Tie::Handle(3)

NAME
     Tie::Handle - base class definitions for tied handles

SYNOPSIS
         package NewHandle;
         require Tie::Handle;

         @ISA = (Tie::Handle);

         sub READ { ... }            # Provide a needed method
         sub TIEHANDLE { ... }       # Overrides inherited method


         package main;

         tie *FH, 'NewHandle';


DESCRIPTION
     This module provides some skeletal methods for handle-tying classes. See
     the perltie manpage for a list of the functions required in tying a
     handle to a package.  The basic Tie::Handle package provides a new
     method, as well as methods TIESCALAR, FETCH and STORE. The new method is
     provided as a means of grandfathering, for classes that forget to provide
     their own TIESCALAR method.

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

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

     WRITE this, scalar, length, offset
          Write length bytes of data from scalar starting at offset.

     PRINT this, LIST
          Print the values in LIST

     PRINTF this, format, LIST
          Print the values in LIST using format

     READ this, scalar, length, offset
          Read length bytes of data into scalar starting at offset.

     READLINE this
          Read a single line
     GETC this
          Get a single character

     DESTROY this
          Free the storage associated with the tied handle 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.

MORE INFORMATION
     The the perltie manpage section contains an example of tying handles.