Classgen-3.03 (12/2000) Purpose: ======== Simplifies creation, manipulation and usage of complex objects. Benefits: ========= * you can focus completely on the intended functions of your object * objects are stored in separate ASCII-files (.pm and * objects can be edited later * specifying objects instance variables is enough to implement basic functionality * structures for inheritance are prepared by default * a perldoc skelton is provided for each object Description: =========== classgen is a script that allows you to create a Perl-object from a simple control-file. In the control file you basically specify the internal instance-variables this object should have. classgen then generates ASCII-source code (package) for you, which contains: * a new() - method with the variables blessed to an {} * accessor- and manipulator-methods for all these variables * a specific() - method; it serves as a skelton for you to edit further object-specific methods as you need them * a perldoc-skelton at the end 3.03: * accessor and manipulator methods are stored separated as files 3.03: * .pm and are saved into the /archive directory first 3.03: * if you created a MANIFEST file via h2xs, the file is added 3.03: * the version is set to 1.00 automatically Installation: ============= To install classgen 'gunzip' and 'tar xvf' the .gz file in a directory of your choice. Next run from this directory: perl Makefile.PL make make install (as root) There are a few examples in examples/ which include how to extend the generated object for inheritance from base-classes. Examples: ========= The /examples directory provides code and explainations on: * how to get started * how to implement inheritance with classgen * how to introduce different peanuts-characters by inheritance * how to establish associations between different classes In the spirit of UML, Michael Schlueter email: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Feedback given on Classgen-3.01: Hi, Michael, Thanks for the wonderful "classgen" utility, it saves me a lot of typing. (...) Lieting Yu ( 28.6.2000