NAME

DBIx::FlexibleBinding - Flexible parameter binding and record fetching

VERSION

version 1.152490

SYNOPSIS

This module extends the DBI allowing you choose from a variety of supported parameter placeholder and binding patterns as well as offering simplified ways to interact with datasources, while improving general readability.

#########################################################
# SCENARIO 1                                            #
# A connect followed by a prepare-execute-process cycle #
#########################################################

use DBIx::FlexibleBinding;
use constant DSN => 'dbi:mysql:test;host=127.0.0.1';
use constant SQL => << '//';
SELECT solarSystemName AS name
  FROM mapsolarsystems
 WHERE regional  = :is_regional
   AND security >= :minimum_security
//

# Pretty standard connect, just with the new DBI subclass ...
#
my $dbh = DBIx::FlexibleBinding->connect(DSN, '', '', { RaiseError => 1 });

# Prepare statement using named placeholders (not bad for MySQL, eh) ...
#
my $sth = $dbh->prepare(SQL);

# Execute the statement (parameter binding is automatic) ...
#
my $rv = $sth->execute(is_regional => 1,
                       minimum_security => 1.0);

# Fetch and transform rows with a blocking callback to get only the data you
# want without cluttering the place up with intermediate state ...
#
my @system_names = $sth->processall_hashref(callback { $_->{name} });

############################################################################
# SCENARIO 2                                                               #
# Let's simplify the previous scenario using the database handle's version #
# of that processall_hashref method.                                       #
############################################################################

use DBIx::FlexibleBinding -alias => 'DFB';
use constant DSN => 'dbi:mysql:test;host=127.0.0.1';
use constant SQL => << '//';
SELECT solarSystemName AS name
  FROM mapsolarsystems
 WHERE regional  = :is_regional
   AND security >= :minimum_security
//

# Pretty standard connect, this time with the DBI subclass package alias ...
#
my $dbh = DFB->connect(DSN, '', '', { RaiseError => 1 });

# Cut out the middle men ...
#
my @system_names = $dbh->processall_hashref(SQL,
                                            is_regional => 1,
                                            minimum_security => 1.0,
                                            callback { $_->{name} });

#############################################################################
# SCENARIO 3                                                                #
# The subclass import method provides a versatile mechanism for simplifying #
# matters further.                                                          #
#############################################################################

use DBIx::FlexibleBinding -subs => [ 'MyDB' ];
use constant DSN => 'dbi:mysql:test;host=127.0.0.1';
use constant SQL => << '//';
SELECT solarSystemName AS name
  FROM mapsolarsystems
 WHERE regional  = :is_regional
   AND security >= :minimum_security
//

# MyDB will represent our datasource; initialise it ...
#
MyDB DSN, '', '', { RaiseError => 1 };

# Cut out the middle men and some of the line-noise, too ...
#
my @system_names = MyDB(SQL,
                        is_regional => 1,
                        minimum_security => 1.0,
                        callback { $_->{name} });

DESCRIPTION

This module subclasses the DBI to provide improvements and greater flexibility in the following areas:

  • Parameter placeholders and data binding

  • Data retrieval and processing

  • Accessing and interacting with datasources

Parameter placeholders and data binding

This module provides support for a wider range of parameter placeholder and data-binding schemes. As well as continued support for the simple positional placeholders (?), additional support is provided for numeric placeholders (:N and ?N), and named placeholders (:NAME and @NAME).

As for the process of binding data values to parameters: that is, by default, now completely automated, removing a significant part of the workload from the prepare-bind-execute cycle. It is, however, possible to swtch off automatic data-binding globally and on a statement-by-statement basis.

The following familiar operations have been modified to accommodate all of these changes, though developers continue to use them as they always have done:

  • $DATABASE_HANDLE->prepare($STATEMENT, \%ATTR);

  • $DATABASE_HANDLE->do($STATEMENT, \%ATTR, @DATA);

  • $STATEMENT_HANDLE->bind_param($NAME_OR_POSITION, $VALUE, \%ATTR);

  • $STATEMENT_HANDLE->execute(@DATA);

Data retrieval and processing

Four new methods, each available for database and statement handles, have been implemented:

  • processrow_arrayref

  • processrow_hashref

  • processall_arrayref

  • processall_hashref

These methods complement DBI's existing fetch methods, providing new ways to retrieve and process data.

Accessing and interacting with datasources

The module's -subs import option may be used to create subroutines, during the compile phase, and export them to the caller's namespace for use later as representations of database and statement handles.

  • Use for connecting to datasources

    use DBIx::FlexibleBinding -subs => [ 'MyDB' ];
    
    # Pass in any set of well-formed DBI->connect(...) arguments to associate
    # your name with a live database connection ...
    #
    MyDB( 'dbi:mysql:test;host=127.0.0.1', '', '', { RaiseError => 1 } );
    
    # Or, simply pass an existing database handle as the only argument ...
    #
    MyDB($dbh);
  • Use them to represent database handles

    use DBIx::FlexibleBinding -subs => [ 'MyDB' ];
    use constant SQL => << '//';
    SELECT *
      FROM mapsolarsystems
     WHERE regional  = :is_regional
       AND security >= :minimum_security
    //
    
    MyDB( 'dbi:mysql:test;host=127.0.0.1', '', '', { RaiseError => 1 } );
    
    # If your name is already associated with a database handle then just call
    # it with no parameters to use it as such ...
    #
    my $sth = MyDB->prepare(SQL);
  • Use them to represent statement handles

    use DBIx::FlexibleBinding -subs => [ 'MyDB', 'solar_systems' ];
    use constant SQL => << '//';
    SELECT *
      FROM mapsolarsystems
     WHERE regional  = :is_regional
       AND security >= :minimum_security
    //
    
    MyDB( 'dbi:mysql:test;host=127.0.0.1', '', '', { RaiseError => 1 } );
    
    my $sth = MyDB->prepare(SQL);
    
    # Simply call the statement handle proxy, passing a statement handle in as
    # the only argument ...
    #
    solar_systems($sth);
  • Use to interact with the represented database and statement handles

    use DBIx::FlexibleBinding -subs => [ 'MyDB', 'solar_systems' ];
    use constant SQL => << '//';
    SELECT *
      FROM mapsolarsystems
     WHERE regional  = :is_regional
       AND security >= :minimum_security
    //
    
    MyDB( 'dbi:mysql:test;host=127.0.0.1', '', '', { RaiseError => 1 } );
    
    # Use the database handle proxy to prepare, bind and execute statements, then
    # retrieve the results ...
    #
    # Use the database handle proxy to prepare, bind and execute statements, then
    # retrieve the results ...
    #
    my $array_of_hashrefs = MyDB(SQL,
                                 is_regional => 1,
                                 minimum_security => 1.0);
    
    # In list context, results come back as lists ...
    #
    my @array_of_hashrefs = MyDB(SQL,
                                 is_regional => 1,
                                 minimum_security => 1.0);
    
    # Using -subs also relaxes strict 'subs' in the caller's scope, so pretty-up
    # void context calls by losing the parentheses, if you wish to use callbacks
    # to process the results ...
    #
    MyDB SQL, is_regional => 1, minimum_security => 1.0, callback {
        printf "%-16s %.1f\n", $_->{solarSystemName}, $_->{security};
    };
    
    # You can use proxies to represent statements, too. Simply pass in a statement
    # handle as the only argument ...
    #
    my $sth = MyDB->prepare(SQL);
    solar_systems($sth);    # Using "solar_systems" as statement proxy.
    
    # Now, when called with other types of arguments, those argument values are
    # bound and the statement is executed ...
    #
    my $array_of_hashrefs = solar_systems(is_regional => 1,
                                          minimum_security => 1.0);
    
    # In list context, results come back as lists ...
    #
    my @array_of_hashrefs = solar_systems(is_regional => 1,
                                          minimum_security => 1.0);
    
    # Statements requiring no parameters cannot be used in this manner because
    # making a call to a statement proxy with an arity of zero results in the
    # statement handle being returned. In this situation, use something like
    # undef as an argument (it will be ignored in this particular instance) ...
    #
    my $rv = statement_proxy(undef);
    #
    # Meh, you can't win 'em all!

PACKAGE GLOBALS

$DBIx::FlexibleBinding::AUTO_BINDING_ENABLED

A boolean setting used to determine whether or not automatic binding is enabled or disabled globally.

The default setting is "1" (enabled).

$DBIx::FlexibleBinding::PROXIES_PROCESSALL_USING

The subroutines created with the -subs import option may be used to retrieve result sets. By default, any such subroutines delegate that particular task to a method called "processall_hashref", which is provided by this module for both database and statement handles alike.

For reasons of efficiency the developer may prefer array references over hash references, in which case they only need assign the value "processall_arrayref" to this global.

IMPORT TAGS AND OPTIONS

-alias

This option may be used by the caller to select an alias to use for this package's unwieldly namespace.

use DBIx::FlexibleBinding -alias => 'DBIF';

my $dbh = DBIF->connect('dbi:SQLite:test.db', '', '');

-subs

This option may be used to create subroutines, during the compile phase, in the caller's namespace to be used as representations of database and statement handles.

use DBIx::FlexibleBinding -subs => [ 'MyDB' ];

# Initialise by passing in a valid set of DBI->connect(...) arguments.
# The database handle will be the return value.
#
MyDB 'dbi:mysql:test;host=127.0.0.1', '', '', { RaiseError => 1 };

# Or, initialise by passing in a DBI database handle.
# The handle is also the return value.
#
MyDB $dbh;

# Once initialised, use the subroutine as you would a DBI database handle.
#
my $statement = << '//';
SELECT solarSystemName AS name
  FROM mapsolarsystems
 WHERE security >= :minimum_security
//
my $sth = MyDB->prepare($statement);

# Or use it as an expressive time-saver!
#
my $array_of_hashrefs = MyDB($statement, security => 1.0);
my @system_names = MyDB($statement, minimum_security => 1.0, callback {
    return $_->{name};
});
MyDB $statement, minimum_security => 1.0, callback {
    my ($row) = @_;
    print "$row->{name}\n";
};

Use of this option automatically relaxes strict 'subs' for the remainder of scope containing the use directive. That is unless use strict 'subs' or use strict appears afterwards.

METHODS (DBIx::FlexibleBinding)

connect

$dbh = DBIx::FlexibleBinding->connect($data_source, $username, $password);
$dbh = DBIx::FlexibleBinding->connect($data_source,
                                      $username,
                                      $password,
                                      \%attr);

Establishes a database connection, or session, to the requested data_source and returns a database handle object if the connection succeeds or undef if it does not.

Refer to http://search.cpan.org/dist/DBI/DBI.pm#connect for a more detailed explanation of how to use this method.

METHODS (DBIx::FlexibleBinding::db)

do

$rows = $dbh->do($statement_string);
$rows = $dbh->do($statement_string, \%attr);
$rows = $dbh->do($statement_string, \%attr, @bind_values);

$rows = $dbh->do($statement_handle);
$rows = $dbh->do($statement_handle, @bind_values);

Prepare if necessary and execute a single statement. Returns the number of rows affected or undef on error. A return value of -1 means the number of rows is not known, not applicable, or not available.

Refer to http://search.cpan.org/dist/DBI/DBI.pm#do for a more detailed explanation of how to use this method.

prepare

$sth = $dbh->prepare($statement_string);
$sth = $dbh->prepare($statement_string, \%attr);

Prepares a statement for later execution by the database engine and returns a reference to a statement handle object.

Refer to http://search.cpan.org/dist/DBI/DBI.pm#prepare for a more detailed explanation of how to use this method.

processall_arrayref (Database Handles)

$array_of_values = $dbh->processall_arrayref($statement_string,
                                             \%optional_attr,
                                             @optional_data_bindings,
                                             @optional_callbacks);

@array_of_values = $dbh->processall_arrayref($statement_string,
                                             \%optional_attr,
                                             @optional_data_bindings,
                                             @optional_callbacks);

$array_of_values = $dbh->processall_arrayref($statement_handle,
                                             @optional_data_bindings,
                                             @optional_callbacks);

@array_of_values = $dbh->processall_arrayref($statement_handle,
                                             @optional_data_bindings,
                                             @optional_callbacks);

Prepares the statement if necessary, executes it with the specified data bindings, and fetches all the rows in the result set.

Though presented initially as an array reference, the value of each row may be transformed, by the caller, with the aid of callbacks.

processall_hashref (Database Handles)

$array_of_values = $dbh->processall_hashref($statement_string,
                                            \%optional_attr,
                                            @optional_data_bindings,
                                            @optional_callbacks);

@array_of_values = $dbh->processall_hashref($statement_string,
                                            \%optional_attr,
                                            @optional_data_bindings,
                                            @optional_callbacks);

$array_of_values = $dbh->processall_hashref($statement_handle,
                                            @optional_data_bindings,
                                            @optional_callbacks);

@array_of_values = $dbh->processall_hashref($statement_handle,
                                            @optional_data_bindings,
                                            @optional_callbacks);

Prepares the statement if necessary, executes it with the specified data bindings, and fetches all the rows in the result set.

Though presented initially as a hash reference, the value of each row may be transformed, by the caller, with the aid of callbacks.

processrow_arrayref (Database Handles)

$value = $dbh->processrow_arrayref($statement_string,
                                   \%optional_attr,
                                   @optional_data_bindings,
                                   @optional_callbacks);

$value = $dbh->processrow_arrayref($statement_handle,
                                   @optional_data_bindings,
                                   @optional_callbacks);

Prepares the statement (if necessary) and executes it immediately with the specified data bindings, and fetches one and only one row.

Though presented initially as an array reference, the value of that row may be transformed, by the caller, with the aid of callbacks.

processrow_hashref (Database Handles)

$value = $dbh->processrow_hashref($statement_string,
                                  \%optional_attr,
                                  @optional_data_bindings,
                                  @optional_callbacks);

$value = $dbh->processrow_hashref($statement_handle,
                                  @optional_data_bindings,
                                  @optional_callbacks);

Prepares the statement (if necessary) and executes it immediately with the specified data bindings, and fetches one and only one row.

Though presented initially as a hash reference, that value of that row may be transformed , by the caller, with the aid of callbacks.

METHODS (DBIx::FlexibleBinding::st)

auto_bind

$sth->auto_bind($boolean);
$state = $sth->auto_bind();

Use this method to enable, disable or inspect the current state of automatic binding for a particular statement handle.

bind

$sth->bind(@bind_values);       # For positional and numeric placeholders
$sth->bind(\@bind_values);      # For positional and numeric placeholders
$sth->bind(%bind_values);       # For numeric and named placeholders
$sth->bind(\%bind_values);      # For numeric and named placeholders
$sth->bind([%bind_values]);     # For numeric and named placeholders

The bind method associates (binds) the values supplied in the parameter list with the placeholders embedded in the prepared statement.

With automatic binding enabled (and it is by default), any operation that results in a subsequent call to the execute method will almost certainly complete any parameter binding automatically using this method.

With automatic binding disabled, this method will not be called at all and the execute method will almost dutifully convey bind values as they are presented up the DBI inheritance chain to the handler's execute method. Almost dutifully because a lone array reference will be de-referenced and passed up as a list. The general assumption here is that you won't present any bind values because the hard work of doing the bind_param calls has already been done, or a manual call to the bind method has already taken place.

In any case, it's pretty hard to screw-up when relying on this method to bind your data values. Provided that what you present can be interpreted as a list of values for positional placeholders, a list of key-value pairs for named placeholders, or either for numeric placeholders, then you'll be absolutely fine.

bind_param

$sth->bind_param($param_num, $bind_value)
$sth->bind_param($param_num, $bind_value, \%attr)
$sth->bind_param($param_num, $bind_value, $bind_type)

$sth->bind_param($param_name, $bind_value)
$sth->bind_param($param_name, $bind_value, \%attr)
$sth->bind_param($param_name, $bind_value, $bind_type)

The bind_param method associates (binds) a value to a placeholder embedded in the prepared statement. The implementation provided by this module allows the use of parameter names, if appropriate, in addition to parameter positions.

Refer to http://search.cpan.org/dist/DBI/DBI.pm#bind_param for a more detailed explanation of how to use this method.

execute

$rv = $sth->execute;
$rv = $sth->execute(@bind_values);

Perform whatever processing is necessary to execute the prepared statement. An undef is returned if an error occurs. A successful execute always returns true regardless of the number of rows affected, even if it's zero.

Refer to http://search.cpan.org/dist/DBI/DBI.pm#execute for a more detailed explanation of how to use this method.

processall_arrayref (Statement Handles)

$array_of_values = $sth->processall_arrayref(@optional_callbacks);
@array_of_values = $sth->processall_arrayref(@optional_callbacks);

Fetches the entire result set.

Though presented initially as an array reference, the value of each row may be transformed, by the caller, with the aid of callbacks.

processall_hashref (Statement Handles)

$array_of_values = $sth->processall_hashref(@optional_callbacks);
@array_of_values = $sth->processall_hashref(@optional_callbacks);

Fetches the entire result set.

Though presented initially as an hash reference, the value of each row may be transformed, by the caller, with the aid of callbacks.

processrow_arrayref (Statement Handles)

$value = $sth->processrow_arrayref(@optional_callbacks);

Fetches the next row of a result set if one exists.

Though presented initially as an array reference, the value of that row may be transformed, by the caller, with the aid of callbacks.

processrow_hashref (Statement Handles)

$value = $sth->processrow_hashref(@optional_callbacks);

Fetches the next row of a result set if one exists.

Though presented initially as an hash reference, the value of that row may be transformed, by the caller, with the aid of callbacks.

EXPORTS

The following symbols are exported by default:

callback

To enable the namespace using this module to take advantage of the callbacks, which are one of its main features, without the unnecessary burden of also including the module that provides the feature (see Params::Callbacks for more detailed information).

SEE ALSO

REPOSITORY

BUGS

Please report any bugs or feature requests to bug-dbix-anybinding at rt.cpan.org, or through the web interface at http://rt.cpan.org/NoAuth/ReportBug.html?Queue=DBIx-FlexibleBinding. I will be notified, and then you'll automatically be notified of progress on your bug as I make changes.

SUPPORT

You can find documentation for this module with the perldoc command.

perldoc DBIx::FlexibleBinding

You can also look for information at:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Test data set extracted from Fuzzwork's MySQL conversion of CCP's EVE Online Static Data Export:

Eternal gratitude to GitHub contributors:

AUTHOR

Iain Campbell <cpanic@cpan.org>

COPYRIGHT AND LICENSE

This software is copyright (c) 2012-2015 by Iain Campbell.

This is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the same terms as the Perl 5 programming language system itself.