http://www.perlmonks.org?node_id=352534


in reply to •Re: Change the parent of an instance
in thread Change the parent of an instance

What's wrong with reblessing then? The variable keeping track of the actual type might be a good idea, but many of the methods will then look like
if ($somehow_is_a_foe) { } else { }
because the two share a lot, although they hardly share anything.

Update: I have not yet thought about re-blessing. I think it's a good idea, worthwhile trying but if you say it's bad (or at least, will suck) I'll be glad to know why, just to find out if re-blessing is what I want.

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
•Re: Re: ?Re: Change the parent of an instance
by merlyn (Sage) on May 11, 2004 at 18:43 UTC
    No, I mean you plug it like this:
    package Elf; sub named { my $class = shift; bless { Name => shift; Actions => Elf::Live::, Has => {}, }, $class; } sub die { shift->{Actions} = Elf::Dead::; } sub can_attack { # delegate to actions shift->{Actions}->can_attack(@_); } sub enemy_of { shift->{Actions}->enemy_of(@_); } package Elf::Live; sub can_attack { ... } sub enemy_of { ... } package Elf::Dead; sub can_attack { ... } sub enemy_of { ... }
    A simple change of the Actions variable by plugging in a different "behavior container" causes a bank-switch of those behaviors to a new motif. I forget the "gang of four" pattern for this, but it's one of those. {grin}

    -- Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker
    Be sure to read my standard disclaimer if this is a reply.

      Ah! Now I see!

      I think it's the best idea I've seen so far, assuming re-blessing really sucks. I'll have a look at it (a big re-style of the code is now required but it's worth it).

      Just for my information, could you please tell me the disadvanteges of re-blessing?