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.