+/* compare two data type description */
+XBT_PUBLIC int
+gras_datadesc_type_cmp(const gras_datadesc_type_t d1,
+ const gras_datadesc_type_t d2);
+
+/* Access function */
+XBT_PUBLIC int gras_datadesc_size(gras_datadesc_type_t type);
+/* Described data exchanges: direct use */
+XBT_PUBLIC int gras_datadesc_copy(gras_datadesc_type_t type, void *src, void *dst);
+XBT_PUBLIC void gras_datadesc_send(gras_socket_t sock, gras_datadesc_type_t type, void *src);
+XBT_PUBLIC void gras_datadesc_recv(gras_socket_t sock, gras_datadesc_type_t type,
+ int r_arch, void *dst);
+
+/* Described data exchanges: IDL compilation FIXME: not implemented*/
+XBT_PUBLIC void gras_datadesc_gen_cpy(gras_datadesc_type_t type, void *src, void **dst);
+XBT_PUBLIC void gras_datadesc_gen_send(gras_socket_t sock, gras_datadesc_type_t type, void *src);
+XBT_PUBLIC void gras_datadesc_gen_recv(gras_socket_t sock, gras_datadesc_type_t type,
+ int r_arch, void *dst);
+
+