Create a constructor named the same as your package name!

Why type ->new? Have your package create a function so that the package name itself is the constructor! For example, you can have:

my $e = Example::Module->new(@list);
[download]

my $e = Example::Module(@list);
[download]

Both are supported by the snippet code! Even works if ->new is inherited, and doesn't disturb any other class methods.

package Example::Module;

...

sub Example::Module {
  return "Example::Module" unless @_;
  Example::Module::->new(@_); # extra colons are necessary
}

...
[download]

Comment on Create a constructor named the same as your package name! Select or Download Code

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: Create a constructor named the same as your package name! by DrHyde (Prior) on Jul 01, 2004 at 13:03 UTC
So you've created a subroutine in some other namespace. That's not something I'd want to encourage.	[reply]
•Re^2: Create a constructor named the same as your package name! by merlyn (Sage) on Jul 01, 2004 at 14:15 UTC
It's arguably your namespace, because if someone else were to create that subroutine name, it would mess up all of your class methods. -- Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker Be sure to read my standard disclaimer if this is a reply.	[reply]
Re: Create a constructor named the same as your package name! by Solo (Deacon) on Jul 01, 2004 at 13:41 UTC
Neat idea, but what if a constructor needs no arguments? --Solo -- You said you wanted to be around when I made a mistake; well, this could be it, sweetheart.	[reply]
Re^2: Create a constructor named the same as your package name! by jryan (Vicar) on Jul 01, 2004 at 16:15 UTC
I'm confused, what's wrong with this? `my $e = Example::Module();` [download]	[reply] [d/l]
•Re^3: Create a constructor named the same as your package name! by merlyn (Sage) on Jul 01, 2004 at 16:19 UTC
`my $e = Example::Module();` [download] That would be the same as: `my $e = "Example::Module";` [download] So no, it doesn't work. I thought about it for a while... and I can't figure out a way around that corner case that doesn't break other class methods. Oh well... gotta say "new" sometime, I guess. -- Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker Be sure to read my standard disclaimer if this is a reply.	[reply] [d/l] [select]
Re^4: Create a constructor named the same as your package name! by antirice (Priest) on Jul 03, 2004 at 06:16 UTC

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