This tool is a module that complements the Readonly.pm. It is geared towards accelerating the read-only scalar variables process.
While Readonly is a highly effective tool for creating non-modifiable variables, it can be relatively slow. This is due to the fact that it utilizes tied objects to implement the read-only-ness of variables, an inherently slow mechanism that requires Perl to do a lot of work under the hood.
To solve this problem, Readonly::XS corrects the speed issue by using the XS module to access the internals of scalar variables. Instead of creating a scalar variable object and tying it, Readonly simply flips the SvREADONLY bit in the scalar's FLAGS structure, allowing for much faster and more efficient operation.
It's worth noting that Readonly arrays and hashes are not sped up by Readonly::XS, as the SvREADONLY flag only works for scalars. Instead, arrays and hashes always use the tie interface. Fortunately, implementing Readonly::XS as a separate module ensures that it remains accessible to users who may not have a C compiler or static-linked Perl installation, ensuring that everyone can take advantage of its many benefits.
To use Readonly::XS, simply install the module and "use Readonly" in your programs. Readonly will then automatically determine whether or not XS can be used, and your code will not have to change. You can also check whether Readonly is using XS or not by examining the $Readonly::XSokay variable, which will be true if the XS module is present and being used.
Overall, Readonly::XS is an excellent solution for anyone looking to improve the performance of their software by speeding up read-only scalar variables. Easy to install and use, it's an essential addition to any serious programmer's toolkit.
Version 1.05: N/A