README for Class::BlackHole
                                        Time-stamp: "1999-05-13 10:56:02 MDT"

NAME
     Class::BlackHole - base class to treat unhandled method
     calls as no-ops

SYNOPSIS
       use Class::BlackHole;

       # set up a class X, to inherit from Class::BlackHole
       @X::ISA = qw(Class::BlackHole);
       # put a method in it
       sub X::zaz { 123123; }

       print "Zaz is <", X->zaz, ">\n";
       print "Flork is <", X->flork, ">\n";
       print "can zaz : <", X->can('zaz'), ">\n";
       print "can flork : <", X->can('flork'), ">\n";

       The above code prints:
        Zaz is <123123>
        Flork is <>
        can zaz : <CODE(0x392c7d4)>
        can flork : <>

DESCRIPTION
     Normally, if you try to call a method that there's no
     handler for, you get an error:

       Can't locate object method "flork" via package "X".

     But for classes that inherit from Class::BlackHole,
     unhandled methods become just no-operations.

CAVEATS
     Be sure to have Class::BlackHole be the absolute last item
     in your class's ISA list.

     This class will almost definitely not work right as part of
     any ISA tree that has multiple inheritance.

IMPLEMENTATION
     Class::BlackHole just traps everything with an AUTOLOAD sub
     that is a no-operation.

     HOWEVER, what makes Class::Blackhole different than merely:

       @Class::BlackHole::ISA = ();
       sub Class::BlackHole::AUTOLOAD { }

     is that this would (unhappily) trap calls to the helpful
     methods in UNIVERSAL, like can, VERSION, and isa.

     Class::BlackHole aliases those methods (or better said, all
     subs in package UNIVERSAL) into its own package, so that
     they'll be accessible instead of being caught by the
     AUTOLOAD.

FUNCTIONS AND METHODS
     This module provides no functions or methods.

     It exports no symbols into the calling package or anywhere
     else.

DISCLAIMER
     This program is distributed in the hope that it will be
     useful, but without any warranty; without even the implied
     warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular
     purpose.

     But let me know if it gives you any problems, OK?

COPYRIGHT
     Copyright 1999, Sean M. Burke sburke@netadventure.net, all
     rights reserved.  This program is free software; you can
     redistribute it and/or modify it under the same terms as
     Perl itself.

AUTHOR
     Sean M. Burke sburke@netadventure.net


PREREQUISITES

This suite requires Perl 5; I've only used it under Perl 5.004, so for
anything lower, you're on your own.

Class::BlackHole doesn't use any nonstandard modules.


INSTALLATION

You install Class::BlackHole, as you would install any perl module
library, by running these commands:

   perl Makefile.PL
   make
   make test
   make install

If you want to install a private copy of Class::BlackHole in your home
directory, then you should try to produce the initial Makefile with
something like this command:

  perl Makefile.PL LIB=~/perl


DOCUMENTATION

POD-format documentation is included in BlackHole.pm.  POD is readable
with the 'perldoc' utility.  See ChangeLog for recent changes.


MACPERL INSTALLATION NOTES

Don't bother with the makefiles.  Just make a Class directory in your
MacPerl site_lib or lib directory, and move BlackHole.pm into there.


SUPPORT

Questions, bug reports, useful code bits, and suggestions for
Class::BlackHole should just be sent to me at sburke@netadventure.net


AVAILABILITY

The latest version of Class::BlackHole is available from the
Comprehensive Perl Archive Network (CPAN).  Visit
<http://www.perl.com/CPAN/> to find a CPAN site near you.