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# makeBuffer(bytes:length:options:)

Allocates a new buffer of a given length and initializes its contents by copying existing data into it.

```
func makeBuffer(bytes pointer: UnsafeRawPointer, length: Int, options: MTLResourceOptions = []) -> (any MTLBuffer)?
```

## Parameters

`pointer`

A pointer to the starting memory address the method copies the initialization data from.

`length`

The size of the new buffer, in bytes, and the number of bytes the method copies from `pointer`.

`options`

An [`MTLResourceOptions`](/documentation/Metal/MTLResourceOptions) instance that sets the buffer’s storage and hazard-tracking modes. See [Resource fundamentals](/documentation/Metal/resource-fundamentals) and [Setting resource storage modes](/documentation/Metal/setting-resource-storage-modes) for more information.

## Return Value

A new [`MTLBuffer`](/documentation/Metal/MTLBuffer) instance if the method completes successfully; otherwise `nil`.

## Discussion

---

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