Convert::Scalar - convert between different representations of perl scalars
use Convert::Scalar;
This module exports various internal perl methods that change the internal representation or state of a perl scalar. All of these work in-place, that is, they modify their scalar argument. No functions are exported by default.
The following export tags exist:
:utf8 all functions with utf8 in their name :taint all functions with taint in their name :refcnt all functions with refcnt in their name :ok all *ok-functions.
Returns true when the given scalar is marked as utf8, false otherwise. If the optional mode argument is given, also forces the interpretation of the string to utf8 (mode true) or plain bytes (mode false). The actual (byte-) content is not changed. The return value always reflects the state before any modification is done.
This function is useful when you "import" utf8-data into perl, or when some external function (e.g. storing/retrieving from a database) removes the utf8-flag.
Similar to utf8 scalar, 1, but additionally returns the scalar (the argument is still modified in-place).
utf8 scalar, 1
Similar to utf8 scalar, 0, but additionally returns the scalar (the argument is still modified in-place).
utf8 scalar, 0
Returns true if the bytes inside the scalar form a valid utf8 string, false otherwise (the check is independent of the actual encoding perl thinks the string is in).
Convert the string content of the scalar in-place to its UTF8-encoded form (and also returns it).
Attempt to convert the string content of the scalar from UTF8-encoded to ISO-8859-1. This may not be possible if the string contains characters that cannot be represented in a single byte; if this is the case, it leaves the scalar unchanged and either returns false or, if fail_ok is not true (the default), croaks.
fail_ok
Convert the string value of the scalar to UTF8-encoded, but then turn off the SvUTF8 flag so that it looks like bytes to perl again. (Might be removed in future versions).
SvUTF8
Returns the number of characters in the string, counting wide UTF8 characters as a single character, independent of wether the scalar is marked as containing bytes or mulitbyte characters.
Remove the specified magic from the scalar (DANGEROUS!).
Weaken a reference. (See also WeakRef).
Taint the scalar.
returns true when the scalar is tainted, false otherwise.
Remove the tainted flag from the specified scalar.
Sets the memory area used for the scalar to the given length, if the current length is less than the new value. This does not affect the contents of the scalar, but is only useful to "pre-allocate" memory space if you know the scalar will grow. The return value is the modified scalar (the scalar is modified in-place).
Returns the current reference count of the given scalar and optionally sets it to the given reference count.
Increments the reference count of the given scalar inplace.
Decrements the reference count of the given scalar inplace. Use weaken instead if you understand what this function is fore. Better yet: don't use this module in this case.
weaken
Works like refcnt, but dereferences the given reference first. This is useful to find the reference count of arrays or hashes, which cnanot be passed directly. Remember that taking a reference of some object increases it's reference count, so the reference count used by the *_rv-functions tend to be one higher.
refcnt
*_rv
Works like refcnt_inc, but dereferences the given reference first.
refcnt_inc
Works like refcnt_dec, but dereferences the given reference first.
refcnt_dec
Calls SvOK, SvUOK, SvROK, SvPOK, SvNOK or SvNIOK on the given scalar, respectively.
The following API functions (perlapi) are considered for future inclusion in this module If you want them, write me.
sv_upgrade sv_pvn_force sv_pvutf8n_force the sv2xx family
Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> http://home.schmorp.de/
To install Convert::Scalar, copy and paste the appropriate command in to your terminal.
cpanm
cpanm Convert::Scalar
CPAN shell
perl -MCPAN -e shell install Convert::Scalar
For more information on module installation, please visit the detailed CPAN module installation guide.