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Smart matching for argument constraints

by LanX (Canon)
on Sep 03, 2012 at 13:45 UTC ( #991434=perlquestion: print w/ replies, xml ) Need Help??
LanX has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:


I'm considering using the smart macht operator for argument constraints at the start of a sub.

I have to admit that ~~ still confuses me a lot

is the following code correct to check if

1. the argument is a simple scalar (that is no ref) 2. and element of the given set (here a b c)?

sub tst { %arg = @_; warn "wrong argument" unless "$arg{x}" ~~ [qw/a b c/] ; }

so e.g. tst(x => "a"); is ok.

the explicit stringification (quotes) of "$arg{x}" is necessary to avoid tst(x => [qw/a b c/]); to be legal.

Any comments? Any better idioms for checking arguments?

Cheers Rolf

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Re: Smart matching for argument constraints
by mithaldu (Monk) on Sep 03, 2012 at 14:30 UTC
      Thanks, this reflects my general suspicion towards smart matching...!

      Cheers Rolf

Re: Smart matching for argument constraints
by tobyink (Abbot) on Sep 04, 2012 at 06:53 UTC

    Personally I'd make the intent a little more obvious:

    warn "wrong argument" if ref $arg{x} || !($arg{x} ~~ [qw/a b c/]);

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