Sub::Override - Perl extension for easily overriding subroutines use Sub::Override; sub foo { 'original sub' }; print foo(); # prints 'original sub' my $override = Sub::Override->new( foo => sub { 'overridden sub' } ); print foo(); # prints 'overridden sub' $override->restore; print foo(); # prints 'original sub'

The Problem
Sometimes subroutines need to be overridden. In fact, your author does this constantly for tests. Particularly when testing, using a Mock Object can be overkill when all you want to do is override one tiny, little function. Overriding a subroutine is often done with syntax similar to the following. { local *Some::sub = sub {'some behavior'}; # do something } # original subroutine behavior restored This has a few problems. { local *Get::some_feild = { 'some behavior' }; # do something } In the above example, not only have we probably mispelled the subroutine name, but even if their had been a subroutine with that name, we haven't overridden it. These two bugs can be subtle to detect. Further, if we're attempting to localize the effect by placing this code in a block, the entire construct is cumbersome. Hook::LexWrap also allows us to override sub behavior, but I can never remember the exact syntax.

An easier way to replace subroutines
Instead, "Sub::Override" allows the programmer to simply name the sub to replace and to supply a sub to replace it with. my $override = Sub::Override->new('Some::sub', sub {'new data'}); # which is equivalent to: my $override = Sub::Override->new; $override->replace('Some::sub', sub { 'new data' }); You can replace multiple subroutines, if needed: $override->replace('Some::sub1', sub { 'new data1' }); $override->replace('Some::sub2', sub { 'new data2' }); $override->replace('Some::sub3', sub { 'new data3' }); If replacing the subroutine succeeds, the object is returned. This allows the programmer to chain the calls, if this style of programming is preferred: $override->replace('Some::sub1', sub { 'new data1' }) ->replace('Some::sub2', sub { 'new data2' }) ->replace('Some::sub3', sub { 'new data3' }); A subroutine may be replaced as many times as desired. This is most useful when testing how code behaves with multiple conditions. $override->replace('Some::thing', sub { 0 }); is($object->foo, 'wibble', 'wibble is returned if Some::thing is false'); $override->replace('Some::thing', sub { 1 }); is($object->foo, 'puppies', 'puppies are returned if Some::thing is true');

Restoring subroutines
If the object falls out of scope, the original subs are restored. However, if you need to restore a subroutine early, just use the restore method: my $override = Sub::Override->new('Some::sub', sub {'new data'}); # do stuff $override->restore; Which is somewhat equivalent to: { my $override = Sub::Override->new('Some::sub', sub {'new data'}); # do stuff } If you have override more than one subroutine with an override object, you will have to explicitly name the subroutine you wish to restore: $override->restore('This::sub'); Note "restore()" will always restore the original behavior of the subroutine no matter how many times you have overridden it.

Which package is the subroutine in?
Ordinarily, you want to fully qualify the subroutine by including the package name. However, failure to fully qualify the subroutine name will assume the current package. package Foo; use Sub::Override; sub foo { 23 }; my $override = Sub::Override->new( foo => sub { 42 } ); # assumes Foo::foo print foo(); # prints 42 $override->restore; print foo(); # prints 23

new
my $sub = Sub::Override->new; my $sub = Sub::Override->new($sub_name, $sub_ref); Creates a new "Sub::Override" instance. Optionally, you may override a subroutine while creating a new object.

replace
$sub->replace($sub_name, $sub_body); Temporarily replaces a subroutine with another subroutine. Returns the instance, so chaining the method is allowed: $sub->replace($sub_name, $sub_body) ->replace($another_sub, $another_body); This method will "croak" is the subroutine to be replaced does not exist.

override
my $sub = Sub::Override->new; $sub->override($sub_name, $sub_body); "override" is an alternate name for "replace". They are the same method.

restore
$sub->restore($sub_name); Restores the previous behavior of the subroutine. This will happen automatically if the "Sub::Override" object falls out of scope. None by default. Probably. Tell me about 'em. Hook::LexWrap -- can also override subs, but with different capabilities Test::MockObject -- use this if you need to alter an entire class Curtis "Ovid" Poe, "<ovid [at] cpan [dot] org>" Reverse the name to email me. Copyright (C) 2004-2005 by Curtis "Ovid" Poe This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the same terms as Perl itself, either Perl version 5.8.2 or, at your option, any later version of Perl 5 you may have available.