NAME File::pushd - change directory temporarily for a limited scope VERSION This documentation describes version 0.99. SYNOPSIS use File::pushd; chdir $ENV{HOME}; # change directory again for a limited scope { my $dir = pushd( '/tmp' ); # working directory changed to /tmp } # working directory has reverted to $ENV{HOME} # tempd() is equivalent to pushd( File::Temp::tempdir ) { my $dir = tempd(); } # object stringifies naturally as an absolute path { my $dir = pushd( '/tmp' ); my $filename = File::Spec->catfile( $dir, "somefile.txt" ); # gives /tmp/somefile.txt } DESCRIPTION File::pushd does a temporary "chdir" that is easily and automatically reverted, similar to "pushd" in some Unix command shells. It works by creating an object that caches the original working directory. When the object is destroyed, the destructor calls "chdir" to revert to the original working directory. By storing the object in a lexical variable with a limited scope, this happens automatically at the end of the scope. This is very handy when working with temporary directories for tasks like testing; a function is provided to streamline getting a temporary directory from File::Temp. For convenience, the object stringifies as the canonical form of the absolute pathname of the directory entered. USAGE use File::pushd; Using File::pushd automatically imports the "pushd" and "tempd" functions. pushd { my $dir = pushd( $target_directory ); } Caches the current working directory, calls "chdir" to change to the target directory, and returns a File::pushd object. When the object is destroyed, the working directory reverts to the original directory. The provided target directory can be a relative or absolute path. If called with no arguments, it uses the current directory as its target and returns to the current directory when the object is destroyed. tempd { my $dir = tempd(); } This function is like "pushd" but automatically creates and calls "chdir" to a temporary directory as created by File::Temp. Unlike normal File::Temp cleanup which happens at the end of the program, this temporary directory is removed when the object is destroyed. (But also see "preserve".) A warning will be issued if the directory cannot be removed. preserve { my $dir = tempd(); $dir->preserve; # mark to preserve at end of scope $dir->preserve(0); # mark to delete at end of scope } Controls whether a temporary directory will be cleaned up when the object is destroyed. With no arguments, "preserve" sets the directory to be preserved. With an argument, the directory will be preserved if the argument is true, or marked for cleanup if the argument is false. Only "tempd" objects may be marked for cleanup. (Target directories to "pushd" are always preserved.) "preserve" returns true if the directory will be preserved, and false otherwise. SEE ALSO * File::chdir BUGS Please report any bugs or feature using the CPAN Request Tracker. Bugs can be submitted by email to "bug-File-pushd@rt.cpan.org" or through the web interface at When submitting a bug or request, please include a test-file or a patch to an existing test-file that illustrates the bug or desired feature. AUTHOR David A Golden (DAGOLDEN) dagolden@cpan.org COPYRIGHT Copyright (c) 2005, 2006 by David A Golden This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the same terms as Perl itself. The full text of the license can be found in the LICENSE file included with this module. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY BECAUSE THIS SOFTWARE IS LICENSED FREE OF CHARGE, THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR THE SOFTWARE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. EXCEPT WHEN OTHERWISE STATED IN WRITING THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND/OR OTHER PARTIES PROVIDE THE SOFTWARE "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE IS WITH YOU. SHOULD THE SOFTWARE PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR, OR CORRECTION. IN NO EVENT UNLESS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR AGREED TO IN WRITING WILL ANY COPYRIGHT HOLDER, OR ANY OTHER PARTY WHO MAY MODIFY AND/OR REDISTRIBUTE THE SOFTWARE AS PERMITTED BY THE ABOVE LICENCE, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE OR LOSSES SUSTAINED BY YOU OR THIRD PARTIES OR A FAILURE OF THE SOFTWARE TO OPERATE WITH ANY OTHER SOFTWARE), EVEN IF SUCH HOLDER OR OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.