# gss_inquire_context(_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:) Returns information about a security context. ``` func gss_inquire_context(_ minor_status: UnsafeMutablePointer, _ context_handle: gss_ctx_id_t, _ src_name: UnsafeMutablePointer?, _ targ_name: UnsafeMutablePointer?, _ lifetime_rec: UnsafeMutablePointer?, _ mech_type: UnsafeMutablePointer?, _ ctx_flags: UnsafeMutablePointer?, _ locally_initiated: UnsafeMutablePointer?, _ xopen: UnsafeMutablePointer?) -> OM_uint32 ``` ## Parameters `minor_status` A pointer to the secondary status result that provides additional information in case of failure. `context_handle` The context to obtain information about. `src_name` A pointer the function uses to return the name of the initiator. Free the name object’s memory with a call to [`gss_release_name(_:_:)`](/documentation/GSS/gss_release_name(_:_:)) when you are done with it. Specify `NULL` to ignore this output. `targ_name` A pointer the function uses to return the name of the acceptor. Free the name object’s memory with a call to [`gss_release_name(_:_:)`](/documentation/GSS/gss_release_name(_:_:)) when you are done with it. Specify `NULL` to ignore this output. `lifetime_rec` A pointer the function uses to return the number of seconds before the context expires, or zero if it has already expired. If the context does not support expiration, it returns [`GSS_C_INDEFINITE`](/documentation/GSS/GSS_C_INDEFINITE). Specify `NULL` to ignore this output. `mech_type` A pointer the function uses to return the mechanism providing the context. Do not release the OID object, because it is held in static memory. Specify `NULL` to ignore this output. `ctx_flags` A pointer the function uses to return the flags associated with the context. See [Context Services](/documentation/GSS/context-services) for a description of available flags. Specify NULL to ignore this output. `locally_initiated` A pointer the function uses to return an indicator of the context’s point of origin. The value is zero when the function is called by context’s acceptor and non-zero otherwise. Specify NULL to ignore this output. `xopen` A pointer the function uses to return an indicator of the context’s current state. The value is non-zero when the context if fully established and zero otherwise. Specify NULL to ignore this output. ## Return Value A status code set to [`GSS_S_COMPLETE`](/documentation/GSS/GSS_S_COMPLETE) on success. See [Function Status](/documentation/GSS/function-status) for a description of other status outputs. ## Discussion The context must exist but need not be fully established for the inquiry to succeed. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)