This is a snapshot release of the NIS interface to Perl 5. There are two parts to the interface: the raw component (Net::NIS), and the object-oriented component (Net::NIS::Table).

The NIS interface only implements the NIS API, so there is no write access to the NIS databases.

The object-oriented interface is used to simplify access to the NIS databases. It is used like this:

require Net::NIS::Table;
$hostname="test";

$hosts=Net::NIS::Table->new("hosts.byname"); # automatically uses

# the default domainname

$data=$hosts->list; # retrieve the host data

print "$hostname's IP address is $data->{$hostname}\n";

I have included the start to the documentation in NIS.pod and NISTable.pod.

INSTALLATION

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To compile the NIS package:

1. Unpack the distribution file. It will create its own directory.
2. cd NIS-a2
3. perl Makefile.PL
4. make
5. t/tabletest

when you are happy with the extension, you can type:

6. make install

to install it on your system

BUGS

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This is alpha code. This means:

1. the interfaces may change
2. it may not even work for you

Please report any bugs in the code or documentation to rik.harris@fulcrum.com.au. There is a mailing list perl-nis@lists.fulcrum.com.au, which I encourage anyone using the alpha or beta versions of the NIS or NIS+ interfaces to subscribe to. You can subscribe by sending the message 'subscribe perl-nis' in the body of a message to majordomo@lists.fulcrum.com.au. The list is intended to be a discussion/announcement list for all things to do with the NIS and NIS+ perl extensions.

have fun,
rik. (1995-11-10)