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UNIVERSAL::can($don't, $do_this); More | Login | Reply

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This is also an API problem (Score:1)

by jk2addict (4946)

I admit it. I'm guilty of UNIVERSAL::can($object, $method). Been there. Done than. Changed them when I run across them in old code. My real beef with UNIVERSAL::can($object, $method) is one of usibility. What couldn't that have just made that method DTRT and simply return false/0 if $object wasn't an object at all. After all, in a sub as simple as this, I just want a true/false. No need to throw errors. It either can, or can't, regardless os whether $objectis or isn't an object.
- Re:This is also an API problem (Score:1)
  
  by chromatic (983)
  
  What if $object contains a class name?
  - Re:This is also an API problem (Score:1)
    
    by jk2addict (4946) on 2006.01.24 17:50 (#45828) Homepage Journal
    
    Then return true. It's not telling a lie.
    
    $classname->foo and &classname::foo exists, and can be called. How they are supposed to be called is up to the module author and consumer, and not the concern of can.
    
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    Parent
    - Re:This is also an API problem (Score:1)
      
      by chromatic (983)
      
      I simply mean that there isn't a single use for UNIVERSAL::can that makes a replacement easy to write. UNIVERSAL::isa is even worse.

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