---
name: "Tie::Scalar"
section: "3p"
platform: "openbsd"
package: "man"
version: "8.0-current-20261101"
release: "OpenBSD 8.0-current (2026-11-01)"
platforms: ["openbsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/Tie::Scalar"
---

# Tie::Scalar(3p)

base class definitions for tied scalars

## NAME

Tie::Scalar, Tie::StdScalar - base class definitions for tied scalars

## SYNOPSIS

```
    package NewScalar;
    require Tie::Scalar;
    @ISA = qw(Tie::Scalar);
    sub FETCH { ... }           # Provide a needed method
    sub TIESCALAR { ... }       # Overrides inherited method
    package NewStdScalar;
    require Tie::Scalar;
    @ISA = qw(Tie::StdScalar);
    # All methods provided by default, so define
    # only what needs be overridden
    sub FETCH { ... }
    package main;
    tie $new_scalar, 'NewScalar';
    tie $new_std_scalar, 'NewStdScalar';
```

## DESCRIPTION

This module provides some skeletal methods for scalar-tying classes. See perltie for a list of the functions required in tying a scalar to a package. The basic **Tie::Scalar** package provides a `"new"` method, as well as methods `"TIESCALAR"`, `"FETCH"` and `"STORE"`. The **Tie::StdScalar** package provides all the methods specified in  perltie. It inherits from **Tie::Scalar** and causes scalars tied to it to behave exactly like the built-in scalars, allowing for selective overloading of methods. The `"new"` method is provided as a means of legacy support for classes that forget to provide their own `"TIESCALAR"` method.

For developers wishing to write their own tied-scalar classes, the methods are summarized below. The perltie section not only documents these, but has sample code as well:

- TIESCALAR classname, LIST

  The method invoked by the command `"tie $scalar, classname"`. Associates a new scalar instance with the specified class. `"LIST"` would represent additional arguments (along the lines of AnyDBM\_File and compatriots) needed to complete the association.

- FETCH this

  Retrieve the value of the tied scalar referenced by *this*.

- STORE this, value

  Store data *value* in the tied scalar referenced by *this*.

- DESTROY this

  Free the storage associated with the tied scalar referenced by *this*. This is rarely needed, as Perl manages its memory quite well. But the option exists, should a class wish to perform specific actions upon the destruction of an instance.

### Tie::Scalar vs Tie::StdScalar

`"Tie::Scalar"` provides all the necessary methods, but one should realize they do not do anything useful. Calling `"Tie::Scalar::FETCH"` or  `"Tie::Scalar::STORE"` results in a (trappable) croak. And if you inherit from `"Tie::Scalar"`, you *must* provide either a `"new"` or a `"TIESCALAR"` method.

If you are looking for a class that does everything for you that you don't define yourself, use the `"Tie::StdScalar"` class, not the `"Tie::Scalar"` one.

## MORE INFORMATION

The perltie section uses a good example of tying scalars by associating process IDs with priority.