xref: /openbsd/gnu/usr.bin/perl/pod/perlmodlib.PL (revision a6445c1d)
1#!../miniperl
2
3use strict;
4use warnings;
5
6$ENV{LC_ALL} = 'C';
7
8my $Quiet;
9@ARGV = grep { not($_ eq '-q' and $Quiet = 1) } @ARGV;
10
11if (@ARGV) {
12    my $workdir = shift;
13    chdir $workdir
14        or die "Couldn't chdir to '$workdir': $!";
15}
16require 'regen/regen_lib.pl';
17
18# MANIFEST itself is Unix style filenames, so we have to assume that Unix style
19# filenames will work.
20
21open MANIFEST, '<', 'MANIFEST'
22    or die "Can't open MANIFEST: $!";
23my @files =
24    grep !m#/perl.*\.pod#,
25    grep m#(?:\.pm|\.pod|_pm\.PL)#,
26    map {s/\s.*//s; $_}
27    grep { m#^(lib|ext|dist|cpan)/# && !m#/(?:t|demo)/# }
28    <MANIFEST>;
29close MANIFEST
30    or die "$0: failed to close MANIFEST: $!";
31
32my $out = open_new('pod/perlmodlib.pod', undef,
33                   {by => "$0 extracting documentation",
34                    from => 'the Perl source files'}, 1);
35
36my %exceptions = (
37    'abbrev' => 'Text::Abbrev',
38    'carp' => 'Carp',
39    'getopt' => 'Getopt::Std',
40    'B<CGI::Carp>' => 'CGI::Carp',
41    'ModuleInfo' => 'Module::Build::ModuleInfo',
42    '$notes_name' => 'Module::Build::Notes',
43    'Encode::MIME::NAME' => 'Encode::MIME::Name',
44    'libnetFAQ' => 'Net::libnetFAQ',
45);
46
47my (@pragma, @mod);
48
49for my $filename (@files) {
50    unless (open MOD, '<', $filename) {
51        warn "Couldn't open $filename: $!";
52	next;
53    }
54
55    my ($name, $thing);
56    my $foundit = 0;
57    {
58	local $/ = "";
59	while (<MOD>) {
60	    next unless /^=head1 NAME/;
61	    $foundit++;
62	    last;
63	}
64    }
65    unless ($foundit) {
66	warn "$filename missing =head1 NAME (OK if respective .pod exists)\n"
67	    unless $Quiet;
68	next;
69    }
70    my $title = <MOD>;
71    chomp $title;
72    close MOD
73        or die "Error closing $filename: $!";
74
75    ($name, $thing) = split / --? /, $title, 2;
76
77    unless ($name and $thing) {
78	warn "$filename missing name\n"  unless $name;
79	warn "$filename missing thing\n" unless $thing or $Quiet;
80	next;
81    }
82
83    $name =~ s/[^A-Za-z0-9_:\$<>].*//;
84    $name = $exceptions{$name} || $name;
85    $thing =~ s/^perl pragma to //i;
86    $thing = ucfirst $thing;
87    $title = "=item $name\n\n$thing\n\n";
88
89    if ($name =~ /[A-Z]/) {
90	push @mod, $title;
91    } else {
92	push @pragma, $title;
93    }
94}
95
96# Much easier to special case it like this than special case the depending on
97# and parsing lib/Config.pod, or special case opening configpm and finding its
98# =head1 (which is not found with the $/="" above)
99push @mod, "=item Config\n\nAccess Perl configuration information\n\n";
100
101
102# The intent of using =cut as the heredoc terminator is to make the whole file
103# parse as (reasonably) sane Pod as-is to anything that attempts to
104# brute-force treat it as such. The content is already useful - this just
105# makes it tidier, by stopping anything doing this mistaking the rest of the
106# Perl code for Pod. eg http://search.cpan.org/dist/perl/pod/perlmodlib.PL
107
108print $out <<'=cut';
109=head1 NAME
110
111perlmodlib - constructing new Perl modules and finding existing ones
112
113=head1 THE PERL MODULE LIBRARY
114
115Many modules are included in the Perl distribution.  These are described
116below, and all end in F<.pm>.  You may discover compiled library
117files (usually ending in F<.so>) or small pieces of modules to be
118autoloaded (ending in F<.al>); these were automatically generated
119by the installation process.  You may also discover files in the
120library directory that end in either F<.pl> or F<.ph>.  These are
121old libraries supplied so that old programs that use them still
122run.  The F<.pl> files will all eventually be converted into standard
123modules, and the F<.ph> files made by B<h2ph> will probably end up
124as extension modules made by B<h2xs>.  (Some F<.ph> values may
125already be available through the POSIX, Errno, or Fcntl modules.)
126The B<pl2pm> file in the distribution may help in your conversion,
127but it's just a mechanical process and therefore far from bulletproof.
128
129=head2 Pragmatic Modules
130
131They work somewhat like compiler directives (pragmata) in that they
132tend to affect the compilation of your program, and thus will usually
133work well only when used within a C<use>, or C<no>.  Most of these
134are lexically scoped, so an inner BLOCK may countermand them
135by saying:
136
137    no integer;
138    no strict 'refs';
139    no warnings;
140
141which lasts until the end of that BLOCK.
142
143Some pragmas are lexically scoped--typically those that affect the
144C<$^H> hints variable.  Others affect the current package instead,
145like C<use vars> and C<use subs>, which allow you to predeclare a
146variables or subroutines within a particular I<file> rather than
147just a block.  Such declarations are effective for the entire file
148for which they were declared.  You cannot rescind them with C<no
149vars> or C<no subs>.
150
151The following pragmas are defined (and have their own documentation).
152
153=over 12
154
155=cut
156
157print $out $_ for sort @pragma;
158
159print $out <<'=cut';
160
161=back
162
163=head2 Standard Modules
164
165Standard, bundled modules are all expected to behave in a well-defined
166manner with respect to namespace pollution because they use the
167Exporter module.  See their own documentation for details.
168
169It's possible that not all modules listed below are installed on your
170system. For example, the GDBM_File module will not be installed if you
171don't have the gdbm library.
172
173=over 12
174
175=cut
176
177print $out $_ for sort @mod;
178
179print $out <<'=cut', "=cut\n";
180
181=back
182
183To find out I<all> modules installed on your system, including
184those without documentation or outside the standard release,
185just use the following command (under the default win32 shell,
186double quotes should be used instead of single quotes).
187
188    % perl -MFile::Find=find -MFile::Spec::Functions -Tlwe \
189      'find { wanted => sub { print canonpath $_ if /\.pm\z/ },
190      no_chdir => 1 }, @INC'
191
192(The -T is here to prevent '.' from being listed in @INC.)
193They should all have their own documentation installed and accessible
194via your system man(1) command.  If you do not have a B<find>
195program, you can use the Perl B<find2perl> program instead, which
196generates Perl code as output you can run through perl.  If you
197have a B<man> program but it doesn't find your modules, you'll have
198to fix your manpath.  See L<perl> for details.  If you have no
199system B<man> command, you might try the B<perldoc> program.
200
201Note also that the command C<perldoc perllocal> gives you a (possibly
202incomplete) list of the modules that have been further installed on
203your system. (The perllocal.pod file is updated by the standard MakeMaker
204install process.)
205
206=head2 Extension Modules
207
208Extension modules are written in C (or a mix of Perl and C).  They
209are usually dynamically loaded into Perl if and when you need them,
210but may also be linked in statically.  Supported extension modules
211include Socket, Fcntl, and POSIX.
212
213Many popular C extension modules do not come bundled (at least, not
214completely) due to their sizes, volatility, or simply lack of time
215for adequate testing and configuration across the multitude of
216platforms on which Perl was beta-tested.  You are encouraged to
217look for them on CPAN (described below), or using web search engines
218like Alta Vista or Google.
219
220=head1 CPAN
221
222CPAN stands for Comprehensive Perl Archive Network; it's a globally
223replicated trove of Perl materials, including documentation, style
224guides, tricks and traps, alternate ports to non-Unix systems and
225occasional binary distributions for these.   Search engines for
226CPAN can be found at http://www.cpan.org/
227
228Most importantly, CPAN includes around a thousand unbundled modules,
229some of which require a C compiler to build.  Major categories of
230modules are:
231
232=over
233
234=item *
235
236Language Extensions and Documentation Tools
237
238=item *
239
240Development Support
241
242=item *
243
244Operating System Interfaces
245
246=item *
247
248Networking, Device Control (modems) and InterProcess Communication
249
250=item *
251
252Data Types and Data Type Utilities
253
254=item *
255
256Database Interfaces
257
258=item *
259
260User Interfaces
261
262=item *
263
264Interfaces to / Emulations of Other Programming Languages
265
266=item *
267
268File Names, File Systems and File Locking (see also File Handles)
269
270=item *
271
272String Processing, Language Text Processing, Parsing, and Searching
273
274=item *
275
276Option, Argument, Parameter, and Configuration File Processing
277
278=item *
279
280Internationalization and Locale
281
282=item *
283
284Authentication, Security, and Encryption
285
286=item *
287
288World Wide Web, HTML, HTTP, CGI, MIME
289
290=item *
291
292Server and Daemon Utilities
293
294=item *
295
296Archiving and Compression
297
298=item *
299
300Images, Pixmap and Bitmap Manipulation, Drawing, and Graphing
301
302=item *
303
304Mail and Usenet News
305
306=item *
307
308Control Flow Utilities (callbacks and exceptions etc)
309
310=item *
311
312File Handle and Input/Output Stream Utilities
313
314=item *
315
316Miscellaneous Modules
317
318=back
319
320The list of the registered CPAN sites follows.
321Please note that the sorting order is alphabetical on fields:
322
323Continent
324   |
325   |-->Country
326         |
327         |-->[state/province]
328                   |
329                   |-->ftp
330                   |
331                   |-->[http]
332
333and thus the North American servers happen to be listed between the
334European and the South American sites.
335
336Registered CPAN sites
337
338=for maintainers
339Generated by Porting/make_modlib_cpan.pl
340
341=head2 Africa
342
343=over 4
344
345=item South Africa
346
347  http://cpan.mirror.ac.za/
348  ftp://cpan.mirror.ac.za/
349  http://mirror.is.co.za/pub/cpan/
350  ftp://ftp.is.co.za/pub/cpan/
351  ftp://ftp.saix.net/pub/CPAN/
352
353=back
354
355=head2 Asia
356
357=over 4
358
359=item China
360
361  http://cpan.wenzk.com/
362
363=item Hong Kong
364
365  http://ftp.cuhk.edu.hk/pub/packages/perl/CPAN/
366  ftp://ftp.cuhk.edu.hk/pub/packages/perl/CPAN/
367  http://mirrors.geoexpat.com/cpan/
368
369=item India
370
371  http://perlmirror.indialinks.com/
372
373=item Indonesia
374
375  http://cpan.biz.net.id/
376  http://komo.vlsm.org/CPAN/
377  ftp://komo.vlsm.org/CPAN/
378  http://cpan.cermin.lipi.go.id/
379  ftp://cermin.lipi.go.id/pub/CPAN/
380  http://cpan.pesat.net.id/
381
382=item Japan
383
384  ftp://ftp.u-aizu.ac.jp/pub/CPAN
385  ftp://ftp.kddilabs.jp/CPAN/
386  http://ftp.nara.wide.ad.jp/pub/CPAN/
387  ftp://ftp.nara.wide.ad.jp/pub/CPAN/
388  http://ftp.jaist.ac.jp/pub/CPAN/
389  ftp://ftp.jaist.ac.jp/pub/CPAN/
390  ftp://ftp.dti.ad.jp/pub/lang/CPAN/
391  ftp://ftp.ring.gr.jp/pub/lang/perl/CPAN/
392  http://ftp.riken.jp/lang/CPAN/
393  ftp://ftp.riken.jp/lang/CPAN/
394  http://ftp.yz.yamagata-u.ac.jp/pub/lang/cpan/
395  ftp://ftp.yz.yamagata-u.ac.jp/pub/lang/cpan/
396
397=item Republic of Korea
398
399  http://ftp.kaist.ac.kr/pub/CPAN
400  ftp://ftp.kaist.ac.kr/pub/CPAN
401  http://cpan.mirror.cdnetworks.com/
402  ftp://cpan.mirror.cdnetworks.com/CPAN/
403  http://cpan.sarang.net/
404  ftp://cpan.sarang.net/CPAN/
405
406=item Russia
407
408  http://cpan.tomsk.ru/
409  ftp://cpan.tomsk.ru/
410
411=item Singapore
412
413  http://mirror.averse.net/pub/CPAN
414  ftp://mirror.averse.net/pub/CPAN
415  http://cpan.mirror.choon.net/
416  http://cpan.oss.eznetsols.org
417  ftp://ftp.oss.eznetsols.org/cpan
418
419=item Taiwan
420
421  http://ftp.cse.yzu.edu.tw/pub/CPAN/
422  ftp://ftp.cse.yzu.edu.tw/pub/CPAN/
423  http://cpan.nctu.edu.tw/
424  ftp://cpan.nctu.edu.tw/
425  ftp://ftp.ncu.edu.tw/CPAN/
426  http://cpan.cdpa.nsysu.edu.tw/
427  ftp://cpan.cdpa.nsysu.edu.tw/Unix/Lang/CPAN/
428  http://cpan.stu.edu.tw
429  ftp://ftp.stu.edu.tw/CPAN
430  http://ftp.stu.edu.tw/CPAN
431  ftp://ftp.stu.edu.tw/pub/CPAN
432  http://cpan.cs.pu.edu.tw/
433  ftp://cpan.cs.pu.edu.tw/pub/CPAN
434
435=item Thailand
436
437  http://mirrors.issp.co.th/cpan/
438  ftp://mirrors.issp.co.th/cpan/
439  http://mirror.yourconnect.com/CPAN/
440  ftp://mirror.yourconnect.com/CPAN/
441
442=item Turkey
443
444  http://cpan.gazi.edu.tr/
445
446=back
447
448=head2 Central America
449
450=over 4
451
452=item Costa Rica
453
454  http://mirrors.ucr.ac.cr/CPAN/
455  ftp://mirrors.ucr.ac.cr/CPAN/
456
457=back
458
459=head2 Europe
460
461=over 4
462
463=item Austria
464
465  http://cpan.inode.at/
466  ftp://cpan.inode.at
467  http://gd.tuwien.ac.at/languages/perl/CPAN/
468  ftp://gd.tuwien.ac.at/pub/CPAN/
469
470=item Belgium
471
472  http://ftp.belnet.be/mirror/ftp.cpan.org/
473  ftp://ftp.belnet.be/mirror/ftp.cpan.org/
474  http://ftp.easynet.be/pub/CPAN/
475  http://cpan.weepee.org/
476
477=item Bosnia and Herzegovina
478
479  http://cpan.blic.net/
480
481=item Bulgaria
482
483  http://cpan.cbox.biz/
484  ftp://cpan.cbox.biz/cpan/
485  http://cpan.digsys.bg/
486  ftp://ftp.digsys.bg/pub/CPAN
487
488=item Croatia
489
490  http://ftp.carnet.hr/pub/CPAN/
491  ftp://ftp.carnet.hr/pub/CPAN/
492
493=item Czech Republic
494
495  ftp://ftp.fi.muni.cz/pub/CPAN/
496  http://archive.cpan.cz/
497
498=item Denmark
499
500  http://mirrors.dotsrc.org/cpan
501  ftp://mirrors.dotsrc.org/cpan/
502  http://www.cpan.dk/
503  http://mirror.uni-c.dk/pub/CPAN/
504
505=item Finland
506
507  ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
508  http://mirror.eunet.fi/CPAN
509
510=item France
511
512  http://cpan.enstimac.fr/
513  ftp://ftp.inria.fr/pub/CPAN/
514  http://distrib-coffee.ipsl.jussieu.fr/pub/mirrors/cpan/
515  ftp://distrib-coffee.ipsl.jussieu.fr/pub/mirrors/cpan/
516  ftp://ftp.lip6.fr/pub/perl/CPAN/
517  http://mir2.ovh.net/ftp.cpan.org
518  ftp://mir1.ovh.net/ftp.cpan.org
519  ftp://ftp.oleane.net/pub/CPAN/
520  http://ftp.crihan.fr/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/
521  ftp://ftp.crihan.fr/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/
522  http://ftp.u-strasbg.fr/CPAN
523  ftp://ftp.u-strasbg.fr/CPAN
524  http://cpan.cict.fr/
525  ftp://cpan.cict.fr/pub/CPAN/
526
527=item Germany
528
529  ftp://ftp.fu-berlin.de/unix/languages/perl/
530  http://mirrors.softliste.de/cpan/
531  ftp://ftp.rub.de/pub/CPAN/
532  http://www.planet-elektronik.de/CPAN/
533  http://ftp.hosteurope.de/pub/CPAN/
534  ftp://ftp.hosteurope.de/pub/CPAN/
535  http://www.mirrorspace.org/cpan/
536  http://mirror.netcologne.de/cpan/
537  ftp://mirror.netcologne.de/cpan/
538  ftp://ftp.freenet.de/pub/ftp.cpan.org/pub/CPAN/
539  http://ftp-stud.hs-esslingen.de/pub/Mirrors/CPAN/
540  ftp://ftp-stud.hs-esslingen.de/pub/Mirrors/CPAN/
541  http://mirrors.zerg.biz/cpan/
542  http://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
543  ftp://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
544  http://dl.ambiweb.de/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/
545  http://cpan.mirror.clusters.kg/
546  http://cpan.mirror.iphh.net/
547  ftp://cpan.mirror.iphh.net/pub/CPAN/
548  http://cpan.mirroring.de/
549  http://mirror.informatik.uni-mannheim.de/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
550  ftp://mirror.informatik.uni-mannheim.de/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
551  http://www.chemmedia.de/mirrors/CPAN/
552  http://ftp.cw.net/pub/CPAN/
553  ftp://ftp.cw.net/pub/CPAN/
554  http://cpan.cpantesters.org/
555  ftp://cpan.cpantesters.org/CPAN/
556  http://cpan.mirrored.de/
557  ftp://mirror.petamem.com/CPAN/
558  http://cpan.noris.de/
559  ftp://cpan.noris.de/pub/CPAN/
560  ftp://ftp.mpi-sb.mpg.de/pub/perl/CPAN/
561  ftp://ftp.gmd.de/mirrors/CPAN/
562
563=item Greece
564
565  ftp://ftp.forthnet.gr/pub/languages/perl/CPAN
566  ftp://ftp.ntua.gr/pub/lang/perl/
567  http://cpan.cc.uoc.gr/
568  ftp://ftp.cc.uoc.gr/mirrors/CPAN/
569
570=item Hungary
571
572  http://cpan.mirrors.enexis.hu/
573  ftp://cpan.mirrors.enexis.hu/mirrors/cpan/
574  http://cpan.hu/
575
576=item Iceland
577
578  http://ftp.rhnet.is/pub/CPAN/
579  ftp://ftp.rhnet.is/pub/CPAN/
580
581=item Ireland
582
583  http://ftp.esat.net/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
584  ftp://ftp.esat.net/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
585  http://ftp.heanet.ie/mirrors/ftp.perl.org/pub/CPAN
586  ftp://ftp.heanet.ie/mirrors/ftp.perl.org/pub/CPAN
587
588=item Italy
589
590  http://bo.mirror.garr.it/mirrors/CPAN/
591  http://cpan.panu.it/
592  ftp://ftp.panu.it/pub/mirrors/perl/CPAN/
593
594=item Latvia
595
596  http://kvin.lv/pub/CPAN/
597
598=item Lithuania
599
600  http://ftp.litnet.lt/pub/CPAN/
601  ftp://ftp.litnet.lt/pub/CPAN/
602
603=item Malta
604
605  http://cpan.waldonet.net.mt/
606
607=item Netherlands
608
609  ftp://ftp.quicknet.nl/pub/CPAN/
610  http://mirror.hostfuss.com/CPAN/
611  ftp://mirror.hostfuss.com/CPAN/
612  http://mirrors3.kernel.org/cpan/
613  ftp://mirrors3.kernel.org/pub/CPAN/
614  http://cpan.mirror.versatel.nl/
615  ftp://ftp.mirror.versatel.nl/cpan/
616  ftp://download.xs4all.nl/pub/mirror/CPAN/
617  http://mirror.leaseweb.com/CPAN/
618  ftp://mirror.leaseweb.com/CPAN/
619  ftp://ftp.cpan.nl/pub/CPAN/
620  http://archive.cs.uu.nl/mirror/CPAN/
621  ftp://ftp.cs.uu.nl/mirror/CPAN/
622  http://luxitude.net/cpan/
623
624=item Norway
625
626  ftp://ftp.uninett.no/pub/languages/perl/CPAN
627  ftp://ftp.uit.no/pub/languages/perl/cpan/
628
629=item Poland
630
631  http://piotrkosoft.net/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
632  ftp://ftp.piotrkosoft.net/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
633  http://ftp.man.poznan.pl/pub/CPAN
634  ftp://ftp.man.poznan.pl/pub/CPAN
635  ftp://ftp.ps.pl/pub/CPAN/
636  ftp://sunsite.icm.edu.pl/pub/CPAN/
637  ftp://ftp.tpnet.pl/d4/CPAN/
638
639=item Portugal
640
641  http://cpan.dei.uc.pt/
642  ftp://ftp.dei.uc.pt/pub/CPAN
643  ftp://ftp.ist.utl.pt/pub/CPAN/
644  http://cpan.perl.pt/
645  http://cpan.ip.pt/
646  ftp://cpan.ip.pt/pub/cpan/
647  http://mirrors.nfsi.pt/CPAN/
648  ftp://mirrors.nfsi.pt/pub/CPAN/
649  http://cpan.dcc.fc.up.pt/
650
651=item Romania
652
653  http://ftp.astral.ro/pub/CPAN/
654  ftp://ftp.astral.ro/pub/CPAN/
655  ftp://ftp.lug.ro/CPAN
656  http://mirrors.xservers.ro/CPAN/
657  http://mirrors.hostingromania.ro/ftp.cpan.org/
658  ftp://ftp.hostingromania.ro/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/
659  ftp://ftp.iasi.roedu.net/pub/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/
660
661=item Russia
662
663  ftp://ftp.aha.ru/CPAN/
664  http://cpan.rinet.ru/
665  ftp://cpan.rinet.ru/pub/mirror/CPAN/
666  ftp://ftp.SpringDaemons.com/pub/CPAN/
667  http://mirror.rol.ru/CPAN/
668  http://ftp.silvernet.ru/CPAN/
669  http://ftp.spbu.ru/CPAN/
670  ftp://ftp.spbu.ru/CPAN/
671
672=item Slovakia
673
674  http://cpan.fyxm.net/
675
676=item Slovenia
677
678  http://www.klevze.si/cpan
679
680=item Spain
681
682  http://osl.ugr.es/CPAN/
683  ftp://ftp.rediris.es/mirror/CPAN/
684  http://ftp.gui.uva.es/sites/cpan.org/
685  ftp://ftp.gui.uva.es/sites/cpan.org/
686
687=item Sweden
688
689  http://mirrors4.kernel.org/cpan/
690  ftp://mirrors4.kernel.org/pub/CPAN/
691
692=item Switzerland
693
694  http://cpan.mirror.solnet.ch/
695  ftp://ftp.solnet.ch/mirror/CPAN/
696  ftp://ftp.adwired.ch/CPAN/
697  http://mirror.switch.ch/ftp/mirror/CPAN/
698  ftp://mirror.switch.ch/mirror/CPAN/
699
700=item Ukraine
701
702  http://cpan.makeperl.org/
703  ftp://cpan.makeperl.org/pub/CPAN
704  http://cpan.org.ua/
705  http://cpan.gafol.net/
706  ftp://ftp.gafol.net/pub/cpan/
707
708=item United Kingdom
709
710  http://www.mirrorservice.org/sites/ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
711  ftp://ftp.mirrorservice.org/sites/ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
712  http://mirror.tje.me.uk/pub/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/
713  ftp://mirror.tje.me.uk/pub/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/
714  http://www.mirror.8086.net/sites/CPAN/
715  ftp://ftp.mirror.8086.net/sites/CPAN/
716  http://cpan.mirror.anlx.net/
717  ftp://ftp.mirror.anlx.net/CPAN/
718  http://mirror.bytemark.co.uk/CPAN/
719  ftp://mirror.bytemark.co.uk/CPAN/
720  http://cpan.etla.org/
721  ftp://cpan.etla.org/pub/CPAN
722  ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/CPAN/
723  http://mirror.sov.uk.goscomb.net/CPAN/
724  ftp://mirror.sov.uk.goscomb.net/pub/CPAN/
725  http://ftp.plig.net/pub/CPAN/
726  ftp://ftp.plig.net/pub/CPAN/
727  http://ftp.ticklers.org/pub/CPAN/
728  ftp://ftp.ticklers.org/pub/CPAN/
729  http://cpan.mirrors.uk2.net/
730  ftp://mirrors.uk2.net/pub/CPAN/
731  http://mirror.ox.ac.uk/sites/www.cpan.org/
732  ftp://mirror.ox.ac.uk/sites/www.cpan.org/
733
734=back
735
736=head2 North America
737
738=over 4
739
740=item Bahamas
741
742  http://www.securehost.com/mirror/CPAN/
743
744=item Canada
745
746  http://cpan.arcticnetwork.ca
747  ftp://mirror.arcticnetwork.ca/pub/CPAN
748  http://cpan.sunsite.ualberta.ca/
749  ftp://cpan.sunsite.ualberta.ca/pub/CPAN/
750  http://theoryx5.uwinnipeg.ca/pub/CPAN/
751  ftp://theoryx5.uwinnipeg.ca/pub/CPAN/
752  http://arwen.cs.dal.ca/mirror/CPAN/
753  ftp://arwen.cs.dal.ca/pub/mirror/CPAN/
754  http://CPAN.mirror.rafal.ca/
755  ftp://CPAN.mirror.rafal.ca/pub/CPAN/
756  ftp://ftp.nrc.ca/pub/CPAN/
757  http://mirror.csclub.uwaterloo.ca/pub/CPAN/
758  ftp://mirror.csclub.uwaterloo.ca/pub/CPAN/
759
760=item Mexico
761
762  http://www.msg.com.mx/CPAN/
763  ftp://ftp.msg.com.mx/pub/CPAN/
764
765=item United States
766
767=over 8
768
769=item Alabama
770
771  http://mirror.hiwaay.net/CPAN/
772  ftp://mirror.hiwaay.net/CPAN/
773
774=item Arizona
775
776  http://cpan.ezarticleinformation.com/
777
778=item California
779
780  http://cpan.knowledgematters.net/
781  http://cpan.binkerton.com/
782  http://cpan.develooper.com/
783  http://mirrors.gossamer-threads.com/CPAN
784  http://cpan.schatt.com/
785  http://mirrors.kernel.org/cpan/
786  ftp://mirrors.kernel.org/pub/CPAN
787  http://mirrors2.kernel.org/cpan/
788  ftp://mirrors2.kernel.org/pub/CPAN/
789  http://cpan.mirror.facebook.net/
790  http://mirrors1.kernel.org/cpan/
791  ftp://mirrors1.kernel.org/pub/CPAN/
792  http://cpan-sj.viaverio.com/
793  ftp://cpan-sj.viaverio.com/pub/CPAN/
794  http://www.perl.com/CPAN/
795
796=item Florida
797
798  ftp://ftp.cise.ufl.edu/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
799  http://mirror.atlantic.net/pub/CPAN/
800  ftp://mirror.atlantic.net/pub/CPAN/
801
802=item Idaho
803
804  http://mirror.its.uidaho.edu/pub/cpan/
805  ftp://mirror.its.uidaho.edu/cpan/
806
807=item Illinois
808
809  http://cpan.mirrors.hoobly.com/
810  http://cpan.uchicago.edu/pub/CPAN/
811  ftp://cpan.uchicago.edu/pub/CPAN/
812  http://mirrors.servercentral.net/CPAN/
813  http://www.stathy.com/CPAN/
814  ftp://www.stathy.com/CPAN/
815
816=item Indiana
817
818  ftp://ftp.uwsg.iu.edu/pub/perl/CPAN/
819  http://cpan.netnitco.net/
820  ftp://cpan.netnitco.net/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
821  http://ftp.ndlug.nd.edu/pub/perl/
822  ftp://ftp.ndlug.nd.edu/pub/perl/
823
824=item Massachusetts
825
826  http://mirrors.ccs.neu.edu/CPAN/
827
828=item Michigan
829
830  http://ftp.wayne.edu/cpan/
831  ftp://ftp.wayne.edu/cpan/
832
833=item Minnesota
834
835  http://cpan.msi.umn.edu/
836
837=item New Jersey
838
839  http://mirror.datapipe.net/CPAN/
840  ftp://mirror.datapipe.net/pub/CPAN/
841
842=item New York
843
844  http://mirrors.24-7-solutions.net/pub/CPAN/
845  ftp://mirrors.24-7-solutions.net/pub/CPAN/
846  http://mirror.cc.columbia.edu/pub/software/cpan/
847  ftp://mirror.cc.columbia.edu/pub/software/cpan/
848  http://cpan.belfry.net/
849  http://cpan.erlbaum.net/
850  ftp://cpan.erlbaum.net/CPAN/
851  http://cpan.hexten.net/
852  ftp://cpan.hexten.net/
853  ftp://mirror.nyi.net/CPAN/
854  http://mirror.rit.edu/CPAN/
855  ftp://mirror.rit.edu/CPAN/
856
857=item North Carolina
858
859  http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/mirrors/CPAN
860  ftp://ftp.ncsu.edu/pub/mirror/CPAN/
861
862=item Oregon
863
864  http://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/CPAN/
865  ftp://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/CPAN/
866
867=item Pennsylvania
868
869  http://ftp.epix.net/CPAN/
870  ftp://ftp.epix.net/pub/languages/perl/
871  http://cpan.pair.com/
872  ftp://cpan.pair.com/pub/CPAN/
873
874=item South Carolina
875
876  http://cpan.mirror.clemson.edu/
877
878=item Tennessee
879
880  http://mira.sunsite.utk.edu/CPAN/
881
882=item Texas
883
884  http://mirror.uta.edu/CPAN
885
886=item Utah
887
888  ftp://mirror.xmission.com/CPAN/
889
890=item Virginia
891
892  http://cpan-du.viaverio.com/
893  ftp://cpan-du.viaverio.com/pub/CPAN/
894  http://perl.secsup.org/
895  ftp://perl.secsup.org/pub/perl/
896  ftp://mirror.cogentco.com/pub/CPAN/
897
898=item Washington
899
900  http://cpan.llarian.net/
901  ftp://cpan.llarian.net/pub/CPAN/
902  ftp://ftp-mirror.internap.com/pub/CPAN/
903
904=item Wisconsin
905
906  http://cpan.mirrors.tds.net
907  ftp://cpan.mirrors.tds.net/pub/CPAN
908  http://mirror.sit.wisc.edu/pub/CPAN/
909  ftp://mirror.sit.wisc.edu/pub/CPAN/
910
911=back
912
913=back
914
915=head2 Oceania
916
917=over 4
918
919=item Australia
920
921  http://mirror.internode.on.net/pub/cpan/
922  ftp://mirror.internode.on.net/pub/cpan/
923  http://cpan.mirror.aussiehq.net.au/
924  http://mirror.as24220.net/cpan/
925  ftp://mirror.as24220.net/cpan/
926
927=item New Zealand
928
929  ftp://ftp.auckland.ac.nz/pub/perl/CPAN/
930  http://cpan.inspire.net.nz
931  ftp://cpan.inspire.net.nz/cpan
932  http://cpan.catalyst.net.nz/CPAN/
933  ftp://cpan.catalyst.net.nz/pub/CPAN/
934
935=back
936
937=head2 South America
938
939=over 4
940
941=item Argentina
942
943  http://cpan.patan.com.ar/
944  http://cpan.localhost.net.ar
945  ftp://mirrors.localhost.net.ar/pub/mirrors/CPAN
946
947=item Brazil
948
949  ftp://cpan.pop-mg.com.br/pub/CPAN/
950  http://ftp.pucpr.br/CPAN
951  ftp://ftp.pucpr.br/CPAN
952  http://cpan.kinghost.net/
953
954=item Chile
955
956  http://cpan.dcc.uchile.cl/
957  ftp://cpan.dcc.uchile.cl/pub/lang/cpan/
958
959=item Colombia
960
961  http://www.laqee.unal.edu.co/CPAN/
962
963=back
964
965=head2 RSYNC Mirrors
966
967                      mirror.as24220.net::cpan
968                      cpan.inode.at::CPAN
969                      gd.tuwien.ac.at::CPAN
970                      ftp.belnet.be::packages/cpan
971                      rsync.linorg.usp.br::CPAN
972                      rsync.arcticnetwork.ca::CPAN
973                      CPAN.mirror.rafal.ca::CPAN
974                      mirror.csclub.uwaterloo.ca::CPAN
975                      theoryx5.uwinnipeg.ca::CPAN
976                      www.laqee.unal.edu.co::CPAN
977                      mirror.uni-c.dk::CPAN
978                      rsync.nic.funet.fi::CPAN
979                      rsync://distrib-coffee.ipsl.jussieu.fr/pub/mirrors/cpan/
980                      mir1.ovh.net::CPAN
981                      miroir-francais.fr::cpan
982                      ftp.crihan.fr::CPAN
983                      rsync://mirror.cict.fr/cpan/
984                      rsync://mirror.netcologne.de/cpan/
985                      ftp-stud.hs-esslingen.de::CPAN/
986                      ftp.gwdg.de::FTP/languages/perl/CPAN/
987                      cpan.mirror.iphh.net::CPAN
988                      cpan.cpantesters.org::cpan
989                      cpan.hu::CPAN
990                      komo.vlsm.org::CPAN
991                      mirror.unej.ac.id::cpan
992                      ftp.esat.net::/pub/languages/perl/CPAN
993                      ftp.heanet.ie::mirrors/ftp.perl.org/pub/CPAN
994                      rsync.panu.it::CPAN
995                      cpan.fastbull.org::CPAN
996                      ftp.kddilabs.jp::cpan
997                      ftp.nara.wide.ad.jp::cpan/
998                      rsync://ftp.jaist.ac.jp/pub/CPAN/
999                      rsync://ftp.riken.jp/cpan/
1000                      mirror.linuxiso.kz::CPAN
1001                      rsync://mirrors3.kernel.org/mirrors/CPAN/
1002                      rsync://rsync.osmirror.nl/cpan/
1003                      mirror.leaseweb.com::CPAN
1004                      cpan.nautile.nc::CPAN
1005                      mirror.icis.pcz.pl::CPAN
1006                      piotrkosoft.net::mirrors/CPAN
1007                      rsync://cpan.perl.pt/
1008                      ftp.kaist.ac.kr::cpan
1009                      cpan.sarang.net::CPAN
1010                      mirror.averse.net::cpan
1011                      rsync.oss.eznetsols.org
1012                      mirror.ac.za::cpan
1013                      ftp.is.co.za::IS-Mirror/ftp.cpan.org/
1014                      rsync://ftp.gui.uva.es/cpan/
1015                      rsync://mirrors4.kernel.org/mirrors/CPAN/
1016                      ftp.solnet.ch::CPAN
1017                      ftp.ulak.net.tr::CPAN
1018                      gafol.net::cpan
1019                      rsync.mirrorservice.org::ftp.funet.fi/pub/
1020                      rsync://rsync.mirror.8086.net/CPAN/
1021                      rsync.mirror.anlx.net::CPAN
1022                      mirror.bytemark.co.uk::CPAN
1023                      ftp.plig.net::CPAN
1024                      rsync://ftp.ticklers.org:CPAN/
1025                      mirrors.ibiblio.org::CPAN
1026                      cpan-du.viaverio.com::CPAN
1027                      mirror.hiwaay.net::CPAN
1028                      rsync://mira.sunsite.utk.edu/CPAN/
1029                      cpan.mirrors.tds.net::CPAN
1030                      mirror.its.uidaho.edu::cpan
1031                      rsync://mirror.cc.columbia.edu::cpan/
1032                      ftp.fxcorporate.com::CPAN
1033                      rsync.atlantic.net::CPAN
1034                      mirrors.kernel.org::mirrors/CPAN
1035                      rsync://mirrors2.kernel.org/mirrors/CPAN/
1036                      cpan.pair.com::CPAN
1037                      rsync://mirror.rit.edu/CPAN/
1038                      rsync://mirror.facebook.net/cpan/
1039                      rsync://mirrors1.kernel.org/mirrors/CPAN/
1040                      cpan-sj.viaverio.com::CPAN
1041
1042For an up-to-date listing of CPAN sites,
1043see http://www.cpan.org/SITES or ftp://www.cpan.org/SITES .
1044
1045=head1 Modules: Creation, Use, and Abuse
1046
1047(The following section is borrowed directly from Tim Bunce's modules
1048file, available at your nearest CPAN site.)
1049
1050Perl implements a class using a package, but the presence of a
1051package doesn't imply the presence of a class.  A package is just a
1052namespace.  A class is a package that provides subroutines that can be
1053used as methods.  A method is just a subroutine that expects, as its
1054first argument, either the name of a package (for "static" methods),
1055or a reference to something (for "virtual" methods).
1056
1057A module is a file that (by convention) provides a class of the same
1058name (sans the .pm), plus an import method in that class that can be
1059called to fetch exported symbols.  This module may implement some of
1060its methods by loading dynamic C or C++ objects, but that should be
1061totally transparent to the user of the module.  Likewise, the module
1062might set up an AUTOLOAD function to slurp in subroutine definitions on
1063demand, but this is also transparent.  Only the F<.pm> file is required to
1064exist.  See L<perlsub>, L<perlobj>, and L<AutoLoader> for details about
1065the AUTOLOAD mechanism.
1066
1067=head2 Guidelines for Module Creation
1068
1069=over 4
1070
1071=item  *
1072
1073Do similar modules already exist in some form?
1074
1075If so, please try to reuse the existing modules either in whole or
1076by inheriting useful features into a new class.  If this is not
1077practical try to get together with the module authors to work on
1078extending or enhancing the functionality of the existing modules.
1079A perfect example is the plethora of packages in perl4 for dealing
1080with command line options.
1081
1082If you are writing a module to expand an already existing set of
1083modules, please coordinate with the author of the package.  It
1084helps if you follow the same naming scheme and module interaction
1085scheme as the original author.
1086
1087=item  *
1088
1089Try to design the new module to be easy to extend and reuse.
1090
1091Try to C<use warnings;> (or C<use warnings qw(...);>).
1092Remember that you can add C<no warnings qw(...);> to individual blocks
1093of code that need less warnings.
1094
1095Use blessed references.  Use the two argument form of bless to bless
1096into the class name given as the first parameter of the constructor,
1097e.g.,:
1098
1099 sub new {
1100     my $class = shift;
1101     return bless {}, $class;
1102 }
1103
1104or even this if you'd like it to be used as either a static
1105or a virtual method.
1106
1107 sub new {
1108     my $self  = shift;
1109     my $class = ref($self) || $self;
1110     return bless {}, $class;
1111 }
1112
1113Pass arrays as references so more parameters can be added later
1114(it's also faster).  Convert functions into methods where
1115appropriate.  Split large methods into smaller more flexible ones.
1116Inherit methods from other modules if appropriate.
1117
1118Avoid class name tests like: C<die "Invalid" unless ref $ref eq 'FOO'>.
1119Generally you can delete the C<eq 'FOO'> part with no harm at all.
1120Let the objects look after themselves! Generally, avoid hard-wired
1121class names as far as possible.
1122
1123Avoid C<< $r->Class::func() >> where using C<@ISA=qw(... Class ...)> and
1124C<< $r->func() >> would work.
1125
1126Use autosplit so little used or newly added functions won't be a
1127burden to programs that don't use them. Add test functions to
1128the module after __END__ either using AutoSplit or by saying:
1129
1130 eval join('',<main::DATA>) || die $@ unless caller();
1131
1132Does your module pass the 'empty subclass' test? If you say
1133C<@SUBCLASS::ISA = qw(YOURCLASS);> your applications should be able
1134to use SUBCLASS in exactly the same way as YOURCLASS.  For example,
1135does your application still work if you change:  C<< $obj = YOURCLASS->new(); >>
1136into: C<< $obj = SUBCLASS->new(); >> ?
1137
1138Avoid keeping any state information in your packages. It makes it
1139difficult for multiple other packages to use yours. Keep state
1140information in objects.
1141
1142Always use B<-w>.
1143
1144Try to C<use strict;> (or C<use strict qw(...);>).
1145Remember that you can add C<no strict qw(...);> to individual blocks
1146of code that need less strictness.
1147
1148Always use B<-w>.
1149
1150Follow the guidelines in L<perlstyle>.
1151
1152Always use B<-w>.
1153
1154=item  *
1155
1156Some simple style guidelines
1157
1158The perlstyle manual supplied with Perl has many helpful points.
1159
1160Coding style is a matter of personal taste. Many people evolve their
1161style over several years as they learn what helps them write and
1162maintain good code.  Here's one set of assorted suggestions that
1163seem to be widely used by experienced developers:
1164
1165Use underscores to separate words.  It is generally easier to read
1166$var_names_like_this than $VarNamesLikeThis, especially for
1167non-native speakers of English. It's also a simple rule that works
1168consistently with VAR_NAMES_LIKE_THIS.
1169
1170Package/Module names are an exception to this rule. Perl informally
1171reserves lowercase module names for 'pragma' modules like integer
1172and strict. Other modules normally begin with a capital letter and
1173use mixed case with no underscores (need to be short and portable).
1174
1175You may find it helpful to use letter case to indicate the scope
1176or nature of a variable. For example:
1177
1178 $ALL_CAPS_HERE   constants only (beware clashes with Perl vars)
1179 $Some_Caps_Here  package-wide global/static
1180 $no_caps_here    function scope my() or local() variables
1181
1182Function and method names seem to work best as all lowercase.
1183e.g., C<< $obj->as_string() >>.
1184
1185You can use a leading underscore to indicate that a variable or
1186function should not be used outside the package that defined it.
1187
1188=item  *
1189
1190Select what to export.
1191
1192Do NOT export method names!
1193
1194Do NOT export anything else by default without a good reason!
1195
1196Exports pollute the namespace of the module user.  If you must
1197export try to use @EXPORT_OK in preference to @EXPORT and avoid
1198short or common names to reduce the risk of name clashes.
1199
1200Generally anything not exported is still accessible from outside the
1201module using the ModuleName::item_name (or C<< $blessed_ref->method >>)
1202syntax.  By convention you can use a leading underscore on names to
1203indicate informally that they are 'internal' and not for public use.
1204
1205(It is actually possible to get private functions by saying:
1206C<my $subref = sub { ... };  &$subref;>.  But there's no way to call that
1207directly as a method, because a method must have a name in the symbol
1208table.)
1209
1210As a general rule, if the module is trying to be object oriented
1211then export nothing. If it's just a collection of functions then
1212@EXPORT_OK anything but use @EXPORT with caution.
1213
1214=item  *
1215
1216Select a name for the module.
1217
1218This name should be as descriptive, accurate, and complete as
1219possible.  Avoid any risk of ambiguity. Always try to use two or
1220more whole words.  Generally the name should reflect what is special
1221about what the module does rather than how it does it.  Please use
1222nested module names to group informally or categorize a module.
1223There should be a very good reason for a module not to have a nested name.
1224Module names should begin with a capital letter.
1225
1226Having 57 modules all called Sort will not make life easy for anyone
1227(though having 23 called Sort::Quick is only marginally better :-).
1228Imagine someone trying to install your module alongside many others.
1229If in any doubt ask for suggestions in comp.lang.perl.misc.
1230
1231If you are developing a suite of related modules/classes it's good
1232practice to use nested classes with a common prefix as this will
1233avoid namespace clashes. For example: Xyz::Control, Xyz::View,
1234Xyz::Model etc. Use the modules in this list as a naming guide.
1235
1236If adding a new module to a set, follow the original author's
1237standards for naming modules and the interface to methods in
1238those modules.
1239
1240If developing modules for private internal or project specific use,
1241that will never be released to the public, then you should ensure
1242that their names will not clash with any future public module. You
1243can do this either by using the reserved Local::* category or by
1244using a category name that includes an underscore like Foo_Corp::*.
1245
1246To be portable each component of a module name should be limited to
124711 characters. If it might be used on MS-DOS then try to ensure each is
1248unique in the first 8 characters. Nested modules make this easier.
1249
1250=item  *
1251
1252Have you got it right?
1253
1254How do you know that you've made the right decisions? Have you
1255picked an interface design that will cause problems later? Have
1256you picked the most appropriate name? Do you have any questions?
1257
1258The best way to know for sure, and pick up many helpful suggestions,
1259is to ask someone who knows. Comp.lang.perl.misc is read by just about
1260all the people who develop modules and it's the best place to ask.
1261
1262All you need to do is post a short summary of the module, its
1263purpose and interfaces. A few lines on each of the main methods is
1264probably enough. (If you post the whole module it might be ignored
1265by busy people - generally the very people you want to read it!)
1266
1267Don't worry about posting if you can't say when the module will be
1268ready - just say so in the message. It might be worth inviting
1269others to help you, they may be able to complete it for you!
1270
1271=item  *
1272
1273README and other Additional Files.
1274
1275It's well known that software developers usually fully document the
1276software they write. If, however, the world is in urgent need of
1277your software and there is not enough time to write the full
1278documentation please at least provide a README file containing:
1279
1280=over 10
1281
1282=item *
1283
1284A description of the module/package/extension etc.
1285
1286=item *
1287
1288A copyright notice - see below.
1289
1290=item *
1291
1292Prerequisites - what else you may need to have.
1293
1294=item *
1295
1296How to build it - possible changes to Makefile.PL etc.
1297
1298=item *
1299
1300How to install it.
1301
1302=item *
1303
1304Recent changes in this release, especially incompatibilities
1305
1306=item *
1307
1308Changes / enhancements you plan to make in the future.
1309
1310=back
1311
1312If the README file seems to be getting too large you may wish to
1313split out some of the sections into separate files: INSTALL,
1314Copying, ToDo etc.
1315
1316=over 4
1317
1318=item *
1319
1320Adding a Copyright Notice.
1321
1322How you choose to license your work is a personal decision.
1323The general mechanism is to assert your Copyright and then make
1324a declaration of how others may copy/use/modify your work.
1325
1326Perl, for example, is supplied with two types of licence: The GNU GPL
1327and The Artistic Licence (see the files README, Copying, and Artistic,
1328or L<perlgpl> and L<perlartistic>).  Larry has good reasons for NOT
1329just using the GNU GPL.
1330
1331My personal recommendation, out of respect for Larry, Perl, and the
1332Perl community at large is to state something simply like:
1333
1334 Copyright (c) 1995 Your Name. All rights reserved.
1335 This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
1336 modify it under the same terms as Perl itself.
1337
1338This statement should at least appear in the README file. You may
1339also wish to include it in a Copying file and your source files.
1340Remember to include the other words in addition to the Copyright.
1341
1342=item  *
1343
1344Give the module a version/issue/release number.
1345
1346To be fully compatible with the Exporter and MakeMaker modules you
1347should store your module's version number in a non-my package
1348variable called $VERSION.  This should be a positive floating point
1349number with at least two digits after the decimal (i.e., hundredths,
1350e.g, C<$VERSION = "0.01">).  Don't use a "1.3.2" style version.
1351See L<Exporter> for details.
1352
1353It may be handy to add a function or method to retrieve the number.
1354Use the number in announcements and archive file names when
1355releasing the module (ModuleName-1.02.tar.Z).
1356See perldoc ExtUtils::MakeMaker.pm for details.
1357
1358=item  *
1359
1360How to release and distribute a module.
1361
1362It's good idea to post an announcement of the availability of your
1363module (or the module itself if small) to the comp.lang.perl.announce
1364Usenet newsgroup.  This will at least ensure very wide once-off
1365distribution.
1366
1367If possible, register the module with CPAN.  You should
1368include details of its location in your announcement.
1369
1370Some notes about ftp archives: Please use a long descriptive file
1371name that includes the version number. Most incoming directories
1372will not be readable/listable, i.e., you won't be able to see your
1373file after uploading it. Remember to send your email notification
1374message as soon as possible after uploading else your file may get
1375deleted automatically. Allow time for the file to be processed
1376and/or check the file has been processed before announcing its
1377location.
1378
1379FTP Archives for Perl Modules:
1380
1381Follow the instructions and links on:
1382
1383   http://www.cpan.org/modules/00modlist.long.html
1384   http://www.cpan.org/modules/04pause.html
1385
1386or upload to one of these sites:
1387
1388   https://pause.kbx.de/pause/
1389   http://pause.perl.org/
1390
1391and notify <modules@perl.org>.
1392
1393By using the WWW interface you can ask the Upload Server to mirror
1394your modules from your ftp or WWW site into your own directory on
1395CPAN!
1396
1397Please remember to send me an updated entry for the Module list!
1398
1399=item  *
1400
1401Take care when changing a released module.
1402
1403Always strive to remain compatible with previous released versions.
1404Otherwise try to add a mechanism to revert to the
1405old behavior if people rely on it.  Document incompatible changes.
1406
1407=back
1408
1409=back
1410
1411=head2 Guidelines for Converting Perl 4 Library Scripts into Modules
1412
1413=over 4
1414
1415=item  *
1416
1417There is no requirement to convert anything.
1418
1419If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Perl 4 library scripts should
1420continue to work with no problems. You may need to make some minor
1421changes (like escaping non-array @'s in double quoted strings) but
1422there is no need to convert a .pl file into a Module for just that.
1423
1424=item  *
1425
1426Consider the implications.
1427
1428All Perl applications that make use of the script will need to
1429be changed (slightly) if the script is converted into a module.  Is
1430it worth it unless you plan to make other changes at the same time?
1431
1432=item  *
1433
1434Make the most of the opportunity.
1435
1436If you are going to convert the script to a module you can use the
1437opportunity to redesign the interface.  The guidelines for module
1438creation above include many of the issues you should consider.
1439
1440=item  *
1441
1442The pl2pm utility will get you started.
1443
1444This utility will read *.pl files (given as parameters) and write
1445corresponding *.pm files. The pl2pm utilities does the following:
1446
1447=over 10
1448
1449=item *
1450
1451Adds the standard Module prologue lines
1452
1453=item *
1454
1455Converts package specifiers from ' to ::
1456
1457=item *
1458
1459Converts die(...) to croak(...)
1460
1461=item *
1462
1463Several other minor changes
1464
1465=back
1466
1467Being a mechanical process pl2pm is not bullet proof. The converted
1468code will need careful checking, especially any package statements.
1469Don't delete the original .pl file till the new .pm one works!
1470
1471=back
1472
1473=head2 Guidelines for Reusing Application Code
1474
1475=over 4
1476
1477=item  *
1478
1479Complete applications rarely belong in the Perl Module Library.
1480
1481=item  *
1482
1483Many applications contain some Perl code that could be reused.
1484
1485Help save the world! Share your code in a form that makes it easy
1486to reuse.
1487
1488=item  *
1489
1490Break-out the reusable code into one or more separate module files.
1491
1492=item  *
1493
1494Take the opportunity to reconsider and redesign the interfaces.
1495
1496=item  *
1497
1498In some cases the 'application' can then be reduced to a small
1499
1500fragment of code built on top of the reusable modules. In these cases
1501the application could invoked as:
1502
1503     % perl -e 'use Module::Name; method(@ARGV)' ...
1504or
1505     % perl -mModule::Name ...    (in perl5.002 or higher)
1506
1507=back
1508
1509=head1 NOTE
1510
1511Perl does not enforce private and public parts of its modules as you may
1512have been used to in other languages like C++, Ada, or Modula-17.  Perl
1513doesn't have an infatuation with enforced privacy.  It would prefer
1514that you stayed out of its living room because you weren't invited, not
1515because it has a shotgun.
1516
1517The module and its user have a contract, part of which is common law,
1518and part of which is "written".  Part of the common law contract is
1519that a module doesn't pollute any namespace it wasn't asked to.  The
1520written contract for the module (A.K.A. documentation) may make other
1521provisions.  But then you know when you C<use RedefineTheWorld> that
1522you're redefining the world and willing to take the consequences.
1523
1524=cut
1525
1526read_only_bottom_close_and_rename($out);
1527