Yep, a counter is also Class::Object's method to create unique classnames. As for the new() and sub() methods: I don't think they'd conflict with the purpose of the parameter object, even more they are very usefull for introducing hossman's validation methods (why limit this to one isValid, why not isValidForPurposeA and isValidForPurposeB ...) and to derive objects from objects. To me, it's just fulfillment of concept ;)