On Thursday, August 23, 2012 5:20:54 PM UTC-5, Brian Katzung wrote:
> I would like to open a discussion regarding a module name for a new
> ordered-hash module that I've been developing under the proposed name
> "Data::Hasray" (short for hashed array).
>
> Here's some info from my README file:
>
> FROM THE SYNOPSIS
>
> Data::Hasray provides an object-oriented interface to tied, ordered
> hashes. Hash elements may be assigned keys explicitly or automatically
> in mix-and-match fashion like arrays in PHP.
>
> It also includes support for trees of nested hasrays, tree traversal,
> and conversion to and from native Perl data structures.
>
> Suggested uses include structured configuration information or HTTP
> query parameters in which order may at least sometimes be significant,
> for passing mixed positional and named parameters, or for porting PHP
> code.
>
> RATIONALE AND DIFFERENCES
>
> Some of the key features that distinguish Data::Hasray from other
> implementations are as follows:
>
> 1) The ability to mix-and-match values with and without explicit keys.
> Values without keys are assigned a sequential index as key
> automatically. PHP, for example, also supports this.
>
> 2) Built-in path traversal that supports auto-vivification of nested
> data structures just like you would expect when using native hashrefs
> and arrayrefs.
>
> 3) Easy conversion to or from native Perl hashes and arrays either at
> the level of a single hasray or as a nested tree of hasrays, with
> either an array-based or hash-based emphasis.
Now I'm thinking more along the lines of Data::XHash, for "extended hash". I think this may be more likely to "hit" on searches for hashes (although the default CPAN search doesn't seem to do partial word searches, however searching distributions does).
Do most mod developers agonize/change their minds this much?? :-)
- Brian