ZConf - A configuration system allowing for either file or LDAP backed storage.


ZConf documentation Contained in the ZConf distribution.

Index


Code Index:

NAME

Top

ZConf - A configuration system allowing for either file or LDAP backed storage.

VERSION

Top

Version 5.1.0

SYNOPSIS

Top

    use ZConf;

	#creates a new instance
    my $zconf = ZConf->new();
    ...

METHODS

Top

new

	my $zconf=ZConf->(\%args);

This initiates the ZConf object. If it can't be initiated, $zconf->error will be set. This error should be assumed to be permanent.

When it is run for the first time, it creates a filesystem only config file.

args hash

file

The default is xdf_config_home."/zconf.zml", which is generally '~/.config/zconf.zml'.

This is incompatible with the sys option.

    my $zconf=ZConf->new();
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->{error}."\n".$zconf->errorString);
    }

chooseSet

This chooses what set should be used using the associated chooser string for the config in question.

This method does fail safely. If a improper configuration is returned by chooser string, it uses the value the default set.

It takes one arguement, which is the configuration it is for.

If the chooser errors, is blank, or is just a newline, the default is returned.

	my $set=$zconf->chooseSet("foo/bar");
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->{error}."\n".$zconf->errorString);
    }

configExists

This method is used for checking if a config exists or not.

It takes one option, which is the configuration to check for.

The returned value is a perl boolean value.

    $zconf->configExists("foo/bar")
	if($zconf->error){
		print 'error: '.$zconf->error."\n".$zconf->errorString."\n";
	}

configNameCheck

This checks if the name of a config is legit or not. See the section CONFIG NAME for more info on config naming.

	my ($error, $errorString) = $zconf->configNameCheck($config);
	if(defined($error)){
		warn("ZConf configExists:".$error.": ".$errorString);
		$self->{error}=$error;
		$self->{errorString}=$errorString;
		return undef;
	};

createConfig

This method is used for creating a new config.

One arguement is needed and that is the config name.

The returned value is a perl boolean.

    $zconf->createConfig("foo/bar")
	if($zconf->error){
		print 'error: '.$zconf->{error}."\n".$zconf->errorString."\n";
	};

defaultSetExists

This checks to if the default set for a config exists. It takes one arguement, which is the name of the config. The returned value is a Perl boolean.

    my $returned=$zconf->defaultSetExists('someConfig');
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->{error}."\n".$zconf->errorString);
    }
    if($returned){
        print "It exists.\n";
    }

delConfig

This removes a config. Any sub configs will need to removes first. If any are present, this method will error.

    #removes 'foo/bar'
    $zconf->delConfig('foo/bar');
    if(defined($zconf->error)){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->{error}."\n".$zconf->errorString);
    }

delSet

This deletes a specified set.

Two arguements are required. The first one is the name of the config and the and the second is the name of the set.

    $zconf->delSetFile("foo/bar", "someset");
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->{error}."\n".$zconf->errorString);
    }

dumpToZML

This dumps a loaded config to a ZML object.

One arguement is required and it is the name of the loaded config.

    my $zml=$foo->dumpToZML($config);
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->{error}."\n".$zconf->errorString);
	}

getAutoupdate

This gets if a config should be automatically updated or not.

One arguement is required and it is the config. If this is undefined or a matching one is not found, the global is used.

The return value is a boolean.

    #fetches the global
    my $autoupdate=$zconf->getAutoupdate();

    #fetches it for 'some/config'
    my $autoupdate=$zconf->getAutoupdate('some/config');

getAvailableSets

This gets the available sets for a config.

The only arguement is the name of the configuration in question.

	my @sets = $zconf->getAvailableSets("foo/bar");
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

getDefault

This gets the default set currently being used if one is not choosen.

	my $defaultSet = $zml->getDefault();

getComments

This gets a list of variables that have comments.

	my @keys = $zconf->getComments("foo/bar")
	if($zconf->error){
		print 'error: '.$zconf->error."\n".$zconf->errorString."\n";
	}

getConfigRevision

This fetches the revision for the speified config.

    my $revision=$zconf->getConfigRevision('some/config');
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }

getCtime

This fetches the mtime for a variable.

Two arguements are required. The first is the config and the second is the variable.

The returned value is UNIX time value for when it was last changed. If it is undef, it means the variable has not been changed since ZConf 2.0.0 came out.

    my $time=$zconf->getMtime('some/config', 'some/var');
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }
    if(defined($time)){
        print "variable modified at".$time." seconds past 1970-01-01.\n";
    }else{
        print "variable not modifined since ZConf 2.0.0 came out.\n";
    }

getKeys

This gets gets the keys for a loaded config.

	my @keys = $zconf->getKeys("foo/bar")
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

getLoadedConfigRevision

This gets the revision of the specified config, if it is loaded.

    my $rev=$zconf->getLoadedConfigRevision;
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }

getLoadedConfigs

This gets gets the keys for a loaded config.

	my @configs = $zconf->getLoadedConfigs("foo/bar")
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

getMetas

This gets a list of variables that have meta variables.

	my @keys = $zconf->getComments("foo/bar")
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

getMtime

This fetches the mtime for a variable.

Two arguements are required. The first is the config and the second is the variable.

The returned value is UNIX time value for when it was last changed. If it is undef, it means the variable has not been changed since ZConf 2.0.0 came out.

    my $time=$zconf->getMtime('some/config', 'some/var');
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }
    if(defined($time)){
        print "variable modified at".$time." seconds past 1970-01-01.\n";
    }else{
        print "variable not modifined since ZConf 2.0.0 came out.\n";
    }

getOverrideChooser

This will get the current override chooser for a config.

If no chooser is specified for the loaded config

One arguement is required it is the name of the config.

This method is basically a wrapper around regexMetaGet.

    my $orchooser=$zconf->getOverrideChooser($config);
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }

getSet

This gets the set for a loaded config.

	my $set = $zconf->getSet("foo/bar")
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

getSubConfigs

This gets any sub configs for a config. "" can be used to get a list of configs under the root.

One arguement is accepted and that is the config to look under.

    #lets assume 'foo/bar' exists, this would return
    my @subConfigs=$zconf->getSubConfigs("foo");
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }

getComment

This requires three arguments.

The first is the name of the config.

The second is the variable.

The third is the comment name.

If the comment does not exist, undef is returned. It is also possible it errored, but a non-existant variable is not considered a error.

    my $value=$zconf->getVar($someConfig, $someVariable, $someComment);
    if($zconf->error){
        warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }
    if(!defined($value)){
        print "'.$someVariable.' and/or '".$someComment."' does not exist\n";
    }

getMeta

This requires three arguments.

The first is the name of the config.

The second is the variable.

The third is the meta name.

If the comment does not exist, undef is returned. It is also possible it errored, but a non-existant variable is not considered a error.

    my $value=$zconf->getVar($someConfig, $someVariable, $someMeta);
    if($zconf->error){
        warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }
    if(!defined($value)){
        print "'.$someVariable.' and/or '".$someMeta."' does not exist\n";
    }

getVar

This reqyures two arguments.

The first is the name of the config.

The second is the variable.

If the variable does not exist, undef is returned. It is also possible it errored, but a non-existant variable is not considered a error.

    my $value=$zconf->getVar($someConfig, $someVariable);
    if($zconf->error){
        warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }
    if(!defined($value)){
        print "'.$someVariable.' does not exist\n";
    }

initBackend

This initializes a backend.

One arguement is required and it is the backend name.

    my $backend=$zconf->initBackend('file');
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }else{
        if($backend->error){
		warn('backend error: '.$backend->error.":".$backend->errorString);
        }
    }

isLoadedConfigLocked

This returns if the loaded config is locked or not.

Only one arguement is taken and that is the name of the config.

    my $returned=$zconf->isLoadedConfigLocked('some/config');
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }

isConfigLoaded

This checks if a config or not.

One argument is taken and that is if a config is loaded or not.

    $zconf->isConfigLoaded($config);
    if( $zconf->error ){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }

isConfigLocked

This checks if a config is locked or not.

One arguement is required and it is the name of the config.

The returned value is a boolean value.

    my $locked=$zconf->isConfigLocked('some/config');
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }
    if($locked){
        print "The config is locked\n";
    }

LDAPconnect

This generates a Net::LDAP object based on the LDAP backend.

    my $ldap=$zconf->LDAPconnect();
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }

override

This runs the overrides for a config.

This overrides various variables in the config by running the chooser stored in '#!zconf=override/chooser'. If it fails, the profile 'default' is used.

Once a profile name has been picked, everything under '#!zconf=override/profiles/<profile>/' has /^override\/profiles\/<profile>\// removed and it is set as a regular variable.

One arguement is taken and it is a hash.

If a value of undef is returned, but no error is set, no '#!zconf=override/chooser' is not defined.

This method does not invoke the method updateIfNeeded.

args hash

config

This is the config to operate on.

profile

If this is not specified, the chooser stored in the meta is '#!zconf=override/chooser'.

read

This reads a config. The only accepted option is the config name.

It takes one arguement, which is a hash.

hash args

config

The config to load.

override

This specifies if override should be ran not.

If this is not specified, it defaults to 1, true.

set

The set for that config to load.

    $zconf->read({config=>"foo/bar"})
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

readChooser

This reads the chooser for a config. If no chooser is defined "" is returned.

The name of the config is the only required arguement.

	my $chooser = $zconf->readChooser("foo/bar")
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

regexCommentDel

This searches through the comments for variables in a loaded config for any that match the supplied regex and removes them.

One arguement is taken and it is a hash.

A hash of hash containing copies of the deleted variables are returned.

args hash

config

This is the config search.

varRegex

The variable to search for matching comment names.

commentRegex

The regex use for matching comment names.

    my %deleted=$zconf->regexCommentDel({
                                         config=>"foo/bar",
                                         varRegex=>"^some/var$",
                                         commentRegex=>"^monkey\/";
                                        });
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

regexCommentGet

This searches through the comments for variables in a loaded config for any that match the supplied regex and returns them.

One arguement is taken and it is a hash.

A hash of hash containing copies of the deleted variables are returned.

args hash

config

This is the config search.

varRegex

The variable to search for matching comment names.

commentRegex

The regex use for matching comment names.

    my %deleted=$zconf->regexCommentGet({
                                         config=>"foo/bar",
                                         varRegex=>"^some/var$",
                                         commentRegex=>"^monkey\/";
                                        });
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

regexMetaDel

This searches through the meta variables in a loaded config for any that match the supplied regex and removes them.

One arguement is taken and it is a hash.

A hash of hash containing copies of the deleted variables are returned.

args hash

config

This is the config search.

varRegex

The variable to search for matching comment names.

metaRegex

The regex use for matching meta variables.

    my %deleted=$zconf->regexMetaDel({
                                      config=>"foo/bar",
                                      varRegex=>"^some/var$",
                                      metaRegex=>"^monkey\/";
                                     });
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

regexMetaGet

This searches through the meta variables in a loaded config for any that match the supplied regex and removes them.

One arguement is taken and it is a hash.

A hash of hash containing copies of the deleted variables are returned.

args hash

config

This is the config search.

varRegex

The variable to search for matching comment names.

metaRegex

The regex use for matching meta variables.

    my %deleted=$zconf->regexMetaGet({
                                      config=>"foo/bar",
                                      varRegex=>"^some/var$",
                                      metaRegex=>"^monkey\/";
                                     });
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

regexVarDel

This searches through the variables in a loaded config for any that match the supplied regex and removes them.

Two arguements are required. The first is the config to search. The second is the regular expression to use.

	#removes any variable starting with the monkey
	my @deleted = $zconf->regexVarDel("foo/bar", "^monkey");
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

regexVarGet

This searches through the variables in a loaded config for any that match the supplied regex and returns them in a hash.

Two arguements are required. The first is the config to search. The second is the regular expression to use.

	#returns any variable begining with monkey
	my %vars = $zconf->regexVarGet("foo/bar", "^monkey");
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

regexVarSearch

This searches through the variables in a loaded config for any that match the supplied regex and returns a array of matches.

Two arguements are required. The first is the config to search. The second is the regular expression to use.

	#removes any variable starting with the monkey
	my @matched = $zconf->regexVarSearch("foo/bar", "^monkey")
	if($zconf->error)){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

reread

This rereads the specified config file. This requires it to be already loaded.

    $zconf->reread('some/config');
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }

setAutoupdate

This sets if a value for autoupdate.

It takes two optional arguements. The first is a name for a config and second is a boolean value.

If a config name is not specified, it sets the global value for it.

    #set the global auto update value to false
    $zconf->setAutoupdate(undef, '0');

    #sets it to true for 'some/config'
    $zconf->setAutoupdate('some/config', '1');

setComment

This sets a comment variable in a loaded config.

Four arguements are required. The first is the name of the config. The second is the name of the variable. The third is the comment variable. The fourth is the value.

	$zconf->setComment("foo/bar" , "somethingVar", "someComment", "eat more weazel\n\nor something"
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}




setDefault

This sets the default set to use if one is not specified or choosen.

	my $returned = $zconf->setDefault("something")
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

setExists

This checks if the specified set exists.

Two arguements are required. The first arguement is the name of the config. The second arguement is the name of the set. If no set is specified, the default set is used. This is done by calling 'defaultSetExists'.

    my $return=$zconf->setExists("foo/bar", "fubar");
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }else{
        if($return){
            print "It exists.\n";
        }
    }

setLockConfig

This unlocks or logs a config.

Two arguements are taken. The first is a the config name, required, and the second is if it should be locked or unlocked

    #lock 'some/config'
    $zconf->setLockConfig('some/config', 1);
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }

    #unlock 'some/config'
    $zconf->setLockConfig('some/config', 0);
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }

    #unlock 'some/config'
    $zconf->setLockConfig('some/config');
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }

setMeta

This sets a meta variable in a loaded config.

Four arguements are required. The first is the name of the config. The second is the name of the variable. The third is the meta variable. The fourth is the value.

	$zconf->setMeta("foo/bar" , "somethingVar", "someComment", "eat more weazel\n\nor something"
	if($zconf->{error}){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}




setNameLegit

This checks if a setname is legit.

There is one required arguement, which is the set name.

The returned value is a perl boolean value.

	my $set="something";
	if(!$zconf->setNameLegit($set)){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

setOverrideChooser

This will set the override chooser for a config.

If no chooser is specified for the loaded config

Two arguements are required. The first is the config and th e second is the chooser string.

This method is basically a wrapper around setMeta.

    $zconf->setOverrideChooser($config, $chooser);
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }

setVar

This sets a variable in a loaded config.

Three arguements are required. The first is the name of the config. The second is the name of the variable. The third is the value.

	$zconf->setVar("foo/bar" , "something", "eat more weazel\n\nor something"
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}




unloadConfig

Unloads a specified configuration. The only required value is the set name. The return value is a Perl boolean value.

    zconf->unloadConfig($config);
    if( $zconf->error )
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }

updatable

This checks if the loaded config on disk has a different revision ID than the saved one.

The return value is a boolean value. A value of true indicates the config has been changed on the backend.

    my $updatable=$zconf->updatable('some/config');
    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }

updateIfNeeded

If a loaded config is updatable, reread it.

The returned value is a boolean value indicating if it was updated or not. A value of true indicates it was.

args hash

autocheck

This tells it to check getAutoupdate. If it returns false, it will return.

clearerror

If $zconf->{error} is set, clear it. This is primarily meant for being used internally.

config

This config to check.

This is required.

    my $updated=$zconf->updateIfNeeded({config=>'some/config'});
    if($zconf->{error}){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }
    if($updated){
        print "Updated!\n";
    }

varNameCheck

This checks if a there if the specified variable name is a legit one or not.

	my ($error, $errorString) = $zconf->varNameCheck($config);
	if(defined($error)){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

writeChooser

This writes a string into the chooser for a config.

There are two required arguements. The first is the config name. The second is chooser string.

No error checking is done currently on the chooser string.

Setting this to '' or "\n" will disable the chooser fuction and the default will be used when chooseSet is called.

	my $returned = $zconf->writeChooser("foo/bar", $chooserString)
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

writeSetFromHash

This takes a hash and writes it to a config. It takes two arguements, both of which are hashes.

The first hash contains

The second hash is the hash to be written to the config.

args hash

config

The config to write it to.

This is required.

set

This is the set name to use.

If not defined, the one will be choosen.

revision

This is the revision string to use.

This is primarily meant for internal usage and is suggested that you don't touch this unless you really know what you are doing.

    $zconf->writeSetFromHash({config=>"foo/bar"}, \%hash);
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

writeSetFromLoadedConfig

This method writes a loaded config to a to a set.

One arguement is required.

args hash

config

The config to write it to.

This is required.

set

This is the set name to use.

If not defined, the one will be choosen.

revision

This is the revision string to use.

This is primarily meant for internal usage and is suggested that you don't touch this unless you really know what you are doing.

    $zconf->writeSetFromLoadedConfig({config=>"foo/bar"});
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

writeSetFromZML

This method writes a loaded config to a to a set.

One arguement is required.

args hash

config

The config to write it to.

This is required.

set

This is the set name to use.

If not defined, the one will be choosen.

zml

This is the ZML object to use.

revision

This is the revision string to use.

This is primarily meant for internal usage and is suggested that you don't touch this unless you really know what you are doing.

    $zconf->writeSetFromZML({config=>"foo/bar", zml=>$zml});
	if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
	}

ERROR RELATED METHODS

Top

error

Returns the current error code and true if there is an error.

If there is no error, undef is returned.

    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }

errorBlank

This blanks the error storage and is only meant for internal usage.

It does the following.

	$zconf->{error}=undef;
	$zconf->{errorString}="";

errorString

Returns the error string if there is one. If there is not, it will return ''.

    if($zconf->error){
		warn('error: '.$zconf->error.":".$zconf->errorString);
    }

CONFIG NAME

Top

Any configuration name is legit as long as it does not match any of the following.

	undef
	/./
	/\/\./
	/\.\.\//
	/\/\//
	/\.\.\//
	/\/\.\./
	/^\.\//
	/\/$/
	/^\//
	/\n/

SET NAME

Top

Any set name is legit as long as it does not match any of the following.

	undef
	/\//
	/^\./
	/^ /
	/ $/
	/\.\./

VARIABLE NAME

Top

Any variable name is legit as long it does not match any of the following. This also covers comments and meta variables.

	/,/
	/\/\./
	/\/\//
	\.\.\//
	/\/\.\./
	/^\.\//
	/\/$/	
	/^\//
	/\n/
	/=/

ERROR CODES

Top

Since version '0.6.0' any time '$zconf->{error}' is true, there is an error.

Since version '3.1.0' it has been possible of checking for an error via the error handling methods.

1

config name contains ,

2

config name contains /.

3

config name contains //

4

config name contains ../

5

config name contains /..

6

config name contains ^./

7

config name ends in /

8

config name starts with /

9

could not sync to file

10

config name contains a \n

11

Backend errored.

12

config does not exist

13

Backend is not ZConf::backends::ldap.

14

The backend could not be found.

15

No backend specified.

16

ZML object not passed.

18

No variable name specified.

19

config key starts with a ' '

21

set not found for config

23

skilling variable as it is not a legit name

24

set is not defined

25

Config is undefined.

26

Config not loaded.

27

Set name is not a legit name.

28

ZML->parse error.

29

Could not unlink the unlink the set.

30

The sets exist for the specified config.

31

Did not find a matching set.

32

Unable to choose a set.

33

Unable to remove the config as it has sub configs.

38

Sys name matched /\//.

39

Sys name matched /\./.

40

No chooser string specified.

41

No comment specified.

42

No meta specified.

45

Config is locked.

46

LDAP entry update failed.

47

Failed to initialize the backend. It returned undef.

ERROR CHECKING

Top

This can be done by checking $zconf->{error} to see if it is defined. If it is defined, The number it contains is the corresponding error code. A description of the error can also be found in $zconf->{errorString}, which is set to "" when there is no error.

zconf.zml

Top

The default is 'xdf_config_home/zconf.zml', which is generally '~/.config/zconf.zml'. See perldoc ZML for more information on the file format. The keys are listed below.

For information on the keys for the backends, please see perldoc for the backend in question.

The two included are 'file' and 'ldap'. See perldoc for 'ZConf::backends::file' and 'ZConf::backends::ldap' for their key values.

zconf.zml keys

backend

This is the backend to use for storage. Current values of 'file' and 'ldap' are supported.

backendChooser

This is a Chooser string that chooses what backend should be used.

defaultChooser

This is a chooser string that chooses what the name of the default to use should be.

fileonly

This is a boolean value. If it is set to 1, only the file backend is used.

This will override 'backend'.

readfallthrough

If this is set, if any of the methods below error when trying the any backend other than 'file' , it will fall through to the file backend.

    configExists
    getAvailableSets
    getSubConfigs
    read
    readChooser

UTILITIES

Top

There are several scripts installed with this module. Please see the perldocs for the utilities listed below.

    zcchooser-edit
    zcchooser-get
    zcchooser-run
    zcchooser-set
    zccreate
    zcget
    zcls
    zcrm
    zcset
    zcvdel
    zcvls

Backend Requirements

Top

Coming shortly.

This will be documented more shortly.

AUTHOR

Top

Zane C. Bowers-Hadley, <vvelox at vvelox.net>

BUGS

Top

Please report any bugs or feature requests to bug-zconf at rt.cpan.org, or through the web interface at http://rt.cpan.org/NoAuth/ReportBug.html?Queue=ZConf. I will be notified, and then you'll automatically be notified of progress on your bug as I make changes.

SUPPORT

Top

You can find documentation for this module with the perldoc command.

    perldoc ZConf




You can also look for information at:

* RT: CPAN's request tracker

http://rt.cpan.org/NoAuth/Bugs.html?Dist=ZConf

* AnnoCPAN: Annotated CPAN documentation

http://annocpan.org/dist/ZConf

* CPAN Ratings

http://cpanratings.perl.org/d/ZConf

* Search CPAN

http://search.cpan.org/dist/ZConf

* Subversion Repository

http://eesdp.org/svnweb/index.cgi/pubsvn/browse/Perl/ZConf

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Top

COPYRIGHT & LICENSE

Top


ZConf documentation Contained in the ZConf distribution.
package ZConf;

use File::Path;
use File::BaseDir qw/xdg_config_home/;
use Chooser;
use warnings;
use strict;
use ZML;
use Sys::Hostname;
use Module::List qw(list_modules);

our $VERSION = '5.1.0';

#create it...
sub new {
	my %args;
	if(defined($_[1])){
		%args= %{$_[1]};
	};
	my $method='new';

	#The thing that will be returned.
	#conf holds configs
	#args holds the arguements passed to new as well as runtime parameters
	#set contains what set is in use for any loaded config
	#zconf contains the parsed contents of zconf.zml
	#user is space reserved for what ever the user of this package may wish to
	#     use it for... if they ever find the need to or etc... reserved for
	#     the prevention of poeple shoving stuff into $self->{} where ever
	#     they please... probally some one still will... but this is intented
	#     to help minimize it...
	#error this is undef if, otherwise it is a integer for the error in question
	#errorString this is a string describing the error
	#meta holds meta variable information
	my $self = {conf=>{}, args=>{%args}, set=>{}, zconf=>{}, user=>{}, error=>undef,
				errorString=>"", meta=>{}, comment=>{}, module=>__PACKAGE__,
				revision=>{}, locked=>{}, autoupdateGlobal=>1, autoupdate=>{}};
	bless $self;

	#set the config file if it is not already set
	if(!defined($self->{args}{file})){
		$self->{args}{file}=xdg_config_home()."/zconf.zml";
		#Make the config file if it does not exist.
		#We don't create it if it is manually specified as we assume
		#that the caller manually specified it for some reason.
		if(!-f $self->{args}{file}){
			if(open("CREATECONFIG", '>', $self->{args}{file})){
				print CREATECONFIG "fileonly=1\nreadfallthrough=1\n";
				close("CREATECONFIG");
			}else{
				print "zconf new error: '".$self->{args}{file}."' could not be opened.\n";
				return undef;
			}
		}
	}

	my $zconfzmlstring="";#holds the contents of zconf.zml
	#returns undef if it can't read zconf.zml
	if(open("READZCONFZML", $self->{args}{file})){
		$zconfzmlstring=join("", <READZCONFZML>);
		my $tempstring;
		close("READZCONFZML");
	}else{
		print "zconf new error: Could not open'".$self->{args}{file}."\n";
		return undef;
	}

	#tries to parse the zconf.zml
	my $zml=ZML->new();
	$zml->parse($zconfzmlstring);
	if($zml->{error}){
		$self->{error}=28;
		$self->{errorString}="ZML\-\>parse error, '".$zml->{error}."', '".$zml->{errorString}."'";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return $self;
	}
	$self->{zconf}=$zml->{var};

	#saves this for passing on to the backend
	$self->{args}{zconf}=$self->{zconf};

	#if defaultChooser is defined, use it to find what the default should be
	if(defined($self->{zconf}{defaultChooser})){
		#runs choose if it is defined
		my ($success, $choosen)=choose($self->{zconf}{defaultChooser});
		if($success){
			#check if the choosen has a legit name
			#if it does not, set it to default
			if(setNameLegit($choosen)){
				$self->{args}{default}=$choosen;
			}else{
				$self->{args}{default}="default";
			}
		}else{
			$self->{args}{default}="default";
		}
	}else{
		if(defined($self->{zconf}{default})){
			$self->{args}{default}=$self->{zconf}{default};
		}else{
			$self->{args}{default}="default";
		}
	}
		
	#get what the file only arg should be
	#this is a Perl boolean value
	if(!defined($self->{zconf}{fileonly})){
		$self->{zconf}->{args}{fileonly}="0";
	}else{
		$self->{args}{fileonly}=$self->{zconf}{fileonly};
	}

	if($self->{args}{fileonly} eq "0"){
		#gets what the backend should be using backendChooser
		#if not defined, check for backend and if that is not
		#defined, just use the file backend
		if(defined($self->{zconf}{backendChooser})){
			my ($success, $choosen)=choose($self->{zconf}{backendChooser});
			if($success){
				$self->{args}{backend}=$choosen;
			}else{
				if(defined{$self->{zconf}{backend}}){
					$self->{args}{backend}=$self->{zconf}{backend};
				}else{
					$self->{args}{backend}="file";
				}
			}
		}else{
			if(defined($self->{zconf}{backend})){
				$self->{args}{backend}=$self->{zconf}{backend};
			}else{
				$self->{args}{backend}="file";
			}
		}
	}else{
		$self->{args}{backend}="file";
	}
		
	#make sure the backend is legit
	my @modules=keys( %{list_modules("ZConf::backends::",{list_modules=>1})} );
	my $int=0;
	my $backendLegit=0;
	while ($modules[$int]) {
		my $beTest=$modules[$int];
		$beTest=~s/ZConf\:\:backends\:\://g;
		if ($beTest eq $self->{args}{backend}) {
			$backendLegit=1;
		}

		$int++;
	}

	if(!$backendLegit){
		$self->{error}=14;
		$self->{errorString}="The backend '".$self->{args}{backend}."' is not a recognized backend";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return $self
	}

	#saves a copy of self to the backend
	$self->{args}{self}=$self;

	#inits the main backend
	my $backend=$self->initBackend($self->{args}{backend});
	my $error=0;
	if ($self->error || (!defined( $backend ))) {
		if ( $self->error ) {
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		}else {
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': Backend is undefined');
		}
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': Using file backend');
		$error=1;
	}else {
		if ($backend->error) {
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': Backend errored using. Using file backend');
			$error=1;
		}else {
			$self->{be}=$backend;
		}
	}

	#init the file backend
	if ( $self->{args}{backend} ne 'file' ) {
		$backend=$self->initBackend('file');
		if (
			$self->error ||
			$backend->error
			) {
			$self->{error}='11';
			$self->{errorStirng}='Failed to intiate file backend';
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->error.': '.$self->errorString);
			return $self;
		}
		if (defined( $self->{be} )) {
			$self->{fbe}=$backend;
		}else {
			$self->{be}=$backend;
		}
	}
	

	return $self;
}

#the overarching method for getting available sets
sub chooseSet{
	my ($self, $config) = @_;
	my $method='chooseSet';

	$self->errorBlank;

	my ($error, $errorString)=$self->configNameCheck($config);
	if(defined($error)){
		$self->{error}=$error;
		$self->{errorString}=$errorString;
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	my $chooserstring=$self->readChooser($config);

	#makes sure it is not blank
	if ($chooserstring eq '') {
		return $self->{args}{default};
	}
	#makes sure it is not just a new line
	if ($chooserstring eq "\n") {
		return $self->{args}{default};
	}
	
	my ($success, $choosen)=choose($chooserstring);
	
	if(!defined( $choosen )){
		return $self->{args}{default};
	}
	
	if (!$self->setNameLegit($choosen)){
		$self->{error}=27;
		$self->{errorString}='"'.$choosen."' is not a legit set name. Using the".
		                     " default of '".$self->{args}{default}."'.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return $self->{args}{default};
	}
	
	return $choosen;
}

#check if a config exists
sub configExists{
	my ($self, $config) = @_;
	my $method='configExists';

	$self->errorBlank;

	my ($error, $errorString)=$self->configNameCheck($config);
	if(defined($error)){
		$self->{error}=$error;
		$self->{errorString}=$errorString;
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#run the checks
	my $returned=$self->{be}->configExists($config);
	#if it errors and read fall through is turned on, try the file backend
	if ( $self->{be}->error && $self->{args}{readfallthrough} ) {
		$returned=$self->{fbe}->configExists($config);
		if ( $self->{fbe}->error ) {
			$self->{error}=11;
			$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{fbe}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{fbe}->errorString.'"';
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		}
	}elsif ( $self->{be}->error ) {
		$self->{error}=11;
		$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{be}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{be}->errorString.'"';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});		
	}

	return $returned;
}

#checks the config name
sub configNameCheck{
	my ($self, $name) = @_;
	my $method='configNameCheck';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#checks for undef
	if(!defined($name)){
		return("11", "config name is not defined.");
	}

	#checks for ,
	if($name =~ /,/){
		return("1", "config name,'".$name."', contains ','");
	}

	#checks for /.
	if($name =~ /\/\./){
		return("2", "config name,'".$name."', contains '/.'");
	}

	#checks for //
	if($name =~ /\/\//){
		return("3", "config name,'".$name."', contains '//'");
	}

	#checks for ../
	if($name =~ /\.\.\//){
		return("4", "config name,'".$name."', contains '../'");
	}

	#checks for /..
	if($name =~ /\/\.\./){
		return("5", "config name,'".$name."', contains '/..'");
	}

	#checks for ^./
	if($name =~ /^\.\//){
		return("6", "config name,'".$name."', matched /^\.\//");
	}

	#checks for /$
	if($name =~ /\/$/){
		return("7", "config name,'".$name."', matched /\/$/");
	}

	#checks for ^/
	if($name =~ /^\//){
		return("8", "config name,'".$name."', matched /^\//");
	}

	#checks for ^/
	if($name =~ /\n/){
		return("10", "config name,'".$name."', matched /\\n/");
	}

	return(undef, "");
}

#the overarching method for getting available sets
sub createConfig{
	my ($self, $config) = @_;
	my $method='createConfig';

	$self->errorBlank;

	my ($error, $errorString)=$self->configNameCheck($config);
	if(defined($error)){
		$self->{error}=$error;
		$self->{errorString}=$errorString;
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	my $returned=undef;

	#create the config
	$self->{be}->createConfig( $config );
	if ( $self->{be}->error ) {
		$self->{error}=11;
		$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{be}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{be}->errorString.'"';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}


	#attempt to sync the config locally if not using the file backend
	if( defined( $self->{fbe} ) ){
		#if it does not exist, add it
		if(!$self->{fbe}->configExists($config)){
			my $syncReturn=$self->{fbe}->createConfig($config);
			if ( $self->{fbe}->error ){
				warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': File backend sync failed. error="'.$self->{fbe}->error.
					 '" errorString="'.$self->{fbe}->errorString.'"');
			}
		}
	}

	return 1;
}

sub defaultSetExists{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $method='defaultSetExists';

	$self->errorBlank();

	#make sure the config name is legit
	my ($error, $errorString)=$self->configNameCheck($config);
	if(defined($error)){
		$self->{error}=$error;
		$self->{errorString}=$errorString;
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#makes sure it exists
	if (!$self->configExists($config)){
		$self->{error}=12;
		$self->{errorString}='The specified config, "'.$config.'" does not exist';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#figures out what to use for the set
	my $set=$self->chooseSet($config);
	if (defined($self->{error})){
		return undef;
	}

	#get the available sets to check if the default exists
	my @sets=$self->getAvailableSets($config);
	if ($self->{error}) {
		warn('ZConf defaultSetExists: getAvailableSets errored');
		return undef;
	}

	#check for one that matches...
	my $int=0;
	while (defined($sets[$int])) {
		if ($set eq $sets[$int]) {
			return 1;
		}
		$int++;
	}

	return undef;
}

sub delConfig{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $method='delConfig';

	$self->errorBlank;
	
	#return if no set is given
	if (!defined($config)) {
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#makes sure no subconfigs exist
	my @subs=$self->getSubConfigs($config);
	#return if this can't be completed
	if (defined($self->{error})) {
		return undef;		
	}
	if (defined($subs[0])) {
		$self->{error}=33;
		$self->{errorString}='Could not remove the config as it has sub configs.';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#delete the config
	$self->{be}->delConfig( $config );
	if ( $self->{be}->error ) {
		$self->{error}=11;
		$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{be}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{be}->errorString.'"';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#attempt to sync the config locally if not using the file backend
	if( defined( $self->{fbe} ) ){
		#if it does exist, remove it
		if($self->{fbe}->configExists($config)){
			my $syncReturn=$self->{fbe}->createConfig($config);
			if ( $self->{fbe}->error ){
				warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': File backend sync failed. error="'.$self->{fbe}->error.
					 '" errorString="'.$self->{fbe}->errorString.'"');
			}
		}
	}

	return 1;
}

sub delSet{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $set=$_[2];
	my $method='delSet';
	
	$self->errorBlank;

	#return if no set is given
	if (!defined($set)){
		$self->{error}=24;
		$self->{errorString}='$set not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#return if no config is given
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#makes sure it exists before continuing
	#This will also make sure the config exists.
	my $returned = $self->configExists($config);
	if (defined($self->{error})){
		$self->{error}=12;
		$self->{errorString}='The config "'.$config.'" does not exist';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#delete the config
	$self->{be}->delSet( $config, $set );
	if ( $self->{be}->error ) {
		$self->{error}=11;
		$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{be}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{be}->errorString.'"';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#attempt to sync the config locally if not using the file backend
	if( defined( $self->{fbe} ) ){
		#if it does exist, remove it
		if ($self->{fbe}->setExists) {
			my $syncReturn=$self->{fbe}->delSet($config, $set);
			if ( $self->{fbe}->error ){
				warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': File backend sync failed. error="'.$self->{fbe}->error.
					 '" errorString="'.$self->{fbe}->errorString.'"');
			}
		}
	}

	return $returned;
}

sub dumpToZML{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $method='dumpToZML';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#return if no config is given
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#create the ZML object
	my $zml=ZML->new();

	#process variables
	my $varhashkeysInt=0;#used for intering through the list of hash keys
	#builds the ZML object
	my @varhashkeys=keys(%{$self->{conf}{$config}});
	while(defined($varhashkeys[$varhashkeysInt])){
		#attempts to add the variable
		$zml->addVar($varhashkeys[$varhashkeysInt], 
					$self->{conf}{$config}{$varhashkeys[$varhashkeysInt]});
		#checks to verify there was no error
		#this is not a fatal error... skips it if it is not legit
		if(defined($zml->{error})){
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':23: $zml->add() returned '.
				$zml->{error}.", '".$zml->{errorString}."'. Skipping variable '".
				$varhashkeys[$varhashkeysInt]."' in '".$config."'.");
		}

		$varhashkeysInt++;
	}

	#processes the meta variables
	$varhashkeysInt=0;#used for intering through the list of hash keys
	#builds the ZML object
	@varhashkeys=keys(%{$self->{meta}{$config}});
	while(defined($varhashkeys[$varhashkeysInt])){
		my @metahashkeys=keys( %{$self->{meta}{ $config }{ $varhashkeys[$varhashkeysInt] }} );
		my $metahashkeysInt=0;
		while (defined($metahashkeys[ $metahashkeysInt ])) {
			$zml->addMeta(
						  $varhashkeys[$varhashkeysInt],
						  $metahashkeys[$metahashkeysInt],
						  $self->{meta}{ $config }{ $varhashkeys[$varhashkeysInt] }{ $metahashkeys[$metahashkeysInt] }
						  );
			
			$metahashkeysInt++;
		}

		$varhashkeysInt++;
	}

	#processes the comment variables
	$varhashkeysInt=0;#used for intering through the list of hash keys
	#builds the ZML object
	@varhashkeys=keys(%{ $self->{comment}{$config} });
	while(defined($varhashkeys[$varhashkeysInt])){
		my @commenthashkeys=keys( %{$self->{self}->{comment}{ $config }{ $varhashkeys[$varhashkeysInt] }} );
		my $commenthashkeysInt=0;
		while (defined($commenthashkeys[ $commenthashkeysInt ])) {
			$zml->addComment(
						  $varhashkeys[$varhashkeysInt],
						  $commenthashkeys[$commenthashkeysInt],
						  $self->{comment}{ $config }{ $varhashkeys[$varhashkeysInt] }{ $commenthashkeys[$commenthashkeysInt] }
						  );
			
			$commenthashkeysInt++;
		}

		$varhashkeysInt++;
	}

	return $zml;
}

sub getAutoupdate{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];

	$self->errorBlank;

	if (!defined( $config )) {
		return $self->{autoupdateGlobal};
	}

	if (defined( $self->{autoupdate}{$config} )) {
		return $self->{autoupdate}{$config};
	}

	return $self->{autoupdateGlobal};
}

#the overarching method for getting available sets
sub getAvailableSets{
	my ($self, $config) = @_;
	my $method='getAvailableSets';

	$self->errorBlank();

	#make sure the config name is legit
	my ($error, $errorString)=$self->configNameCheck($config);
	if(defined($error)){
		$self->{error}=$error;
		$self->{errorString}=$errorString;
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#checks to make sure the config does exist
	if(!$self->configExists($config)){
		$self->{error}=12;
		$self->{errorString}="'".$config."' does not exist.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#run the checks
	my @returned=$self->{be}->getAvailableSets($config);
	#if it errors and read fall through is turned on, try the file backend
	if ( $self->{be}->error &&
		 $self->{args}{readfallthrough} &&
		 defined( $self->{fbe} )
		) {
		@returned=$self->{fbe}->getAvailableSets($config);
		if ( $self->{fbe}->error ) {
			$self->{error}=11;
			$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{fbe}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{fbe}->errorString.'"';
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		}
	}elsif ( $self->{be}->error ) {
		$self->{error}=11;
		$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{be}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{be}->errorString.'"';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});		
	}

	return @returned;
}

	
#gets what the default set is
sub getDefault{
	my ($self)= @_;

	$self->errorBlank;

	return $self->{args}{default};
}

#get a list of keys for a config
sub getComments {
	my ($self, $config) = @_;
	my $method='getComments';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$config, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1});

	if(!defined($self->{comment}{$config})){
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	my @keys=keys(%{$self->{comment}{$config}});

	return @keys;
}

sub getConfigRevision{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $method='getConfigRevision';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='No config specified';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#checks to make sure the config does exist
	if(!$self->configExists($config)){
		$self->{error}=12;
		$self->{errorString}="'".$config."' does not exist.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#run the checks
	my $returned=$self->{be}->getConfigRevision($config);
	#if it errors and read fall through is turned on, try the file backend
	if ( $self->{be}->error &&
		 $self->{args}{readfallthrough} &&
		 defined( $self->{fbe} )
		) {
		$returned=$self->{fbe}->getConfigRevision($config);
		if ( $self->{fbe}->error ) {
			$self->{error}=11;
			$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{fbe}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{fbe}->errorString.'"';
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		}
	}elsif ( $self->{be}->error ) {
		$self->{error}=11;
		$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{be}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{be}->errorString.'"';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});		
	}

	return $returned;
}

sub getCtime{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $var=$_[2];
	my $method='getCtime';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$config, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1 });

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#no metas for this var
	if (!defined( $self->{meta}{$config}{$var} )) {
		return undef;
	}

	if (!defined( $self->{meta}{$config}{$var}{'ctime'} )) {
		return undef;
	}

	return $self->{meta}{$config}{$var}{'ctime'};
}

#get a list of keys for a config
sub getKeys {
	my ($self, $config) = @_;
	my $method='getKeys';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$config, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1 });

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	my @keys=keys(%{$self->{conf}{$config}});

	return @keys;
}

sub getLoadedConfigRevision{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $method='getLoadedConfigRevision';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='No config specified';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure it is loaded
	if(! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ){
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	return $self->{revision}{$config};
}

#get a list loaded configs
sub getLoadedConfigs {
	my ($self, $config) = @_;

	$self->errorBlank;

	my @keys=keys(%{$self->{conf}});

	return @keys;
}

#get a list of keys for a config
sub getMetas {
	my ($self, $config) = @_;
	my $method='getMetas';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$config, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1 });

	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	my @keys=keys(%{$self->{meta}{$config}});

	return @keys;
}

sub getMtime{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $var=$_[2];
	my $method='getMtime';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$config, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1 });

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#no metas for this var
	if (!defined( $self->{meta}{$config}{$var} )) {
		return undef;
	}

	if (!defined( $self->{meta}{$config}{$var}{'mtime'} )) {
		return undef;
	}

	return $self->{meta}{$config}{$var}{'mtime'};
}

sub getOverrideChooser{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $method='getOverrideChooser';

	#blank the any previous errors
	$self->errorBlank;

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	my $chooser;

	if ( (defined( $self->{meta}{$config}{zconf} ))&&(defined( $self->{meta}{$config}{zconf}{'override/chooser'} )) ) {
		$chooser=$self->{meta}{$config}{zconf}{'override/chooser'};
	}

	return $chooser;
}

#get the set a config is currently using
sub getSet{
	my ($self, $config)= @_;
	my $method='getSet';

	$self->errorBlank;

	if(!defined($self->{set}{$config})){
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Set '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}
	
	return $self->{set}{$config};
}

#gets the configs under a config
sub getSubConfigs{
	my ($self, $config)= @_;
	my $method='getSubConfigs';

	#blank any previous errors
	$self->errorBlank;

	#make sure the config name is legit
	my ($error, $errorString)=$self->configNameCheck($config);
	if(defined($error)){
		$self->{error}=$error;
		$self->{errorString}=$errorString;
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#run the checks
	my @returned=$self->{be}->getSubConfigs($config);
	#if it errors and read fall through is turned on, try the file backend
	if ( $self->{be}->error &&
		 $self->{args}{readfallthrough} &&
		 defined( $self->{fbe} )
		) {
		@returned=$self->{fbe}->getSubConfigs($config);
		if ( $self->{fbe}->error ) {
			$self->{error}=11;
			$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{fbe}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{fbe}->errorString.'"';
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		}
	}
	elsif( $self->{be}->error ){
		$self->{error}=11;
		$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{be}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{be}->errorString.'"';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
	}

	return @returned;
}

sub getComment{
	my ($self, $config, $var, $comment) = @_;
	my $method='getComment';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$config, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1 });

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='No config specified';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure we have a variable
	if (!defined($var)) {
		$self->{error}=18;
		$self->{errorString}='No variable specified';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#makes sure we have a comment specified
	if (!defined($comment)) {
		$self->{error}=41;
		$self->{errorString}='No comment specified';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure it exists
	if (!defined( $self->{comment}{$config}{$var} )) {
		return undef;
	}
	if (!defined( $self->{comment}{$config}{$var}{$comment} )) {
		return undef;
	}

	return $self->{comment}{$config}{$var}{$comment};
}

sub getMeta{
	my ($self, $config, $var, $meta) = @_;
	my $method='getMeta';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$config, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1 });

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='No config specified';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure we have a variable
	if (!defined($var)) {
		$self->{error}=18;
		$self->{errorString}='No variable specified';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#makes sure we have a meta specified
	if (!defined($meta)) {
		$self->{error}=42;
		$self->{errorString}='No meta specified';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure it exists
	if (!defined( $self->{meta}{$config}{$var} )) {
		return undef;
	}
	if (!defined( $self->{meta}{$config}{$var}{$meta} )) {
		return undef;
	}

	return $self->{meta}{$config}{$var}{$meta};
}

sub getVar{
	my ($self, $config, $var) = @_;
	my $method='getVar';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$config, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1 });

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='No config specified';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure we have a variable
	if (!defined($var)) {
		$self->{error}=18;
		$self->{errorString}='No variable specified';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure it exists
	if (!defined( $self->{conf}{$config}{$var} )) {
		return undef;
	}

	return $self->{conf}{$config}{$var};
}

sub initBackend{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $backend=$_[1];
	my $method='initBackend';

	$self->errorBlank;

	if (!defined( $backend )) {
		$self->{error}=15;
		$self->{errorString}='No backend specified';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#tries to load it
	my $torun='use ZConf::backends::'.$backend.
	          '; $be=ZConf::backends::'.$backend.
			  '->new( \%{ $self->{args} } );';
	my $be;
	eval($torun);
	if (!defined($be)) {
		$self->{error}=47;
		$self->{errorString}='Trying to initialize the backend failed. It returned undefined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	return $be;
}

sub isLoadedConfigLocked{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $method='isLoadedConfigLocked';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='No config specified';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure it is loaded
	if(! $self->isConfigLoaded( $config ) ){
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	if (defined($self->{locked}{$config})) {
		return 1;
	}

	return undef;
}

sub isConfigLoaded{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $method='isConfigLoaded';

	$self->errorBlank;

	if (!defined($config)) {
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}="Config is undefined";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	if ( defined( $self->{conf}{ $config } ) ) {
		return 1;
	}

	return undef;
}

sub isConfigLocked{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $method='isConfigLocked';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='No config specified';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#makes sure it exists
	my $exists=$self->configExists($config);
    if ($self->{error}) {
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': configExists errored');
		return undef;
	}
	if (!$exists) {
		$self->{error}=12;
		$self->{errorString}='The config, "'.$config.'", does not exist';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#run the checks
	my $returned=$self->{be}->isConfigLocked($config);
	#if it errors and read fall through is turned on, try the file backend
	if ( $self->{be}->error &&
		 $self->{args}{readfallthrough} &&
		 defined( $self->{fbe} )
		) {
		$returned=$self->{fbe}->isConfigLocked($config);
		if ( $self->{fbe}->error ) {
			$self->{error}=11;
			$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{fbe}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{fbe}->errorString.'"';
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		}
	}elsif ( $self->{be}->error ) {
		$self->{error}=11;
		$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{be}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{be}->errorString.'"';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
	}

	return $returned;
}

sub LDAPconnect{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $method='LDAPconnect';

	$self->errorBlank;

	my $returned;
	if (ref( $self->{be} ) eq "ZConf::backends::ldap"  ) {
		$returned=$self->{be}->LDAPconnect;
		if ($self->{be}->error) {
			$self->{error}=11;
			$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{be}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{be}->errorString.'"';
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		}
	}else {
		$self->{error}=13;
		$self->{errorString}='Backend is not "ZConf::backends::ldap"';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
	}

	return $returned;
}

sub override{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my %args;
	if (defined($_[1])) {
		%args=%{$_[1]};
	}
	my $method='override';

	#blank the any previous errors
	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	#commenting this out as of currently as it results in a infinite loop for the file backend
	#$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$args{config}, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1});

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($args{config})){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$args{config} not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#make sure the loaded config is not locked
	if (defined( $self->{locked}{ $args{config} } )) {
		$self->{error}=45;
		$self->{errorString}='The config "'.$args{config}.'" is locked';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure the config is loaded
	if(!defined( $self->{conf}{ $args{config} } )){
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$args{config}."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#if no profile is given, get one
	if (!defined( $args{profile} )) {
		if ( (defined( $self->{meta}{$args{config}}{zconf} ))&&
			 (defined( $self->{meta}{$args{config}}{zconf}{'override/chooser'} ))
			) {

			my $chooser=$self->{meta}{$args{config}}{zconf}{'override/chooser'};
			#if the chooser is not blank, run it
			if ($chooser ne '') {
				my ($success, $choosen)=choose($chooser);

				#if no choosen name is returned, use 'default'
				if ($success) {
					$args{profile}=$choosen;
				}else {
					$args{profile}='default';
				}
			}else {
				$args{profile}='default';
			}
		}else {
			#none to process
			return undef;
		}
	}

	#make sure it is legit
	if (!$self->setNameLegit($args{profile})){
		$self->{error}=27;
		$self->{errorString}='"'.$args{profile}.'" is not a valid set name';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#
	my %metas=$self->regexMetaGet({
									config=>$args{config},
									varRegex=>'^zconf$',
									metaRegex=>'^override\/profiles\/'.quotemeta($args{profile}).'\/',
									});

	#this does definitely exist as it would have returned previously.
	my @keys=keys( %{ $metas{zconf} } );

	#processes each one
	my $int=0;
	while (defined( $keys[$int] )) {
		my $override=$keys[$int];

		my $remove='^override\/profiles\/'.quotemeta($args{profile}).'\/';

		$override=s/$override//g;

		$self->{conf}{$args{config}}{$override}=$self->{meta}{$args{config}}{'zconf'}{$keys[$int]};

		$int++;
	}
	
	return 1;
}

#the overarching read
sub read{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my %args=%{$_[1]};
	my $method='read';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($args{config})){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='No config specified';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure the config name is legit
	my ($error, $errorString)=$self->configNameCheck($args{config});
	if(defined($error)){
		$self->{error}=$error;
		$self->{errorString}=$errorString;
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#checks to make sure the config does exist
	if(!$self->configExists($args{config})){
		$self->{error}=12;
		$self->{errorString}="'".$args{config}."' does not exist.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#gets the set to use if not set
	if(!defined($args{set})){
		$args{set}=$self->chooseSet($args{config});
		if (defined($self->{error})) {
			$self->{error}='32';
			$self->{errorString}='Unable to choose a set';
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
			return undef;
		}
	}

	#reads the config
	my $returned=$self->{be}->read(\%args);
	#if it errors and read fall through is turned on, try the file backend
	if ( $self->{be}->error &&
		 $self->{args}{readfallthrough} &&
		 defined( $self->{fbe} )
		) {
		$returned=$self->{fbe}->read(\%args);
		if ( $self->{fbe}->error ) {
			$self->{error}=11;
			$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{fbe}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{fbe}->errorString.'"';
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		}
	}elsif ( $self->{be}->error ) {
		$self->{error}=11;
		$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{be}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{be}->errorString.'"';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
	}
	#sync to the file backend
	if (
		defined( $self->{fbe} ) &&
		( ! $self->{be}->error )
		) {
		$self->{fbe}->writeSetFromLoadedConfig(\%args);
		if ($self->{fbe}->error) {
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': Failed to sync to the backend  error='.$self->{fbe}->error.' errorString='.$self->{fbe}->errorString);	
		}
	}

	return $returned;
}

#the overarching readChooser
#this gets the chooser for a the config
sub readChooser{
	my ($self, $config)= @_;
	my $method='readChooser';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#make sure the config name is legit
	my ($error, $errorString)=$self->configNameCheck($config);
	if(defined($error)){
		$self->{error}=$error;
		$self->{errorString}=$errorString;
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#checks to make sure the config does exist
	if(!$self->configExists($config)){
		$self->{error}=12;
		$self->{errorString}="'".$config."' does not exist.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#reads the chooser
	my $returned=$self->{be}->readChooser($config);
	#if it errors and read fall through is turned on, try the file backend
	if ( $self->{be}->error &&
		 $self->{args}{readfallthrough} &&
		 defined( $self->{fbe} )
		) {
		$returned=$self->{fbe}->readChooser($config);
		if ( $self->{fbe}->error ) {
			$self->{error}=11;
			$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{fbe}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{fbe}->errorString.'"';
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		}
	}elsif ( $self->{be}->error ) {
		$self->{error}=11;
		$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{be}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{be}->errorString.'"';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
	}
	#sync to the file backend
	if (
		defined( $self->{fbe} ) &&
		( ! $self->{be}->error )
		) {
		$self->{fbe}->writeChooser($config, $returned);
		if ($self->{fbe}->error) {
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': Failed to sync to the backend  error='.$self->{fbe}->error.' errorString='.$self->{fbe}->errorString);	
		}
	}

	return $returned;
}

#removes variables based on a regex
sub regexCommentDel{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my %args;
	if (defined($_[1])) {
		%args=%{$_[1]};
	}
	my $method='regexCommentDel';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$args{config}, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1 });

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($args{config})){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($args{config}) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$args{config}."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}


	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($args{varRegex})){
		$self->{error}=18;
		$self->{errorString}='$args{varRegex} not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure the loaded config is not locked
	if (defined($self->{locked}{$args{config}})) {
		$self->{error}=45;
		$self->{errorString}='The config "'.$args{config}.'" is locked';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	my @vars=keys(%{$self->{comment}{$args{config}}});

	my %returned;

	#run through checking it all
	my $varsInt=0;
	while(defined($vars[$varsInt])){
		#if the variable matches, it is ok
		if ($vars[$varsInt] =~ /$args{varRegex}/) {
			my @comments=keys(%{$self->{comment}{ $args{config} }{ $vars[$varsInt] }});
			my $commentsInt=0;
			#check the each meta
			while (defined($comments[$commentsInt])) {
				#remove any matches
				if ($self->{comment}{ $args{config} }{ $vars[$varsInt] }{ $comments[$commentsInt] } =~ /$args{commentRegex}/) {
					#copies the variable before it is deleted
					if (!defined( $returned{ $vars[$varsInt] } )) {
						$returned{ $vars[$varsInt] }={};
					}
					$returned{ $vars[$varsInt] }{ $comments[$commentsInt] }=
					                            $self->{comment}{ $args{config} }{ $vars[$varsInt] }{ $comments[$commentsInt] };
					delete($self->{comment}{ $args{config} }{ $vars[$varsInt] }{ $comments[$commentsInt] });
				}
				
				$commentsInt++;
			}
		}

		$varsInt++;
	}

	return %returned;
}

#removes variables based on a regex
sub regexCommentGet{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my %args;
	if (defined($_[1])) {
		%args=%{$_[1]};
	}
	my $method='regexCommentGet';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$args{config}, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1 });

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($args{config})) {
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($args{config}) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$args{config}."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($args{varRegex})) {
		$self->{error}=18;
		$self->{errorString}='$args{varRegex} not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	my @vars=keys(%{$self->{comment}{$args{config}}});

	my %returned;

	#run through checking it all
	my $varsInt=0;
	while (defined($vars[$varsInt])) {
		#if the variable matches, it is ok
		if ($vars[$varsInt] =~ /$args{varRegex}/) {
			my @comments=keys(%{$self->{comment}{ $args{config} }{ $vars[$varsInt] }});
			my $commentsInt=0;
			#check the each meta
			while (defined($comments[$commentsInt])) {
				#remove any matches
				if ($self->{comment}{ $args{config} }{ $vars[$varsInt] }{ $comments[$commentsInt] } =~ /$args{commentRegex}/) {
					#adds it to the returned hash
					if (!defined( $returned{ $vars[$varsInt] } )) {
						$returned{ $vars[$varsInt] }={};
					}
					$returned{ $vars[$varsInt] }{ $comments[$commentsInt] }=
					$self->{comment}{ $args{config} }{ $vars[$varsInt] }{ $comments[$commentsInt] };
				}
				
				$commentsInt++;
			}
		}

		$varsInt++;
	}

	return %returned;
}

#removes variables based on a regex
sub regexMetaDel{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my %args;
	if (defined($_[1])) {
		%args=%{$_[1]};
	}
	my $method='regexMetaDel';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$args{config}, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1 });

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($args{config})){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($args{config}) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$args{config}."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($args{varRegex})){
		$self->{error}=18;
		$self->{errorString}='$args{varRegex} not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#make sure the loaded config is not locked
	if (defined($self->{locked}{$args{config}})) {
		$self->{error}=45;
		$self->{errorString}='The config "'.$args{config}.'" is locked';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	my @vars=keys(%{$self->{meta}{$args{config}}});

	my %returned;

	#run through checking it all
	my $varsInt=0;
	while(defined($vars[$varsInt])){
		#if the variable matches, it is ok
		if ($vars[$varsInt] =~ /$args{varRegex}/) {
			my @metas=keys(%{$self->{meta}{ $args{config} }{ $vars[$varsInt] }});
			my $metasInt=0;
			#check the each meta
			while (defined($metas[$metasInt])) {
				#remove any matches
				if ($self->{meta}{ $args{config} }{ $vars[$varsInt] }{ $metas[$metasInt] } =~ /$args{metaRegex}/) {
					#copies the variable before it is deleted
					if (!defined( $returned{ $vars[$varsInt] } )) {
						$returned{ $vars[$varsInt] }={};
					}
					$returned{ $vars[$varsInt] }{ $metas[$metasInt] }=
					                            $self->{meta}{ $args{config} }{ $vars[$varsInt] }{ $metas[$metasInt] };
					delete($self->{meta}{ $args{config} }{ $vars[$varsInt] }{ $metas[$metasInt] });
				}
				
				$metasInt++;
			}
		}

		$varsInt++;
	}

	return %returned;
}

#removes variables based on a regex
sub regexMetaGet{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my %args;
	if (defined($_[1])) {
		%args=%{$_[1]};
	}
	my $method='regexMetaGet';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$args{config}, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1 });

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($args{config})){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($args{config}) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$args{config}."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($args{varRegex})){
		$self->{error}=18;
		$self->{errorString}='$args{varRegex} not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	my @vars=keys(%{$self->{meta}{$args{config}}});

	my %returned;

	#run through checking it all
	my $varsInt=0;
	while(defined($vars[$varsInt])){
		#if the variable matches, it is ok
		if ($vars[$varsInt] =~ /$args{varRegex}/) {
			my @metas=keys(%{$self->{meta}{ $args{config} }{ $vars[$varsInt] }});
			my $metasInt=0;
			#check the each meta
			while (defined($metas[$metasInt])) {
				#add any matched
				if ($self->{meta}{ $args{config} }{ $vars[$varsInt] }{ $metas[$metasInt] } =~ /$args{metaRegex}/) {
					#copies the variable before it is deleted
					if (!defined( $returned{ $vars[$varsInt] } )) {
						$returned{ $vars[$varsInt] }={};
					}
					$returned{ $vars[$varsInt] }{ $metas[$metasInt] }=
					                            $self->{meta}{ $args{config} }{ $vars[$varsInt] }{ $metas[$metasInt] };
				}
				
				$metasInt++;
			}
		}

		$varsInt++;
	}

	return %returned;
}

#removes variables based on a regex
sub regexVarDel{
	my ($self, $config, $regex) = @_;
	my $method='regexVarDel';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$config, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1 });

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure the loaded config is not locked
	if (defined($self->{locked}{$config})) {
		$self->{error}=45;
		$self->{errorString}='The config "'.$config.'" is locked';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	my @keys=keys(%{$self->{conf}{$config}});

	my @returnKeys=();

	my $int=0;
	while(defined($keys[$int])){
		if($keys[$int] =~ /$regex/){
			delete($self->{conf}{$config}{$keys[$int]});
			push(@returnKeys, $keys[$int]);
		}

		$int++;
	}

	return @returnKeys;				
}

#returns a hash of regex matched vars
#return undef on error	
sub regexVarGet{
	my ($self, $config, $regex) = @_;
	my $method='regexVarGet';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$config, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1 });

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	my @keys=keys(%{$self->{conf}{$config}});

	my %returnKeys=();

	my $int=0;
	while(defined($keys[$int])){
		if($keys[$int] =~ /$regex/){
			$returnKeys{$keys[$int]}=$self->{conf}{$config}{$keys[$int]};
		}
			
		$int++;
	}

	return %returnKeys;
}

#search variables based on a regex	
sub regexVarSearch{
	my ($self, $config, $regex) = @_;
	my $method='regexVarSearch';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$config, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1 });

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	my @keys=keys(%{$self->{conf}{$config}});

	my @returnKeys=();

	my $int=0;
	while(defined($keys[$int])){
		if($keys[$int] =~ /$regex/){
			push(@returnKeys, $keys[$int]);
		}
			
		$int++;
	}

	return @returnKeys;
}

sub reread{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $method='reread';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#gets the set
	my $set=$self->getSet($config);
	if ($self->{error}) {
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': getSet errored');
		return undef;
	}

	#reread it
	$self->read({config=>$config, set=>$set});
	if ($self->{error}) {
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': read errored');
		return undef;
	}
	return 1;
}

sub setAutoupdate{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $autoupdate=$_[2];

	$self->errorBlank;

	if (!defined( $config )) {
		$self->{autoupdateGlobal}=$autoupdate;
	}

	$self->{autoupdate}{$config}=$autoupdate;

	return 1;
}

#sets a comment
sub setComment{
	my ($self, $config, $var, $comment, $value) = @_;
	my $method='setComment';

	#blank the any previous errors
	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$config, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1 });

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#make sure the loaded config is not locked
	if (defined($self->{locked}{$config})) {
		$self->{error}=45;
		$self->{errorString}='The config "'.$config.'" is locked';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($comment)){
		$self->{error}=41;
		$self->{errorString}='No comment name defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#make sure the config name is legit
	my ($error, $errorString)=$self->configNameCheck($config);
	if(defined($error)){
		$self->{error}=$error;
		$self->{errorString}=$errorString;
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure the config name is legit
	($error, $errorString)=$self->varNameCheck($var);
	if(defined($error)){
		$self->{error}=$error;
		$self->{errorString}=$errorString;
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure the config name is legit
	($error, $errorString)=$self->varNameCheck($comment);
	if(defined($error)){
		$self->{error}=$error;
		$self->{errorString}=$errorString;
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	if(!defined($self->{comment}{$config}{$var})){
		$self->{comment}{$config}{$var}={};
	}

	$self->{comment}{$config}{$var}{$comment}=$value;

	return 1;
}

	
#sets the default set
sub setDefault{
	my ($self, $set)= @_;
	my $method='setDefault';

	#blank any errors
	$self->errorBlank;

	if($self->setNameLegit($set)){
		$self->{args}{default}=$set;
	}else{
		$self->{error}=27;
		$self->{errorString}="'".$set."' is not a legit set name.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef
	}

	return 1;
}

sub setExists{
	my ($self, $config, $set)= @_;
	my $method='setExists';

	#blank any errors
	$self->errorBlank;

	#this will get what set to use if it is not specified
	if (!defined($set)) {
		return $self->defaultSetExists($config);
		if ($self->{error}) {
			warn('ZConf setExists: No set specified and defaultSetExists errored');
			return undef;
		}
	}

	#We don't do any config name checking here or even if it exists as getAvailableSets
	#will do that.

	my @sets = $self->getAvailableSets($config);
	if (defined($self->{error})) {
		return undef;
	}


	my $setsInt=0;#used for intering through $sets
	#go through @sets and check for matches
	while (defined($sets[$setsInt])) {
		#return true if the current one matches
		if ($sets[$setsInt] eq $set) {
			return 1;
		}

		$setsInt++;
	}

	#if we get here, it means it was not found in the loop
	return undef;
}

sub setLockConfig{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $lock=$_[2];
	my $method='setLockConfig';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='No config specified';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#makes sure it exists
	my $exists=$self->configExists($config);
    if ($self->{error}) {
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': configExists errored');
		return undef;
	}
	if (!$exists) {
		$self->{error}=12;
		$self->{errorString}='The config, "'.$config.'", does not exist';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#reads the config
	my $returned=$self->{be}->setLockConfig($config, $lock);
	#if it errors and read fall through is turned on, try the file backend
	if ( $self->{be}->error ) {
		$self->{error}=11;
		$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{be}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{be}->errorString.'"';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}
	#sync to the file backend
	if ( defined( $self->{fbe} ) ) {
		$self->{fbe}->setLockConfig($config, $lock);
		if ($self->{fbe}->error) {
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': Failed to sync to the backend  error='.$self->{fbe}->error.' errorString='.$self->{fbe}->errorString);	
		}
	}

	return 1;
}

#sets a comment
sub setMeta{
	my ($self, $config, $var, $meta, $value) = @_;
	my $method='setMeta';

	#blank the any previous errors
	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$config, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1 });

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure the loaded config is not locked
	if (defined($self->{locked}{$config})) {
		$self->{error}=45;
		$self->{errorString}='The config "'.$config.'" is locked';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($meta)){
		$self->{error}=41;
		$self->{errorString}='No comment name defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#make sure the var name is legit
	my ($error, $errorString)=$self->varNameCheck($var);
	if(defined($error)){
		$self->{error}=$error;
		$self->{errorString}=$errorString;
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure the meta name is legit
	($error, $errorString)=$self->varNameCheck($meta);
	if(defined($error)){
		$self->{error}=$error;
		$self->{errorString}=$errorString;
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	if(!defined($self->{meta}{$config}{$var})){
		$self->{meta}{$config}{$var}={};
	}

	$self->{meta}{$config}{$var}{$meta}=$value;

	return 1;
}


#checks the setnames to make sure they are legit.
sub setNameLegit{
	my ($self, $set)= @_;

	$self->errorBlank;

	if (!defined($set)){
		return undef;
	}

	#return false if it / is found
	if ($set =~ /\//){
		return undef;
	}
		
	#return undef if it begins with .
	if ($set =~ /^\./){
		return undef;
	}

	#return undef if it begins with " "
	if ($set =~ /^ /){
		return undef;
	}

	#return undef if it ends with " "
	if ($set =~ / $/){
		return undef;
	}

	#return undef if it contains ".."
	if ($set =~ /\.\./){
		return undef;
	}

	return 1;
}

sub setOverrideChooser{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $chooser=$_[2];
	my $method='getOverrideChooser';

	#blank the any previous errors
	$self->errorBlank;

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#make sure the loaded config is not locked
	if (defined( $self->{locked}{ $config } )) {
		$self->{error}=45;
		$self->{errorString}='The config "'.$config.'" is locked';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($chooser)){
		$self->{error}=40;
		$self->{errorString}='$chooser not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure the loaded config is not locked
	if (defined( $self->{locked}{ $config } )) {
		$self->{error}=45;
		$self->{errorString}='The config "'.$config.'" is locked';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	if (!defined( $self->{meta}{$config}{zconf} )){
		$self->{meta}{$config}{zconf}={};
	}

	$self->{meta}{$config}{zconf}{'override/chooser'}=$chooser;

	return 1;
}

#sets a variable
sub setVar{
	my ($self, $config, $var, $value) = @_;
	my $method='setVar';

	#blank the any previous errors
	$self->errorBlank;

	#update if if needed
	$self->updateIfNeeded({config=>$config, clearerror=>1, autocheck=>1});

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#make sure the loaded config is not locked
	if (defined($self->{locked}{$config})) {
		$self->{error}=45;
		$self->{errorString}='The config "'.$config.'" is locked';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#make sure the config name is legit
	my ($error, $errorString)=$self->varNameCheck($var);
	if(defined($error)){
		$self->{error}=$error;
		$self->{errorString}=$errorString;
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	if(!defined($var)){
		$self->{error}=18;
		$self->{errorString}="\$var is not defined.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	$self->{conf}{$config}{$var}=$value;

	#makes sure that the config var for it the meta info exists
	if (!defined( $self->{meta}{$config}{$var} )) {
		$self->{meta}{$config}{$var}={};
	}
	#set the mtime
	$self->{meta}{$config}{$var}{'mtime'}=time;
	#sets the ctime if needed
	if (!defined( $self->{meta}{$config}{$var}{'ctime'} )) {
		$self->{meta}{$config}{$var}{'ctime'}=time;
	}


	return 1;
}

sub unloadConfig{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $method='unloadConfig';

	$self->errorBlank();

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	if (!defined($self->{conf}{$config})){
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}='The specified config, ".$config.", is not loaded';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		#even if it is not defined, check to see if this is defined and remove it
		if (defined($self->{set}{$config})){
			delete($self->{set}{$config});
		}
		return undef;
	}else {
		delete($self->{conf}{$config});
	}

	#removes the loaded set information
	if (defined($self->{set}{$config})){
		delete($self->{set}{$config});
	}

	#remove any lock info
	if (defined($self->{locked}{$config})) {
		delete($self->{locked}{$config});
	}

	#remove any meta info
	if (defined($self->{meta}{$config})) {
		delete($self->{meta}{$config});
	}

	#remove any comment info
	if (defined($self->{comment}{$config})) {
		delete($self->{comment}{$config});
	}

	#remove any revision info
	if (defined($self->{revision}{$config})) {
		delete($self->{revision}{$config});
	}

	return 1;
}

sub updatable{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my $config=$_[1];
	my $method='updatable';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='No config specified';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if (! $self->isConfigLoaded($config) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$config."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	my $backendRev=$self->getConfigRevision($config);
	if ($self->{error}) {
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': getConfigRevision failed');
		return undef;
	}

	#return false as if this is not defined, it means
	#that the config has no sets or has never been read
	#on a version of ZConf newer than 2.0.0
	if (!defined($backendRev)) {
		return undef;
	}

	#if we are here, it will no error so we don't check
	my $loadedRev=$self->getLoadedConfigRevision($config);

	if (!defined($loadedRev)) {
		$loadedRev='';
	}

	#they are not the same so a update is available
	if ($backendRev ne $loadedRev) {
		return 1;
	}

	#the are the same so no updates
	return undef;
}

sub updateIfNeeded{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my %args;
	if (defined($_[1])) {
		%args=%{$_[1]};
	}
	my $method='updateIfNeeded';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($args{config})){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='No config specified';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#makes sure it is loaded
	if ( ! $self->isConfigLoaded( $args{config}) ) {
		$self->{error}=26;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$args{config}."' is not loaded.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#checks the value for autoupdate
	if ($args{autocheck}) {
		my $autoupdate=$self->getAutoupdate($args{config});
		if(!$autoupdate){
			return undef;
		}
	}

	#check if it is updatable
	my $updatable=$self->updatable($args{config});
	if ($self->{error}) {
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': updatable errored');
		return undef;
	}

	#not updatable
	if (!$updatable) {
		return undef;
	}

	#reread it
	$self->reread($args{config});
	if ($self->{error}) {
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': reread errored');
		#clear the error if needed
		if ($args{clearerror}) {
			$self->errorBlank;
		}

		return undef;
	}

	return 1;
}

sub varNameCheck{
        my ($self, $name) = @_;

		$self->errorBlank;

		#makes sure it is defined
		if (!defined($name)) {
			return('10', 'variable name is not defined');
		}

        #checks for ,
        if($name =~ /,/){
                return("0", "variavble name,'".$name."', contains ','");
        }

        #checks for /.
        if($name =~ /\/\./){
                return("1", "variavble name,'".$name."', contains '/.'");
        }

        #checks for //
        if($name =~ /\/\//){
                return("2", "variavble name,'".$name."', contains '//'");
        }

        #checks for ../
        if($name =~ /\.\.\//){
                return("3", "variavble name,'".$name."', contains '../'");
        }

        #checks for /..
        if($name =~ /\/\.\./){
                return("4", "variavble name,'".$name."', contains '/..'");
        }

        #checks for ^./
        if($name =~ /^\.\//){
                return("5", "variavble name,'".$name."', matched /^\.\//");
        }

        #checks for /$
        if($name =~ /\/$/){
                return("6", "variavble name,'".$name."', matched /\/$/");
        }

        #checks for ^/
        if($name =~ /^\//){
                return("7", "variavble name,'".$name."', matched /^\//");
        }

        #checks for \\n
        if($name =~ /\n/){
                return("8", "variavble name,'".$name."', matched /\\n/");
        }

        #checks for =
        if($name =~ /=/){
                return("9", "variavble name,'".$name."', matched /=/");
        }

		return(undef, "");	
}

#the overarching read
sub writeChooser{
	my ($self, $config, $chooserstring)= @_;
	my $method='writeChooser';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($config)){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($chooserstring)){
		$self->{error}=40;
		$self->{errorString}='\$chooserstring not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#make sure the config name is legit
	my ($error, $errorString)=$self->configNameCheck($config);
	if(defined($error)){
		$self->{error}=$error;
		$self->{errorString}=$errorString;
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}
		
	#checks to make sure the config does exist
	if(!$self->configExists($config)){
		$self->{error}=12;
		$self->{errorString}="'".$config."' does not exist.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#checks if it is locked or not
	my $locked=$self->isConfigLocked($config);
	if ($self->{error}) {
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': isconfigLocked errored');
		return undef;
	}
	if ($locked) {
		$self->{error}=45;
		$self->{errorString}='The config "'.$config.'" is locked';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#writes the chooser
	my $returned=$self->{be}->writeChooser($config, $chooserstring);
	#if it errors and read fall through is turned on, try the file backend
	if ( $self->{be}->error ) {
		$self->{error}=11;
		$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{be}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{be}->errorString.'"';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}
	#sync to the file backend
	if ( defined( $self->{fbe} ) ) {
		$self->{fbe}->writeChooser($config, $chooserstring);
		if ($self->{fbe}->error) {
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': Failed to sync to the backend  error='.$self->{fbe}->error.' errorString='.$self->{fbe}->errorString);	
		}
	}

	return 1;
}

#the overarching writeSetFromHash
sub writeSetFromHash{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my %args=%{$_[1]};
	my %hash = %{$_[2]};
	my $method='writeSetFromHash';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($args{config})){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#make sure the config name is legit
	my ($error, $errorString)=$self->configNameCheck($args{config});
	if(defined($error)){
		$self->{error}=$error;
		$self->{errorString}=$errorString;
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}
		
	#checks to make sure the config does exist
	if(!$self->configExists($args{config})){
		$self->{error}=12;
		$self->{errorString}="'".$args{config}."' does not exist.";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#checks if it is locked or not
	my $locked=$self->isConfigLocked($args{config});
	if ($self->{error}) {
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': isconfigLocked errored');
		return undef;
	}
	if ($locked) {
		$self->{error}=45;
		$self->{errorString}='The config "'.$args{config}.'" is locked';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#sets the set to default if it is not defined
	if (!defined($args{set})){
		$args{set}=$self->{args}{default};
	}

	#update the revision if needed
	if (!defined($args{revision})) {
		$args{revision}=time.' '.hostname.' '.rand();
	}

	#writes the chooser
	my $returned=$self->{be}->writeSetFromHash(\%args, \%hash);
	#if it errors and read fall through is turned on, try the file backend
	if ( $self->{be}->error ) {
		$self->{error}=11;
		$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{be}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{be}->errorString.'"';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}
	#sync to the file backend
	if ( defined( $self->{fbe} ) ) {
		$self->{fbe}->writeSetFromHash(\%args, \%hash);
		if ($self->{fbe}->error) {
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': Failed to sync to the backend  error='.$self->{fbe}->error.' errorString='.$self->{fbe}->errorString);	
		}
	}

	return 1;
}

#the overarching writeSetFromLoadedConfig
sub writeSetFromLoadedConfig{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my %args= %{$_[1]};
	my $method='writeSetFromLoadedConfig';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($args{config})){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	if(! $self->isConfigLoaded( $args{config} ) ){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}="Config '".$args{config}."' is not loaded";
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#checks if it is locked or not
	my $locked=$self->isConfigLocked($args{config});
	if ($self->{error}) {
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': isconfigLocked errored');
		return undef;
	}
	if ($locked) {
		$self->{error}=45;
		$self->{errorString}='The config "'.$args{config}.'" is locked';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#sets the set to default if it is not defined
	if (!defined($args{set})){
		$args{set}=$self->{set}{$args{config}};
	}else{
		if($self->setNameLegit($args{set})){
			$self->{args}{default}=$args{set};
		}else{
			$self->{error}=27;
			$self->{errorString}="'".$args{set}."' is not a legit set name.";
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
			return undef
		}
	}

	#update the revision if needed
	if (!defined($args{revision})) {
		$args{revision}=time.' '.hostname.' '.rand();
	}

	#writes the chooser
	my $returned=$self->{be}->writeSetFromLoadedConfig(\%args);
	#if it errors and read fall through is turned on, try the file backend
	if ( $self->{be}->error ) {
		$self->{error}=11;
		$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{be}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{be}->errorString.'"';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}
	#sync to the file backend
	if ( defined( $self->{fbe} ) ) {
		$self->{fbe}->writeSetFromLoadedConfig(\%args);
		if ($self->{fbe}->error) {
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': Failed to sync to the backend  error='.$self->{fbe}->error.' errorString='.$self->{fbe}->errorString);	
		}
	}

	return 1;
}

#the overarching writeSetFromLoadedConfig
sub writeSetFromZML{
	my $self=$_[0];
	my %args= %{$_[1]};
	my $method='writeSetFromZML';

	$self->errorBlank;

	#return false if the config is not set
	if (!defined($args{config})){
		$self->{error}=25;
		$self->{errorString}='$config not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;			
	}

	#makes sure ZML is passed
	if (!defined( $args{zml} )) {
		$self->{error}=16;
		$self->{errorString}='$args{zml} is not defined';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}
	if ( ref($args{zml}) ne "ZML" ) {
		$self->{error}=16;
		$self->{errorString}='$args{zml} is not a ZML';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#checks if it is locked or not
	my $locked=$self->isConfigLocked($args{config});
	if ($self->{error}) {
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': isconfigLocked errored');
		return undef;
	}
	if ($locked) {
		$self->{error}=45;
		$self->{errorString}='The config "'.$args{config}.'" is locked';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}

	#sets the set to default if it is not defined
	if (!defined($args{set})){
		$args{set}=$self->{set}{$args{config}};
	}else{
		if($self->setNameLegit($args{set})){
			$self->{args}{default}=$args{set};
		}else{
			$self->{error}=27;
			$self->{errorString}="'".$args{set}."' is not a legit set name.";
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
			return undef
		}
	}

	#update the revision if needed
	if (!defined($args{revision})) {
		$args{revision}=time.' '.hostname.' '.rand();
	}

	#writes the chooser
	my $returned=$self->{be}->writeSetFromZML(\%args);
	#if it errors and read fall through is turned on, try the file backend
	if ( $self->{be}->error ) {
		$self->{error}=11;
		$self->{errorString}='Backend errored. error="'.$self->{be}->error.'" errorString="'.$self->{be}->errorString.'"';
		warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.':'.$self->{error}.': '.$self->{errorString});
		return undef;
	}
	#sync to the file backend
	if ( defined( $self->{fbe} ) ) {
		$self->{fbe}->writeSetFromZML(\%args);
		if ($self->{fbe}->error) {
			warn($self->{module}.' '.$method.': Failed to sync to the backend  error='.$self->{fbe}->error.' errorString='.$self->{fbe}->errorString);	
		}
	}

	return 1;
}

sub error{
    return $_[0]->{error};
}

	
#blanks the error flags
sub errorBlank{
	my $self=$_[0];
		
	$self->{error}=undef;
	$self->{errorString}="";
	
	return 1;
};

sub errorString{
    return $_[0]->{errorString};
}

1; # End of ZConf