---
title: init
framework: driverkit
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: driverkit/ioservice/init
---

# init

Handles the basic initialization of the service.

## Declaration

```occ
virtual bool init();
```

## Mentioned in

Creating a Driver Using the DriverKit SDK

## Return Value

Return Value true if initialization was successful, or false if an error occurred.

## Discussion

Discussion The system calls this method shortly after it instantiates your custom IOService subclass, and before it calls the Start method of your service. Limit the work you do in this method to simple tasks that must occur before your service starts. For example, use this method to allocate memory for your ivars structure. Always call super early in your implementation of this method.

## See Also

### Running the Service

- [Start](driverkit/ioservice/start.md)
- [Stop](driverkit/ioservice/stop.md)
- [free](driverkit/ioservice/free.md)