Dumper difficulties...

demerphq on 2002-04-10T13:57:22

I'm currently working a new dumper module in my spare time. In the process I've found a few minor bugs in both Data::Dump and Data::Dumper.

For instance Data::Dump will go into fits (infinte loop) when trying to dump the following

my ($x,$y);
$x=\$y;
$y=\$x;
print dump([$x,$y]);

And a bug in dumper can be seen from

use Data::Dumper;
$Data::Dumper::Purity=1;
my ($x,$y,$z);
$x=\$y;
$y=\$z;
$z='Foo';
print Dumper($x);
__END__
#Outputs
$VAR1 = \\'Foo';

Problem is that this is wrong (doesnt look it though does it?)

# this is fine...
$$$x='Bar';   
# this is an illegal attempt to alter a read only variable.
$$$VAR1='Bar'; 

Im looking forward to releasing my new dumper in the next few days. It wont have either of these problems and represents a new approach to dumper modules... Look for it on CPAN under the name Data::BFDumper in the next few days....