Tie::Scalar(3pm)					 Perl Programmers Reference Guide					  Tie::Scalar(3pm)

NAME

       Tie::Scalar, Tie::StdScalar - base class definitions for tied scalars

SYNOPSIS

	   package NewScalar;
	   require Tie::Scalar;

	   @ISA = qw(Tie::Scalar);

	   sub FETCH { ... }	       # Provide a needed method
	   sub TIESCALAR { ... }       # Overrides inherited method

	   package NewStdScalar;
	   require Tie::Scalar;

	   @ISA = qw(Tie::StdScalar);

	   # All methods provided by default, so define only what needs be overridden
	   sub FETCH { ... }

	   package main;

	   tie $new_scalar, 'NewScalar';
	   tie $new_std_scalar, 'NewStdScalar';

DESCRIPTION

       This module provides some skeletal methods for scalar-tying classes. See perltie for a list of the functions required in tying a scalar to
       a package. The basic Tie::Scalar package provides a "new" method, as well as methods "TIESCALAR", "FETCH" and "STORE". The Tie::StdScalar
       package provides all the methods specified in  perltie. It inherits from Tie::Scalar and causes scalars tied to it to behave exactly like
       the built-in scalars, allowing for selective overloading of methods. The "new" method is provided as a means of grandfathering, for classes
       that forget to provide their own "TIESCALAR" method.

       For developers wishing to write their own tied-scalar classes, the methods are summarized below. The perltie section not only documents
       these, but has sample code as well:

       TIESCALAR classname, LIST
	   The method invoked by the command "tie $scalar, classname". Associates a new scalar instance with the specified class. "LIST" would
	   represent additional arguments (along the lines of AnyDBM_File and compatriots) needed to complete the association.

       FETCH this
	   Retrieve the value of the tied scalar referenced by this.

       STORE this, value
	   Store data value in the tied scalar referenced by this.

       DESTROY this
	   Free the storage associated with the tied scalar referenced by this.  This is rarely needed, as Perl manages its memory quite well. But
	   the option exists, should a class wish to perform specific actions upon the destruction of an instance.

   Tie::Scalar vs Tie::StdScalar
       "Tie::Scalar" provides all the necessary methods, but one should realize they do not do anything useful. Calling "Tie::Scalar::FETCH" or
       "Tie::Scalar::STORE" results in a (trappable) croak. And if you inherit from "Tie::Scalar", you must provide either a "new" or a
       "TIESCALAR" method.

       If you are looking for a class that does everything for you you don't define yourself, use the "Tie::StdScalar" class, not the
       "Tie::Scalar" one.

MORE INFORMATION

       The perltie section uses a good example of tying scalars by associating process IDs with priority.

perl v5.12.1							    2010-04-26							  Tie::Scalar(3pm)