NAME

Bio::Phylo::Mediators::TaxaMediator - Mediator class to manage links between objects.

SYNOPSIS

# no direct usage

DESCRIPTION

This module manages links between taxon objects and other objects linked to them. It is an implementation of the Mediator design pattern (e.g. see Relationship Manager Pattern, Mediator, Mediator Design Pattern).

Methods defined in this module are meant only for internal usage by Bio::Phylo.

METHODS

CONSTRUCTOR

new()

TaxaMediator constructor.

Type    : Constructor
Title   : new
Usage   : my $mediator = Bio::Phylo::Taxa::TaxaMediator->new;
Function: Instantiates a Bio::Phylo::Taxa::TaxaMediator
          object.
Returns : A Bio::Phylo::Taxa::TaxaMediator object (singleton).
Args    : None.

METHODS

register()

Stores argument in invocant's cache.

Type    : Method
Title   : register
Usage   : $mediator->register( $obj );
Function: Stores an object in mediator's cache
Returns : $self
Args    : An object, $obj
Comments: This method is called every time an object is instantiated.

unregister()

Removes argument from invocant's cache.

Type    : Method
Title   : unregister
Usage   : $mediator->unregister( $obj );
Function: Cleans up mediator's cache of $obj and $obj's relations
Returns : $self
Args    : An object, $obj
Comments: This method is called every time an object is destroyed.

set_link()

Creates link between objects.

Type    : Method
Title   : set_link
Usage   : $mediator->set_link( -one => $obj1, -many => $obj2 );
Function: Creates link between objects
Returns : $self
Args    : -one  => $obj1 (source of a one-to-many relationship)
          -many => $obj2 (target of a one-to-many relationship)
Comments: This method is called from within, for example, set_taxa
          method calls. A call like $taxa->set_matrix( $matrix ),
          and likewise a call like $matrix->set_taxa( $taxa ), are 
          both internally rerouted to:

          $mediator->set_link( 
               -one  => $taxa, 
               -many => $matrix 
          );

get_link()

Retrieves link between objects.

Type    : Method
Title   : get_link
Usage   : $mediator->get_link( 
              -source => $obj, 
              -type   => _CONSTANT_,
          );
Function: Retrieves link between objects
Returns : Linked object
Args    : -source => $obj (required, the source of the link)
          -type   => a constant from Bio::Phylo::Util::CONSTANT

          (-type is optional, used to filter returned results in 
          one-to-many query).

Comments: This method is called from within, for example, get_taxa
          method calls. A call like $matrix->get_taxa()
          and likewise a call like $forest->get_taxa(), are 
          both internally rerouted to:

          $mediator->get_link( 
              -source => $self # e.g. $matrix or $forest           
          );

          A call like $taxa->get_matrices() is rerouted to:

          $mediator->get_link( -source => $taxa, -type => _MATRIX_ );

remove_link()

Removes link between objects.

Type    : Method
Title   : remove_link
Usage   : $mediator->remove_link( -one => $obj1, -many => $obj2 );
Function: Removes link between objects
Returns : $self
Args    : -one  => $obj1 (source of a one-to-many relationship)
          -many => $obj2 (target of a one-to-many relationship)

          (-many argument is optional)

Comments: This method is called from within, for example, 
          unset_taxa method calls. A call like $matrix->unset_taxa() 
          is rerouted to:

          $mediator->remove_link( -many => $matrix );

          A call like $taxa->unset_matrix( $matrix ); is rerouted to:

          $mediator->remove_link( -one => $taxa, -many => $matrix );

SEE ALSO

Bio::Phylo::Manual

Also see the manual: Bio::Phylo::Manual.

REVISION

$Id: TaxaMediator.pm 4234 2007-07-17 13:41:02Z rvosa $