NAME

Object::Pad::MOP::Field - meta-object representation of data field of a Object::Pad class

DESCRIPTION

Instances of this class represent a data field of a class implemented by Object::Pad. Accessors provide information about the field. The special value method allows access to the value of the given field on instances of its class, letting the meta-object be used as a proxy to it.

This API should be considered experimental even within the overall context in which Object::Pad is expermental.

METHODS

name

$name = $metafield->name

Returns the name of the field, as a plain string including the leading sigil character.

sigil

$sigil = $metafield->sigil

Since version 0.56.

Returns the first character of the field name, giving just its leading sigil.

class

$metaclass = $metafield->class

Returns the Object::Pad::MOP::Class instance representing the class of which this field is a member.

value

$current = $metafield->value( $instance )
@current = $metafield->value( $instance )
%current = $metafield->value( $instance )

An accessor method which returns the current value of the field from an object instance.

$metafield->value( $instance ) = $new

On scalar fields, this method can also act as an lvalue mutator allowing a new value to be set.

has_attribute

$exists = $metafield->has_attribute( $name )

Since version 0.57.

Returns a boolean indicating whether the named attribute has been attached to the field. The attribute name should not include the leading colon (:) character.

get_attribute_value

$value = $metafield->get_attribute_value( $name )

Since version 0.57.

Returns the stored value of an attached attribute, if one exists. If the attribute has not been attached then an exception is thrown.

Note that most core-defined attributes will either store no data at all, or a method name string. This accessor method is provided largely for the benefit of obtaining data defined by third-party attributes, which may more clearly define how that data is generated and used.

AUTHOR

Paul Evans <leonerd@leonerd.org.uk>