Use 1D Perl package arrays in Ruby app

This article provides an introduction to cross-technology handling of one-dimensional arrays. Data structures are one of the essential aspects of every piece of software. Any application constantly process various information, that very often require specific grouping and access strategies. This aspect is addressed by arrays and more advanced collection types. By using the Javonet framework, users gain ability to easily and effectively work with data structures originating from Perl package. Every array from Perl package is treated as reference.

Javonet allows you to reference and use modules or packages written in (Java/Kotlin/Groovy/Clojure, C#/VB.NET, Ruby, Perl, Python, JavaScript/TypeScript) like they were created in your technology. If have not yet created your first project check Javonet overview and quick start guides for your technology.

With Javonet you can interact with arrays from Perl package like they were available in Ruby but invocation must be performed through Javonet SDK API.

Custom Perl package with arrays handling

With Javonet it is possible to reference any custom Perl package and interact with arrays declared on types defined within that module almost the same as with any other Ruby library.

Snippet below represents the sample code from Perl package that has methods which return or process the arrays:

sub get_1d_array {
	return ["one", "two", "three", "four", "five"];
}

sub add_number_to_1d_array {
	my ($self, $myArray, $myDouble) = @_;
	for(@$myArray) {
		$_ = $_ + $myDouble;
	}
	return $myArray;
}

Javonet SDK contains various methods to interact with arrays and consume the results in Ruby:

Get element from Perl package 1D array in Ruby application

I code in:
# use activate only once in your app
Javonet.activate("your-license-key")

# create called runtime context
called_runtime = Javonet.in_memory.perl

# set up variables
library_path = resources_directory + "/TestClass.pm"
class_name = "TestClass::TestClass"

# load custom library
called_runtime.load_library(library_path)

# get type from the runtime
called_runtime_type = called_runtime.get_type(class_name).execute

# create type's instance
instance = called_runtime_type.create_instance.execute

# invoke instance's method
array = instance.invoke_instance_method("get_1d_array").execute

# get index from array
response = array.get_index(2).execute

# get value from response
result = response.get_value

# write result to console
puts result

In the snippet above, get1DArray method is used to get reference to 1D array from Perl package. Method getIndex is used to get element from the array.

Set element from Perl package 1D array in Ruby application

I code in:
# use activate only once in your app
Javonet.activate("your-license-key")

# create called runtime context
called_runtime = Javonet.in_memory.perl

# set up variables
library_path = resources_directory + "/TestClass.pm"
class_name = "TestClass::TestClass"

# load custom library
called_runtime.load_library(library_path)

# get type from the runtime
called_runtime_type = called_runtime.get_type(class_name).execute

# create type's instance
instance = called_runtime_type.create_instance.execute

# invoke instance's method
array = instance.invoke_instance_method("get_1d_array").execute

# set array's index
array.set_index(4, "seven").execute

# get index from array
response = array.get_index(4).execute

# get value from response
result = response.get_value

# write result to console
puts result

In the snippet above, get1DArray method is used to get reference to 1D array from Perl package. Method setIndex is used to set element of the 1D array. First argument is index, second argument is new value.

Get size and rank of Perl package 1D array in Ruby application

I code in:
# use activate only once in your app
Javonet.activate("your-license-key")

# create called runtime context
called_runtime = Javonet.in_memory.perl

# set up variables
library_path = resources_directory + "/TestClass.pm"
class_name = "TestClass::TestClass"

# load custom library
called_runtime.load_library(library_path)

# get type from the runtime
called_runtime_type = called_runtime.get_type(class_name).execute

# create type's instance
instance = called_runtime_type.create_instance.execute

# invoke instance's method
array = instance.invoke_instance_method("get_1d_array").execute

# get array's size
response = array.get_size.execute

# get value from response
result = response.get_value

# write result to console
puts result

In the snippet above, get1DArray method is used to get reference to 1D array from Perl package. Method getSize is used to get number of elements of the array.

The same operation can be performed remotely by just changing the new Runtime Context invocation from in memory to tcp that will create and interact with your Perl package objects on any remote node, container or service that hosts Javonet Code Gateway. This way you can preserve the same logic in your application and instantly switch between monolithic and microservices architecture without the need to implement the integration layer based on web services or other remote invocation methods.

Read more about use cases and software architecture scenarios where Javonet runtime bridging technology can support your development process.

Additional references