=pod

=head1 NAME

Nebulous::Client - Nebulous client component

=head1 SYNOPSIS

    use Nebulous::Client;

    my $neb = Nebulous::Client->new(
        proxy   => 'http://localhost:80/nebulous'
    );

    my $uri = $neb->create( "key", 0, "node01", "example" );
    my $fh = $neb->open_create( "key", 0, "node01", "example" );
    $neb->replicate( "key", "node01" );
    $neb->cull( "key", "node01" );
    $neb->lock( "key", 'write' );
    $neb->unlock( "key", 'write' );
    my $uris = $neb->find_objects( $pattern );
    my $uris = $neb->find_instances( "key", "node01" );
    my $path = $neb->find( "key" );
    my $fh = $neb->open( "key", 'read' );
    $data->delete( "key" );
    $data->copy( "key", "new_key", "node01" );
    $data->move( "key", "new_key" );
    $data->delete_instance( $uri );
    my $stats = $neb->stat( "key" );

=head1 DESCRIPTION

This component provides client access to the Nebulous storage system.  It
provides an interface for files to be added, managed, and removed from the
system.

=head1 USAGE

=head2 Import Parameters

This module accepts an optional hash as argument to it's C<import> method and
exports no I<symbols>.

    use Nebulous::Client trace => qw( debug );

The hash is allowed to have a single key, C<trace>.  This controls the level of
tracing sent to the standard out.  The value maybe one of: C<off>, C<fatal>,
C<error>, C<warn>, C<info>, C<debug>, C<all>. 

The default level of tracing is C<warn>.

=head2 Methods

=head3 Constructors

=over 4

=item * new( ... )

Accepts a mandatory hash.

    my $neb = Nebulous::Client->new(
        proxy   => 'http://localhost:80/nebulous'
        uri     => 'urn:Nebulous/Server',
    );

=over 4

=item * proxy

The URL of the Nebulous server to connect to.

=item * uri

The namespace of the SOAP service.  Unless you know what your doing, don't set
this key.

This key is optional.

=back

=back

=head3 Object Methods

=over 4


=item * create($key, $class, $volume, $comment).

Creates a new storage object.

=over 4

=item * key

The storage object key (name).

=item * class 

The storage class.

This parameter is optional.

=item * volume

The preferred storage location of initial instance.

This parameter is optional.

=item * comment 

The storage object comment.

This parameter is optional.

=back

Returns a URI or C<undef> on failure.


=item * open_create($key, $class, $volume, $comment).

Creates and opens new storage object.

=over 4

=item * key

The storage object key (name).

=item * class 

The storage class.

This parameter is optional.

=item * volume

The preferred storage location of initial instance.

This parameter is optional.

=item * comment 

The storage object comment.

This parameter is optional.

=back

Returns a filehandle or C<undef> on failure.


=item * replicate($key, $volume)

Adds an instance to a storage object.

=over 4

=item * key

The storage object key (name).

=item * volume

The preferred storage location of initial instance.

This parameter is optional.

=back

Returns true on success.


=item * cull($key, $volume)

Removes an instance from a storage object.

=over 4

=item * key

The storage object key (name).

=item * volume

The volume to attempt to remove an instance from.  If there is no instance on
the specified volume this method will fail.  If there is more then one instance
on the specified volume I<only one> of them will be removed.

This parameter is optional.

=back

Returns true on success.


=item * lock($key, $type, $timeout)

Trys to acquire a lock on a storage object

=over 4

=item * key

The storage object key (name).

=item * type

The type of lock to acquire.  Either C<read> or C<write>.

=item * timeout

The number of seconds to I<try> for a lock.

This parameter is optional.

=back

Returns true on success.


=item * unlock($key, $type)

Trys to release a lock on a storage object.

=over 4

=item * key

The storage object key (name).

=item * type

The type of lock to release.  Either C<read> or C<write>.

=back

Returns true on success.


=item * find_objects($pattern)

Lists all storage objects that match C<$pattern>.  Where C<$pattern> is a POSIX
1003.2 compatable regular repression.  Note that this is I<NOT> a Perl or PCRE
regular expression.

=over 4

=item * pattern

The storage object key (name).

This parameter is optional.

=back

Returns an arrayref of scalars.


=item * find_instances($key, $volume)

Lists all instances of a storage object

=over 4

=item * key

The storage object key (name).

=item * volume

Restrict search to this storage location.

This parameter is optional.

=back

Returns an arrayref of scalars.


=item * find($key)

Find any instance of a storage object.

=over 4

=item * key

The storage object key (name).

=back

Returns the path to the instance.


=item * open($key, $type)

Open a storage object for read or write.

=over 4

=item * key

The storage object key (name).

=item * type

The type of lock to acquire.  Either C<read> or C<write>.

=back

Returns a filehandle or C<undef> on failure.


=item * delete($key)

Delete a storage object and all of it's instances.

=over 4

=item * key

The storage object key (name).

=back

Returns true on success.


=item * copy($key, $new_key, $volume)

Copy a storage object.

=over 4

=item * key

The source object.

=item * new_key

The destination object.

=item * volume

The preferred storage location of the new instance.

This parameter is optional.

=back

Returns true on success or C<undef> on failure.


=item * move($key, $new_key)

Rename a storage object.

=over 4

=item * key

The source object.

=item * new_key

The destination object.

=back

Returns true on success or C<undef> on failure.


=item * delete_instance($uri)

Remove a storage object instance.

=over 4

=item * uri

URI of the instance to remove.

=back

Returns true on success or C<undef> on failure.

=item * stat($key)

View the properties of a storage object.

=over 4

=item * key

The storage object key (name).

=back

Returns an arrayref of scalars.


=back

=head1 DEVELOPER NOTES

=head1 REFERENCES

=over 4

=item MogileFS

The Nebulous system is similar in function to MogileFS but very different in
implementation and operation.

L<http://www.danga.com/mogilefs/>

=back

=head1 CREDITS

Just me, myself, and I.

=head1 SUPPORT

Please contact the author directly via e-mail.

=head1 AUTHOR

Joshua Hoblitt <jhoblitt@cpan.org>

=head1 COPYRIGHT

Copyright (C) 2004-2005  Joshua Hoblitt.  All rights reserved.

This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under
the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software
Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later
version.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY
WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more details.

You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple
Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307, USA.

The full text of the license can be found in the LICENSE file included with
this module, or in the L<perlgpl> Pod as supplied with Perl 5.8.1 and later.

=head1 SEE ALSO

L<Nebulous::Client::QuickStart>, L<Nebulous::Server>

=cut
