man Tie::DxHash (3): keeps insertion order; allows duplicate keys

VERSION

This document describes Tie::DxHash version 1.03

SYNOPSIS

use Tie::DxHash;
my(%vhost);
tie %vhost, 'Tie::DxHash' [, LIST];
%vhost = (
ServerName => 'foo',
RewriteCond => 'bar',
RewriteRule => 'bletch',
RewriteCond => 'phooey',
RewriteRule => 'squelch',
);

DESCRIPTION

This module was written to allow the use of rewrite rules in Apache configuration files written with Perl Sections. However, a potential user has stated that he needs it to support the use of multiple ScriptAlias directives within a single Virtual Host (which is required by FrontPage, apparently). If you find a completely different use for it, great.

The original purpose of this module is not quite so obscure as it might sound. Perl Sections bring the power of a general-purpose programming language to Apache configuration files and, having used them once, many people use them throughout. (I take this approach since, even in sections of the configuration where I do not need the flexibility, I find it easier to use a consistent syntax. This also makes the code easier for XEmacs to colour in ;-) Similarly, mod_rewrite is easily the most powerful way to perform URL rewriting and I tend to use it exclusively, even when a simpler directive would do the trick, in order to group my redirections together and keep them consistent. So, I came up against the following problem quite early on.

The synopsis shows some syntax which might be needed when using mod_rewrite within a Perl Section. Clearly, using an ordinary hash will not do what you want. The two additional features we need are to preserve insertion order and to allow duplicate keys. When retrieving an element from the hash by name, successive requests for the same name must iterate through the duplicate entries (and, presumably, wrap around when the end of the chain is reached). This is where Tie::DxHash comes in. Simply by tying the offending hash, the corresponding configuration directives work as expected.

Running an Apache syntax check (with docroot check) on your configuration file (with "httpd -t") and checking virtual host settings (with "httpd -S") succeed without complaint. Incidentally, I strongly recommend building your Apache configuration files with make (or equivalent) in order to enforce the above two checks, preceded by a Perl syntax check (with "perl -cx").

SUBROUTINES/METHODS

This module is intended to be called through Perl's tie interface. For reference, the following methods have been defined:

    CLEAR
    DELETE
    EXISTS
    FETCH
    FIRSTKEY
    NEXTKEY
    SCALAR
    STORE
    TIEHASH

DIAGNOSTICS

None.

CONFIGURATION AND ENVIRONMENT

Tie::DxHash requires no configuration files or environment variables.

DEPENDENCIES

None.

INCOMPATIBILITIES

None reported.

INTERNALS

For those interested, Tie::DxHash works by storing the hash data in an array of hash references (containing the key/value pairs). This preserves insertion order. A separate set of iterators (one per distinct key) keeps track of the last retrieved value for a given key, thus allowing the successive retrieval of multiple values for the same key to work as expected.

BUGS AND LIMITATIONS

The algorithms used to retrieve and delete elements by key run in O(N) time, so do not expect this module to work well on large data sets. This is not a problem for the module's intended use. If you find another use for the module which involves larger quantities of data, let me know and I will put some effort into optimising for speed.

The mod_rewrite directives for which this module was written (primarily RewriteCond and RewriteRule) can occur in all four configuration file contexts (i.e. server config, virtual host, directory, .htaccess). However, Tie::DxHash only helps when you are using a directive which is mapped onto a Perl hash. This limits you to directives which are block sections with begin and end tags (like <VirtualHost> and <Directory>). I get round this by sticking my mod_rewrite directives in a name-based virtual host container (as shown in the synopsis) even in the degenerate case where the web server only has one virtual host.

AUTHOR

Kevin Ruscoe "<[email protected]>"

LICENSE AND COPYRIGHT

This module is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the same terms as Perl itself. See perlartistic.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

BECAUSE THIS SOFTWARE IS LICENSED FREE OF CHARGE, THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR THE SOFTWARE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. EXCEPT WHEN OTHERWISE STATED IN WRITING THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND/OR OTHER PARTIES PROVIDE THE SOFTWARE ``AS IS'' WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE IS WITH YOU. SHOULD THE SOFTWARE PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR, OR CORRECTION.

IN NO EVENT UNLESS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR AGREED TO IN WRITING WILL ANY COPYRIGHT HOLDER, OR ANY OTHER PARTY WHO MAY MODIFY AND/OR REDISTRIBUTE THE SOFTWARE AS PERMITTED BY THE ABOVE LICENCE, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE OR LOSSES SUSTAINED BY YOU OR THIRD PARTIES OR A FAILURE OF THE SOFTWARE TO OPERATE WITH ANY OTHER SOFTWARE), EVEN IF SUCH HOLDER OR OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.