COPY(1) COPY(1) NAME copy() - returns a secure copy of any data type SYNOPSIS mixed copy(mixed val) DESCRIPTION In LPC, mappings and arrays are pointers. This means that if you set one mapping equal to another, making a change in one will reflect a change in the other. To understand this better, read up on these data types. Nevertheless, there are times when you do not want to be passing around these pointers. For example, if someone queries your groups from the master object, you do not want them to get your groups mapping and be able to modify it. Thus, you return a copy of that mapping. This sefun makes such a safe copy. EXAMPLES o given two mappings, mapping a and b, a = ([ "borg" : 1 ]); b = a; the expression a == b is true. b = copy(a) sets b equal to ([ "borg" : 1]), but a == b is false. head1 NOTES Use this only where absolutely needed for security reasons. It is an expensive sefun as far as CPU resources are concerned. LOCATION /secure/sefun/copy.c Author Descartes of Borg 1