CodeMeter Core API, an interface for all most common programming languages

CodeMeter Core API gives software developers the ability to access CodeMeter functions directly from within their software. These functions would generally concern the following three scenarios:

• Using and managing licenses
• Reading and writing data
• Using cryptographic functions

For CodeMeter Runtime, CodeMeter Core API is available as a dynamic library, as a .NET assembly, and as a Java interface. With these interfaces, almost all common programming languages can use CodeMeter Core API, including C/C++, C#, C++/CLI, Delphi, Java, Fortran, Fortran, VB, VB.NET, and Python.

CodeMeter Core API is also available as a static C-library as part of CodeMeter SDK and for CodeMeter Runtime and CodeMeter Embedded. For CodeMeter Embedded and CodeMeter µEmbedded, CodeMeter Core API is available as source code, again as part of the SDK. CodeMeter Core API has been published for all platforms that support CodeMeter, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, VxWorks, and QNX.

Function	CodeMeter µEmbedded	CodeMeter Embedded	CodeMeter Runtime
CmDongles		Yes	Yes
CmActLicenses	Yes	Yes	Yes
CmCloudLicenses			Yes
LAN Client		Yes	Yes
LAN Server			Yes
Trial Licenses, Subscription-based Licenses		Yes	Yes
Pay-Per-Use Licenses		Yes	Yes
Feature-based Licenses	Yes	Yes	Yes
Version-based Licenses	Yes	Yes	Yes
License Transfer Master			Yes
License Transfer Endpoint	Yes	Yes	Yes
File-based License Update	Yes	Yes	Yes
Terminal Server Detection			Yes
Remote Desktop Detection			Yes
Secure Key Storage	Yes	Yes	Yes

Using and Managing Licenses

CodeMeter Core API offers software developers the opportunity to determine how licenses are used in their software. The licenses could be checked when the software is launched, and individual features could then be activated, deactivated, or hidden depending on the available license. The developers can also decide if licenses are allocated already during startup or at the first usage of the corresponding function. They can also determine if licenses are released at the termination of the software or at the end of the corresponding function. CodeMeter automatically checks whether the license is valid; expired licenses or licenses for other software versions would be rejected automatically. Whenever multiple valid licenses are available, CodeMeter would automatically choose the best fitting option.

Once a license is released, CodeMeter is notified that the license would again be available for other applications, which is important e.g. when using floating network (concurrent use) licenses. Should an application crash or otherwise terminate before the license release has been executed, CodeMeter would automatically take care of and release the resulting orphaned licenses.

For greater security, CodeMeter Core API allows data to be encrypted with a key that is stored in the license. The data could not be decrypted and used without the right license.

On top of enabling applications to use licenses effectively, CodeMeter also allows developers to manage licenses and create their own license managers. They could then access, read, or list expired or invalid licenses. Licenses can be activated or deactivated offline or online with CodeMeter License Central. Users can also simply borrow and return licenses as required.