3 files changed, 93 insertions, 2 deletions
diff --git a/src/Makefile.am b/src/Makefile.am
index 2dda6d5..cd7acf1 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/Makefile.am
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 SUBDIRS = libs modules
 bin_PROGRAMS = rototiller
-rototiller_SOURCES = fb.c fb.h fps.c fps.h rototiller.c rototiller.h sdl_fb.c settings.h settings.c setup.h setup.c threads.c threads.h util.c util.h
+rototiller_SOURCES = fb.c fb.h fps.c fps.h knobs.h rototiller.c rototiller.h sdl_fb.c settings.h settings.c setup.h setup.c threads.c threads.h util.c util.h
 if ENABLE_DRM
 rototiller_SOURCES += drm_fb.c
 endif
diff --git a/src/knobs.h b/src/knobs.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..25c13eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/knobs.h
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+#ifndef _KNOBS_H
+#define _KNOBS_H
+
+#include <assert.h>
+
+/* A knob exposes a binding for some float in a module's context
+ * which can be varied at runtime between frames to influence
+ * the output.  There's some overlap with settings, but settings
+ * are more intended for configuration applied at context
+ * creation, which won't vary frame-to-frame, but may influence
+ * the initial value and/or automatic behavior of knobs for
+ * instance, or even which knobs are available.
+ *
+ * At this time knobs will only apply to floats, accompanied by
+ * some rudimentary bounds.
+ *
+ * Integer types would probably be useful, and maybe a precision
+ * specifier, those can be added in the future as needed, but I'd
+ * like to keep it simple for now and see what kind of problems
+ * emerge.
+ *
+ * The current expectation is that a module context struct will
+ * incorporate an array of knobs, replacing loose floats already
+ * being automatically varied within the module frame-to-frame.
+ *
+ * The module will then use the knob_auto_* helpers below to
+ * access and manipulate the values, instead of directly
+ * accessing the loose floats as before.
+ *
+ * External manipulators of the knobs will use the knob_*
+ * helpers, instead of the knob_auto_* helpers, to
+ * access+manipulate the knobs.  These helpers are basically just
+ * to get external and internal manipulators to agree on which
+ * side owns control via the managed field.
+ */
+typedef struct knob_t {
+	const char	*name;		/* Short API-oriented name */
+	const char	*desc;		/* Longer UI-oriented name */
+	const float	min, max;	/* Value bounds */
+	float		value;		/* Value knob affects */
+	unsigned	managed:1;	/* Set when knob control of value is active,
+					 * suppress automagic control of value when set.
+					 */
+} knob_t;
+
+
+/* helper for modules automating knob controls, use this to
+ * change values intead of direct manipulation to respect active.
+ * returns new (or unchanged) value
+ */
+static inline float knob_auto_set(knob_t *knob, float value)
+{
+	assert(knob);
+
+	if (knob->managed)
+		return knob->value;
+
+	return knob->value = value;
+}
+
+/* identical to knob_auto_set, except adds to existing value.
+ */
+static inline float knob_auto_add(knob_t *knob, float value)
+{
+	assert(knob);
+
+	return knob_auto_set(knob, knob->value + value);
+}
+
+
+/* identical to knob_auto* variants, except intended for
+ * external knob-twisters, i.e. the "managed" knob entrypoints.
+ */
+static inline float knob_set(knob_t *knob, float value)
+{
+	assert(knob);
+
+	knob->managed = 1;
+
+	return knob->value = value;
+}
+
+
+static inline float knob_add(knob_t *knob, float value)
+{
+	assert(knob);
+
+	return knob_set(knob, knob->value + value);
+}
+
+#endif
diff --git a/src/rototiller.h b/src/rototiller.h
index e13a29a..e185624 100644
--- a/src/rototiller.h
+++ b/src/rototiller.h
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ typedef struct rototiller_module_t {
 	void	(*render_fragment)(void *context, unsigned ticks, unsigned cpu, fb_fragment_t *fragment);
 	void	(*finish_frame)(void *context, unsigned ticks, fb_fragment_t *fragment);
 	int	(*setup)(const settings_t *settings, setting_desc_t **next_setting);
-	knob_t *(*knobs)(void *context);	/* when present, returns NULL-terminated array knobs for the supplied context, not to be freed - likely context-resident. */
+	size_t	(*knobs)(void *context, knob_t **res_knobs);
 	char	*name;
 	char	*description;
 	char	*author;