PICA::Record 0.36

PICA::Record is a Perl extension for handling PICA records.

METHODS

new( [data] )

Base constructor for the class. A single string will be parsed line by line into PICA::Field objects, empty lines and start record markers will be skipped. More then one or non scalar parameters will be passed to append so you can use the constructor in the same way:

my $record = PICA::Record->new('037A','a' => 'My note');

If no data is given then it just returns a completely empty record.

fields()

Returns an array of all the fields in the record. The array contains a PICA::Field object for each field in the record. An empty array is returns if the record is empty.

field( $tagspec(s) )

Returns a list of tags that match the field specifier, or in scalar context, just the first matching tag.

You may specify multiple tags and use regular expressions.

my $field = $record->field("021A","021C");
my $field = $record->field("009P/03");
my @fields = $record->field("02..");
my @fields = $record->field("039[B-E]");

subfield

Shortcut method for getting just the subfield's value of a tag (see PICA::Field). Returns a list of subfield values that match or in scalar context, just the first matching subfield.
These are equivalent (in scalar context):

my $title = $pica->field('021A')->subfield('a');
my $title = $pica->subfield('021A','a');

You may also specify both field and subfield seperated by '$'. Don't forget to quote the dollar sign!

my $title = $pica->subfield('021A$a');
my $title = $pica->subfield("021A$a");
my $title = $pica->subfield("021A$a"); # this won't work!

If either the field or subfield can't be found, undef is returned.

You may also use wildcards like in field() and the subfield() method of PICA::Field:

my @values = $pica->subfield('005A', '0a'); # 005A$0 and 005A$a
my @values = $pica->subfield('005[AIJ]', '0'); # 005A$0, 005I$0, and 005J$0

values

Shortcut method to get subfield values of multiple fields and subfields. The fields and subfields are specified in a list of strings, for instance:

my @titles = $pica->values( '021A$a', '025@$a', '026C$a');

This method always returns an array.

You may also use wildcards in the field specifications, see subfield() and field().

main

Get the main record (all tags starting with '0').

local

Get the local record (all tags starting with '1').

copy

Get the copy record (all tags starting with '2').

is_empty

Return true if the record is empty (no fields or all fields empty)

delete_fields ( )

Delete fields specified by tags. You can also use wildcards, see field() for examples Returns the number of deleted fields.

append

Appends one or more fields to the end of the record. Parameters can be PICA::Field objects or parameters that are passed to PICA::Field->new.

my $field = PICA::Field->new('037A','a' => 'My note');
$record->append($field);
is equivalent to
$record->append('037A','a' => 'My note');

You can also append multiple fields with one call:

my $field = PICA::Field->new('037A','a' => 'First note');
$record->append($field, '037A','a' => 'Second note');

$record->append(
'037A', 'a' => '1st note',
'037A', 'a' => '2nd note',
);

Returns the number of fields appended.

replace

Replace a field. You must pass a tag and a field. Attention: Only the first occurence will be replaced so better not use this method for repeatable fields.

sort()

Sort all fields. Most times the order of fields is not changed and not relevant but sorted fields are helpful for viewing records.

add_headers

Add header fields to a PICA::Record. You must specify two named parameters (eln and satus). This method is experimental. There is no test whether the header fields already exist.

normalized()

Returns record as a normalized string. Optionally adds prefix data at the beginning.

print $record->normalized();
print $record->normalized("##TitleSequenceNumber 1n");
to_xml

Returns the record in XML format (not tested, nor official).

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Requirements:

· Perl