Tie::Handle(3)

NAME
Tie::Handle, Tie::StdHandle - 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 "TIEHANDLE", "PRINT", "PRINTF" and "GETC".

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: 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 length bytes of data from scalar starting at offset. Print the values in LIST Print the values in LIST using format Read length bytes of data into scalar starting at offset. Read a single line Get a single character Close the handle (Re-)open the handle Specify content is binary Test for end of file. Return position in the file. Position the file.

Test for end of file. 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.

COMPATIBILITY
This version of Tie::Handle is neither related to nor compatible with the Tie::Handle (3.0) module available on CPAN. It was due to an accident that two modules with the same name appeared. The namespace clash has been cleared in favor of this module that comes with the perl core in September 2000 and accordingly the version number has been bumped up to 4.0.