B::Xref - Generates cross reference reports for Perl programs
perl -MO=Xref[,OPTIONS] foo.pl
The B::Xref module is used to generate a cross reference listing of all definitions and uses of variables, subroutines and formats in a Perl program. It is implemented as a backend for the Perl compiler.
The report generated is in the following format:
File filename1
Subroutine subname1
Package package1
object1 C<line numbers>
object2 C<line numbers>
...
Package package2
...
Each File section reports on a single file. Each Subroutine section reports on a single subroutine apart from the special cases ``(definitions)'' and ``(main)''. These report, respectively, on subroutine definitions found by the initial symbol table walk and on the main part of the program or module external to all subroutines.
The report is then grouped by the Package of each variable, subroutine or format with the special case ``(lexicals)''
meaning lexical variables. Each object name (implicitly qualified by its containing Package) includes its type
character(s) at the
beginning where possible. Lexical variables are easier to track and even
included dereferencing information where possible.
The line numbers are a comma separated list of line numbers (some preceded by code letters)
where that object is used in some way. Simple uses aren't preceded by a
code letter. Introductions (such as where a lexical is first defined with my) are indicated with the letter ``i''. Subroutine and method calls are
indicated by the character ``&''. Subroutine definitions are indicated
by ``s'' and format definitions by ``f''.
Option words are separated by commas (not whitespace) and follow the usual conventions of compiler backend options.
FILENAME instead of standard output.
-r included. The t option prints the object on the top of the stack as it's being tracked. The O option prints each operator as it's being processed in the execution order
of the program.
Non-lexical variables are quite difficult to track through a program. Sometimes the type of a non-lexical variable's use is impossible to determine. Introductions of non-lexical non-scalars don't seem to be reported properly.
Malcolm Beattie, mbeattie@sable.ox.ac.uk.
If rather than formatting bugs, you encounter substantive content errors in these documents, such as mistakes in the explanations or code, please use the perlbug utility included with the Perl distribution.