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# Core Bridge Functionality
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Essential bridge components that provide the foundation for Python-Objective-C interoperability, including constants, context management, and fundamental runtime integration features.
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## Capabilities
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### Objective-C Constants
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Standard Objective-C constants mapped to Python equivalents for seamless code compatibility.
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```python { .api }
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nil = None
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"""Objective-C nil constant, equivalent to Python None."""
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YES = True
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"""Objective-C YES constant, equivalent to Python True."""
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NO = False
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"""Objective-C NO constant, equivalent to Python False."""
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```
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### Autorelease Pool Management
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Context manager for managing NSAutoreleasePool instances, essential for memory management when working with Objective-C objects.
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```python { .api }
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class autorelease_pool:
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    """
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    Context manager that runs the body of the block with a fresh autorelease pool.
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    The actual release pool is not accessible.
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    """
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    def __init__(self): ...
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    def __enter__(self): ...
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    def __exit__(self, exc_type, value, tp): ...
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```
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**Usage Example:**
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```python
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import objc
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# Use autorelease pool for memory management
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with objc.autorelease_pool():
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    # Work with Objective-C objects here
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    # Pool will be automatically drained when exiting the context
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    pass
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```
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### Helper Functions
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Utility functions for name resolution and runtime introspection.
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```python { .api }
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def _resolve_name(name):
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    """
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    Resolve a dotted name to a Python object.
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    Args:
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        name (str): Dotted name like "module.submodule.function"
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    Returns:
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        object: The resolved Python object
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    Raises:
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        ValueError: If name doesn't contain dots
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    """
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```
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### Core Runtime Integration
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The core bridge functionality is provided through the `objc._objc` C extension module, which includes:
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- Objective-C runtime integration
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- Object and class manipulation
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- Method dispatch and invocation
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- Type encoding and conversion
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- Selector and method signature handling
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- Memory management integration
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- Exception bridging between Python and Objective-C
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This C extension is automatically imported and its namespace is merged into the main `objc` module, providing seamless access to all bridge functionality.