NAME
    Tie::FileSystem - Access file system via a Perl hash

SYNOPSIS
      use Tie::FileSystem;
      use Data::Dumper;

      my %data;
      tie %data, "Tie::FileSystem", ( 'dir' => "/" );
      print Dumper($data{'etc'}{'passwd'});

DESCRIPTION
    Tie::FileSystem represents file system as a Perl hash. Each hash key
    corresponds to name of a directory or a file. For example, for a file
    "/etc/passwd" it will be $data{'etc'}{'passwd'}. Contents of the file
    "/etc/passwd" becomes a value corresponding to the
    $data{'etc'}{'passwd'}.

    Standard handling procedure for directories is to store a listing of
    files in the directory as keys. Standard procedure for files is to store
    a contents of the file in the scalar value.

    For certain files with known structure it is possible to define
    subroutines for special handling. "Tie::FileSystem::System" defines
    subroutines for handling system files and, for starters, has 'passwd'
    handling subroutine. "/etc/passwd" can be represented asa hash with
    following structure: $data{'etc'}{'passwd'}{$username}{$field}.

  Options
      tie %data, "Tie::FileSystem",
        ( 'dbg' => 0, 'buf_size' => 10, 'dir' => "/" );
  
      'dbg' - level of debug output
        0 - 'SILENT', default # No output at all, ERRORs are suppressed
        1 - 'ERROR'           # ERRORs are printed to STDERR
        2 - 'WARNING'         # WARNINGs are printed to STDERR
        3 - 'INFO'            # Information messages
        4 - 'D:IN/OUT'        # Important variables
        5 - 'D:LOGIC'         # Logical desicions
        6 - 'D:VARS'          # Variables

      'buf_size' - buffer limit for file reading

      'dir' - directory to tie to

  Public Methods
    None.

PLATFORMS
    Debian 3.1, Perl, v5.8.8.

    Windows XP, ActiveState Perl, v5.8.8.

CAVEATS
    The module is read only and does not permit overwrite or delete files.

    Under Windows '/' corresponds to 'C:'.

    If you try to tie hash %data to '/' and then print Dumper(%data), module
    will traverse the entire file system on demand!

BUGS
    None known.

AUTHOR
    Vadim V. Kouevda, initdotd@gmail.com

LICENSE and COPYRIGHT
    Copyright (c) 2003-2007, Vadim V. Kouevda, "KAITS, Inc."

    This library is free software; you may redistribute it and/or modify it
    under the same terms as Perl itself.

    These terms are your choice of any of (1) the Perl Artistic Licence, or
    (2) version 2 of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free
    Software Foundation, or (3) any later version of the GNU General Public
    License.

    This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
    WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General
    Public License for more details.

    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
    with this library program; it should be in the file COPYING. If not,
    write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330,
    Boston, MA 02111 USA

    For licensing inquiries, contact the author at initdotd@gmail.com

WARRANTY
    Module comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY. For details, see the license.

AVAILABILITY
    The latest version can be obtained from CPAN

SEE ALSO
    Tie::FileSystem::System(3), Tie::File(3)