Assuming code-tampering is not an issue, how about this: 
my $foo; # Global, because this is the only visible (subroutine ref)

$foo=sub{
   print qq[First call - do first processing here \n];
   # First processing code goes here ...   
   
   # Now setup for subsequent calls .... 
  $foo=sub{
     print qq[subsequent calls\n]
     # Code for subsequent calls goes here
  }
};

$foo->() for 0..5; # OK - so the subroutine call looks slightly weird 
+to newbies.

[download]
Unfortunately, Murphy's laws will kick in if the caller decides to use a copy/clone of the $foo scalar, so don't do that.

     "Choose a job you like and you will never have to work a day of your life" - Confucius

In reply to Re: Is modifying the symbol table to redefine subroutines evil? by NetWallah
in thread Is modifying the symbol table to redefine subroutines evil? by tlm

Title:
Use:  <p> text here (a paragraph) </p>
and:  <code> code here </code>
to format your post, it's "PerlMonks-approved HTML":


  • Posts are HTML formatted. Put <p> </p> tags around your paragraphs. Put <code> </code> tags around your code and data!
  • Titles consisting of a single word are discouraged, and in most cases are disallowed outright.
  • Read Where should I post X? if you're not absolutely sure you're posting in the right place.
  • Please read these before you post! —
  • Posts may use any of the Perl Monks Approved HTML tags:
    a, abbr, b, big, blockquote, br, caption, center, col, colgroup, dd, del, details, div, dl, dt, em, font, h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, hr, i, ins, li, ol, p, pre, readmore, small, span, spoiler, strike, strong, sub, summary, sup, table, tbody, td, tfoot, th, thead, tr, tt, u, ul, wbr
  • You may need to use entities for some characters, as follows. (Exception: Within code tags, you can put the characters literally.)
            For:     Use:
    & &amp;
    < &lt;
    > &gt;
    [ &#91;
    ] &#93;
  • Link using PerlMonks shortcuts! What shortcuts can I use for linking?
  • See Writeup Formatting Tips and other pages linked from there for more info.