FileCache

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::cacheout" 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.

NOTES

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