The ComponentNameEnum method will enumerate through all the names of recognised valid components in the system. This function is provided as a means to detect all the components in the system run-time. There is no strict ordering to the enumeration order of component names, although each name will only be enumerated once. If the loader supports run-time installation of new components, it is only requried to detect newly installed components when the first call to enumerate component names is made (i.e. when nIndex is 0x0).

The GetComponentsOfRole method will return the number of components that support the given role and (if the compNames field is non-NULL) the names of those components. The call will fail if an insufficiently sized array of names is supplied. To ensure the array is sufficiently sized the client should: first call this function with the compNames field NULL to determine the number of component names second call this function with the compNames field pointing to an array of names allocated according to the number returned by the first call.

If compNames is NULL, the input is ignored and the output specifies how many components support the given role.

If compNames is not NULL, on input it bounds the size of the input structure and on output, it specifies the number of components string names listed within the compNames parameter.

The GetRolesOfComponent method will return the number of roles supported by the given component and (if the roles field is non-NULL) the names of those roles. The call will fail if an insufficiently sized array of names is supplied. To ensure the array is sufficiently sized the client should: first call this function with the roles field NULL to determine the number of role names second call this function with the roles field pointing to an array of names allocated according to the number returned by the first call.

If roles is NULL, the input is ignored and the output specifies how many roles the component supports.

If compNames is not NULL, on input it bounds the size of the input structure and on output, it specifies the number of roles string names listed within the roles parameter.

The InitializeComponentLoader method is used to initialize the loader. It shall be the first call made into the loader and it should only be executed once until UnInitializeComponentLoader call is made.

The LoadComponent method will locate the component specified by the component name given, load that component into memory and then invoke the component's methods to create an instance of the component.

The UnInitializeComponentLoader method is used to uninitialize the loader. It shall be the last call made into the loader and should be called after all OpenMAX-related resources have been released.

The UnloadComponent method will free a handle allocated by the LoadComponent method.