NAME

Exporter::Lite - Lightweight exporting of variables

SYNOPSIS

  package Foo;
  use Exporter::Lite;

  # Just like Exporter.
  @EXPORT       = qw($This That);
  @EXPORT_OK    = qw(@Left %Right);

  # Meanwhile, in another piece of code!
  package Bar;
  use Foo;  # exports $This and &That.

DESCRIPTION

This is an alternative to Exporter intended to provide a lightweight subset of its functionality. It supports import(), @EXPORT and @EXPORT_OK and not a whole lot else.

Unlike Exporter, it is not necessary to inherit from Exporter::Lite (ie. no @ISA = qw(Exporter::Lite) mantra). Exporter::Lite simply exports its import() function. This might be called a ``mix-in''.

Setting up a module to export its variables and functions is simple:

    package My::Module;
    use Exporter::Lite;

    @EXPORT = qw($Foo bar);

now when you use My::Module, $Foo and bar() will show up.

In order to make exporting optional, use @EXPORT_OK.

    package My::Module;
    use Exporter::Lite;

    @EXPORT_OK = qw($Foo bar);

when My::Module is used, $Foo and bar() will not show up. You have to ask for them. use My::Module qw($Foo bar).

Methods

Export::Lite has one public method, import(), which is called automaticly when your modules is use()'d.

In normal usage you don't have to worry about this at all.

import

  Some::Module->import;
  Some::Module->import(@symbols);

Works just like Exporter::import() excepting it only honors @Some::Module::EXPORT and @Some::Module::EXPORT_OK.

The given @symbols are exported to the current package provided they are in @Some::Module::EXPORT or @Some::Module::EXPORT_OK. Otherwise an exception is thrown (ie. the program dies).

If @symbols is not given, everything in @Some::Module::EXPORT is exported.

DIAGNOSTICS

'``%s'' is not exported by the %s module': Attempted to import a symbol which is not in @EXPORT or @EXPORT_OK.
'Can\'t export symbol: %s': Attempted to import a symbol of an unknown type (ie. the leading $@% salad wasn't recognized).

BUGS and CAVEATS

Its not yet clear if this is actually any lighter or faster than Exporter. I know its at least on par.

OTOH, the docs are much clearer and not having to say @ISA = qw(Exporter) is kinda nice.

AUTHORS

Michael G Schwern <schwern@pobox.com>

LICENSE

This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the same terms as Perl itself.

See http://www.perl.com/perl/misc/Artistic.html