Hello.
I would like to publish the modules described below. In particular, I'm
requesting recommendations for a good name.
Frequently I write simple mutators as functions. The mutator should return
a scalar when a scalar is passed and a list when a list is passed. I was
looking for an existing solution, and concluding there was none, wrote my
own. This module defines two function attributes as shown below:
## Example uses "lc" to represent an arbitrarily complex mutator
sub lowercase : ScalarContext('first') {
return map { lc } @_ ;
}
print scalar lowercase('Jim'), "\n" ; ## prints 'jim' instead of 1
There several variants:
sub lowercase : ScalarContext('last') {...} ## returns the last element
sub lowercase : ScalarContext('count') {...} ## default behavior
sub lowercase : Listify {...} ## aristotle's response
The Listify attribute was added after someone recommended "pasting a listify()
function in every project" instead of this module. Maybe this is common
practice; and if so, wouldn't a CPAN module be preferable?
One option is to release this module as a pragma. Note the difference in
invocation:
## Function::ReturnScalar name used in blog example
use Function::ReturnScalar ; ## pragma
use base Function::ReturnScalar ; ## standard
I've posted this discussion on perlmonks and perl blogs:
http://blogs.perl.org/users/jim_schueler/2013/07/function-return-in-scalar-context.html
My question is basically:
1. Is there an existing module? (Apparently not)
2. Is this module useful to anyone else?
3. Code review of proposed solution
I was hoping for more encouraging responses, which I've summarized as follows:
1. Non-specific attacks unrelated to the question about usefulness.
2. Generally used work-arounds are better (without explanation).
3. A couple indications that the module would be useful.
Maybe these responses help test the moxie of a new wannabe contributor?
Although the general response tone was discouraging, no one gave any specific
reasons against release. And, at least, publishing this module will help
*my* code base.
I'd like to release this module following all the best practices. Can anyone
help?
Thanks!
-Jim
