NAME

Bio::Phylo::Factory - Creator of objects, reduces hardcoded class names in code

SYNOPSIS

use Bio::Phylo::Factory;
my $fac = Bio::Phylo::Factory->new;
my $node = $fac->create_node( '-name' => 'node1' );

# probably prints 'Bio::Phylo::Forest::Node'?
print ref $node;

DESCRIPTION

The factory module is used to create other objects without having to 'use' their classes. This allows for greater flexibility in Bio::Phylo's design, as class names are no longer hard-coded all over the place.

METHODS

CONSTRUCTOR

new()

Factory constructor.

Type    : Constructor
Title   : new
Usage   : my $fac = Bio::Phylo::Factory->new;
Function: Initializes a Bio::Phylo::Factory object.
Returns : A Bio::Phylo::Factory object.
Args    : (optional) a hash keyed on short names, with
          class names for values. For example, 
          'node' => 'Bio::Phylo::Forest::Node', which 
          will allow you to subsequently call $fac->create_node,
          which will return a Bio::Phylo::Forest::Node object.
          (Note that this example is enabled by default, so you
          don't need to specify it.)

FACTORY METHODS

create($class, %args)

Type    : Factory methods
Title   : create
Usage   : my $foo = $fac->create('Foo::Class');
Function: Creates an instance of $class, with constructor arguments %args
Returns : A Bio::Phylo::* object.
Args    : $class, a class name (required),
          %args, constructor arguments (optional)

register_class()

Registers the argument class name such that subsequently the factory can instantiates objects of that class. For example, if you register Foo::Bar, the factory will be able to instantiate objects through the create_bar() method.

Type    : Factory methods
Title   : register_class
Usage   : $fac->register_class('Foo::Bar');
Function: Registers a class name for instantiation
Returns : Invocant
Args    : $class, a class name (required), or
          'bar' => 'Foo::Bar', such that you
          can subsequently call $fac->create_bar()

SEE ALSO

Bio::Phylo::Manual

Also see the manual: Bio::Phylo::Manual and http://rutgervos.blogspot.com.

REVISION

$Id: Factory.pm 1302 2010-06-11 15:33:11Z rvos $