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# AuthorizationMechanismRef

A handle passed by the plug-in to the authorization engine when creating an instance of a mechanism.

```
typedef void * AuthorizationMechanismRef;
```

## Discussion

Your [`MechanismCreate`](/documentation/Security/AuthorizationPluginInterface/MechanismCreate) function assigns this value and returns it to the authorization engine. The authorization engine passes this reference back to you in any subsequent calls to your [`MechanismInvoke`](/documentation/Security/AuthorizationPluginInterface/MechanismInvoke), [`MechanismDeactivate`](/documentation/Security/AuthorizationPluginInterface/MechanismDeactivate), and [`MechanismDestroy`](/documentation/Security/AuthorizationPluginInterface/MechanismDestroy) functions.

---

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