Tie::Handle(3)

NAME
Tie::Handle - base class definitions for tied handles

SYNOPSIS

    package NewHandle;
    require Tie::Handle;

    @ISA = (Tie::Handle);

    sub READ { ... }            # Provide a needed method
    sub TIEHANDLE { ... }       # Overrides inherited method

    package main;

    tie *FH, 'NewHandle';

DESCRIPTION
This module provides some skeletal methods for handle-tying classes. See the perltie manpage for a list of the functions required in tying a handle to a package. The basic Tie::Handle package provides a new method, as well as methods TIESCALAR, FETCH and STORE. 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-handle classes, the methods are summarized below. The the perltie manpage section not only documents these, but has sample code as well:

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

WRITE this, scalar, length, offset
    Write length bytes of data from scalar starting at offset.

PRINT this, LIST
    Print the values in LIST

PRINTF this, format, LIST
    Print the values in LIST using format

READ this, scalar, length, offset
    Read length bytes of data into scalar starting at offset.

READLINE this
    Read a single line

GETC this
    Get a single character

DESTROY this
    Free the storage associated with the tied handle 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.

MORE INFORMATION
The the perltie manpage section contains an example of tying handles.