Hooking

Common card · No. 494725

In computer programming, hooking is a range of techniques used to alter or augment the behaviour of an operating system, applications, or other software components by intercepting function calls, messages, or events passed between software components. Code that handles such intercepted function calls, events or messages is called a hook. Hook methods are of particular importance in the template method pattern where common code in an abstract class can be augmented by custom code in a subclass. In this case each hook method is defined in the abstract class with an empty implementation which then allows a different implementation to be supplied in each concrete subclass. Hooking is used for many purposes, including debugging and extending functionality. Examples might include intercepting keyboard or mouse event messages before they reach an application, or intercepting operating system calls in order to monitor behavior or modify the function of an application or other component. It is also...

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