NAME

       Tie::Scalar, Tie::StdScalar - base class definitions for tied scalars

SYNOPSIS

           package NewScalar;
           require Tie::Scalar;

           @ISA = qw(Tie::Scalar);

           sub FETCH { ... }           # Provide a needed method
           sub TIESCALAR { ... }       # Overrides inherited method

           package NewStdScalar;
           require Tie::Scalar;

           @ISA = qw(Tie::StdScalar);

           # All methods provided by default, so define
           # only what needs be overridden
           sub FETCH { ... }

           package main;

           tie $new_scalar, 'NewScalar';
           tie $new_std_scalar, 'NewStdScalar';

DESCRIPTION

       This module provides some skeletal methods for scalar-tying classes. See perltie for a list of the
       functions required in tying a scalar to a package. The basic Tie::Scalar package provides a "new" method,
       as well as methods "TIESCALAR", "FETCH" and "STORE". The Tie::StdScalar package provides all the methods
       specified in  perltie. It inherits from Tie::Scalar and causes scalars tied to it to behave exactly like
       the built-in scalars, allowing for selective overloading of methods. The "new" method is provided as a
       means of legacy support for classes that forget to provide their own "TIESCALAR" method.

       For developers wishing to write their own tied-scalar classes, the methods are summarized below. The
       perltie section not only documents these, but has sample code as well:

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

       FETCH this
           Retrieve the value of the tied scalar referenced by this.

       STORE this, value
           Store data value in the tied scalar referenced by this.

       DESTROY this
           Free the storage associated with the tied scalar 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.

   Tie::Scalar vs Tie::StdScalar
       "Tie::Scalar" provides all the necessary methods, but one should realize they do not do anything useful.
       Calling "Tie::Scalar::FETCH" or "Tie::Scalar::STORE" results in a (trappable) croak. And if you inherit
       from "Tie::Scalar", you must provide either a "new" or a "TIESCALAR" method.

       If you are looking for a class that does everything for you that you don't define yourself, use the
       "Tie::StdScalar" class, not the "Tie::Scalar" one.

MORE INFORMATION

       The perltie section uses a good example of tying scalars by associating process IDs with priority.