Class::DBI::Plugin::RetrieveAll - more complex retrieve_all() for Class::DBI

	use base 'Class::DBI';
	use Class::DBI::Plugin::RetrieveAll;

	my @by_date = My::Class->retrieve_all_sorted_by("date");

	# or

	__PACKAGE__->retrieve_all_sort_field('date');

	my @by_date = My::Class->retrieve_all;

This is a simple plugin to a Class::DBI subclass that allows for simple sorting of the results of a retrieve_all().

There are two main ways to use this.

Firstly, we create a new method 'retrieve_all_sorted_by' which takes an argument of how to sort.

We also add a method for 'retrieve_all_sort_field' that sets a default field that any retrieve_all() will use for sorting.

	my @by_date = My::Class->retrieve_all_sorted_by("date");

This method will be exported into the calling class, and allows for retrieving all the objects of the class, sorted by the given column.

The argument given will be passed straight through to the database 'as is', and is not checked in any way, so an error here will usually in an error from the database, rather than Class::DBI itself.

This makes it possible to pass more complex ORDER BY clauses through:

	my @by_date = My::Class->retrieve_all_sorted_by("date DESC, reference_no");

  __PACKAGE__->retrieve_all_sort_field('date');

This method changes the default retrieve_all() in the Class to be auto-sorted by the field given. Again this will be passed through directly, so you can have complex ORDER BY clauses.

Tony Bowden

Please direct all correspondence regarding this module to: bug-Class-DBI-Plugin-RetrieveAll@rt.cpan.org

Copyright (C) 2004-2006 Kasei. All rights reserved.

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