Test2::Util::ExternalMeta - Allow third party tools to safely attach meta-data to your instances.

Chad Granum <exodist@cpan.org>

Copyright 2020 Chad Granum <exodist@cpan.org>. This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the same terms as Perl itself. See <https://dev.perl.org/licenses/> perl v5.40.1 2025-07-03 Test2::Util::ExternalMeta(3perl)

This package lets you define a clear, and consistent way to allow third party tools to attach meta-data to your instances. If your object consumes this package, and imports its methods, then third party meta- data has a safe place to live.

$val = $obj->meta($key) $val = $obj->meta($key, $default) This will get the value for a specified meta $key. Normally this will return "undef" when there is no value for the $key, however you can specify a $default value to set when no value is already set. $val = $obj->get_meta($key) This will get the value for a specified meta $key. This does not have the $default overhead that meta() does. $val = $obj->delete_meta($key) This will remove the value of a specified meta $key. The old $val will be returned. $obj->set_meta($key, $val) Set the value of a specified meta $key.

Chad Granum <exodist@cpan.org>

Meta keys must be defined, and must be true when used as a boolean. Keys may not be references. You are free to stringify a reference "$ref" for use as a key, but this package will not stringify it for you.

Test2::Util::ExternalMeta - Allow third party tools to safely attach meta-data to your instances.

The source code repository for Test2 can be found at <https://github.com/Test-More/test-more/>.

package My::Object; use strict; use warnings; use Test2::Util::ExternalMeta qw/meta get_meta set_meta delete_meta/; ... Now to use it: my $inst = My::Object->new; $inst->set_meta(foo => 'bar'); my $val = $inst->get_meta('foo');

This package assumes your instances are blessed hashrefs, it will not work if that is not true. It will store all meta-data in the "_meta" key on your objects hash. If your object makes use of the "_meta" key in its underlying hash, then there is a conflict and you cannot use this package.