Module problem: can't locate object method

P has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Hi, When I execute the perl program it returns: Can't locate object method "load" via package "conf" (perhaps you forgot to load "conf"?) at socket.pm line 9. - socket.pm:

package socket;

use strict;
use IO::Socket;
use conf;
use irc;
my $conf = load conf;
[download]

- conf.pm:

package conf;

use strict;
use irc;
my %conf;
sub load {
        my $proto = shift;
        my $self = ref($proto) || $proto;
        my $this = \%conf;
        bless($this, $self);
        return $this;
}
[download]

Where is the problem? I don't know why it returns this problem... %conf is not empty. Thanks.

Edit by castaway: added code tags.

20040103 Edit by BazB: Changed title from 'problem with modules'

Comment on Module problem: can't locate object method Select or Download Code

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: Module problem: can't locate object method by !1 (Hermit) on Jan 03, 2004 at 16:25 UTC
I think it will be helpful if you make certain that there's no other conf module that perl might be trying to load. Check the path of conf.pm and then run: `perl -mconf -le'print $INC{"conf.pm"}'` [download] If the paths don't match, then you might want to consider putting `use lib "directory_of_module";` before `use conf;` in socket.pm to move the directory to the beginning of @INC. If the paths do match then you have a different problem. Check to make certain that you don't have a typo in the package declaration of conf.pm. For instance: `package cpnf; # ^-- typo, now we can't find package conf ...` [download] Beyond that, does the subroutine appear after an __END__ or __DATA__? Hopefully something in this rant is useful. Update: Cleaned up and provided an example.	[reply] [d/l] [select]
Re: Module problem: can't locate object method by cLive ;-) (Prior) on Jan 03, 2004 at 18:46 UTC
A few things off the top of my head. Use `conf->load();` [download] to explicitly call the method without ambiguity. If you're under mod_perl, my %conf will cause you no end of trouble if you try to declare it globally. Adding in `use warnings` might give you an extra pointer or two. Errr, what else? I assume the path to conf.pm can be found in @INC ? Kinda obvious, I know, but worth asking. If not, add `use lib '/path/to/module/dir';` [download] before the use conf statement. .02 cLive ;-)	[reply] [d/l] [select]
Re: Module problem: can't locate object method by TomDLux (Vicar) on Jan 03, 2004 at 15:22 UTC
Try using the `conf::new() conf->new()` form. The other way around, as you have it, is generally discouraged. -- `TTTATCGGTCGTTATATAGATGTTTGCA`	[reply]
Re: Re: Module problem: can't locate object method by Joost (Canon) on Jan 03, 2004 at 15:34 UTC
`conf::new` is not equivalent. I think you mean `conf->new()`. Joost. "What should it profit a man, if he should win a flame war, yet lose his cool?"	[reply] [d/l] [select]
A reply falls below the community's threshold of quality. You may see it by logging in.