NAME

PerlBean::Attribute - contains bean attribute information

SYNOPSIS

None. This is an abstract class.

ABSTRACT

Abstract PerlBean attribute information

DESCRIPTION

PerlBean::Attribute abstract class for bean attribute information. Attribute access methods are implemented and code and documentation generation interface methods are defined.

CONSTRUCTOR

new (OPT_HASH_REF)

Creates a new PerlBean::Attribute object. OPT_HASH_REF is a hash reference used to pass initialization options. OPT_HASH_REF is mandatory. On error an exception Error::Simple is thrown.

Options for OPT_HASH_REF may include:

attribute_name

Passed to "setAttributeName ()". Mandatory option.

default_value

Passed to "setDefaultValue ()".

exception_class

Passed to "setExceptionClass ()". Defaults to Error::Simple.

mandatory

Passed to "setMandatory ()". Defaults to 0.

method_base

Passed to "setMethodBase ()".

perl_bean

Passed to "setPerlBean ()".

short_description

Passed to "setShortDescription ()".

METHODS

getOverloadedAttribute ()

Searches superclass packages for an identically named PerlBean::Attribute. If found it is returned otherwise undef is returned

getPackage ()

Returns the package name. The package name is obtained from the PerlBean to which the PerlBean::Attribute belongs. Or, if the PerlBean::Attribute does not belong to a PerlBean, main is returned.

getPackageUS ()

Calls getPackage () and replaces :+ with C <_>.

type ()

Determins and returns the type of the attribute. The type is either BOOLEAN, SINGLE or MULTI.

writeDefaultValue (FILEHANDLE)

This is an interface method. Writes %DEFAULT_VALUE line for the attribute. FILEHANDLE is an IO::Handle object.

writeDocClauses (FILEHANDLE)

Writes documentation for the clauses to which the contents the contents of the attribute must adhere. FILEHANDLE is an IO::Handle object.

writeDocInheritMethods (FILEHANDLE)

This is an interface method. Writes documentation for the access methods for the attribute in the case the attibute methods are inherited. FILEHANDLE is an IO::Handle object.

writeDocInit (FILEHANDLE)

This is an interface method. Writes documentation for _initialize () for the attribute. FILEHANDLE is an IO::Handle object.

writeDocMethods (FILEHANDLE)

This is an interface method. Writes documentation for the access methods for the attribute. FILEHANDLE is an IO::Handle object.

writeMethods (FILEHANDLE)

This is an interface method. Writes the access methods for the attribute. FILEHANDLE is an IO::Handle object.

writeOptInit (FILEHANDLE)

This is an interface method. Writes _initialize () option parsing code for the attribute. FILEHANDLE is an IO::Handle object.

setAttributeName (VALUE)

Set attribute's name. VALUE is the value. VALUE may not be undef. On error an exception Error::Simple is thrown.

VALUE must match regular expression:
^\w+$
getAttributeName ()

Returns attribute's name.

setDefaultValue (VALUE)

Set attribute's default value. VALUE is the value. On error an exception Error::Simple is thrown.

getDefaultValue ()

Returns attribute's default value.

setExceptionClass (VALUE)

Set the class to throw when an exception occurs. VALUE is the value. Default value at initialization is Error::Simple. VALUE may not be undef. On error an exception Error::Simple is thrown.

getExceptionClass ()

Returns the class to throw when an exception occurs.

setMandatory (VALUE)

State that the attribute is mandatory for construction. VALUE is the value. Default value at initialization is 0. On error an exception Error::Simple is thrown.

isMandatory ()

Returns whether the attribute is mandatory for construction or not.

setMethodBase (VALUE)

Set the method base name. VALUE is the value. On error an exception Error::Simple is thrown.

getMethodBase ()

Returns the method base name.

setPerlBean (VALUE)

Set the PerlBean to which this attribute belongs. VALUE is the value. On error an exception Error::Simple is thrown.

VALUE must be a (sub)class of:
PerlBean
getPerlBean ()

Returns the PerlBean to which this attribute belongs.

setShortDescription (VALUE)

Set the attribute description. VALUE is the value. On error an exception Error::Simple is thrown.

getShortDescription ()

Returns the attribute description.

SEE ALSO

PerlBean, PerlBean::Attribute::Boolean, PerlBean::Attribute::Factory, PerlBean::Attribute::Multi, PerlBean::Attribute::Multi::Ordered, PerlBean::Attribute::Multi::Unique, PerlBean::Attribute::Multi::Unique::Associative, PerlBean::Attribute::Multi::Unique::Associative::MethodKey, PerlBean::Attribute::Multi::Unique::Ordered, PerlBean::Attribute::Single, PerlBean::Collection, PerlBean::Method

BUGS

None known (yet.)

HISTORY

First development: November 2002

AUTHOR

Vincenzo Zocca

COPYRIGHT

Copyright 2002, 2003 by Vincenzo Zocca

LICENSE

This file is part of the PerlBean module hierarchy for Perl by Vincenzo Zocca.

The PerlBean module hierarchy is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

The PerlBean module hierarchy is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.

You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with the PerlBean module hierarchy; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA