puppet 3.5.0.rc1-x86-mingw32

data/lib/puppet/pops/binder/bindings_factory.rb

@@ -0,0 +1,805 @@
+# A helper class that makes it easier to construct a Bindings model.
+#
+# The Bindings Model
+# ------------------
+# The BindingsModel (defined in {Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings} is a model that is intended to be generally free from Ruby concerns.
+# This means that it is possible for system integrators to create and serialize such models using other technologies than
+# Ruby. This manifests itself in the model in that producers are described using instances of a `ProducerDescriptor` rather than
+# describing Ruby classes directly. This is also true of the type system where type is expressed using the {Puppet::Pops::Types} model
+# to describe all types.
+#
+# This class, the `BindingsFactory` is a concrete Ruby API for constructing instances of classes in the model.
+#
+# Named Bindings
+# --------------
+# The typical usage of the factory is to call {named_bindings} which creates a container of bindings wrapped in a *build object*
+# equipped with convenience methods to define the details of the just created named bindings.
+# The returned builder is an instance of {Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory::BindingsContainerBuilder BindingsContainerBuilder}.
+#
+# Binding
+# -------
+# A Binding binds a type/name key to a producer of a value. A binding is conveniently created by calling `bind` on a
+# `BindingsContainerBuilder`. The call to bind, produces a binding wrapped in a build object equipped with convenience methods
+# to define the details of the just created binding. The returned builder is an instance of
+# {Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory::BindingsBuilder BindingsBuilder}.
+#
+# Multibinding
+# ------------
+# A multibinding works like a binding, but it requires an additional ID. It also places constraints on the type of the binding;
+# it must be a collection type (Hash or Array).
+#
+# Constructing and Contributing Bindings from Ruby
+# ------------------------------------------------
+# The bindings system is used by referencing bindings symbolically; these are then specified in a Ruby file which is autoloaded
+# by Puppet. The entry point for user code that creates bindings is described in {Puppet::Bindings Bindings}.
+# That class makes use of a BindingsFactory, and the builder objects to make it easy to construct bindings.
+#
+# It is intended that a user defining bindings in Ruby should be able to use the builder object methods for the majority of tasks.
+# If something advanced is wanted, use of one of the helper class methods on the BuildingsFactory, and/or the
+# {Puppet::Pops::Types::TypeCalculator TypeCalculator} will be required to create and configure objects that are not handled by
+# the methods in the builder objects.
+#
+# Chaining of calls
+# ------------------
+# Since all the build methods return the build object it is easy to stack on additional calls. The intention is to
+# do this in an order that is readable from left to right: `bind.string.name('thename').to(42)`, but there is nothing preventing
+# making the calls in some other order e.g. `bind.to(42).name('thename').string`, the second is quite unreadable but produces
+# the same result.
+#
+# For sake of human readability, the method `name` is alsp available as `named`, with the intention that it is used after a type,
+# e.g. `bind.integer.named('the meaning of life').to(42)`
+#
+# Methods taking blocks
+# ----------------------
+# Several methods take an optional block. The block evaluates with the builder object as `self`. This means that there is no
+# need to chain the methods calls, they can instead be made in sequence - e.g.
+#
+#     bind do
+#       integer
+#       named 'the meaning of life'
+#       to 42
+#     end
+#
+# or mix the two styles
+#
+#     bind do
+#       integer.named 'the meaning of life'
+#       to 42
+#     end
+#
+# Unwrapping the result
+# ---------------------
+# The result from all methods is a builder object. Call the method `model` to unwrap the constructed bindings model object.
+#
+#     bindings = BindingsFactory.named_bindings('my named bindings') do
+#       # bind things
+#     end.model
+#
+# @example Create a NamedBinding with content
+#   result = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.named_bindings("mymodule::mybindings") do
+#     bind.name("foo").to(42)
+#     bind.string.name("site url").to("http://www.example.com")
+#   end
+#   result.model()
+#
+# @api public
+#
+module Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory
+
+  # Alias for the {Puppet::Pops::Types::TypeFactory TypeFactory}. This is also available as the method
+  # `type_factory`.
+  #
+  T = Puppet::Pops::Types::TypeFactory
+
+  # Abstract base class for bindings object builders.
+  # Supports delegation of method calls to the BindingsFactory class methods for all methods not implemented
+  # by a concrete builder.
+  #
+  # @abstract
+  #
+  class AbstractBuilder
+    # The built model object.
+    attr_reader :model
+
+    # @param binding [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::AbstractBinding] The binding to build.
+    # @api public
+    def initialize(binding)
+      @model = binding
+    end
+
+    # Provides convenient access to the Bindings Factory class methods. The intent is to provide access to the
+    # methods that return producers for the purpose of composing more elaborate things than the builder convenience
+    # methods support directly.
+    # @api private
+    #
+    def method_missing(meth, *args, &block)
+      factory = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory
+      if factory.respond_to?(meth)
+        factory.send(meth, *args, &block)
+      else
+        super
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  # A bindings builder for an AbstractBinding containing other AbstractBinding instances.
+  # @api public
+  class BindingsContainerBuilder < AbstractBuilder
+
+    # Adds an empty binding to the container, and returns a builder for it for further detailing.
+    # An optional block may be given which is evaluated using `instance_eval`.
+    # @return [BindingsBuilder] the builder for the created binding
+    # @api public
+    #
+    def bind(&block)
+      binding = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::Binding.new()
+      model.addBindings(binding)
+      builder = BindingsBuilder.new(binding)
+      builder.instance_eval(&block) if block_given?
+      builder
+    end
+
+    # Binds a multibind with the given identity where later, the looked up result contains all
+    # contributions to this key. An optional block may be given which is evaluated using `instance_eval`.
+    # @param id [String] the multibind's id used when adding contributions
+    # @return [MultibindingsBuilder] the builder for the created multibinding
+    # @api public
+    #
+    def multibind(id, &block)
+      binding = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::Multibinding.new()
+      binding.id = id
+      model.addBindings(binding)
+      builder = MultibindingsBuilder.new(binding)
+      builder.instance_eval(&block) if block_given?
+      builder
+    end
+  end
+
+  # Builds a Binding via convenience methods.
+  #
+  # @api public
+  #
+  class BindingsBuilder < AbstractBuilder
+
+    # @param binding [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::AbstractBinding] the binding to build.
+    # @api public
+    def initialize(binding)
+      super binding
+      data()
+    end
+
+    # Sets the name of the binding.
+    # @param name [String] the name to bind.
+    # @api public
+    def name(name)
+      model.name = name
+      self
+    end
+
+    # Same as {#name}, but reads better in certain combinations.
+    # @api public
+    alias_method :named, :name
+
+    # Sets the binding to be abstract (it must be overridden)
+    # @api public
+    def abstract
+      model.abstract = true
+      self
+    end
+
+    # Sets the binding to be override (it must override something)
+    # @api public
+    def override
+      model.override = true
+      self
+    end
+
+    # Sets the binding to be final (it may not be overridden)
+    # @api public
+    def final
+      model.final = true
+      self
+    end
+
+    # Makes the binding a multibind contribution to the given multibind id
+    # @param id [String] the multibind id to contribute this binding to
+    # @api public
+    def in_multibind(id)
+      model.multibind_id = id
+      self
+    end
+
+    # Sets the type of the binding to the given type.
+    # @note
+    #   This is only needed if something other than the default type `Data` is wanted, or if the wanted type is
+    #   not provided by one of the convenience methods {#array_of_data}, {#boolean}, {#float}, {#hash_of_data},
+    #   {#integer}, {#literal}, {#pattern}, {#string}, or one of the collection methods {#array_of}, or {#hash_of}.
+    #
+    # To create a type, use the method {#type_factory}, to obtain the type.
+    # @example creating a Hash with Integer key and Array[Integer] element type
+    #     tc = type_factory
+    #     type(tc.hash(tc.array_of(tc.integer), tc.integer)
+    # @param type [Puppet::Pops::Types::PObjectType] the type to set for the binding
+    # @api public
+    #
+    def type(type)
+      model.type = type
+      self
+    end
+
+    # Sets the type of the binding to Integer.
+    # @return [Puppet::Pops::Types::PIntegerType] the type
+    # @api public
+    def integer()
+      type(T.integer())
+    end
+
+    # Sets the type of the binding to Float.
+    # @return [Puppet::Pops::Types::PFloatType] the type
+    # @api public
+    def float()
+      type(T.float())
+    end
+
+    # Sets the type of the binding to Boolean.
+    # @return [Puppet::Pops::Types::PBooleanType] the type
+    # @api public
+    def boolean()
+      type(T.boolean())
+    end
+
+    # Sets the type of the binding to String.
+    # @return [Puppet::Pops::Types::PStringType] the type
+    # @api public
+    def string()
+      type(T.string())
+    end
+
+    # Sets the type of the binding to Pattern.
+    # @return [Puppet::Pops::Types::PRegexpType] the type
+    # @api public
+    def pattern()
+      type(T.pattern())
+    end
+
+    # Sets the type of the binding to the abstract type Scalar.
+    # @return [Puppet::Pops::Types::PScalarType] the type
+    # @api public
+    def scalar()
+      type(T.scalar())
+    end
+
+    # Sets the type of the binding to the abstract type Data.
+    # @return [Puppet::Pops::Types::PDataType] the type
+    # @api public
+    def data()
+      type(T.data())
+    end
+
+    # Sets the type of the binding to Array[Data].
+    # @return [Puppet::Pops::Types::PArrayType] the type
+    # @api public
+    def array_of_data()
+      type(T.array_of_data())
+    end
+
+    # Sets the type of the binding to Array[T], where T is given.
+    # @param t [Puppet::Pops::Types::PObjectType] the type of the elements of the array
+    # @return [Puppet::Pops::Types::PArrayType] the type
+    # @api public
+    def array_of(t)
+      type(T.array_of(t))
+    end
+
+    # Sets the type of the binding to Hash[Literal, Data].
+    # @return [Puppet::Pops::Types::PHashType] the type
+    # @api public
+    def hash_of_data()
+      type(T.hash_of_data())
+    end
+
+    # Sets type of the binding to `Hash[Literal, t]`.
+    # To also limit the key type, use {#type} and give it a fully specified
+    # hash using {#type_factory} and then `hash_of(value_type, key_type)`.
+    # @return [Puppet::Pops::Types::PHashType] the type
+    # @api public
+    def hash_of(t)
+      type(T.hash_of(t))
+    end
+
+    # Sets the type of the binding based on the given argument.
+    # @overload instance_of(t)
+    #   The same as calling {#type} with `t`.
+    #   @param t [Puppet::Pops::Types::PObjectType] the type
+    # @overload instance_of(o)
+    #   Infers the type from the given Ruby object and sets that as the type - i.e. "set the type
+    #   of the binding to be that of the given data object".
+    #   @param o [Object] the object to infer the type from
+    # @overload instance_of(c)
+    #   @param c [Class] the Class to base the type on.
+    #   Sets the type based on the given ruby class. The result is one of the specific puppet types
+    #   if the class can be represented by a specific type, or the open ended PRubyType otherwise.
+    # @overload instance_of(s)
+    #   The same as using a class, but instead of giving a class instance, the class is expressed using its fully
+    #   qualified name. This method of specifying the type allows late binding (the class does not have to be loaded
+    #   before it can be used in a binding).
+    #   @param s [String] the fully qualified classname to base the type on.
+    # @return the resulting type
+    # @api public
+    #
+    def instance_of(t)
+      type(T.type_of(t))
+    end
+
+    # Provides convenient access to the type factory.
+    # This is intended to be used when methods taking a type as argument i.e. {#type}, {#array_of}, {#hash_of}, and {#instance_of}.
+    # @note
+    #   The type factory is also available via the constant {T}.
+    # @api public
+    def type_factory
+      Puppet::Pops::Types::TypeFactory
+    end
+
+    # Sets the binding's producer to a singleton producer, if given argument is a value, a literal producer is created for it.
+    # To create a producer producing an instance of a class with lazy loading of the class, use {#to_instance}.
+    #
+    # @overload to(a_literal)
+    #   Sets a constant producer in the binding.
+    # @overload to(a_class, *args)
+    #   Sets an Instantiating producer (producing an instance of the given class)
+    # @overload to(a_producer_descriptor)
+    #   Sets the producer from the given producer descriptor
+    # @return [BindingsBuilder] self
+    # @api public
+    #
+    def to(producer, *args)
+      case producer
+      when Class
+        producer = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.instance_producer(producer.name, *args)
+      when Puppet::Pops::Model::Program
+        # program is not an expression
+        producer = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.evaluating_producer(producer.body)
+      when Puppet::Pops::Model::Expression
+        producer = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.evaluating_producer(producer)
+      when Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ProducerDescriptor
+      else
+      # If given producer is not a producer, create a literal producer
+        producer = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.literal_producer(producer)
+      end
+      model.producer = producer
+      self
+    end
+
+    # Sets the binding's producer to a producer of an instance of given class (a String class name, or a Class instance).
+    # Use a string class name when lazy loading of the class is wanted.
+    #
+    # @overload to_instance(class_name, *args)
+    #   @param class_name [String] the name of the class to instantiate
+    #   @param args [Object] optional arguments to the constructor
+    # @overload to_instance(a_class)
+    #   @param a_class [Class] the class to instantiate
+    #   @param args [Object] optional arguments to the constructor
+    #
+    def to_instance(type, *args)
+      class_name = case type
+      when Class
+        type.name
+      when String
+        type
+      else
+        raise ArgumentError, "to_instance accepts String (a class name), or a Class.*args got: #{type.class}."
+      end
+      model.producer = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.instance_producer(class_name, *args)
+    end
+
+    # Sets the binding's producer to a singleton producer
+    # @overload to_producer(a_producer)
+    #   Sets the producer to an instantiated producer. The resulting model can not be serialized as a consequence as there
+    #   is no meta-model describing the specialized producer. Use this only in exceptional cases, or where there is never the
+    #   need to serialize the model.
+    #   @param a_producer [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Producers::Producer] an instantiated producer, not serializeable !
+    #
+    # @overload to_producer(a_class, *args)
+    #   @param a_class [Class] the class to create an instance of
+    #   @param args [Object] the arguments to the given class' new
+    #
+    # @overload to_producer(a_producer_descriptor)
+    #   @param a_producer_descriptor [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ProducerDescriptor] a descriptor
+    #      producing Puppet::Pops::Binder::Producers::Producer
+    #
+    # @api public
+    #
+    def to_producer(producer, *args)
+      case producer
+      when Class
+        producer = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.instance_producer(producer.name, *args)
+      when Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ProducerDescriptor
+      when Puppet::Pops::Binder::Producers::Producer
+        # a custom producer instance
+        producer = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.literal_producer(producer)
+      else
+        raise ArgumentError, "Given producer argument is none of a producer descriptor, a class, or a producer"
+      end
+      metaproducer = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.producer_producer(producer)
+      model.producer = metaproducer
+      self
+    end
+
+    # Sets the binding's producer to a series of producers.
+    # Use this when you want to produce a different producer on each request for a producer
+    #
+    # @overload to_producer(a_producer)
+    #   Sets the producer to an instantiated producer. The resulting model can not be serialized as a consequence as there
+    #   is no meta-model describing the specialized producer. Use this only in exceptional cases, or where there is never the
+    #   need to serialize the model.
+    #   @param a_producer [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Producers::Producer] an instantiated producer, not serializeable !
+    #
+    # @overload to_producer(a_class, *args)
+    #   @param a_class [Class] the class to create an instance of
+    #   @param args [Object] the arguments to the given class' new
+    #
+    # @overload to_producer(a_producer_descriptor)
+    #   @param a_producer_descriptor [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ProducerDescriptor] a descriptor
+    #      producing Puppet::Pops::Binder::Producers::Producer
+    #
+    # @api public
+    #
+    def to_producer_series(producer, *args)
+      case producer
+      when Class
+        producer = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.instance_producer(producer.name, *args)
+      when Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ProducerDescriptor
+      when Puppet::Pops::Binder::Producers::Producer
+        # a custom producer instance
+        producer = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.literal_producer(producer)
+      else
+        raise ArgumentError, "Given producer argument is none of a producer descriptor, a class, or a producer"
+      end
+      non_caching = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::NonCachingProducerDescriptor.new()
+      non_caching.producer = producer
+      metaproducer = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.producer_producer(non_caching)
+
+      non_caching = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::NonCachingProducerDescriptor.new()
+      non_caching.producer = metaproducer
+
+      model.producer = non_caching
+      self
+    end
+
+    # Sets the binding's producer to a "non singleton" producer (each call to produce produces a new instance/copy).
+    # @overload to_series_of(a_literal)
+    #   a constant producer
+    # @overload to_series_of(a_class, *args)
+    #   Instantiating producer
+    # @overload to_series_of(a_producer_descriptor)
+    #   a given producer
+    #
+    # @api public
+    #
+    def to_series_of(producer, *args)
+      case producer
+      when Class
+        producer = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.instance_producer(producer.name, *args)
+      when Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ProducerDescriptor
+      else
+      # If given producer is not a producer, create a literal producer
+        producer = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.literal_producer(producer)
+      end
+      non_caching = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::NonCachingProducerDescriptor.new()
+      non_caching.producer = producer
+      model.producer = non_caching
+      self
+    end
+
+    # Sets the binding's producer to one that performs a lookup of another key
+    # @overload to_lookup_of(type, name)
+    # @overload to_lookup_of(name)
+    # @api public
+    #
+    def to_lookup_of(type, name=nil)
+      unless name
+        name = type
+        type = Puppet::Pops::Types::TypeFactory.data()
+      end
+      model.producer = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.lookup_producer(type, name)
+      self
+    end
+
+    # Sets the binding's producer to a one that performs a lookup of another key and they applies hash lookup on
+    # the result.
+    #
+    # @overload to_lookup_of(type, name)
+    # @overload to_lookup_of(name)
+    # @api public
+    #
+    def to_hash_lookup_of(type, name, key)
+      model.producer = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.hash_lookup_producer(type, name, key)
+      self
+    end
+
+    # Sets the binding's producer to one that produces the first found lookup of another key
+    # @param list_of_lookups [Array] array of arrays [type name], or just name (implies data)
+    # @example
+    #   binder.bind().name('foo').to_first_found('fee', 'fum', 'extended-bar')
+    #   binder.bind().name('foo').to_first_found(
+    #     [T.ruby(ThisClass), 'fee'],
+    #     [T.ruby(ThatClass), 'fum'],
+    #     'extended-bar')
+    # @api public
+    #
+    def to_first_found(*list_of_lookups)
+      producers = list_of_lookups.collect do |entry|
+        if entry.is_a?(Array)
+          case entry.size
+          when 2
+            Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.lookup_producer(entry[0], entry[1])
+          when 1
+            Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.lookup_producer(Puppet::Pops::Types::TypeFactory.data(), entry[0])
+          else
+            raise ArgumentError, "Not an array of [type, name], name, or [name]"
+          end
+        else
+          Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.lookup_producer(T.data(), entry)
+        end
+      end
+      model.producer = Puppet::Pops::Binder::BindingsFactory.first_found_producer(*producers)
+      self
+    end
+
+    # Sets options to the producer.
+    # See the respective producer for the options it supports. All producers supports the option `:transformer`, a
+    # puppet or ruby lambda that is evaluated with the produced result as an argument. The ruby lambda gets scope and
+    # value as arguments.
+    # @note
+    #   A Ruby lambda is not cross platform safe. Use a puppet lambda if you want a bindings model that is.
+    #
+    # @api public
+    def producer_options(options)
+      options.each do |k, v|
+        arg = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::NamedArgument.new()
+        arg.name = k.to_s
+        arg.value = v
+        model.addProducer_args(arg)
+      end
+      self
+    end
+  end
+
+  # A builder specialized for multibind - checks that type is Array or Hash based. A new builder sets the
+  # multibinding to be of type Hash[Data].
+  #
+  # @api public
+  class MultibindingsBuilder < BindingsBuilder
+    # Constraints type to be one of {Puppet::Pops::Types::PArrayType PArrayType}, or {Puppet::Pops::Types::PHashType PHashType}.
+    # @raise [ArgumentError] if type constraint is not met.
+    # @api public
+    def type(type)
+      unless type.class == Puppet::Pops::Types::PArrayType || type.class == Puppet::Pops::Types::PHashType
+        raise ArgumentError, "Wrong type; only PArrayType, or PHashType allowed, got '#{type.to_s}'"
+      end
+      model.type = type
+      self
+    end
+
+    # Overrides the default implementation that will raise an exception as a multibind requires a hash type.
+    # Thus, if nothing else is requested, a multibind will be configured as Hash[Data].
+    #
+    def data()
+      hash_of_data()
+    end
+  end
+
+  # Produces a ContributedBindings.
+  # A ContributedBindings is used by bindings providers to return a set of named bindings.
+  #
+  # @param name [String] the name of the contributed bindings (for human use in messages/logs only)
+  # @param named_bindings [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::NamedBindings, Array<Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::NamedBindings>] the
+  #   named bindings to include
+  #
+  def self.contributed_bindings(name, named_bindings)
+    cb = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ContributedBindings.new()
+    cb.name = name
+    named_bindings = [named_bindings] unless named_bindings.is_a?(Array)
+    named_bindings.each {|b| cb.addBindings(b) }
+    cb
+  end
+
+  # Creates a named binding container, the top bindings model object.
+  # A NamedBindings is typically produced by a bindings provider.
+  #
+  # The created container is wrapped in a BindingsContainerBuilder for further detailing.
+  # Unwrap the built result when done.
+  # @api public
+  #
+  def self.named_bindings(name, &block)
+    binding = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::NamedBindings.new()
+    binding.name = name
+    builder = BindingsContainerBuilder.new(binding)
+    builder.instance_eval(&block) if block_given?
+    builder
+  end
+
+  # This variant of {named_bindings} evaluates the given block as a method on an anonymous class,
+  # thus, if the block defines methods or do something with the class itself, this does not pollute
+  # the base class (BindingsContainerBuilder).
+  # @api private
+  #
+  def self.safe_named_bindings(name, scope, &block)
+    binding = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::NamedBindings.new()
+    binding.name = name
+    anon = Class.new(BindingsContainerBuilder) do
+      def initialize(b)
+        super b
+      end
+    end
+    anon.send(:define_method, :_produce, block)
+    builder = anon.new(binding)
+    case block.arity
+    when 0
+      builder._produce()
+    when 1
+      builder._produce(scope)
+    end
+    builder
+  end
+
+  # Creates a literal/constant producer
+  # @param value [Object] the value to produce
+  # @return [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ProducerDescriptor] a producer description
+  # @api public
+  #
+  def self.literal_producer(value)
+    producer = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ConstantProducerDescriptor.new()
+    producer.value = value
+    producer
+  end
+
+  # Creates a non caching producer
+  # @param producer [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::Producer] the producer to make non caching
+  # @return [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ProducerDescriptor] a producer description
+  # @api public
+  #
+  def self.non_caching_producer(producer)
+    p = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::NonCachingProducerDescriptor.new()
+    p.producer = producer
+    p
+  end
+
+  # Creates a producer producer
+  # @param producer [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::Producer] a producer producing a Producer.
+  # @return [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ProducerDescriptor] a producer description
+  # @api public
+  #
+  def self.producer_producer(producer)
+    p = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ProducerProducerDescriptor.new()
+    p.producer = producer
+    p
+  end
+
+  # Creates an instance producer
+  # An instance producer creates a new instance of a class.
+  # If the class implements the class method `inject` this method is called instead of `new` to allow further lookups
+  # to take place. This is referred to as *assisted inject*. If the class method `inject` is missing, the regular `new` method
+  # is called.
+  #
+  # @param class_name [String] the name of the class
+  # @param args[Object] arguments to the class' `new` method.
+  # @return [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ProducerDescriptor] a producer description
+  # @api public
+  #
+  def self.instance_producer(class_name, *args)
+    p = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::InstanceProducerDescriptor.new()
+    p.class_name = class_name
+    args.each {|a| p.addArguments(a) }
+    p
+  end
+
+  # Creates a Producer that looks up a value.
+  # @param type [Puppet::Pops::Types::PObjectType] the type to lookup
+  # @param name [String] the name to lookup
+  # @return [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ProducerDescriptor] a producer description
+  # @api public
+  def self.lookup_producer(type, name)
+    p = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::LookupProducerDescriptor.new()
+    p.type = type
+    p.name = name
+    p
+  end
+
+  # Creates a Hash lookup producer that looks up a hash value, and then a key in the hash.
+  #
+  # @return [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ProducerDescriptor] a producer description
+  # @param type [Puppet::Pops::Types::PObjectType] the type to lookup (i.e. a Hash of some key/value type).
+  # @param name [String] the name to lookup
+  # @param key [Object] the key to lookup in the looked up hash (type should comply with given key type).
+  # @api public
+  #
+  def self.hash_lookup_producer(type, name, key)
+    p = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::HashLookupProducerDescriptor.new()
+    p.type = type
+    p.name = name
+    p.key = key
+    p
+  end
+
+  # Creates a first-found producer that looks up from a given series of keys. The first found looked up
+  # value will be produced.
+  # @param producers [Array<Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ProducerDescriptor>] the producers to consult in given order
+  # @return [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ProducerDescriptor] a producer descriptor
+  # @api public
+  def self.first_found_producer(*producers)
+    p = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::FirstFoundProducerDescriptor.new()
+    producers.each {|p2| p.addProducers(p2) }
+    p
+  end
+
+  # Creates an evaluating producer that evaluates a puppet expression.
+  # A puppet expression is most conveniently created by using the {Puppet::Pops::Parser::EvaluatingParser EvaluatingParser} as it performs
+  # all set up and validation of the parsed source. Two convenience methods are used to parse an expression, or parse a ruby string
+  # as a puppet string. See methods {puppet_expression}, {puppet_string} and {parser} for more information.
+  #
+  # @example producing a puppet expression
+  #     expr = puppet_string("Interpolated $fqdn", __FILE__)
+  #
+  # @param expression [Puppet::Pops::Model::Expression] a puppet DSL expression as producer by the eparser.
+  # @return [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::ProducerDescriptor] a producer descriptor
+  # @api public
+  #
+  def self.evaluating_producer(expression)
+    p = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::EvaluatingProducerDescriptor.new()
+    p.expression = expression
+    p
+  end
+
+  # Creates a NamedLayer. This is used by the bindings system to create a model of the layers.
+  #
+  # @api public
+  #
+  def self.named_layer(name, *bindings)
+    result = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::NamedLayer.new()
+    result.name = name
+    bindings.each { |b| result.addBindings(b) }
+    result
+  end
+
+  # Create a LayeredBindings. This is used by the bindings system to create a model of all given layers.
+  # @param named_layers [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::NamedLayer] one or more named layers
+  # @return [Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::LayeredBindings] the constructed layered bindings.
+  # @api public
+  #
+  def self.layered_bindings(*named_layers)
+    result = Puppet::Pops::Binder::Bindings::LayeredBindings.new()
+    named_layers.each {|b| result.addLayers(b) }
+    result
+  end
+
+  # @return [Puppet::Pops::Parser::EvaluatingParser] a parser for puppet expressions
+  def self.parser
+    @parser ||= Puppet::Pops::Parser::EvaluatingParser.new()
+  end
+
+  # Parses and produces a puppet expression from the given string.
+  # @param string [String] puppet source e.g. "1 + 2"
+  # @param source_file [String] the source location, typically `__File__`
+  # @return [Puppet::Pops::Model::Expression] an expression (that can be bound)
+  # @api public
+  #
+  def self.puppet_expression(string, source_file)
+    parser.parse_string(string, source_file).current
+  end
+
+  # Parses and produces a puppet string expression from the given string.
+  # The string will automatically be quoted and special characters escaped.
+  # As an example if given the (ruby) string "Hi\nMary" it is transformed to
+  # the puppet string (illustrated with a ruby string) "\"Hi\\nMary\”" before being
+  # parsed.
+  #
+  # @param string [String] puppet source e.g. "On node $!{fqdn}"
+  # @param source_file [String] the source location, typically `__File__`
+  # @return [Puppet::Pops::Model::Expression] an expression (that can be bound)
+  # @api public
+  #
+  def self.puppet_string(string, source_file)
+    parser.parse_string(parser.quote(string), source_file).current
+  end
+end