at the specified absolute index until the source buffer's position reaches its limit. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified index is less than 0 or if index + src.remaining() is greater than this.capacity
/**
     * Transfers the specified source buffer's data to this buffer starting at
     * the specified absolute {@code index} until the source buffer's position
     * reaches its limit.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         if {@code index + src.remaining()} is greater than
     *            {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setBytes(int index, ByteBuffer src);

    
Transfers the content of the specified source stream to this buffer starting at the specified absolute index. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Params:
  • length – the number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified index is less than 0 or if index + length is greater than this.capacity
  • IOException – 
        if the specified stream threw an exception during I/O
Returns:the actual number of bytes read in from the specified channel. -1 if the specified channel is closed.
/**
     * Transfers the content of the specified source stream to this buffer
     * starting at the specified absolute {@code index}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @param length the number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @return the actual number of bytes read in from the specified channel.
     *         {@code -1} if the specified channel is closed.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         if {@code index + length} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     * @throws IOException
     *         if the specified stream threw an exception during I/O
     */
    public abstract int setBytes(int index, InputStream in, int length) throws IOException;

    
Transfers the content of the specified source channel to this buffer starting at the specified absolute index. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Params:
  • length – the maximum number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified index is less than 0 or if index + length is greater than this.capacity
  • IOException – 
        if the specified channel threw an exception during I/O
Returns:the actual number of bytes read in from the specified channel. -1 if the specified channel is closed.
/**
     * Transfers the content of the specified source channel to this buffer
     * starting at the specified absolute {@code index}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @param length the maximum number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @return the actual number of bytes read in from the specified channel.
     *         {@code -1} if the specified channel is closed.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         if {@code index + length} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     * @throws IOException
     *         if the specified channel threw an exception during I/O
     */
    public abstract int setBytes(int index, ScatteringByteChannel in, int length) throws IOException;

    
Transfers the content of the specified source channel starting at the given file position to this buffer starting at the specified absolute index. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. This method does not modify the channel's position. 
Params:
  • position – the file position at which the transfer is to begin
  • length – the maximum number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified index is less than 0 or if index + length is greater than this.capacity
  • IOException – 
        if the specified channel threw an exception during I/O
Returns:the actual number of bytes read in from the specified channel. -1 if the specified channel is closed.
/**
     * Transfers the content of the specified source channel starting at the given file position
     * to this buffer starting at the specified absolute {@code index}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer. This method does not modify the channel's position.
     *
     * @param position the file position at which the transfer is to begin
     * @param length the maximum number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @return the actual number of bytes read in from the specified channel.
     *         {@code -1} if the specified channel is closed.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         if {@code index + length} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     * @throws IOException
     *         if the specified channel threw an exception during I/O
     */
    public abstract int setBytes(int index, FileChannel in, long position, int length) throws IOException;

    
Fills this buffer with NUL (0x00) starting at the specified absolute index. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Params:
  • length – the number of NULs to write to the buffer
Throws:
/**
     * Fills this buffer with <tt>NUL (0x00)</tt> starting at the specified
     * absolute {@code index}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @param length the number of <tt>NUL</tt>s to write to the buffer
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code index} is less than {@code 0} or
     *         if {@code index + length} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf setZero(int index, int length);

    
Writes the specified CharSequence at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by the written bytes. 
Params:
  • index – on which the sequence should be written
  • sequence – to write
  • charset – that should be used.
Throws:
Returns:the written number of bytes.
/**
     * Writes the specified {@link CharSequence} at the current {@code writerIndex} and increases
     * the {@code writerIndex} by the written bytes.
     *
     * @param index on which the sequence should be written
     * @param sequence to write
     * @param charset that should be used.
     * @return the written number of bytes.
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.writableBytes} is not large enough to write the whole sequence
     */
    public abstract int setCharSequence(int index, CharSequence sequence, Charset charset);

    
Gets a boolean at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by 1 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a boolean at the current {@code readerIndex} and increases
     * the {@code readerIndex} by {@code 1} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 1}
     */
    public abstract boolean readBoolean();

    
Gets a byte at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by 1 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a byte at the current {@code readerIndex} and increases
     * the {@code readerIndex} by {@code 1} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 1}
     */
    public abstract byte  readByte();

    
Gets an unsigned byte at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by 1 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets an unsigned byte at the current {@code readerIndex} and increases
     * the {@code readerIndex} by {@code 1} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 1}
     */
    public abstract short readUnsignedByte();

    
Gets a 16-bit short integer at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by 2 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 16-bit short integer at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * and increases the {@code readerIndex} by {@code 2} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 2}
     */
    public abstract short readShort();

    
Gets a 16-bit short integer at the current readerIndex in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the readerIndex by 2 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 16-bit short integer at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the {@code readerIndex}
     * by {@code 2} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 2}
     */
    public abstract short readShortLE();

    
Gets an unsigned 16-bit short integer at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by 2 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets an unsigned 16-bit short integer at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * and increases the {@code readerIndex} by {@code 2} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 2}
     */
    public abstract int   readUnsignedShort();

    
Gets an unsigned 16-bit short integer at the current readerIndex in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the readerIndex by 2 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets an unsigned 16-bit short integer at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the {@code readerIndex}
     * by {@code 2} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 2}
     */
    public abstract int   readUnsignedShortLE();

    
Gets a 24-bit medium integer at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by 3 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 24-bit medium integer at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * and increases the {@code readerIndex} by {@code 3} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 3}
     */
    public abstract int   readMedium();

    
Gets a 24-bit medium integer at the current readerIndex in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the readerIndex by 3 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 24-bit medium integer at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the
     * {@code readerIndex} by {@code 3} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 3}
     */
    public abstract int   readMediumLE();

    
Gets an unsigned 24-bit medium integer at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by 3 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets an unsigned 24-bit medium integer at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * and increases the {@code readerIndex} by {@code 3} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 3}
     */
    public abstract int   readUnsignedMedium();

    
Gets an unsigned 24-bit medium integer at the current readerIndex in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the readerIndex by 3 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets an unsigned 24-bit medium integer at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the {@code readerIndex}
     * by {@code 3} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 3}
     */
    public abstract int   readUnsignedMediumLE();

    
Gets a 32-bit integer at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by 4 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 32-bit integer at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * and increases the {@code readerIndex} by {@code 4} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 4}
     */
    public abstract int   readInt();

    
Gets a 32-bit integer at the current readerIndex in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the readerIndex by 4 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 32-bit integer at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the {@code readerIndex}
     * by {@code 4} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 4}
     */
    public abstract int   readIntLE();

    
Gets an unsigned 32-bit integer at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by 4 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets an unsigned 32-bit integer at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * and increases the {@code readerIndex} by {@code 4} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 4}
     */
    public abstract long  readUnsignedInt();

    
Gets an unsigned 32-bit integer at the current readerIndex in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the readerIndex by 4 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets an unsigned 32-bit integer at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the {@code readerIndex}
     * by {@code 4} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 4}
     */
    public abstract long  readUnsignedIntLE();

    
Gets a 64-bit integer at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by 8 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 64-bit integer at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * and increases the {@code readerIndex} by {@code 8} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 8}
     */
    public abstract long  readLong();

    
Gets a 64-bit integer at the current readerIndex in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the readerIndex by 8 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 64-bit integer at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the {@code readerIndex}
     * by {@code 8} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 8}
     */
    public abstract long  readLongLE();

    
Gets a 2-byte UTF-16 character at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by 2 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 2-byte UTF-16 character at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * and increases the {@code readerIndex} by {@code 2} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 2}
     */
    public abstract char  readChar();

    
Gets a 32-bit floating point number at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by 4 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 32-bit floating point number at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * and increases the {@code readerIndex} by {@code 4} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 4}
     */
    public abstract float readFloat();

    
Gets a 32-bit floating point number at the current readerIndex in Little Endian Byte Order and increases the readerIndex by 4 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 32-bit floating point number at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * in Little Endian Byte Order and increases the {@code readerIndex}
     * by {@code 4} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 4}
     */
    public float readFloatLE() {
        return Float.intBitsToFloat(readIntLE());
    }

    
Gets a 64-bit floating point number at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by 8 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 64-bit floating point number at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * and increases the {@code readerIndex} by {@code 8} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 8}
     */
    public abstract double readDouble();

    
Gets a 64-bit floating point number at the current readerIndex in Little Endian Byte Order and increases the readerIndex by 8 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Gets a 64-bit floating point number at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * in Little Endian Byte Order and increases the {@code readerIndex}
     * by {@code 8} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.readableBytes} is less than {@code 8}
     */
    public double readDoubleLE() {
        return Double.longBitsToDouble(readLongLE());
    }

    
Transfers this buffer's data to a newly created buffer starting at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by the number of the transferred bytes (= length). The returned buffer's readerIndex and writerIndex are 0 and length respectively. 
Params:
  • length – the number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
Returns:the newly created buffer which contains the transferred bytes
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data to a newly created buffer starting at
     * the current {@code readerIndex} and increases the {@code readerIndex}
     * by the number of the transferred bytes (= {@code length}).
     * The returned buffer's {@code readerIndex} and {@code writerIndex} are
     * {@code 0} and {@code length} respectively.
     *
     * @param length the number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @return the newly created buffer which contains the transferred bytes
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.readableBytes}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf readBytes(int length);

    
Returns a new slice of this buffer's sub-region starting at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by the size of the new slice (= length). 
 Also be aware that this method will NOT call retain() and so the reference count will NOT be increased. 
Params:
  • length – the size of the new slice
Throws:
Returns:the newly created slice
/**
     * Returns a new slice of this buffer's sub-region starting at the current
     * {@code readerIndex} and increases the {@code readerIndex} by the size
     * of the new slice (= {@code length}).
     * <p>
     * Also be aware that this method will NOT call {@link #retain()} and so the
     * reference count will NOT be increased.
     *
     * @param length the size of the new slice
     *
     * @return the newly created slice
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.readableBytes}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf readSlice(int length);

    
Returns a new retained slice of this buffer's sub-region starting at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by the size of the new slice (= length). 
 Note that this method returns a retained buffer unlike readSlice(int). This method behaves similarly to readSlice(...).retain() except that this method may return a buffer implementation that produces less garbage. 
Params:
  • length – the size of the new slice
Throws:
Returns:the newly created slice
/**
     * Returns a new retained slice of this buffer's sub-region starting at the current
     * {@code readerIndex} and increases the {@code readerIndex} by the size
     * of the new slice (= {@code length}).
     * <p>
     * Note that this method returns a {@linkplain #retain() retained} buffer unlike {@link #readSlice(int)}.
     * This method behaves similarly to {@code readSlice(...).retain()} except that this method may return
     * a buffer implementation that produces less garbage.
     *
     * @param length the size of the new slice
     *
     * @return the newly created slice
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.readableBytes}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf readRetainedSlice(int length);

    
Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at the current readerIndex until the destination becomes non-writable, and increases the readerIndex by the number of the transferred bytes. This method is basically same with readBytes(ByteBuf, int, int), except that this method increases the writerIndex of the destination by the number of the transferred bytes while readBytes(ByteBuf, int, int) does not. 
Throws:
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at
     * the current {@code readerIndex} until the destination becomes
     * non-writable, and increases the {@code readerIndex} by the number of the
     * transferred bytes.  This method is basically same with
     * {@link #readBytes(ByteBuf, int, int)}, except that this method
     * increases the {@code writerIndex} of the destination by the number of
     * the transferred bytes while {@link #readBytes(ByteBuf, int, int)}
     * does not.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code dst.writableBytes} is greater than
     *            {@code this.readableBytes}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf readBytes(ByteBuf dst);

    
Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by the number of the transferred bytes (= length). This method is basically same with readBytes(ByteBuf, int, int), except that this method increases the writerIndex of the destination by the number of the transferred bytes (= length) while readBytes(ByteBuf, int, int) does not. 
Throws:
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at
     * the current {@code readerIndex} and increases the {@code readerIndex}
     * by the number of the transferred bytes (= {@code length}).  This method
     * is basically same with {@link #readBytes(ByteBuf, int, int)},
     * except that this method increases the {@code writerIndex} of the
     * destination by the number of the transferred bytes (= {@code length})
     * while {@link #readBytes(ByteBuf, int, int)} does not.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.readableBytes} or
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code dst.writableBytes}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf readBytes(ByteBuf dst, int length);

    
Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by the number of the transferred bytes (= length). 
Params:
  • dstIndex – the first index of the destination
  • length –   the number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified dstIndex is less than 0, if length is greater than this.readableBytes, or if dstIndex + length is greater than dst.capacity
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at
     * the current {@code readerIndex} and increases the {@code readerIndex}
     * by the number of the transferred bytes (= {@code length}).
     *
     * @param dstIndex the first index of the destination
     * @param length   the number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code dstIndex} is less than {@code 0},
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.readableBytes}, or
     *         if {@code dstIndex + length} is greater than
     *            {@code dst.capacity}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf readBytes(ByteBuf dst, int dstIndex, int length);

    
Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by the number of the transferred bytes (= dst.length). 
Throws:
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at
     * the current {@code readerIndex} and increases the {@code readerIndex}
     * by the number of the transferred bytes (= {@code dst.length}).
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code dst.length} is greater than {@code this.readableBytes}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf readBytes(byte[] dst);

    
Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by the number of the transferred bytes (= length). 
Params:
  • dstIndex – the first index of the destination
  • length –   the number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified dstIndex is less than 0, if length is greater than this.readableBytes, or if dstIndex + length is greater than dst.length
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at
     * the current {@code readerIndex} and increases the {@code readerIndex}
     * by the number of the transferred bytes (= {@code length}).
     *
     * @param dstIndex the first index of the destination
     * @param length   the number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code dstIndex} is less than {@code 0},
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.readableBytes}, or
     *         if {@code dstIndex + length} is greater than {@code dst.length}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf readBytes(byte[] dst, int dstIndex, int length);

    
Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at the current readerIndex until the destination's position reaches its limit, and increases the readerIndex by the number of the transferred bytes. 
Throws:
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data to the specified destination starting at
     * the current {@code readerIndex} until the destination's position
     * reaches its limit, and increases the {@code readerIndex} by the
     * number of the transferred bytes.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code dst.remaining()} is greater than
     *            {@code this.readableBytes}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf readBytes(ByteBuffer dst);

    
Transfers this buffer's data to the specified stream starting at the current readerIndex. 
Params:
  • length – the number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data to the specified stream starting at the
     * current {@code readerIndex}.
     *
     * @param length the number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.readableBytes}
     * @throws IOException
     *         if the specified stream threw an exception during I/O
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf readBytes(OutputStream out, int length) throws IOException;

    
Transfers this buffer's data to the specified stream starting at the current readerIndex. 
Params:
  • length – the maximum number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
Returns:the actual number of bytes written out to the specified channel
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data to the specified stream starting at the
     * current {@code readerIndex}.
     *
     * @param length the maximum number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @return the actual number of bytes written out to the specified channel
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.readableBytes}
     * @throws IOException
     *         if the specified channel threw an exception during I/O
     */
    public abstract int readBytes(GatheringByteChannel out, int length) throws IOException;

    
Gets a CharSequence with the given length at the current readerIndex and increases the readerIndex by the given length. 
Params:
  • length – the length to read
  • charset – that should be used
Throws:
Returns:the sequence
/**
     * Gets a {@link CharSequence} with the given length at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * and increases the {@code readerIndex} by the given length.
     *
     * @param length the length to read
     * @param charset that should be used
     * @return the sequence
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.readableBytes}
     */
    public abstract CharSequence readCharSequence(int length, Charset charset);

    
Transfers this buffer's data starting at the current readerIndex to the specified channel starting at the given file position. This method does not modify the channel's position. 
Params:
  • position – the file position at which the transfer is to begin
  • length – the maximum number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
Returns:the actual number of bytes written out to the specified channel
/**
     * Transfers this buffer's data starting at the current {@code readerIndex}
     * to the specified channel starting at the given file position.
     * This method does not modify the channel's position.
     *
     * @param position the file position at which the transfer is to begin
     * @param length the maximum number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @return the actual number of bytes written out to the specified channel
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.readableBytes}
     * @throws IOException
     *         if the specified channel threw an exception during I/O
     */
    public abstract int readBytes(FileChannel out, long position, int length) throws IOException;

    
Increases the current readerIndex by the specified length in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Increases the current {@code readerIndex} by the specified
     * {@code length} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.readableBytes}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf skipBytes(int length);

    
Sets the specified boolean at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by 1 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified boolean at the current {@code writerIndex}
     * and increases the {@code writerIndex} by {@code 1} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.writableBytes} is less than {@code 1}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeBoolean(boolean value);

    
Sets the specified byte at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by 1 in this buffer. The 24 high-order bits of the specified value are ignored. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified byte at the current {@code writerIndex}
     * and increases the {@code writerIndex} by {@code 1} in this buffer.
     * The 24 high-order bits of the specified value are ignored.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.writableBytes} is less than {@code 1}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeByte(int value);

    
Sets the specified 16-bit short integer at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by 2 in this buffer. The 16 high-order bits of the specified value are ignored. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 16-bit short integer at the current
     * {@code writerIndex} and increases the {@code writerIndex} by {@code 2}
     * in this buffer.  The 16 high-order bits of the specified value are ignored.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.writableBytes} is less than {@code 2}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeShort(int value);

    
Sets the specified 16-bit short integer in the Little Endian Byte Order at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by 2 in this buffer. The 16 high-order bits of the specified value are ignored. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 16-bit short integer in the Little Endian Byte
     * Order at the current {@code writerIndex} and increases the
     * {@code writerIndex} by {@code 2} in this buffer.
     * The 16 high-order bits of the specified value are ignored.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.writableBytes} is less than {@code 2}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeShortLE(int value);

    
Sets the specified 24-bit medium integer at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by 3 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 24-bit medium integer at the current
     * {@code writerIndex} and increases the {@code writerIndex} by {@code 3}
     * in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.writableBytes} is less than {@code 3}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeMedium(int value);

    
Sets the specified 24-bit medium integer at the current writerIndex in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the writerIndex by 3 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 24-bit medium integer at the current
     * {@code writerIndex} in the Little Endian Byte Order and
     * increases the {@code writerIndex} by {@code 3} in this
     * buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.writableBytes} is less than {@code 3}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeMediumLE(int value);

    
Sets the specified 32-bit integer at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by 4 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 32-bit integer at the current {@code writerIndex}
     * and increases the {@code writerIndex} by {@code 4} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.writableBytes} is less than {@code 4}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeInt(int value);

    
Sets the specified 32-bit integer at the current writerIndex in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the writerIndex by 4 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 32-bit integer at the current {@code writerIndex}
     * in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the {@code writerIndex}
     * by {@code 4} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.writableBytes} is less than {@code 4}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeIntLE(int value);

    
Sets the specified 64-bit long integer at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by 8 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 64-bit long integer at the current
     * {@code writerIndex} and increases the {@code writerIndex} by {@code 8}
     * in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.writableBytes} is less than {@code 8}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeLong(long value);

    
Sets the specified 64-bit long integer at the current writerIndex in the Little Endian Byte Order and increases the writerIndex by 8 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 64-bit long integer at the current
     * {@code writerIndex} in the Little Endian Byte Order and
     * increases the {@code writerIndex} by {@code 8}
     * in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.writableBytes} is less than {@code 8}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeLongLE(long value);

    
Sets the specified 2-byte UTF-16 character at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by 2 in this buffer. The 16 high-order bits of the specified value are ignored. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 2-byte UTF-16 character at the current
     * {@code writerIndex} and increases the {@code writerIndex} by {@code 2}
     * in this buffer.  The 16 high-order bits of the specified value are ignored.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.writableBytes} is less than {@code 2}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeChar(int value);

    
Sets the specified 32-bit floating point number at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by 4 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 32-bit floating point number at the current
     * {@code writerIndex} and increases the {@code writerIndex} by {@code 4}
     * in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.writableBytes} is less than {@code 4}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeFloat(float value);

    
Sets the specified 32-bit floating point number at the current writerIndex in Little Endian Byte Order and increases the writerIndex by 4 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 32-bit floating point number at the current
     * {@code writerIndex} in Little Endian Byte Order and increases
     * the {@code writerIndex} by {@code 4} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.writableBytes} is less than {@code 4}
     */
    public ByteBuf writeFloatLE(float value) {
        return writeIntLE(Float.floatToRawIntBits(value));
    }

    
Sets the specified 64-bit floating point number at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by 8 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 64-bit floating point number at the current
     * {@code writerIndex} and increases the {@code writerIndex} by {@code 8}
     * in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.writableBytes} is less than {@code 8}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeDouble(double value);

    
Sets the specified 64-bit floating point number at the current writerIndex in Little Endian Byte Order and increases the writerIndex by 8 in this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Sets the specified 64-bit floating point number at the current
     * {@code writerIndex} in Little Endian Byte Order and increases
     * the {@code writerIndex} by {@code 8} in this buffer.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.writableBytes} is less than {@code 8}
     */
    public ByteBuf writeDoubleLE(double value) {
        return writeLongLE(Double.doubleToRawLongBits(value));
    }

    
Transfers the specified source buffer's data to this buffer starting at the current writerIndex until the source buffer becomes unreadable, and increases the writerIndex by the number of the transferred bytes. This method is basically same with writeBytes(ByteBuf, int, int), except that this method increases the readerIndex of the source buffer by the number of the transferred bytes while writeBytes(ByteBuf, int, int) does not. 
Throws:
/**
     * Transfers the specified source buffer's data to this buffer starting at
     * the current {@code writerIndex} until the source buffer becomes
     * unreadable, and increases the {@code writerIndex} by the number of
     * the transferred bytes.  This method is basically same with
     * {@link #writeBytes(ByteBuf, int, int)}, except that this method
     * increases the {@code readerIndex} of the source buffer by the number of
     * the transferred bytes while {@link #writeBytes(ByteBuf, int, int)}
     * does not.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code src.readableBytes} is greater than
     *            {@code this.writableBytes}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeBytes(ByteBuf src);

    
Transfers the specified source buffer's data to this buffer starting at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by the number of the transferred bytes (= length). This method is basically same with writeBytes(ByteBuf, int, int), except that this method increases the readerIndex of the source buffer by the number of the transferred bytes (= length) while writeBytes(ByteBuf, int, int) does not. 
Params:
  • length – the number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
/**
     * Transfers the specified source buffer's data to this buffer starting at
     * the current {@code writerIndex} and increases the {@code writerIndex}
     * by the number of the transferred bytes (= {@code length}).  This method
     * is basically same with {@link #writeBytes(ByteBuf, int, int)},
     * except that this method increases the {@code readerIndex} of the source
     * buffer by the number of the transferred bytes (= {@code length}) while
     * {@link #writeBytes(ByteBuf, int, int)} does not.
     *
     * @param length the number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.writableBytes} or
     *         if {@code length} is greater then {@code src.readableBytes}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeBytes(ByteBuf src, int length);

    
Transfers the specified source buffer's data to this buffer starting at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by the number of the transferred bytes (= length). 
Params:
  • srcIndex – the first index of the source
  • length –   the number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified srcIndex is less than 0, if srcIndex + length is greater than src.capacity, or if length is greater than this.writableBytes
/**
     * Transfers the specified source buffer's data to this buffer starting at
     * the current {@code writerIndex} and increases the {@code writerIndex}
     * by the number of the transferred bytes (= {@code length}).
     *
     * @param srcIndex the first index of the source
     * @param length   the number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code srcIndex} is less than {@code 0},
     *         if {@code srcIndex + length} is greater than
     *            {@code src.capacity}, or
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.writableBytes}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeBytes(ByteBuf src, int srcIndex, int length);

    
Transfers the specified source array's data to this buffer starting at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by the number of the transferred bytes (= src.length). 
Throws:
/**
     * Transfers the specified source array's data to this buffer starting at
     * the current {@code writerIndex} and increases the {@code writerIndex}
     * by the number of the transferred bytes (= {@code src.length}).
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code src.length} is greater than {@code this.writableBytes}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeBytes(byte[] src);

    
Transfers the specified source array's data to this buffer starting at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by the number of the transferred bytes (= length). 
Params:
  • srcIndex – the first index of the source
  • length –   the number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
  • IndexOutOfBoundsException –  if the specified srcIndex is less than 0, if srcIndex + length is greater than src.length, or if length is greater than this.writableBytes
/**
     * Transfers the specified source array's data to this buffer starting at
     * the current {@code writerIndex} and increases the {@code writerIndex}
     * by the number of the transferred bytes (= {@code length}).
     *
     * @param srcIndex the first index of the source
     * @param length   the number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if the specified {@code srcIndex} is less than {@code 0},
     *         if {@code srcIndex + length} is greater than
     *            {@code src.length}, or
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.writableBytes}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeBytes(byte[] src, int srcIndex, int length);

    
Transfers the specified source buffer's data to this buffer starting at the current writerIndex until the source buffer's position reaches its limit, and increases the writerIndex by the number of the transferred bytes. 
Throws:
/**
     * Transfers the specified source buffer's data to this buffer starting at
     * the current {@code writerIndex} until the source buffer's position
     * reaches its limit, and increases the {@code writerIndex} by the
     * number of the transferred bytes.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code src.remaining()} is greater than
     *            {@code this.writableBytes}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeBytes(ByteBuffer src);

    
Transfers the content of the specified stream to this buffer starting at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by the number of the transferred bytes. 
Params:
  • length – the number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
Returns:the actual number of bytes read in from the specified stream
/**
     * Transfers the content of the specified stream to this buffer
     * starting at the current {@code writerIndex} and increases the
     * {@code writerIndex} by the number of the transferred bytes.
     *
     * @param length the number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @return the actual number of bytes read in from the specified stream
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.writableBytes}
     * @throws IOException
     *         if the specified stream threw an exception during I/O
     */
    public abstract int  writeBytes(InputStream in, int length) throws IOException;

    
Transfers the content of the specified channel to this buffer starting at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by the number of the transferred bytes. 
Params:
  • length – the maximum number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
Returns:the actual number of bytes read in from the specified channel
/**
     * Transfers the content of the specified channel to this buffer
     * starting at the current {@code writerIndex} and increases the
     * {@code writerIndex} by the number of the transferred bytes.
     *
     * @param length the maximum number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @return the actual number of bytes read in from the specified channel
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.writableBytes}
     * @throws IOException
     *         if the specified channel threw an exception during I/O
     */
    public abstract int writeBytes(ScatteringByteChannel in, int length) throws IOException;

    
Transfers the content of the specified channel starting at the given file position to this buffer starting at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by the number of the transferred bytes. This method does not modify the channel's position. 
Params:
  • position – the file position at which the transfer is to begin
  • length – the maximum number of bytes to transfer
Throws:
Returns:the actual number of bytes read in from the specified channel
/**
     * Transfers the content of the specified channel starting at the given file position
     * to this buffer starting at the current {@code writerIndex} and increases the
     * {@code writerIndex} by the number of the transferred bytes.
     * This method does not modify the channel's position.
     *
     * @param position the file position at which the transfer is to begin
     * @param length the maximum number of bytes to transfer
     *
     * @return the actual number of bytes read in from the specified channel
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.writableBytes}
     * @throws IOException
     *         if the specified channel threw an exception during I/O
     */
    public abstract int writeBytes(FileChannel in, long position, int length) throws IOException;

    
Fills this buffer with NUL (0x00) starting at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by the specified length. 
Params:
  • length – the number of NULs to write to the buffer
Throws:
/**
     * Fills this buffer with <tt>NUL (0x00)</tt> starting at the current
     * {@code writerIndex} and increases the {@code writerIndex} by the
     * specified {@code length}.
     *
     * @param length the number of <tt>NUL</tt>s to write to the buffer
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.writableBytes}
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf writeZero(int length);

    
Writes the specified CharSequence at the current writerIndex and increases the writerIndex by the written bytes. in this buffer. 
Params:
  • sequence – to write
  • charset – that should be used
Throws:
Returns:the written number of bytes
/**
     * Writes the specified {@link CharSequence} at the current {@code writerIndex} and increases
     * the {@code writerIndex} by the written bytes.
     * in this buffer.
     *
     * @param sequence to write
     * @param charset that should be used
     * @return the written number of bytes
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code this.writableBytes} is not large enough to write the whole sequence
     */
    public abstract int writeCharSequence(CharSequence sequence, Charset charset);

    
Locates the first occurrence of the specified value in this buffer. The search takes place from the specified fromIndex (inclusive) to the specified toIndex (exclusive). 
 If fromIndex is greater than toIndex, the search is performed in a reversed order. 
 This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Returns:the absolute index of the first occurrence if found. -1 otherwise.
/**
     * Locates the first occurrence of the specified {@code value} in this
     * buffer.  The search takes place from the specified {@code fromIndex}
     * (inclusive)  to the specified {@code toIndex} (exclusive).
     * <p>
     * If {@code fromIndex} is greater than {@code toIndex}, the search is
     * performed in a reversed order.
     * <p>
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @return the absolute index of the first occurrence if found.
     *         {@code -1} otherwise.
     */
    public abstract int indexOf(int fromIndex, int toIndex, byte value);

    
Locates the first occurrence of the specified value in this buffer. The search takes place from the current readerIndex (inclusive) to the current writerIndex (exclusive). 
 This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Returns:the number of bytes between the current readerIndex and the first occurrence if found. -1 otherwise.
/**
     * Locates the first occurrence of the specified {@code value} in this
     * buffer.  The search takes place from the current {@code readerIndex}
     * (inclusive) to the current {@code writerIndex} (exclusive).
     * <p>
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @return the number of bytes between the current {@code readerIndex}
     *         and the first occurrence if found. {@code -1} otherwise.
     */
    public abstract int bytesBefore(byte value);

    
Locates the first occurrence of the specified value in this buffer. The search starts from the current readerIndex (inclusive) and lasts for the specified length. 
 This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
Returns:the number of bytes between the current readerIndex and the first occurrence if found. -1 otherwise.
/**
     * Locates the first occurrence of the specified {@code value} in this
     * buffer.  The search starts from the current {@code readerIndex}
     * (inclusive) and lasts for the specified {@code length}.
     * <p>
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @return the number of bytes between the current {@code readerIndex}
     *         and the first occurrence if found. {@code -1} otherwise.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code length} is greater than {@code this.readableBytes}
     */
    public abstract int bytesBefore(int length, byte value);

    
Locates the first occurrence of the specified value in this buffer. The search starts from the specified index (inclusive) and lasts for the specified length. 
 This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
Returns:the number of bytes between the specified index and the first occurrence if found. -1 otherwise.
/**
     * Locates the first occurrence of the specified {@code value} in this
     * buffer.  The search starts from the specified {@code index} (inclusive)
     * and lasts for the specified {@code length}.
     * <p>
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @return the number of bytes between the specified {@code index}
     *         and the first occurrence if found. {@code -1} otherwise.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
     *         if {@code index + length} is greater than {@code this.capacity}
     */
    public abstract int bytesBefore(int index, int length, byte value);

    
Iterates over the readable bytes of this buffer with the specified processor in ascending order. 
Returns:-1 if the processor iterated to or beyond the end of the readable bytes. The last-visited index If the ByteProcessor.process(byte) returned false.
/**
     * Iterates over the readable bytes of this buffer with the specified {@code processor} in ascending order.
     *
     * @return {@code -1} if the processor iterated to or beyond the end of the readable bytes.
     *         The last-visited index If the {@link ByteProcessor#process(byte)} returned {@code false}.
     */
    public abstract int forEachByte(ByteProcessor processor);

    
Iterates over the specified area of this buffer with the specified processor in ascending order. (i.e. index, (index + 1), .. (index + length - 1)) 
Returns:-1 if the processor iterated to or beyond the end of the specified area. The last-visited index If the ByteProcessor.process(byte) returned false.
/**
     * Iterates over the specified area of this buffer with the specified {@code processor} in ascending order.
     * (i.e. {@code index}, {@code (index + 1)},  .. {@code (index + length - 1)})
     *
     * @return {@code -1} if the processor iterated to or beyond the end of the specified area.
     *         The last-visited index If the {@link ByteProcessor#process(byte)} returned {@code false}.
     */
    public abstract int forEachByte(int index, int length, ByteProcessor processor);

    
Iterates over the readable bytes of this buffer with the specified processor in descending order. 
Returns:-1 if the processor iterated to or beyond the beginning of the readable bytes. The last-visited index If the ByteProcessor.process(byte) returned false.
/**
     * Iterates over the readable bytes of this buffer with the specified {@code processor} in descending order.
     *
     * @return {@code -1} if the processor iterated to or beyond the beginning of the readable bytes.
     *         The last-visited index If the {@link ByteProcessor#process(byte)} returned {@code false}.
     */
    public abstract int forEachByteDesc(ByteProcessor processor);

    
Iterates over the specified area of this buffer with the specified processor in descending order. (i.e. (index + length - 1), (index + length - 2), ... index) 
Returns:-1 if the processor iterated to or beyond the beginning of the specified area. The last-visited index If the ByteProcessor.process(byte) returned false.
/**
     * Iterates over the specified area of this buffer with the specified {@code processor} in descending order.
     * (i.e. {@code (index + length - 1)}, {@code (index + length - 2)}, ... {@code index})
     *
     *
     * @return {@code -1} if the processor iterated to or beyond the beginning of the specified area.
     *         The last-visited index If the {@link ByteProcessor#process(byte)} returned {@code false}.
     */
    public abstract int forEachByteDesc(int index, int length, ByteProcessor processor);

    
Returns a copy of this buffer's readable bytes. Modifying the content of the returned buffer or this buffer does not affect each other at all. This method is identical to buf.copy(buf.readerIndex(), buf.readableBytes()). This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
/**
     * Returns a copy of this buffer's readable bytes.  Modifying the content
     * of the returned buffer or this buffer does not affect each other at all.
     * This method is identical to {@code buf.copy(buf.readerIndex(), buf.readableBytes())}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf copy();

    
Returns a copy of this buffer's sub-region. Modifying the content of the returned buffer or this buffer does not affect each other at all. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
/**
     * Returns a copy of this buffer's sub-region.  Modifying the content of
     * the returned buffer or this buffer does not affect each other at all.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf copy(int index, int length);

    
Returns a slice of this buffer's readable bytes. Modifying the content of the returned buffer or this buffer affects each other's content while they maintain separate indexes and marks. This method is identical to buf.slice(buf.readerIndex(), buf.readableBytes()). This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
 Also be aware that this method will NOT call retain() and so the reference count will NOT be increased. 
/**
     * Returns a slice of this buffer's readable bytes. Modifying the content
     * of the returned buffer or this buffer affects each other's content
     * while they maintain separate indexes and marks.  This method is
     * identical to {@code buf.slice(buf.readerIndex(), buf.readableBytes())}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     * <p>
     * Also be aware that this method will NOT call {@link #retain()} and so the
     * reference count will NOT be increased.
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf slice();

    
Returns a retained slice of this buffer's readable bytes. Modifying the content of the returned buffer or this buffer affects each other's content while they maintain separate indexes and marks. This method is identical to buf.slice(buf.readerIndex(), buf.readableBytes()). This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
 Note that this method returns a retained buffer unlike slice(). This method behaves similarly to slice().retain() except that this method may return a buffer implementation that produces less garbage. 
/**
     * Returns a retained slice of this buffer's readable bytes. Modifying the content
     * of the returned buffer or this buffer affects each other's content
     * while they maintain separate indexes and marks.  This method is
     * identical to {@code buf.slice(buf.readerIndex(), buf.readableBytes())}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     * <p>
     * Note that this method returns a {@linkplain #retain() retained} buffer unlike {@link #slice()}.
     * This method behaves similarly to {@code slice().retain()} except that this method may return
     * a buffer implementation that produces less garbage.
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf retainedSlice();

    
Returns a slice of this buffer's sub-region. Modifying the content of the returned buffer or this buffer affects each other's content while they maintain separate indexes and marks. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
 Also be aware that this method will NOT call retain() and so the reference count will NOT be increased. 
/**
     * Returns a slice of this buffer's sub-region. Modifying the content of
     * the returned buffer or this buffer affects each other's content while
     * they maintain separate indexes and marks.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     * <p>
     * Also be aware that this method will NOT call {@link #retain()} and so the
     * reference count will NOT be increased.
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf slice(int index, int length);

    
Returns a retained slice of this buffer's sub-region. Modifying the content of the returned buffer or this buffer affects each other's content while they maintain separate indexes and marks. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
 Note that this method returns a retained buffer unlike slice(int, int). This method behaves similarly to slice(...).retain() except that this method may return a buffer implementation that produces less garbage. 
/**
     * Returns a retained slice of this buffer's sub-region. Modifying the content of
     * the returned buffer or this buffer affects each other's content while
     * they maintain separate indexes and marks.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     * <p>
     * Note that this method returns a {@linkplain #retain() retained} buffer unlike {@link #slice(int, int)}.
     * This method behaves similarly to {@code slice(...).retain()} except that this method may return
     * a buffer implementation that produces less garbage.
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf retainedSlice(int index, int length);

    
Returns a buffer which shares the whole region of this buffer. Modifying the content of the returned buffer or this buffer affects each other's content while they maintain separate indexes and marks. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
 The reader and writer marks will not be duplicated. Also be aware that this method will NOT call retain() and so the reference count will NOT be increased. 
Returns:A buffer whose readable content is equivalent to the buffer returned by slice(). However this buffer will share the capacity of the underlying buffer, and therefore allows access to all of the underlying content if necessary.
/**
     * Returns a buffer which shares the whole region of this buffer.
     * Modifying the content of the returned buffer or this buffer affects
     * each other's content while they maintain separate indexes and marks.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     * <p>
     * The reader and writer marks will not be duplicated. Also be aware that this method will
     * NOT call {@link #retain()} and so the reference count will NOT be increased.
     * @return A buffer whose readable content is equivalent to the buffer returned by {@link #slice()}.
     * However this buffer will share the capacity of the underlying buffer, and therefore allows access to all of the
     * underlying content if necessary.
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf duplicate();

    
Returns a retained buffer which shares the whole region of this buffer. Modifying the content of the returned buffer or this buffer affects each other's content while they maintain separate indexes and marks. This method is identical to buf.slice(0, buf.capacity()). This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
 Note that this method returns a retained buffer unlike slice(int, int). This method behaves similarly to duplicate().retain() except that this method may return a buffer implementation that produces less garbage. 
/**
     * Returns a retained buffer which shares the whole region of this buffer.
     * Modifying the content of the returned buffer or this buffer affects
     * each other's content while they maintain separate indexes and marks.
     * This method is identical to {@code buf.slice(0, buf.capacity())}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     * <p>
     * Note that this method returns a {@linkplain #retain() retained} buffer unlike {@link #slice(int, int)}.
     * This method behaves similarly to {@code duplicate().retain()} except that this method may return
     * a buffer implementation that produces less garbage.
     */
    public abstract ByteBuf retainedDuplicate();

    
Returns the maximum number of NIO ByteBuffers that consist this buffer. Note that nioBuffers() or nioBuffers(int, int) might return a less number of ByteBuffers. 
See Also:
Returns:-1 if this buffer has no underlying ByteBuffer. the number of the underlying ByteBuffers if this buffer has at least one underlying ByteBuffer. Note that this method does not return 0 to avoid confusion.
/**
     * Returns the maximum number of NIO {@link ByteBuffer}s that consist this buffer.  Note that {@link #nioBuffers()}
     * or {@link #nioBuffers(int, int)} might return a less number of {@link ByteBuffer}s.
     *
     * @return {@code -1} if this buffer has no underlying {@link ByteBuffer}.
     *         the number of the underlying {@link ByteBuffer}s if this buffer has at least one underlying
     *         {@link ByteBuffer}.  Note that this method does not return {@code 0} to avoid confusion.
     *
     * @see #nioBuffer()
     * @see #nioBuffer(int, int)
     * @see #nioBuffers()
     * @see #nioBuffers(int, int)
     */
    public abstract int nioBufferCount();

    
Exposes this buffer's readable bytes as an NIO ByteBuffer. The returned buffer either share or contains the copied content of this buffer, while changing the position and limit of the returned NIO buffer does not affect the indexes and marks of this buffer. This method is identical to buf.nioBuffer(buf.readerIndex(), buf.readableBytes()). This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. Please note that the returned NIO buffer will not see the changes of this buffer if this buffer is a dynamic buffer and it adjusted its capacity. 
Throws:
See Also:
/**
     * Exposes this buffer's readable bytes as an NIO {@link ByteBuffer}. The returned buffer
     * either share or contains the copied content of this buffer, while changing the position
     * and limit of the returned NIO buffer does not affect the indexes and marks of this buffer.
     * This method is identical to {@code buf.nioBuffer(buf.readerIndex(), buf.readableBytes())}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     * Please note that the returned NIO buffer will not see the changes of this buffer if this buffer
     * is a dynamic buffer and it adjusted its capacity.
     *
     * @throws UnsupportedOperationException
     *         if this buffer cannot create a {@link ByteBuffer} that shares the content with itself
     *
     * @see #nioBufferCount()
     * @see #nioBuffers()
     * @see #nioBuffers(int, int)
     */
    public abstract ByteBuffer nioBuffer();

    
Exposes this buffer's sub-region as an NIO ByteBuffer. The returned buffer either share or contains the copied content of this buffer, while changing the position and limit of the returned NIO buffer does not affect the indexes and marks of this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. Please note that the returned NIO buffer will not see the changes of this buffer if this buffer is a dynamic buffer and it adjusted its capacity. 
Throws:
See Also:
/**
     * Exposes this buffer's sub-region as an NIO {@link ByteBuffer}. The returned buffer
     * either share or contains the copied content of this buffer, while changing the position
     * and limit of the returned NIO buffer does not affect the indexes and marks of this buffer.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     * Please note that the returned NIO buffer will not see the changes of this buffer if this buffer
     * is a dynamic buffer and it adjusted its capacity.
     *
     * @throws UnsupportedOperationException
     *         if this buffer cannot create a {@link ByteBuffer} that shares the content with itself
     *
     * @see #nioBufferCount()
     * @see #nioBuffers()
     * @see #nioBuffers(int, int)
     */
    public abstract ByteBuffer nioBuffer(int index, int length);

    
Internal use only: Exposes the internal NIO buffer.

/**
     * Internal use only: Exposes the internal NIO buffer.
     */
    public abstract ByteBuffer internalNioBuffer(int index, int length);

    
Exposes this buffer's readable bytes as an NIO ByteBuffer's. The returned buffer either share or contains the copied content of this buffer, while changing the position and limit of the returned NIO buffer does not affect the indexes and marks of this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. Please note that the returned NIO buffer will not see the changes of this buffer if this buffer is a dynamic buffer and it adjusted its capacity. 
Throws:
See Also:
/**
     * Exposes this buffer's readable bytes as an NIO {@link ByteBuffer}'s. The returned buffer
     * either share or contains the copied content of this buffer, while changing the position
     * and limit of the returned NIO buffer does not affect the indexes and marks of this buffer.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     * Please note that the returned NIO buffer will not see the changes of this buffer if this buffer
     * is a dynamic buffer and it adjusted its capacity.
     *
     *
     * @throws UnsupportedOperationException
     *         if this buffer cannot create a {@link ByteBuffer} that shares the content with itself
     *
     * @see #nioBufferCount()
     * @see #nioBuffer()
     * @see #nioBuffer(int, int)
     */
    public abstract ByteBuffer[] nioBuffers();

    
Exposes this buffer's bytes as an NIO ByteBuffer's for the specified index and length The returned buffer either share or contains the copied content of this buffer, while changing the position and limit of the returned NIO buffer does not affect the indexes and marks of this buffer. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. Please note that the returned NIO buffer will not see the changes of this buffer if this buffer is a dynamic buffer and it adjusted its capacity. 
Throws:
See Also:
/**
     * Exposes this buffer's bytes as an NIO {@link ByteBuffer}'s for the specified index and length
     * The returned buffer either share or contains the copied content of this buffer, while changing
     * the position and limit of the returned NIO buffer does not affect the indexes and marks of this buffer.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of this buffer. Please note that the
     * returned NIO buffer will not see the changes of this buffer if this buffer is a dynamic
     * buffer and it adjusted its capacity.
     *
     * @throws UnsupportedOperationException
     *         if this buffer cannot create a {@link ByteBuffer} that shares the content with itself
     *
     * @see #nioBufferCount()
     * @see #nioBuffer()
     * @see #nioBuffer(int, int)
     */
    public abstract ByteBuffer[] nioBuffers(int index, int length);

    
Returns true if and only if this buffer has a backing byte array. If this method returns true, you can safely call array() and arrayOffset(). 
/**
     * Returns {@code true} if and only if this buffer has a backing byte array.
     * If this method returns true, you can safely call {@link #array()} and
     * {@link #arrayOffset()}.
     */
    public abstract boolean hasArray();

    
Returns the backing byte array of this buffer.

Throws:
  • UnsupportedOperationException – 
        if there no accessible backing byte array
/**
     * Returns the backing byte array of this buffer.
     *
     * @throws UnsupportedOperationException
     *         if there no accessible backing byte array
     */
    public abstract byte[] array();

    
Returns the offset of the first byte within the backing byte array of
this buffer.

Throws:
  • UnsupportedOperationException – 
        if there no accessible backing byte array
/**
     * Returns the offset of the first byte within the backing byte array of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws UnsupportedOperationException
     *         if there no accessible backing byte array
     */
    public abstract int arrayOffset();

    
Returns true if and only if this buffer has a reference to the low-level memory address that points to the backing data. 
/**
     * Returns {@code true} if and only if this buffer has a reference to the low-level memory address that points
     * to the backing data.
     */
    public abstract boolean hasMemoryAddress();

    
Returns the low-level memory address that point to the first byte of ths backing data.

Throws:
  • UnsupportedOperationException – 
        if this buffer does not support accessing the low-level memory address
/**
     * Returns the low-level memory address that point to the first byte of ths backing data.
     *
     * @throws UnsupportedOperationException
     *         if this buffer does not support accessing the low-level memory address
     */
    public abstract long memoryAddress();

    
Decodes this buffer's readable bytes into a string with the specified character set name. This method is identical to buf.toString(buf.readerIndex(), buf.readableBytes(), charsetName). This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
Throws:
/**
     * Decodes this buffer's readable bytes into a string with the specified
     * character set name.  This method is identical to
     * {@code buf.toString(buf.readerIndex(), buf.readableBytes(), charsetName)}.
     * This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or {@code writerIndex} of
     * this buffer.
     *
     * @throws UnsupportedCharsetException
     *         if the specified character set name is not supported by the
     *         current VM
     */
    public abstract String toString(Charset charset);

    
Decodes this buffer's sub-region into a string with the specified character set. This method does not modify readerIndex or writerIndex of this buffer. 
/**
     * Decodes this buffer's sub-region into a string with the specified
     * character set.  This method does not modify {@code readerIndex} or
     * {@code writerIndex} of this buffer.
     */
    public abstract String toString(int index, int length, Charset charset);

    
Returns a hash code which was calculated from the content of this buffer. If there's a byte array which is equal to this array, both arrays should return the same value. 
/**
     * Returns a hash code which was calculated from the content of this
     * buffer.  If there's a byte array which is
     * {@linkplain #equals(Object) equal to} this array, both arrays should
     * return the same value.
     */
    @Override
    public abstract int hashCode();

    
Determines if the content of the specified buffer is identical to the
content of this array.  'Identical' here means:

    

  • the size of the contents of the two buffers are same and
    • 

  • every single byte of the content of the two buffers are same.
    • 

 Please note that it does not compare readerIndex() nor writerIndex(). This method also returns false for null and an object which is not an instance of ByteBuf type. 
/**
     * Determines if the content of the specified buffer is identical to the
     * content of this array.  'Identical' here means:
     * <ul>
     * <li>the size of the contents of the two buffers are same and</li>
     * <li>every single byte of the content of the two buffers are same.</li>
     * </ul>
     * Please note that it does not compare {@link #readerIndex()} nor
     * {@link #writerIndex()}.  This method also returns {@code false} for
     * {@code null} and an object which is not an instance of
     * {@link ByteBuf} type.
     */
    @Override
    public abstract boolean equals(Object obj);

    
Compares the content of the specified buffer to the content of this buffer. Comparison is performed in the same manner with the string comparison functions of various languages such as strcmp, memcmp and String.compareTo(String). 
/**
     * Compares the content of the specified buffer to the content of this
     * buffer. Comparison is performed in the same manner with the string
     * comparison functions of various languages such as {@code strcmp},
     * {@code memcmp} and {@link String#compareTo(String)}.
     */
    @Override
    public abstract int compareTo(ByteBuf buffer);

    
Returns the string representation of this buffer. This method does not necessarily return the whole content of the buffer but returns the values of the key properties such as readerIndex(), writerIndex() and capacity(). 
/**
     * Returns the string representation of this buffer.  This method does not
     * necessarily return the whole content of the buffer but returns
     * the values of the key properties such as {@link #readerIndex()},
     * {@link #writerIndex()} and {@link #capacity()}.
     */
    @Override
    public abstract String toString();

    @Override
    public abstract ByteBuf retain(int increment);

    @Override
    public abstract ByteBuf retain();

    @Override
    public abstract ByteBuf touch();

    @Override
    public abstract ByteBuf touch(Object hint);
}