NAME
Object::By::Array - minimalistic constructors for array based objects
SYNOPSIS
package some_package;
use parent qw(Object::By::Array);
sub ATR_SOMETHING() { 0 }
sub _constructor {
my ($this, ...) = @_;
$this->[ATR_SOMETHING] = data of first attribute;
...
return;
}
package main;
use some_package;
some_package->constructor(...);
DESCRIPTION
Object::By::Array provides generic constructors for OO programming, which are tailored to an actual class via a method called _constructor. A generic constructor creates the reference from various sources, blesses, tailors, locks, and finally returns it. A small advantage at a small price of 60 lines of Perl code.
METHOD REFERENCE (API)
The design goal was a simple and robust API with a straightforward implementation, respecting all limitations of Perl 5.
- $class->constructor or class->constructor
-
A generic constructor for objects of the class. If the method _constructor is defined, calls _constructor and forwards any arguments to it. The data structure is locked afterwards.
- $class->prototype_constructor or class->prototype_constructor
-
Prototype means, the object only carries a class and no data. Otherwise like class->constructor.
- $old_object->sibling_constructor
-
Takes the class of $old_object to create an object of the same class. Otherwise works like class->constructor.
- $old_object->clone_constructor
-
Takes the class of $old_object to create an object of the same class and the same data. Does not call _constructor, but copies the first level of the object's data structure. To leave no doubt: no deep copy is performed.
For a way to use partial class names for object construction, see wild_construct from Package::Aspect::Wild_Class.
SUPPORTING CLASSES
These have no documentation of their own. These should come before Object::By::Array in order to override any default methods.
- Object::By::Array_Accessor
-
Provides the generic methods _get, _set and _get_or_set.
- Object::By::Array_Clone_Recursive
-
Provides a version of clone_constructor, which recursively calls the method on any contained objects.
KNOWN BUGS AND LIMITATIONS
There are no tests.
This module has been developed for the specific needs of FReDI and the Mica Environment. It is used by Mica, HTTP::Fools_Gold, Package::Aspect, Text::Placeholder and Object::Episode.
AUTHOR
Winfried Trumper <pub+perl(a)wt.tuxomania.net>
COPYRIGHT AND LICENSE
Copyright (C) 2011,2012 Winfried Trumper
This module is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the same terms as Perl itself.