NAME
Bio::Ontology::OntologyStore - A repository of ontologies
SYNOPSIS
# see documentation of methodsDESCRIPTION
The primary purpose of this module is that of a singleton repository of Bio::Ontology::OntologyI instances from which an Ontology instance can be retrieved by name or identifier. This enables TermI implementations to return their corresponding OntologyI through using this singleton store instead of storing a direct reference to the Ontology object. The latter would almost inevitably lead to memory cycles, and would therefore potentially blow up an application.
As a user of Ontology objects and Term objects you almost certainly will not need to deal with this module.
FEEDBACK
Mailing Lists
User feedback is an integral part of the evolution of this and other Bioperl modules. Send your comments and suggestions preferably to the Bioperl mailing list. Your participation is much appreciated.
bioperl-l@bioperl.org - General discussion
http://bioperl.org/MailList.shtml - About the mailing listsReporting Bugs
Report bugs to the Bioperl bug tracking system to help us keep track of the bugs and their resolution. Bug reports can be submitted via the web:
http://bugzilla.bioperl.org/AUTHOR - Hilmar Lapp
Email hlapp at gmx.net
CONTRIBUTORS
Additional contributors names and emails here
APPENDIX
The rest of the documentation details each of the object methods. Internal methods are usually preceded with a _
new
Title : new
Usage : my $obj = new Bio::Ontology::OntologyStore();
Function: Returns the Bio::Ontology::OntologyStore object.
Unlike usual implementations of new, this implementation
will try to return a previously instantiated store, if
there is any. It is just a synonym for get_instance. In
order to avoid ambiguities in your code, you may rather
want to call rather get_instance explicitly, which also
usually is better associated with this kind of behaviour.
Returns : an instance of Bio::Ontology::OntologyStore
Args :get_instance
Title : get_instance
Usage :
Function: Get an instance of this class for perusal.
Since by design this class is meant to be used as a
singleton, the implementation will return a previously
instantianted store if there is one, and instantiate a new
one otherwise. In order to use this class by means of an
instance, call this method for added code clarity, not
new().
Example :
Returns : an instance of this class
Args : named parameters, if any (currently, there are no
class-specific parameters other than those accepted by
L<Bio::Root::Root>.get_ontology
Title : get_ontology
Usage :
Function: Get a previously instantiated and registered instance of
this class by name or by identifier.
One of the main purposes of this class is to enable TermI
implementations to return their respective ontology without
keeping a strong reference to the respective ontology
object. Only objects previously registered objects can be
retrieved.
This is a class method, hence you can call it on the class
name, without dereferencing an object.
Example :
Returns : a L<Bio::Ontology::OntologyI> implementing object, or undef
if the query could not be satisfied
Args : Named parameters specifying the query. The following parameters
are recognized:
-name query the store for an ontology with the given name
-id query for an ontology with the given identifier
If both are specified, an implicit AND logical operator is
assumed.register_ontology
Title : register_ontology
Usage :
Function: Registers the given Ontology object for later retrieval
by name and identifier.
Example :
Returns : TRUE on success and FALSE otherwise
Args : the L<Bio::Ontology::OntologyI> object(s) to registerremove_ontology
Title : remove_ontology
Usage :
Function: Remove the specified ontology from the store.
Example :
Returns : TRUE on success and FALSE otherwise
Args : the L<Bio::Ontology::OntologyI> implementing object(s)
to be removed from the store