# ADatatype

ADatatype is the abstract base for every DepthAI message type. It owns the shared metadata that all messages expose—timestamps,
sequence numbers, and logging identifiers—and provides the interface used by host- and device-side code for cloning and casting
messages. Concrete messages such as [Buffer](https://docs.luxonis.com/software-v3/depthai/depthai-components/messages/buffer.md)
and [ImgFrame](https://docs.luxonis.com/software-v3/depthai/depthai-components/messages/img_frame.md) derive from ADatatype.

## Reference

### dai::ADatatype

Kind: class

Abstract message.

#### std::shared_ptr< Memory > data

Kind: variable

#### ADatatype()

Kind: function

#### ~ADatatype()

Kind: function

#### void serialize(std::vector< std::uint8_t > & metadata, DatatypeEnum & datatype)

Kind: function

#### DatatypeEnum getDatatype()

Kind: function

Get the datatype of this specific message.

return: DatatypeEnum

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