Tie::Hash, Tie::StdHash - base class definitions for tied hashes
package NewHash; require Tie::Hash; @ISA = (Tie::Hash); sub DELETE { ... } # Provides needed method sub CLEAR { ... } # Overrides inherited method package NewStdHash; require Tie::Hash; @ISA = (Tie::StdHash); # All methods provided by default, define only those needing overrides sub DELETE { ... } package main; tie %new_hash, 'NewHash'; tie %new_std_hash, 'NewStdHash';
This module provides some skeletal methods for hash-tying classes. See perltie for a list of the functions required in order to tie a hash to a package. The basic Tie::Hash package provides a new method, as well as methods TIEHASH, EXISTS and CLEAR. The Tie::StdHash package provides most methods required for hashes in perltie. It inherits from Tie::Hash, and causes tied hashes to behave exactly like standard hashes, allowing for selective overloading of methods. The new method is provided as grandfathering in the case a class forgets to include a TIEHASH method.
new
TIEHASH
EXISTS
CLEAR
For developers wishing to write their own tied hashes, the required methods are briefly defined below. See the perltie section for more detailed descriptive, as well as example code:
The method invoked by the command tie %hash, classname. Associates a new hash instance with the specified class. LIST would represent additional arguments (along the lines of AnyDBM_File and compatriots) needed to complete the association.
tie %hash, classname
LIST
Store datum value into key for the tied hash this.
Retrieve the datum in key for the tied hash this.
Return the (key, value) pair for the first key in the hash.
Return the next key for the hash.
Verify that key exists with the tied hash this.
The Tie::Hash implementation is a stub that simply croaks.
Delete the key key from the tied hash this.
Clear all values from the tied hash this.
The perltie documentation includes a method called DESTROY as a necessary method for tied hashes. Neither Tie::Hash nor Tie::StdHash define a default for this method. This is a standard for class packages, but may be omitted in favor of a simple default.
DESTROY
The packages relating to various DBM-related implementations (DB_File, NDBM_File, etc.) show examples of general tied hashes, as does the Config module. While these do not utilize Tie::Hash, they serve as good working examples.
To install lib, copy and paste the appropriate command in to your terminal.
cpanm
cpanm lib
CPAN shell
perl -MCPAN -e shell install lib
For more information on module installation, please visit the detailed CPAN module installation guide.