xref: /openbsd-src/gnu/usr.bin/perl/pod/perlmodlib.PL (revision d13be5d47e4149db2549a9828e244d59dbc43f15)
1#!../miniperl
2
3use strict;
4use warnings;
5
6$ENV{LC_ALL} = 'C';
7
8use FindBin;
9chdir $FindBin::Bin or die "$0: Can't chdir $FindBin::Bin: $!";
10
11my $Quiet = @ARGV && $ARGV[0] eq '-q';
12
13open (OUT, ">perlmodlib.pod") or die $!;
14my (@pragma, @mod, @files);
15
16# MANIFEST itself is Unix style filenames, so we have to assume that Unix style
17# filenames will work.
18
19open (MANIFEST, "../MANIFEST") or die $!;
20@files = grep m#(?:\.pm|\.pod|_pm\.PL)#, map {s/\s.*//s; $_}
21    grep { m#^(lib|ext|dist|cpan)/# && !m#/(?:t|demo)/# } <MANIFEST>;
22
23my %exceptions = (
24    'abbrev' => 'Text::Abbrev',
25    'carp' => 'Carp',
26    'getopt' => 'Getopt::Std',
27    'B<CGI::Carp>' => 'CGI::Carp',
28    'ModuleInfo' => 'Module::Build::ModuleInfo',
29    '$notes_name' => 'Module::Build::Notes',
30    'Encode::MIME::NAME' => 'Encode::MIME::Name',
31    'libnetFAQ' => 'Net::libnetFAQ',
32);
33
34for my $filename (@files) {
35    unless (open MOD, '<', "../$filename") {
36	warn "Couldn't open ../$filename: $!";
37	next;
38    }
39
40    my ($name, $thing);
41    my $foundit = 0;
42    {
43	local $/ = "";
44	while (<MOD>) {
45	    next unless /^=head1 NAME/;
46	    $foundit++;
47	    last;
48	}
49    }
50    unless ($foundit) {
51	warn "$filename missing =head1 NAME (OK if respective .pod exists)\n"
52	    unless $Quiet;
53	next;
54    }
55    my $title = <MOD>;
56    chomp $title;
57    close MOD;
58
59    ($name, $thing) = split / --? /, $title, 2;
60
61    unless ($name and $thing) {
62	warn "$filename missing name\n"  unless $name;
63	warn "$filename missing thing\n" unless $thing or $Quiet;
64	next;
65    }
66
67    $name =~ s/[^A-Za-z0-9_:\$<>].*//;
68    $name = $exceptions{$name} || $name;
69    $thing =~ s/^perl pragma to //i;
70    $thing = ucfirst $thing;
71    $title = "=item $name\n\n$thing\n\n";
72
73    if ($name =~ /[A-Z]/) {
74	push @mod, $title;
75    } else {
76	push @pragma, $title;
77    }
78}
79
80# Much easier to special case it like this than special case the depending on
81# and parsing lib/Config.pod, or special case opening configpm and finding its
82# =head1 (which is not found with the $/="" above)
83push @mod, <<'CONFIG';
84=item Config
85
86Access Perl configuration information
87
88CONFIG
89
90print OUT <<'EOF';
91=for maintainers
92Generated by perlmodlib.PL -- DO NOT EDIT!
93
94=head1 NAME
95
96perlmodlib - constructing new Perl modules and finding existing ones
97
98=head1 THE PERL MODULE LIBRARY
99
100Many modules are included in the Perl distribution.  These are described
101below, and all end in F<.pm>.  You may discover compiled library
102files (usually ending in F<.so>) or small pieces of modules to be
103autoloaded (ending in F<.al>); these were automatically generated
104by the installation process.  You may also discover files in the
105library directory that end in either F<.pl> or F<.ph>.  These are
106old libraries supplied so that old programs that use them still
107run.  The F<.pl> files will all eventually be converted into standard
108modules, and the F<.ph> files made by B<h2ph> will probably end up
109as extension modules made by B<h2xs>.  (Some F<.ph> values may
110already be available through the POSIX, Errno, or Fcntl modules.)
111The B<pl2pm> file in the distribution may help in your conversion,
112but it's just a mechanical process and therefore far from bulletproof.
113
114=head2 Pragmatic Modules
115
116They work somewhat like compiler directives (pragmata) in that they
117tend to affect the compilation of your program, and thus will usually
118work well only when used within a C<use>, or C<no>.  Most of these
119are lexically scoped, so an inner BLOCK may countermand them
120by saying:
121
122    no integer;
123    no strict 'refs';
124    no warnings;
125
126which lasts until the end of that BLOCK.
127
128Some pragmas are lexically scoped--typically those that affect the
129C<$^H> hints variable.  Others affect the current package instead,
130like C<use vars> and C<use subs>, which allow you to predeclare a
131variables or subroutines within a particular I<file> rather than
132just a block.  Such declarations are effective for the entire file
133for which they were declared.  You cannot rescind them with C<no
134vars> or C<no subs>.
135
136The following pragmas are defined (and have their own documentation).
137
138=over 12
139
140EOF
141
142print OUT $_ for (sort @pragma);
143
144print OUT <<EOF;
145=back
146
147=head2 Standard Modules
148
149Standard, bundled modules are all expected to behave in a well-defined
150manner with respect to namespace pollution because they use the
151Exporter module.  See their own documentation for details.
152
153It's possible that not all modules listed below are installed on your
154system. For example, the GDBM_File module will not be installed if you
155don't have the gdbm library.
156
157=over 12
158
159EOF
160
161print OUT $_ for (sort @mod);
162
163print OUT <<'EOF';
164=back
165
166To find out I<all> modules installed on your system, including
167those without documentation or outside the standard release,
168just use the following command (under the default win32 shell,
169double quotes should be used instead of single quotes).
170
171    % perl -MFile::Find=find -MFile::Spec::Functions -Tlwe \
172      'find { wanted => sub { print canonpath $_ if /\.pm\z/ },
173      no_chdir => 1 }, @INC'
174
175(The -T is here to prevent '.' from being listed in @INC.)
176They should all have their own documentation installed and accessible
177via your system man(1) command.  If you do not have a B<find>
178program, you can use the Perl B<find2perl> program instead, which
179generates Perl code as output you can run through perl.  If you
180have a B<man> program but it doesn't find your modules, you'll have
181to fix your manpath.  See L<perl> for details.  If you have no
182system B<man> command, you might try the B<perldoc> program.
183
184Note also that the command C<perldoc perllocal> gives you a (possibly
185incomplete) list of the modules that have been further installed on
186your system. (The perllocal.pod file is updated by the standard MakeMaker
187install process.)
188
189=head2 Extension Modules
190
191Extension modules are written in C (or a mix of Perl and C).  They
192are usually dynamically loaded into Perl if and when you need them,
193but may also be linked in statically.  Supported extension modules
194include Socket, Fcntl, and POSIX.
195
196Many popular C extension modules do not come bundled (at least, not
197completely) due to their sizes, volatility, or simply lack of time
198for adequate testing and configuration across the multitude of
199platforms on which Perl was beta-tested.  You are encouraged to
200look for them on CPAN (described below), or using web search engines
201like Alta Vista or Google.
202
203=head1 CPAN
204
205CPAN stands for Comprehensive Perl Archive Network; it's a globally
206replicated trove of Perl materials, including documentation, style
207guides, tricks and traps, alternate ports to non-Unix systems and
208occasional binary distributions for these.   Search engines for
209CPAN can be found at http://www.cpan.org/
210
211Most importantly, CPAN includes around a thousand unbundled modules,
212some of which require a C compiler to build.  Major categories of
213modules are:
214
215=over
216
217=item *
218
219Language Extensions and Documentation Tools
220
221=item *
222
223Development Support
224
225=item *
226
227Operating System Interfaces
228
229=item *
230
231Networking, Device Control (modems) and InterProcess Communication
232
233=item *
234
235Data Types and Data Type Utilities
236
237=item *
238
239Database Interfaces
240
241=item *
242
243User Interfaces
244
245=item *
246
247Interfaces to / Emulations of Other Programming Languages
248
249=item *
250
251File Names, File Systems and File Locking (see also File Handles)
252
253=item *
254
255String Processing, Language Text Processing, Parsing, and Searching
256
257=item *
258
259Option, Argument, Parameter, and Configuration File Processing
260
261=item *
262
263Internationalization and Locale
264
265=item *
266
267Authentication, Security, and Encryption
268
269=item *
270
271World Wide Web, HTML, HTTP, CGI, MIME
272
273=item *
274
275Server and Daemon Utilities
276
277=item *
278
279Archiving and Compression
280
281=item *
282
283Images, Pixmap and Bitmap Manipulation, Drawing, and Graphing
284
285=item *
286
287Mail and Usenet News
288
289=item *
290
291Control Flow Utilities (callbacks and exceptions etc)
292
293=item *
294
295File Handle and Input/Output Stream Utilities
296
297=item *
298
299Miscellaneous Modules
300
301=back
302
303The list of the registered CPAN sites follows.
304Please note that the sorting order is alphabetical on fields:
305
306Continent
307   |
308   |-->Country
309         |
310         |-->[state/province]
311                   |
312                   |-->ftp
313                   |
314                   |-->[http]
315
316and thus the North American servers happen to be listed between the
317European and the South American sites.
318
319Registered CPAN sites
320
321=head2 Africa
322
323=over 4
324
325=item South Africa
326
327                      http://cpan.mirror.ac.za/
328                      ftp://cpan.mirror.ac.za/
329                      http://mirror.is.co.za/pub/cpan/
330                      ftp://ftp.is.co.za/pub/cpan/
331                      ftp://ftp.saix.net/pub/CPAN/
332
333=back
334
335=head2 Asia
336
337=over 4
338
339=item Hong Kong
340
341                      http://ftp.cuhk.edu.hk/pub/packages/perl/CPAN/
342                      ftp://ftp.cuhk.edu.hk/pub/packages/perl/CPAN/
343                      http://mirrors.geoexpat.com/cpan/
344
345=item India
346
347                      http://perlmirror.indialinks.com/
348
349=item Indonesia
350
351                      http://cpan.biz.net.id/
352                      http://komo.vlsm.org/CPAN/
353                      ftp://komo.vlsm.org/CPAN/
354                      http://cpan.pesat.net.id/
355                      http://mirror.unej.ac.id/cpan/
356                      ftp://mirror.unej.ac.id/cpan/
357
358=item Japan
359
360                      ftp://ftp.u-aizu.ac.jp/pub/CPAN
361                      ftp://ftp.kddilabs.jp/CPAN/
362                      http://ftp.nara.wide.ad.jp/pub/CPAN/
363                      ftp://ftp.nara.wide.ad.jp/pub/CPAN/
364                      http://ftp.jaist.ac.jp/pub/CPAN/
365                      ftp://ftp.jaist.ac.jp/pub/CPAN/
366                      ftp://ftp.dti.ad.jp/pub/lang/CPAN/
367                      ftp://ftp.ring.gr.jp/pub/lang/perl/CPAN/
368                      http://ftp.riken.jp/lang/CPAN/
369                      ftp://ftp.riken.jp/lang/CPAN/
370                      http://ftp.yz.yamagata-u.ac.jp/pub/lang/cpan/
371                      ftp://ftp.yz.yamagata-u.ac.jp/pub/lang/cpan/
372
373=item Kazakhstan
374
375                      http://mirror.linuxiso.kz/CPAN/
376
377=item Republic of Korea
378
379                      http://ftp.kaist.ac.kr/pub/CPAN
380                      ftp://ftp.kaist.ac.kr/pub/CPAN
381                      http://cpan.mirror.cdnetworks.com/
382                      ftp://cpan.mirror.cdnetworks.com/CPAN/
383                      http://cpan.sarang.net/
384                      ftp://cpan.sarang.net/CPAN/
385
386=item Russia
387
388                      http://cpan.tomsk.ru/
389                      ftp://cpan.tomsk.ru/
390
391=item Singapore
392
393                      http://mirror.averse.net/pub/CPAN
394                      ftp://mirror.averse.net/pub/CPAN
395                      http://cpan.mirror.choon.net/
396                      http://cpan.oss.eznetsols.org
397                      ftp://ftp.oss.eznetsols.org/cpan
398
399=item Taiwan
400
401                      http://ftp.cse.yzu.edu.tw/pub/CPAN/
402                      ftp://ftp.cse.yzu.edu.tw/pub/CPAN/
403                      http://cpan.nctu.edu.tw/
404                      ftp://cpan.nctu.edu.tw/
405                      ftp://ftp.ncu.edu.tw/CPAN/
406                      http://cpan.cdpa.nsysu.edu.tw/
407                      ftp://cpan.cdpa.nsysu.edu.tw/Unix/Lang/CPAN/
408                      http://cpan.stu.edu.tw
409                      ftp://ftp.stu.edu.tw/CPAN
410                      http://ftp.stu.edu.tw/CPAN
411                      ftp://ftp.stu.edu.tw/pub/CPAN
412                      http://cpan.cs.pu.edu.tw/
413                      ftp://cpan.cs.pu.edu.tw/pub/CPAN
414
415=item Thailand
416
417                      http://mirrors.issp.co.th/cpan/
418                      ftp://mirrors.issp.co.th/cpan/
419
420=item Turkey
421
422                      http://cpan.gazi.edu.tr/
423                      http://cpan.ulak.net.tr
424                      ftp://ftp.ulak.net.tr/pub/CPAN
425
426=item Viet Nam
427
428                      http://mirror-fpt-telecom.fpt.net/cpan/
429                      ftp://mirror-fpt-telecom.fpt.net/cpan/
430
431=back
432
433=head2 Central America
434
435=over 4
436
437=item Costa Rica
438
439                      http://mirrors.ucr.ac.cr/CPAN/
440                      ftp://mirrors.ucr.ac.cr/CPAN/
441
442=back
443
444=head2 Europe
445
446=over 4
447
448=item Austria
449
450                      http://cpan.inode.at/
451                      ftp://cpan.inode.at
452                      http://gd.tuwien.ac.at/languages/perl/CPAN/
453                      ftp://gd.tuwien.ac.at/pub/CPAN/
454
455=item Belgium
456
457                      http://ftp.belnet.be/mirror/ftp.cpan.org/
458                      ftp://ftp.belnet.be/mirror/ftp.cpan.org/
459                      http://ftp.easynet.be/pub/CPAN/
460                      http://cpan.weepee.org/
461                      http://cpan.fluoline.net/
462
463=item Bosnia and Herzegovina
464
465                      http://cpan.blic.net/
466
467=item Bulgaria
468
469                      http://cpan.cbox.biz/
470                      ftp://cpan.cbox.biz/cpan/
471                      http://cpan.digsys.bg/
472                      ftp://ftp.digsys.bg/pub/CPAN
473
474=item Croatia
475
476                      http://ftp.carnet.hr/pub/CPAN/
477                      ftp://ftp.carnet.hr/pub/CPAN/
478
479=item Czech Republic
480
481                      ftp://ftp.fi.muni.cz/pub/CPAN/
482                      http://archive.cpan.cz/
483
484=item Denmark
485
486                      http://mirrors.dotsrc.org/cpan
487                      ftp://mirrors.dotsrc.org/cpan/
488                      http://www.cpan.dk/
489                      http://mirror.uni-c.dk/pub/CPAN/
490
491=item Finland
492
493                      ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
494                      http://mirror.eunet.fi/CPAN
495
496=item France
497
498                      http://cpan.enstimac.fr/
499                      ftp://ftp.inria.fr/pub/CPAN/
500                      http://distrib-coffee.ipsl.jussieu.fr/pub/mirrors/cpan/
501                      ftp://distrib-coffee.ipsl.jussieu.fr/pub/mirrors/cpan/
502                      ftp://ftp.lip6.fr/pub/perl/CPAN/
503                      http://mir2.ovh.net/ftp.cpan.org
504                      ftp://mir1.ovh.net/ftp.cpan.org
505                      http://cpan.miroir-francais.fr/
506                      ftp://miroir-francais.fr/pub/cpan/
507                      ftp://ftp.oleane.net/pub/CPAN/
508                      http://ftp.crihan.fr/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/
509                      ftp://ftp.crihan.fr/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/
510                      http://ftp.u-strasbg.fr/CPAN
511                      ftp://ftp.u-strasbg.fr/CPAN
512                      http://cpan.cict.fr/
513                      ftp://cpan.cict.fr/pub/CPAN/
514
515=item Germany
516
517                      ftp://ftp.fu-berlin.de/unix/languages/perl/
518                      http://mirrors.softliste.de/cpan/
519                      ftp://ftp.rub.de/pub/CPAN/
520                      http://www.planet-elektronik.de/CPAN/
521                      http://ftp.hosteurope.de/pub/CPAN/
522                      ftp://ftp.hosteurope.de/pub/CPAN/
523                      http://www.mirrorspace.org/cpan/
524                      http://mirror.netcologne.de/cpan/
525                      ftp://mirror.netcologne.de/cpan/
526                      ftp://ftp.freenet.de/pub/ftp.cpan.org/pub/CPAN/
527                      http://ftp-stud.hs-esslingen.de/pub/Mirrors/CPAN/
528                      ftp://ftp-stud.hs-esslingen.de/pub/Mirrors/CPAN/
529                      http://mirrors.zerg.biz/cpan/
530                      http://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
531                      ftp://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
532                      http://dl.ambiweb.de/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/
533                      http://cpan.mirror.clusters.kg/
534                      http://cpan.mirror.iphh.net/
535                      ftp://cpan.mirror.iphh.net/pub/CPAN/
536                      http://cpan.mirroring.de/
537                      http://mirror.informatik.uni-mannheim.de/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
538                      ftp://mirror.informatik.uni-mannheim.de/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
539                      http://ftp.cw.net/pub/CPAN/
540                      ftp://ftp.cw.net/pub/CPAN/
541                      http://cpan.cpantesters.org/
542                      ftp://cpan.cpantesters.org/CPAN/
543                      http://cpan.mirrored.de/
544                      ftp://mirror.petamem.com/CPAN/
545                      http://cpan.noris.de/
546                      ftp://cpan.noris.de/pub/CPAN/
547                      ftp://ftp.mpi-sb.mpg.de/pub/perl/CPAN/
548                      ftp://ftp.gmd.de/mirrors/CPAN/
549
550=item Greece
551
552                      ftp://ftp.forthnet.gr/pub/languages/perl/CPAN
553                      ftp://ftp.ntua.gr/pub/lang/perl/
554                      http://cpan.cc.uoc.gr/
555                      ftp://ftp.cc.uoc.gr/mirrors/CPAN/
556
557=item Hungary
558
559                      http://cpan.mirrors.enexis.hu/
560                      ftp://cpan.mirrors.enexis.hu/mirrors/cpan/
561                      http://cpan.hu/
562
563=item Iceland
564
565                      http://ftp.rhnet.is/pub/CPAN/
566                      ftp://ftp.rhnet.is/pub/CPAN/
567
568=item Ireland
569
570                      http://ftp.esat.net/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
571                      ftp://ftp.esat.net/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
572                      http://ftp.heanet.ie/mirrors/ftp.perl.org/pub/CPAN
573                      ftp://ftp.heanet.ie/mirrors/ftp.perl.org/pub/CPAN
574
575=item Italy
576
577                      http://bo.mirror.garr.it/mirrors/CPAN/
578                      http://cpan.panu.it/
579                      ftp://ftp.panu.it/pub/mirrors/perl/CPAN/
580                      http://cpan.fastbull.org/
581
582=item Latvia
583
584                      http://kvin.lv/pub/CPAN/
585
586=item Lithuania
587
588                      http://ftp.litnet.lt/pub/CPAN/
589                      ftp://ftp.litnet.lt/pub/CPAN/
590
591=item Malta
592
593                      http://cpan.waldonet.net.mt/
594
595=item Netherlands
596
597                      ftp://ftp.quicknet.nl/pub/CPAN/
598                      http://mirror.hostfuss.com/CPAN/
599                      ftp://mirror.hostfuss.com/CPAN/
600                      http://mirrors3.kernel.org/cpan/
601                      ftp://mirrors3.kernel.org/pub/CPAN/
602                      http://cpan.osmirror.nl/
603                      ftp://ftp.osmirror.nl/pub/cpan/
604                      http://cpan.mirror.versatel.nl/
605                      ftp://ftp.mirror.versatel.nl/cpan/
606                      ftp://download.xs4all.nl/pub/mirror/CPAN/
607                      http://mirror.leaseweb.com/CPAN/
608                      ftp://mirror.leaseweb.com/CPAN/
609                      ftp://ftp.cpan.nl/pub/CPAN/
610                      http://archive.cs.uu.nl/mirror/CPAN/
611                      ftp://ftp.cs.uu.nl/mirror/CPAN/
612                      http://https://luxitude.net/cpan/
613
614=item Norway
615
616                      ftp://ftp.uninett.no/pub/languages/perl/CPAN
617                      ftp://ftp.uit.no/pub/languages/perl/cpan/
618
619=item Poland
620
621                      http://mirror.icis.pcz.pl/CPAN/
622                      ftp://mirror.icis.pcz.pl/CPAN/
623                      http://piotrkosoft.net/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
624                      ftp://ftp.piotrkosoft.net/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
625                      http://ftp.man.poznan.pl/pub/CPAN
626                      ftp://ftp.man.poznan.pl/pub/CPAN
627                      ftp://sunsite.icm.edu.pl/pub/CPAN/
628                      ftp://ftp.tpnet.pl/d4/CPAN/
629
630=item Portugal
631
632                      http://cpan.dei.uc.pt/
633                      ftp://ftp.dei.uc.pt/pub/CPAN
634                      ftp://ftp.ist.utl.pt/pub/CPAN/
635                      http://cpan.perl.pt/
636                      http://cpan.ip.pt/
637                      ftp://cpan.ip.pt/pub/cpan/
638                      http://mirrors.nfsi.pt/CPAN/
639                      ftp://mirrors.nfsi.pt/pub/CPAN/
640                      http://cpan.dcc.fc.up.pt/
641
642=item Romania
643
644                      http://ftp.astral.ro/pub/CPAN/
645                      ftp://ftp.astral.ro/pub/CPAN/
646                      ftp://ftp.lug.ro/CPAN
647                      http://mirrors.xservers.ro/CPAN/
648                      http://mirrors.hostingromania.ro/ftp.cpan.org/
649                      ftp://ftp.hostingromania.ro/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/
650                      ftp://ftp.iasi.roedu.net/pub/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/
651                      ftp://ftp.ambra.ro/pub/CPAN
652
653=item Russia
654
655                      ftp://ftp.aha.ru/CPAN/
656                      http://cpan.rinet.ru/
657                      ftp://cpan.rinet.ru/pub/mirror/CPAN/
658                      ftp://ftp.SpringDaemons.com/pub/CPAN/
659                      http://cpan.nx1.ru/
660                      ftp://cpan.nx1.ru/
661                      http://mirror.rol.ru/CPAN/
662                      http://ftp.silvernet.ru/CPAN/
663                      http://ftp.spbu.ru/CPAN/
664                      ftp://ftp.spbu.ru/CPAN/
665
666=item Slovakia
667
668                      http://cpan.fyxm.net/
669
670=item Slovenia
671
672                      http://www.klevze.si/cpan
673
674=item Spain
675
676                      http://osl.ugr.es/CPAN/
677                      ftp://ftp.rediris.es/mirror/CPAN/
678                      http://ftp.gui.uva.es/sites/cpan.org/
679                      ftp://ftp.gui.uva.es/sites/cpan.org/
680
681=item Sweden
682
683                      http://mirrors4.kernel.org/cpan/
684                      ftp://mirrors4.kernel.org/pub/CPAN/
685
686=item Switzerland
687
688                      http://cpan.mirror.solnet.ch/
689                      ftp://ftp.solnet.ch/mirror/CPAN/
690                      http://mirror.switch.ch/ftp/mirror/CPAN/
691                      ftp://mirror.switch.ch/mirror/CPAN/
692
693=item Ukraine
694
695                      http://cpan.makeperl.org/
696                      ftp://cpan.makeperl.org/pub/CPAN
697                      http://cpan.org.ua/
698                      http://no-more.kiev.ua/CPAN/
699                      ftp://no-more.kiev.ua/pub/CPAN/
700                      http://cpan.gafol.net/
701                      ftp://ftp.gafol.net/pub/cpan/
702
703=item United Kingdom
704
705                      http://www.mirrorservice.org/sites/ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
706                      ftp://ftp.mirrorservice.org/sites/ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
707                      http://mirror.tje.me.uk/pub/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/
708                      ftp://mirror.tje.me.uk/pub/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/
709                      http://www.mirror.8086.net/sites/CPAN/
710                      ftp://ftp.mirror.8086.net/sites/CPAN/
711                      http://cpan.mirror.anlx.net/
712                      ftp://ftp.mirror.anlx.net/CPAN/
713                      http://mirror.bytemark.co.uk/CPAN/
714                      ftp://mirror.bytemark.co.uk/CPAN/
715                      http://cpan.etla.org/
716                      ftp://cpan.etla.org/pub/CPAN
717                      ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/CPAN/
718                      http://mirror.sov.uk.goscomb.net/CPAN/
719                      ftp://mirror.sov.uk.goscomb.net/pub/CPAN/
720                      http://ftp.plig.net/pub/CPAN/
721                      ftp://ftp.plig.net/pub/CPAN/
722                      http://ftp.ticklers.org/pub/CPAN/
723                      ftp://ftp.ticklers.org/pub/CPAN/
724                      http://cpan.mirrors.uk2.net/
725                      ftp://mirrors.uk2.net/pub/CPAN/
726                      http://mirror.ox.ac.uk/sites/www.cpan.org/
727                      ftp://mirror.ox.ac.uk/sites/www.cpan.org/
728
729=back
730
731=head2 North America
732
733=over 4
734
735=item Bahamas
736
737                      http://www.securehost.com/mirror/CPAN/
738
739=item Canada
740
741                      http://cpan.justanotherperlhacker.com/pub/CPAN/
742                      ftp://cpan.justanotherperlhacker.com/pub/CPAN/
743                      http://cpan.arcticnetwork.ca
744                      ftp://mirror.arcticnetwork.ca/pub/CPAN
745                      http://cpan.sunsite.ualberta.ca/
746                      ftp://cpan.sunsite.ualberta.ca/pub/CPAN/
747                      http://theoryx5.uwinnipeg.ca/pub/CPAN/
748                      ftp://theoryx5.uwinnipeg.ca/pub/CPAN/
749                      http://arwen.cs.dal.ca/mirror/CPAN/
750                      ftp://arwen.cs.dal.ca/pub/mirror/CPAN/
751                      http://CPAN.mirror.rafal.ca/
752                      ftp://CPAN.mirror.rafal.ca/pub/CPAN/
753                      ftp://ftp.nrc.ca/pub/CPAN/
754                      http://mirror.csclub.uwaterloo.ca/pub/CPAN/
755                      ftp://mirror.csclub.uwaterloo.ca/pub/CPAN/
756
757=item Mexico
758
759                      http://www.msg.com.mx/CPAN/
760                      ftp://ftp.msg.com.mx/pub/CPAN/
761
762=item United States
763
764=over 8
765
766=item Alabama
767
768                      http://mirror.hiwaay.net/CPAN/
769                      ftp://mirror.hiwaay.net/CPAN/
770
771=item California
772
773                      http://cpan.knowledgematters.net/
774                      http://cpan.binkerton.com/
775                      http://cpan.develooper.com/
776                      http://mirrors.gossamer-threads.com/CPAN
777                      http://cpan.schatt.com/
778                      http://mirrors.kernel.org/cpan/
779                      ftp://mirrors.kernel.org/pub/CPAN
780                      http://mirrors2.kernel.org/cpan/
781                      ftp://mirrors2.kernel.org/pub/CPAN/
782                      http://cpan.mirrors.redwire.net/
783                      http://cpan.mirror.facebook.net/
784                      http://mirrors1.kernel.org/cpan/
785                      ftp://mirrors1.kernel.org/pub/CPAN/
786                      http://cpan-sj.viaverio.com/
787                      ftp://cpan-sj.viaverio.com/pub/CPAN/
788                      http://www.perl.com/CPAN/
789                      http://cpan.yahoo.com/
790
791=item Florida
792
793                      ftp://ftp.cise.ufl.edu/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
794                      http://mirror.atlantic.net/pub/CPAN/
795                      ftp://mirror.atlantic.net/pub/CPAN/
796                      http://mirror.candidhosting.com/pub/CPAN
797                      ftp://mirror.candidhosting.com/pub/CPAN
798
799=item Idaho
800
801                      http://mirror.its.uidaho.edu/pub/cpan/
802                      ftp://mirror.its.uidaho.edu/cpan/
803
804=item Illinois
805
806                      http://cpan.mirrors.hoobly.com/
807                      http://cpan.uchicago.edu/pub/CPAN/
808                      ftp://cpan.uchicago.edu/pub/CPAN/
809                      http://mirrors.servercentral.net/CPAN/
810                      http://www.stathy.com/CPAN/
811                      ftp://www.stathy.com/CPAN/
812
813=item Indiana
814
815                      ftp://ftp.uwsg.iu.edu/pub/perl/CPAN/
816                      http://cpan.netnitco.net/
817                      ftp://cpan.netnitco.net/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
818                      http://ftp.ndlug.nd.edu/pub/perl/
819                      ftp://ftp.ndlug.nd.edu/pub/perl/
820                      http://fx.saintjoe.edu/pub/CPAN
821
822=item Massachusetts
823
824                      ftp://ftp.ccs.neu.edu/net/mirrors/ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
825
826=item Michigan
827
828                      http://ftp.wayne.edu/cpan/
829                      ftp://ftp.wayne.edu/cpan/
830
831=item Minnesota
832
833                      http://cpan.msi.umn.edu/
834
835=item New Jersey
836
837                      http://mirror.datapipe.net/CPAN/
838                      ftp://mirror.datapipe.net/pub/CPAN/
839
840=item New York
841
842                      http://mirrors.24-7-solutions.net/pub/CPAN/
843                      ftp://mirrors.24-7-solutions.net/pub/CPAN/
844                      http://mirror.cc.columbia.edu/pub/software/cpan/
845                      ftp://mirror.cc.columbia.edu/pub/software/cpan/
846                      http://cpan.belfry.net/
847                      http://cpan.erlbaum.net/
848                      ftp://cpan.erlbaum.net/CPAN/
849                      http://cpan.hexten.net/
850                      ftp://cpan.hexten.net/
851                      http://ftp.fxcorporate.com/CPAN/
852                      ftp://ftp.fxcorporate.com/pub/CPAN/
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                      http://cpan.cs.utah.edu
889                      ftp://cpan.cs.utah.edu/pub/CPAN/
890                      ftp://mirror.xmission.com/CPAN/
891
892=item Virginia
893
894                      http://cpan-du.viaverio.com/
895                      ftp://cpan-du.viaverio.com/pub/CPAN/
896                      http://perl.secsup.org/
897                      ftp://perl.secsup.org/pub/perl/
898                      ftp://mirror.cogentco.com/pub/CPAN/
899
900=item Washington
901
902                      http://cpan.llarian.net/
903                      ftp://cpan.llarian.net/pub/CPAN/
904                      ftp://ftp-mirror.internap.com/pub/CPAN/
905
906=item Wisconsin
907
908                      http://cpan.mirrors.tds.net
909                      ftp://cpan.mirrors.tds.net/pub/CPAN
910                      http://mirror.sit.wisc.edu/pub/CPAN/
911                      ftp://mirror.sit.wisc.edu/pub/CPAN/
912
913=back
914
915=back
916
917=head2 Oceania
918
919=over 4
920
921=item Australia
922
923                      http://mirror.internode.on.net/pub/cpan/
924                      ftp://mirror.internode.on.net/pub/cpan/
925                      http://cpan.mirror.aussiehq.net.au/
926                      http://mirror.as24220.net/cpan/
927                      ftp://mirror.as24220.net/cpan/
928
929=item New Zealand
930
931                      ftp://ftp.auckland.ac.nz/pub/perl/CPAN/
932                      http://cpan.inspire.net.nz
933                      ftp://cpan.inspire.net.nz/cpan
934                      http://cpan.catalyst.net.nz/CPAN/
935                      ftp://cpan.catalyst.net.nz/pub/CPAN/
936
937=back
938
939=head2 South America
940
941=over 4
942
943=item Argentina
944
945                      http://cpan.patan.com.ar/
946                      http://cpan.localhost.net.ar
947                      ftp://mirrors.localhost.net.ar/pub/mirrors/CPAN
948
949=item Brazil
950
951                      ftp://cpan.pop-mg.com.br/pub/CPAN/
952                      http://ftp.pucpr.br/CPAN
953                      ftp://ftp.pucpr.br/CPAN
954                      http://cpan.kinghost.net/
955                      ftp://ftp.linorg.usp.br/CPAN
956
957=item Chile
958
959                      http://cpan.dcc.uchile.cl/
960                      ftp://cpan.dcc.uchile.cl/pub/lang/cpan/
961
962=item Colombia
963
964                      http://www.laqee.unal.edu.co/CPAN/
965
966=back
967
968=head2 RSYNC Mirrors
969
970                      mirror.as24220.net::cpan
971                      cpan.inode.at::CPAN
972                      gd.tuwien.ac.at::CPAN
973                      ftp.belnet.be::packages/cpan
974                      rsync.linorg.usp.br::CPAN
975                      rsync.arcticnetwork.ca::CPAN
976                      CPAN.mirror.rafal.ca::CPAN
977                      mirror.csclub.uwaterloo.ca::CPAN
978                      theoryx5.uwinnipeg.ca::CPAN
979                      www.laqee.unal.edu.co::CPAN
980                      mirror.uni-c.dk::CPAN
981                      rsync.nic.funet.fi::CPAN
982                      rsync://distrib-coffee.ipsl.jussieu.fr/pub/mirrors/cpan/
983                      mir1.ovh.net::CPAN
984                      miroir-francais.fr::cpan
985                      ftp.crihan.fr::CPAN
986                      rsync://mirror.cict.fr/cpan/
987                      rsync://mirror.netcologne.de/cpan/
988                      ftp-stud.hs-esslingen.de::CPAN/
989                      ftp.gwdg.de::FTP/languages/perl/CPAN/
990                      cpan.mirror.iphh.net::CPAN
991                      cpan.cpantesters.org::cpan
992                      cpan.hu::CPAN
993                      komo.vlsm.org::CPAN
994                      mirror.unej.ac.id::cpan
995                      ftp.esat.net::/pub/languages/perl/CPAN
996                      ftp.heanet.ie::mirrors/ftp.perl.org/pub/CPAN
997                      rsync.panu.it::CPAN
998                      cpan.fastbull.org::CPAN
999                      ftp.kddilabs.jp::cpan
1000                      ftp.nara.wide.ad.jp::cpan/
1001                      rsync://ftp.jaist.ac.jp/pub/CPAN/
1002                      rsync://ftp.riken.jp/cpan/
1003                      mirror.linuxiso.kz::CPAN
1004                      rsync://mirrors3.kernel.org/mirrors/CPAN/
1005                      rsync://rsync.osmirror.nl/cpan/
1006                      mirror.leaseweb.com::CPAN
1007                      cpan.nautile.nc::CPAN
1008                      mirror.icis.pcz.pl::CPAN
1009                      piotrkosoft.net::mirrors/CPAN
1010                      rsync://cpan.perl.pt/
1011                      ftp.kaist.ac.kr::cpan
1012                      cpan.sarang.net::CPAN
1013                      mirror.averse.net::cpan
1014                      rsync.oss.eznetsols.org
1015                      mirror.ac.za::cpan
1016                      ftp.is.co.za::IS-Mirror/ftp.cpan.org/
1017                      rsync://ftp.gui.uva.es/cpan/
1018                      rsync://mirrors4.kernel.org/mirrors/CPAN/
1019                      ftp.solnet.ch::CPAN
1020                      ftp.ulak.net.tr::CPAN
1021                      gafol.net::cpan
1022                      rsync.mirrorservice.org::ftp.funet.fi/pub/
1023                      rsync://rsync.mirror.8086.net/CPAN/
1024                      rsync.mirror.anlx.net::CPAN
1025                      mirror.bytemark.co.uk::CPAN
1026                      ftp.plig.net::CPAN
1027                      rsync://ftp.ticklers.org:CPAN/
1028                      mirrors.ibiblio.org::CPAN
1029                      cpan-du.viaverio.com::CPAN
1030                      mirror.hiwaay.net::CPAN
1031                      rsync://mira.sunsite.utk.edu/CPAN/
1032                      cpan.mirrors.tds.net::CPAN
1033                      mirror.its.uidaho.edu::cpan
1034                      rsync://mirror.cc.columbia.edu::cpan/
1035                      ftp.fxcorporate.com::CPAN
1036                      rsync.atlantic.net::CPAN
1037                      mirrors.kernel.org::mirrors/CPAN
1038                      rsync://mirrors2.kernel.org/mirrors/CPAN/
1039                      cpan.pair.com::CPAN
1040                      rsync://mirror.rit.edu/CPAN/
1041                      rsync://mirror.facebook.net/cpan/
1042                      rsync://mirrors1.kernel.org/mirrors/CPAN/
1043                      cpan-sj.viaverio.com::CPAN
1044
1045For an up-to-date listing of CPAN sites,
1046see http://www.cpan.org/SITES or ftp://www.cpan.org/SITES .
1047
1048=head1 Modules: Creation, Use, and Abuse
1049
1050(The following section is borrowed directly from Tim Bunce's modules
1051file, available at your nearest CPAN site.)
1052
1053Perl implements a class using a package, but the presence of a
1054package doesn't imply the presence of a class.  A package is just a
1055namespace.  A class is a package that provides subroutines that can be
1056used as methods.  A method is just a subroutine that expects, as its
1057first argument, either the name of a package (for "static" methods),
1058or a reference to something (for "virtual" methods).
1059
1060A module is a file that (by convention) provides a class of the same
1061name (sans the .pm), plus an import method in that class that can be
1062called to fetch exported symbols.  This module may implement some of
1063its methods by loading dynamic C or C++ objects, but that should be
1064totally transparent to the user of the module.  Likewise, the module
1065might set up an AUTOLOAD function to slurp in subroutine definitions on
1066demand, but this is also transparent.  Only the F<.pm> file is required to
1067exist.  See L<perlsub>, L<perltoot>, and L<AutoLoader> for details about
1068the AUTOLOAD mechanism.
1069
1070=head2 Guidelines for Module Creation
1071
1072=over 4
1073
1074=item  *
1075
1076Do similar modules already exist in some form?
1077
1078If so, please try to reuse the existing modules either in whole or
1079by inheriting useful features into a new class.  If this is not
1080practical try to get together with the module authors to work on
1081extending or enhancing the functionality of the existing modules.
1082A perfect example is the plethora of packages in perl4 for dealing
1083with command line options.
1084
1085If you are writing a module to expand an already existing set of
1086modules, please coordinate with the author of the package.  It
1087helps if you follow the same naming scheme and module interaction
1088scheme as the original author.
1089
1090=item  *
1091
1092Try to design the new module to be easy to extend and reuse.
1093
1094Try to C<use warnings;> (or C<use warnings qw(...);>).
1095Remember that you can add C<no warnings qw(...);> to individual blocks
1096of code that need less warnings.
1097
1098Use blessed references.  Use the two argument form of bless to bless
1099into the class name given as the first parameter of the constructor,
1100e.g.,:
1101
1102 sub new {
1103     my $class = shift;
1104     return bless {}, $class;
1105 }
1106
1107or even this if you'd like it to be used as either a static
1108or a virtual method.
1109
1110 sub new {
1111     my $self  = shift;
1112     my $class = ref($self) || $self;
1113     return bless {}, $class;
1114 }
1115
1116Pass arrays as references so more parameters can be added later
1117(it's also faster).  Convert functions into methods where
1118appropriate.  Split large methods into smaller more flexible ones.
1119Inherit methods from other modules if appropriate.
1120
1121Avoid class name tests like: C<die "Invalid" unless ref $ref eq 'FOO'>.
1122Generally you can delete the C<eq 'FOO'> part with no harm at all.
1123Let the objects look after themselves! Generally, avoid hard-wired
1124class names as far as possible.
1125
1126Avoid C<< $r->Class::func() >> where using C<@ISA=qw(... Class ...)> and
1127C<< $r->func() >> would work (see L<perlbot> for more details).
1128
1129Use autosplit so little used or newly added functions won't be a
1130burden to programs that don't use them. Add test functions to
1131the module after __END__ either using AutoSplit or by saying:
1132
1133 eval join('',<main::DATA>) || die $@ unless caller();
1134
1135Does your module pass the 'empty subclass' test? If you say
1136C<@SUBCLASS::ISA = qw(YOURCLASS);> your applications should be able
1137to use SUBCLASS in exactly the same way as YOURCLASS.  For example,
1138does your application still work if you change:  C<< $obj = YOURCLASS->new(); >>
1139into: C<< $obj = SUBCLASS->new(); >> ?
1140
1141Avoid keeping any state information in your packages. It makes it
1142difficult for multiple other packages to use yours. Keep state
1143information in objects.
1144
1145Always use B<-w>.
1146
1147Try to C<use strict;> (or C<use strict qw(...);>).
1148Remember that you can add C<no strict qw(...);> to individual blocks
1149of code that need less strictness.
1150
1151Always use B<-w>.
1152
1153Follow the guidelines in L<perlstyle>.
1154
1155Always use B<-w>.
1156
1157=item  *
1158
1159Some simple style guidelines
1160
1161The perlstyle manual supplied with Perl has many helpful points.
1162
1163Coding style is a matter of personal taste. Many people evolve their
1164style over several years as they learn what helps them write and
1165maintain good code.  Here's one set of assorted suggestions that
1166seem to be widely used by experienced developers:
1167
1168Use underscores to separate words.  It is generally easier to read
1169$var_names_like_this than $VarNamesLikeThis, especially for
1170non-native speakers of English. It's also a simple rule that works
1171consistently with VAR_NAMES_LIKE_THIS.
1172
1173Package/Module names are an exception to this rule. Perl informally
1174reserves lowercase module names for 'pragma' modules like integer
1175and strict. Other modules normally begin with a capital letter and
1176use mixed case with no underscores (need to be short and portable).
1177
1178You may find it helpful to use letter case to indicate the scope
1179or nature of a variable. For example:
1180
1181 $ALL_CAPS_HERE   constants only (beware clashes with Perl vars)
1182 $Some_Caps_Here  package-wide global/static
1183 $no_caps_here    function scope my() or local() variables
1184
1185Function and method names seem to work best as all lowercase.
1186e.g., C<< $obj->as_string() >>.
1187
1188You can use a leading underscore to indicate that a variable or
1189function should not be used outside the package that defined it.
1190
1191=item  *
1192
1193Select what to export.
1194
1195Do NOT export method names!
1196
1197Do NOT export anything else by default without a good reason!
1198
1199Exports pollute the namespace of the module user.  If you must
1200export try to use @EXPORT_OK in preference to @EXPORT and avoid
1201short or common names to reduce the risk of name clashes.
1202
1203Generally anything not exported is still accessible from outside the
1204module using the ModuleName::item_name (or C<< $blessed_ref->method >>)
1205syntax.  By convention you can use a leading underscore on names to
1206indicate informally that they are 'internal' and not for public use.
1207
1208(It is actually possible to get private functions by saying:
1209C<my $subref = sub { ... };  &$subref;>.  But there's no way to call that
1210directly as a method, because a method must have a name in the symbol
1211table.)
1212
1213As a general rule, if the module is trying to be object oriented
1214then export nothing. If it's just a collection of functions then
1215@EXPORT_OK anything but use @EXPORT with caution.
1216
1217=item  *
1218
1219Select a name for the module.
1220
1221This name should be as descriptive, accurate, and complete as
1222possible.  Avoid any risk of ambiguity. Always try to use two or
1223more whole words.  Generally the name should reflect what is special
1224about what the module does rather than how it does it.  Please use
1225nested module names to group informally or categorize a module.
1226There should be a very good reason for a module not to have a nested name.
1227Module names should begin with a capital letter.
1228
1229Having 57 modules all called Sort will not make life easy for anyone
1230(though having 23 called Sort::Quick is only marginally better :-).
1231Imagine someone trying to install your module alongside many others.
1232If in any doubt ask for suggestions in comp.lang.perl.misc.
1233
1234If you are developing a suite of related modules/classes it's good
1235practice to use nested classes with a common prefix as this will
1236avoid namespace clashes. For example: Xyz::Control, Xyz::View,
1237Xyz::Model etc. Use the modules in this list as a naming guide.
1238
1239If adding a new module to a set, follow the original author's
1240standards for naming modules and the interface to methods in
1241those modules.
1242
1243If developing modules for private internal or project specific use,
1244that will never be released to the public, then you should ensure
1245that their names will not clash with any future public module. You
1246can do this either by using the reserved Local::* category or by
1247using a category name that includes an underscore like Foo_Corp::*.
1248
1249To be portable each component of a module name should be limited to
125011 characters. If it might be used on MS-DOS then try to ensure each is
1251unique in the first 8 characters. Nested modules make this easier.
1252
1253=item  *
1254
1255Have you got it right?
1256
1257How do you know that you've made the right decisions? Have you
1258picked an interface design that will cause problems later? Have
1259you picked the most appropriate name? Do you have any questions?
1260
1261The best way to know for sure, and pick up many helpful suggestions,
1262is to ask someone who knows. Comp.lang.perl.misc is read by just about
1263all the people who develop modules and it's the best place to ask.
1264
1265All you need to do is post a short summary of the module, its
1266purpose and interfaces. A few lines on each of the main methods is
1267probably enough. (If you post the whole module it might be ignored
1268by busy people - generally the very people you want to read it!)
1269
1270Don't worry about posting if you can't say when the module will be
1271ready - just say so in the message. It might be worth inviting
1272others to help you, they may be able to complete it for you!
1273
1274=item  *
1275
1276README and other Additional Files.
1277
1278It's well known that software developers usually fully document the
1279software they write. If, however, the world is in urgent need of
1280your software and there is not enough time to write the full
1281documentation please at least provide a README file containing:
1282
1283=over 10
1284
1285=item *
1286
1287A description of the module/package/extension etc.
1288
1289=item *
1290
1291A copyright notice - see below.
1292
1293=item *
1294
1295Prerequisites - what else you may need to have.
1296
1297=item *
1298
1299How to build it - possible changes to Makefile.PL etc.
1300
1301=item *
1302
1303How to install it.
1304
1305=item *
1306
1307Recent changes in this release, especially incompatibilities
1308
1309=item *
1310
1311Changes / enhancements you plan to make in the future.
1312
1313=back
1314
1315If the README file seems to be getting too large you may wish to
1316split out some of the sections into separate files: INSTALL,
1317Copying, ToDo etc.
1318
1319=over 4
1320
1321=item *
1322
1323Adding a Copyright Notice.
1324
1325How you choose to license your work is a personal decision.
1326The general mechanism is to assert your Copyright and then make
1327a declaration of how others may copy/use/modify your work.
1328
1329Perl, for example, is supplied with two types of licence: The GNU GPL
1330and The Artistic Licence (see the files README, Copying, and Artistic,
1331or L<perlgpl> and L<perlartistic>).  Larry has good reasons for NOT
1332just using the GNU GPL.
1333
1334My personal recommendation, out of respect for Larry, Perl, and the
1335Perl community at large is to state something simply like:
1336
1337 Copyright (c) 1995 Your Name. All rights reserved.
1338 This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
1339 modify it under the same terms as Perl itself.
1340
1341This statement should at least appear in the README file. You may
1342also wish to include it in a Copying file and your source files.
1343Remember to include the other words in addition to the Copyright.
1344
1345=item  *
1346
1347Give the module a version/issue/release number.
1348
1349To be fully compatible with the Exporter and MakeMaker modules you
1350should store your module's version number in a non-my package
1351variable called $VERSION.  This should be a floating point
1352number with at least two digits after the decimal (i.e., hundredths,
1353e.g, C<$VERSION = "0.01">).  Don't use a "1.3.2" style version.
1354See L<Exporter> for details.
1355
1356It may be handy to add a function or method to retrieve the number.
1357Use the number in announcements and archive file names when
1358releasing the module (ModuleName-1.02.tar.Z).
1359See perldoc ExtUtils::MakeMaker.pm for details.
1360
1361=item  *
1362
1363How to release and distribute a module.
1364
1365It's good idea to post an announcement of the availability of your
1366module (or the module itself if small) to the comp.lang.perl.announce
1367Usenet newsgroup.  This will at least ensure very wide once-off
1368distribution.
1369
1370If possible, register the module with CPAN.  You should
1371include details of its location in your announcement.
1372
1373Some notes about ftp archives: Please use a long descriptive file
1374name that includes the version number. Most incoming directories
1375will not be readable/listable, i.e., you won't be able to see your
1376file after uploading it. Remember to send your email notification
1377message as soon as possible after uploading else your file may get
1378deleted automatically. Allow time for the file to be processed
1379and/or check the file has been processed before announcing its
1380location.
1381
1382FTP Archives for Perl Modules:
1383
1384Follow the instructions and links on:
1385
1386   http://www.cpan.org/modules/00modlist.long.html
1387   http://www.cpan.org/modules/04pause.html
1388
1389or upload to one of these sites:
1390
1391   https://pause.kbx.de/pause/
1392   http://pause.perl.org/
1393
1394and notify <modules@perl.org>.
1395
1396By using the WWW interface you can ask the Upload Server to mirror
1397your modules from your ftp or WWW site into your own directory on
1398CPAN!
1399
1400Please remember to send me an updated entry for the Module list!
1401
1402=item  *
1403
1404Take care when changing a released module.
1405
1406Always strive to remain compatible with previous released versions.
1407Otherwise try to add a mechanism to revert to the
1408old behavior if people rely on it.  Document incompatible changes.
1409
1410=back
1411
1412=head2 Guidelines for Converting Perl 4 Library Scripts into Modules
1413
1414=over 4
1415
1416=item  *
1417
1418There is no requirement to convert anything.
1419
1420If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Perl 4 library scripts should
1421continue to work with no problems. You may need to make some minor
1422changes (like escaping non-array @'s in double quoted strings) but
1423there is no need to convert a .pl file into a Module for just that.
1424
1425=item  *
1426
1427Consider the implications.
1428
1429All Perl applications that make use of the script will need to
1430be changed (slightly) if the script is converted into a module.  Is
1431it worth it unless you plan to make other changes at the same time?
1432
1433=item  *
1434
1435Make the most of the opportunity.
1436
1437If you are going to convert the script to a module you can use the
1438opportunity to redesign the interface.  The guidelines for module
1439creation above include many of the issues you should consider.
1440
1441=item  *
1442
1443The pl2pm utility will get you started.
1444
1445This utility will read *.pl files (given as parameters) and write
1446corresponding *.pm files. The pl2pm utilities does the following:
1447
1448=over 10
1449
1450=item *
1451
1452Adds the standard Module prologue lines
1453
1454=item *
1455
1456Converts package specifiers from ' to ::
1457
1458=item *
1459
1460Converts die(...) to croak(...)
1461
1462=item *
1463
1464Several other minor changes
1465
1466=back
1467
1468Being a mechanical process pl2pm is not bullet proof. The converted
1469code will need careful checking, especially any package statements.
1470Don't delete the original .pl file till the new .pm one works!
1471
1472=back
1473
1474=head2 Guidelines for Reusing Application Code
1475
1476=over 4
1477
1478=item  *
1479
1480Complete applications rarely belong in the Perl Module Library.
1481
1482=item  *
1483
1484Many applications contain some Perl code that could be reused.
1485
1486Help save the world! Share your code in a form that makes it easy
1487to reuse.
1488
1489=item  *
1490
1491Break-out the reusable code into one or more separate module files.
1492
1493=item  *
1494
1495Take the opportunity to reconsider and redesign the interfaces.
1496
1497=item  *
1498
1499In some cases the 'application' can then be reduced to a small
1500
1501fragment of code built on top of the reusable modules. In these cases
1502the application could invoked as:
1503
1504     % perl -e 'use Module::Name; method(@ARGV)' ...
1505or
1506     % perl -mModule::Name ...    (in perl5.002 or higher)
1507
1508=back
1509
1510=back
1511
1512=head1 NOTE
1513
1514Perl does not enforce private and public parts of its modules as you may
1515have been used to in other languages like C++, Ada, or Modula-17.  Perl
1516doesn't have an infatuation with enforced privacy.  It would prefer
1517that you stayed out of its living room because you weren't invited, not
1518because it has a shotgun.
1519
1520The module and its user have a contract, part of which is common law,
1521and part of which is "written".  Part of the common law contract is
1522that a module doesn't pollute any namespace it wasn't asked to.  The
1523written contract for the module (A.K.A. documentation) may make other
1524provisions.  But then you know when you C<use RedefineTheWorld> that
1525you're redefining the world and willing to take the consequences.
1526EOF
1527
1528close MANIFEST or warn "$0: failed to close MANIFEST (../MANIFEST): $!";
1529close OUT      or warn "$0: failed to close OUT (perlmodlib.pod): $!";
1530
1531