Tie::Scalar(3perl)

💖 Tie::Scalar — bestie edition 💖

okay so this is Tie::Scalar and Tie::StdScalar, from the Perl Programmers Reference Guide, and they're the base class definitions for tied scalars. yes. tied. scalars. we're doing this. 🎀

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✨ SYNOPSIS ✨

package NewScalar;
require Tie::Scalar;

@ISA = qw(Tie::Scalar);

sub FETCH { ... }           # Provide a needed method
sub TIESCALAR { ... }       # Overrides inherited method

package NewStdScalar;
require Tie::Scalar;

@ISA = qw(Tie::StdScalar);

# All methods provided by default, so define
# only what needs be overridden
sub FETCH { ... }

package main;

tie $new_scalar, 'NewScalar';
tie $new_std_scalar, 'NewStdScalar';

like look at her. @ISA = qw(Tie::Scalar) and you're basically in. 💅

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🌸 DESCRIPTION 🌸

So this module hands you some skeletal methods for scalar-tying classes — the lil starter pack, the scaffolding, the vibe skeleton. if you wanna know the full list of functions you need to actually tie a scalar to a package, go read perltie, she has the receipts. 💖

The basic Tie::Scalar package gives you a "new" method, plus the methods "TIESCALAR", "FETCH" and "STORE". that's the trio plus a lil bonus.

Then there's Tie::StdScalar, which provides all the methods specified in perltie. she inherits from Tie::Scalar, and she makes scalars tied to her behave exactly like the built-in scalars, which is what lets you selectively overload just the methods you care about. main character behavior honestly. 👑

And that "new" method? it's there as a means of legacy support for classes that forget to provide their own "TIESCALAR" method. we don't judge. we support. 🫶

For developers wishing to write their own tied-scalar classes, the methods are summarized below. and perltie doesn't just document these — she has sample code too. go look, bestie, it's giving tutorial energy. 📚

🧚 TIESCALAR classname, LIST

The method invoked by the command tie $scalar, classname. It associates a new scalar instance with the specified class. LIST would represent additional arguments (along the lines of AnyDBM_File and compatriots) needed to complete the association.

🍓 FETCH this

Retrieve the value of the tied scalar referenced by this.

⭐ STORE this, value

Store data value in the tied scalar referenced by this.

💀 DESTROY this

Free the storage associated with the tied scalar 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.

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🌈 Tie::Scalar vs Tie::StdScalar

okay this part is important so pay attention bestie. 👀

"Tie::Scalar" provides all the necessary methods, but you should realize they do not do anything useful. like, at all. Calling "Tie::Scalar::FETCH" or "Tie::Scalar::STORE" results in a (trappable) croak. 💀 and if you inherit from "Tie::Scalar", you must provide either a "new" or a "TIESCALAR" method. no skipping that, she's mandatory.

If you are looking for a class that does everything for you that you don't define yourself, use the "Tie::StdScalar" class, not the "Tie::Scalar" one. that's the whole tea. 🍵

fr fr: Tie::Scalar is the DIY one, Tie::StdScalar is the "she already did it for you" one. pick accordingly.

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📖 MORE INFORMATION

The perltie section uses a good example of tying scalars by associating process IDs with priority. iconic example tbh, go read it. ✨

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that's the whole page bestie, you ate it, you understood it, periodt. 💅✨

this has been Tie::Scalar(3perl) from the Perl Programmers Reference Guide, perl v5.44.0, dated 2026-10-17. 🦋 bye pookie, go tie some scalars 💖