If you just need to save the last state you could use Config::IniFiles to store the state. This gives you a recognizable file format, a portable module and a flexible interface to your data. I have used this method on both Linux and Win2k boxes, without changing my code.

Here is an example that should give you an idea of how this works. I prefer using the tied method because IMHO it is easier to work with an HoH than a bunch of method calls. 

use Config::IniFiles;
#  my $cfg = new Config::IniFiles( -file => "configfile.ini" );
# or
my %ini
tie %ini, 'Config::IniFiles', ( -file => "configfile.ini" );

# do stuff with %ini

# create a new section and add values
$ini{new_section} = {};
$ini{new_section}{new_param1} = $val;
$ini{new_section}{new_param2} = $val2;

# add a multiline value
$ini{new_section}{new_param2} = [$value1, $value2, ...];

# save with the TIED hash 
# overwrite the current ini file
tied( %ini )->RewriteConfig();
# or you can write to a different file
#tied( %ini )->WriteConfig ($NewFilename);

# save with object ref
# overwrite the current ini file
#$cfg->RewriteConfig();
# or you can write to a different file
#$cfg->WriteConfig ($NewFilename);

[download]
Even though it is tied to a hash you will still have to call RewriteConfig() or WriteConfig($file) in order to save it.

This is portable and human readable! :)

--
hiseldl

In reply to Re: Maintaining state in modules by hiseldl
in thread Maintaining state in modules by cLive ;-)

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