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(python2.1-lib.info)Registry Handle Objects

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Registry Handle Objects
-----------------------

This object wraps a Windows HKEY object, automatically closing it when
the object is destroyed.  To guarantee cleanup, you can call either the
`Close()' method on the object, or the `CloseKey()' function.

All registry functions in this module return one of these objects.

All registry functions in this module which accept a handle object also
accept an integer, however, use of the handle object is encouraged.

Handle objects provide semantics for `__nonzero__()' - thus
         if handle:
             print "Yes"

will print `Yes' if the handle is currently valid (i.e., has not been
closed or detached).

The object also support comparison semantics, so handle objects will
compare true if they both reference the same underlying Windows handle
value.

Handle objects can be converted to an integer (eg, using the builtin
`int()' function, in which case the underlying Windows handle value is
returned.  You can also use the `Detach()' method to return the integer
handle, and also disconnect the Windows handle from the handle object.

`Close()'
     Closes the underlying Windows handle.

     If the handle is already closed, no error is raised.

`Detach()'
     Detaches the Windows handle from the handle object.

     The result is an integer (or long on 64 bit Windows) that holds
     the value of the handle before it is detached.  If the handle is
     already detached or closed, this will return zero.

     After calling this function, the handle is effectively invalidated,
     but the handle is not closed.  You would call this function when
     you need the underlying Win32 handle to exist beyond the lifetime
     of the handle object.