


FileCache(3p)    Perl Programmers Reference Guide   FileCache(3p)


NAME
       FileCache - keep more files open than the system permits

SYNOPSIS
           use FileCache;
           # or
           use FileCache maxopen => 16;

           cacheout $mode, $path;
           # or
           cacheout $path;
           print $path @data;

           $fh = cacheout $mode, $path;
           # or
           $fh = cacheout $path;
           print $fh @data;

DESCRIPTION
       The "cacheout" function will make sure that there's a
       filehandle open for reading or writing available as the
       pathname you give it. It automatically closes and re-opens
       files if you exceed your system's maximum number of file
       descriptors, or the suggested maximum maxopen.

       cacheout EXPR
           The 1-argument form of cacheout will open a file for
           writing ('>') on it's first use, and appending ('>>')
           thereafter.

           Returns EXPR on success for convenience. You may
           neglect the return value and manipulate EXPR as the
           filehandle directly if you prefer.

       cacheout MODE, EXPR
           The 2-argument form of cacheout will use the supplied
           mode for the initial and subsequent openings. Most
           valid modes for 3-argument "open" are supported
           namely; '>', '+>', '<', '<+', '>>',  '|-'  and  '-|'

           Returns EXPR on success for convenience. You may
           neglect the return value and manipulate EXPR as the
           filehandle directly if you prefer.

CAVEATS
       While it is permissible to "close" a FileCache managed
       file, do not do so if you are calling "FileCache::cache-
       out" from a package other than which it was imported, or
       with another module which overrides "close".  If you must,
       use "FileCache::cacheout_close".

BUGS
       sys/param.h lies with its "NOFILE" define on some systems,
       so you may have to set maxopen yourself.



perl v5.8.2                 2002-11-06                          1





FileCache(3p)    Perl Programmers Reference Guide   FileCache(3p)


NOTES
       FileCache installs signal handlers for CHLD (a.k.a. CLD)
       and PIPE in the calling package to handle deceased chil-
       dren from 2-arg "cacheout" with '|-' or '-|' expediently.
       The children would otherwise be reaped eventually, unless
       you terminated before repeatedly calling cacheout.



















































perl v5.8.2                 2002-11-06                          2


