NAME
perlmodlib - constructing new Perl modules and finding existing ones
THE PERL MODULE LIBRARY
Many modules are included in the Perl distribution. These are described below, and all end in .pm. You may discover compiled library files (usually ending in .so) or small pieces of modules to be autoloaded (ending in .al); these were automatically generated by the installation process. You may also discover files in the library directory that end in either .pl or .ph. These are old libraries supplied so that old programs that use them still run. The .pl files will all eventually be converted into standard modules, and the .ph files made by h2ph will probably end up as extension modules made by h2xs. (Some .ph values may already be available through the POSIX, Errno, or Fcntl modules.) The pl2pm file in the distribution may help in your conversion, but it's just a mechanical process and therefore far from bulletproof.
Pragmatic Modules
They work somewhat like compiler directives (pragmata) in that they tend to affect the compilation of your program, and thus will usually work well only when used within a use
, or no
. Most of these are lexically scoped, so an inner BLOCK may countermand them by saying:
no integer; no strict 'refs'; no warnings;
which lasts until the end of that BLOCK.
Some pragmas are lexically scoped--typically those that affect the $^H
hints variable. Others affect the current package instead, like use vars
and use subs
, which allow you to predeclare a variables or subroutines within a particular file rather than just a block. Such declarations are effective for the entire file for which they were declared. You cannot rescind them with no
vars
or no subs
.
The following pragmas are defined (and have their own documentation).
-
arybase
Set indexing base via $[
-
attributes
Get/set subroutine or variable attributes
-
autodie
Replace functions with ones that succeed or die with lexical scope
-
autodie::exception
Exceptions from autodying functions.
-
autodie::exception::system
Exceptions from autodying system().
-
autodie::hints
Provide hints about user subroutines to autodie
-
autodie::skip
Skip a package when throwing autodie exceptions
-
autouse
Postpone load of modules until a function is used
-
base
Establish an ISA relationship with base classes at compile time
-
bigint
Transparent BigInteger support for Perl
-
bignum
Transparent BigNumber support for Perl
-
bigrat
Transparent BigNumber/BigRational support for Perl
-
blib
Use MakeMaker's uninstalled version of a package
-
bytes
Force byte semantics rather than character semantics
-
charnames
Access to Unicode character names and named character sequences; also define character names
-
constant
Declare constants
-
deprecate
Perl pragma for deprecating the core version of a module
-
diagnostics
Produce verbose warning diagnostics
-
encoding
Allows you to write your script in non-ASCII and non-UTF-8
-
encoding::warnings
Warn on implicit encoding conversions
-
experimental
Experimental features made easy
-
feature
Enable new features
-
fields
Compile-time class fields
-
filetest
Control the filetest permission operators
-
if
use
a Perl module if a condition holds (also canno
a module) -
integer
Use integer arithmetic instead of floating point
-
less
Request less of something
-
lib
Manipulate @INC at compile time
-
locale
Use or avoid POSIX locales for built-in operations
-
mro
Method Resolution Order
-
ok
Alternative to Test::More::use_ok
-
open
Set default PerlIO layers for input and output
-
ops
Restrict unsafe operations when compiling
-
overload
Package for overloading Perl operations
-
overloading
Lexically control overloading
-
parent
Establish an ISA relationship with base classes at compile time
-
re
Alter regular expression behaviour
-
sigtrap
Enable simple signal handling
-
sort
Control sort() behaviour
-
strict
Restrict unsafe constructs
-
subs
Predeclare sub names
-
threads
Perl interpreter-based threads
-
threads::shared
Perl extension for sharing data structures between threads
-
utf8
Enable/disable UTF-8 (or UTF-EBCDIC) in source code
-
vars
Predeclare global variable names
-
version
Perl extension for Version Objects
-
vmsish
Control VMS-specific language features
-
warnings::register
Warnings import function
Standard Modules
Standard, bundled modules are all expected to behave in a well-defined manner with respect to namespace pollution because they use the Exporter module. See their own documentation for details.
It's possible that not all modules listed below are installed on your system. For example, the GDBM_File module will not be installed if you don't have the gdbm library.
-
AnyDBM_File
Provide framework for multiple DBMs
-
App::Cpan
Easily interact with CPAN from the command line
-
App::Prove
Implements the
prove
command. -
App::Prove::State
State storage for the
prove
command. -
App::Prove::State::Result
Individual test suite results.
-
App::Prove::State::Result::Test
Individual test results.
-
Archive::Tar
Module for manipulations of tar archives
-
Archive::Tar::File
A subclass for in-memory extracted file from Archive::Tar
-
Attribute::Handlers
Simpler definition of attribute handlers
-
AutoLoader
Load subroutines only on demand
-
AutoSplit
Split a package for autoloading
-
B
The Perl Compiler Backend
-
B::Concise
Walk Perl syntax tree, printing concise info about ops
-
B::Debug
Walk Perl syntax tree, printing debug info about ops
-
B::Deparse
Perl compiler backend to produce perl code
-
B::Op_private
OP op_private flag definitions
-
B::Showlex
Show lexical variables used in functions or files
-
B::Terse
Walk Perl syntax tree, printing terse info about ops
-
B::Xref
Generates cross reference reports for Perl programs
-
Benchmark
Benchmark running times of Perl code
-
IO::Socket::IP
Family-neutral IP socket supporting both IPv4 and IPv6
-
Socket
Networking constants and support functions
-
CORE
Namespace for Perl's core routines
-
CPAN
Query, download and build perl modules from CPAN sites
-
CPAN::API::HOWTO
A recipe book for programming with CPAN.pm
-
CPAN::Debug
Internal debugging for CPAN.pm
-
CPAN::Distroprefs
Read and match distroprefs
-
CPAN::FirstTime
Utility for CPAN::Config file Initialization
-
CPAN::HandleConfig
Internal configuration handling for CPAN.pm
-
CPAN::Kwalify
Interface between CPAN.pm and Kwalify.pm
-
CPAN::Meta
The distribution metadata for a CPAN dist
-
CPAN::Meta::Converter
Convert CPAN distribution metadata structures
-
CPAN::Meta::Feature
An optional feature provided by a CPAN distribution
-
CPAN::Meta::History
History of CPAN Meta Spec changes
-
CPAN::Meta::History::Meta_1_0
Version 1.0 metadata specification for META.yml
-
CPAN::Meta::History::Meta_1_1
Version 1.1 metadata specification for META.yml
-
CPAN::Meta::History::Meta_1_2
Version 1.2 metadata specification for META.yml
-
CPAN::Meta::History::Meta_1_3
Version 1.3 metadata specification for META.yml
-
CPAN::Meta::History::Meta_1_4
Version 1.4 metadata specification for META.yml
-
CPAN::Meta::Merge
Merging CPAN Meta fragments
-
CPAN::Meta::Prereqs
A set of distribution prerequisites by phase and type
-
CPAN::Meta::Requirements
A set of version requirements for a CPAN dist
-
CPAN::Meta::Spec
Specification for CPAN distribution metadata
-
CPAN::Meta::Validator
Validate CPAN distribution metadata structures
-
CPAN::Meta::YAML
Read and write a subset of YAML for CPAN Meta files
-
CPAN::Nox
Wrapper around CPAN.pm without using any XS module
-
CPAN::Plugin
Base class for CPAN shell extensions
-
CPAN::Plugin::Specfile
Proof of concept implementation of a trivial CPAN::Plugin
-
CPAN::Queue
Internal queue support for CPAN.pm
-
CPAN::Tarzip
Internal handling of tar archives for CPAN.pm
-
CPAN::Version
Utility functions to compare CPAN versions
-
Carp
Alternative warn and die for modules
-
Class::Struct
Declare struct-like datatypes as Perl classes
-
Compress::Raw::Bzip2
Low-Level Interface to bzip2 compression library
-
Compress::Raw::Zlib
Low-Level Interface to zlib compression library
-
Compress::Zlib
Interface to zlib compression library
-
Config
Access Perl configuration information
-
Config::Perl::V
Structured data retrieval of perl -V output
-
Cwd
Get pathname of current working directory
-
DB
Programmatic interface to the Perl debugging API
-
DBM_Filter
Filter DBM keys/values
-
DBM_Filter::compress
Filter for DBM_Filter
-
DBM_Filter::encode
Filter for DBM_Filter
-
DBM_Filter::int32
Filter for DBM_Filter
-
DBM_Filter::null
Filter for DBM_Filter
-
DBM_Filter::utf8
Filter for DBM_Filter
-
DB_File
Perl5 access to Berkeley DB version 1.x
-
Data::Dumper
Stringified perl data structures, suitable for both printing and
eval
-
Devel::PPPort
Perl/Pollution/Portability
-
Devel::Peek
A data debugging tool for the XS programmer
-
Devel::SelfStubber
Generate stubs for a SelfLoading module
-
Digest
Modules that calculate message digests
-
Digest::MD5
Perl interface to the MD5 Algorithm
-
Digest::SHA
Perl extension for SHA-1/224/256/384/512
-
Digest::base
Digest base class
-
Digest::file
Calculate digests of files
-
DirHandle
Supply object methods for directory handles
-
Dumpvalue
Provides screen dump of Perl data.
-
DynaLoader
Dynamically load C libraries into Perl code
-
Encode
Character encodings in Perl
-
Encode::Alias
Alias definitions to encodings
-
Encode::Byte
Single Byte Encodings
-
Encode::CJKConstants
Internally used by Encode::??::ISO_2022_*
-
Encode::CN
China-based Chinese Encodings
-
Encode::CN::HZ
Internally used by Encode::CN
-
Encode::Config
Internally used by Encode
-
Encode::EBCDIC
EBCDIC Encodings
-
Encode::Encoder
Object Oriented Encoder
-
Encode::Encoding
Encode Implementation Base Class
-
Encode::GSM0338
ESTI GSM 03.38 Encoding
-
Encode::Guess
Guesses encoding from data
-
Encode::JP
Japanese Encodings
-
Encode::JP::H2Z
Internally used by Encode::JP::2022_JP*
-
Encode::JP::JIS7
Internally used by Encode::JP
-
Encode::KR
Korean Encodings
-
Encode::KR::2022_KR
Internally used by Encode::KR
-
Encode::MIME::Header
MIME 'B' and 'Q' header encoding
-
Encode::MIME::Name
Internally used by Encode
-
Encode::PerlIO
A detailed document on Encode and PerlIO
-
Encode::Supported
Encodings supported by Encode
-
Encode::Symbol
Symbol Encodings
-
Encode::TW
Taiwan-based Chinese Encodings
-
Encode::Unicode
Various Unicode Transformation Formats
-
Encode::Unicode::UTF7
UTF-7 encoding
-
English
Use nice English (or awk) names for ugly punctuation variables
-
Env
Perl module that imports environment variables as scalars or arrays
-
Errno
System errno constants
-
Exporter
Implements default import method for modules
-
Exporter::Heavy
Exporter guts
-
ExtUtils::CBuilder
Compile and link C code for Perl modules
-
ExtUtils::CBuilder::Platform::Windows
Builder class for Windows platforms
-
ExtUtils::Command
Utilities to replace common UNIX commands in Makefiles etc.
-
ExtUtils::Command::MM
Commands for the MM's to use in Makefiles
-
ExtUtils::Constant
Generate XS code to import C header constants
-
ExtUtils::Constant::Base
Base class for ExtUtils::Constant objects
-
ExtUtils::Constant::Utils
Helper functions for ExtUtils::Constant
-
ExtUtils::Constant::XS
Generate C code for XS modules' constants.
-
ExtUtils::Embed
Utilities for embedding Perl in C/C++ applications
-
ExtUtils::Install
Install files from here to there
-
ExtUtils::Installed
Inventory management of installed modules
-
ExtUtils::Liblist
Determine libraries to use and how to use them
-
ExtUtils::MM
OS adjusted ExtUtils::MakeMaker subclass
-
ExtUtils::MM_AIX
AIX specific subclass of ExtUtils::MM_Unix
-
ExtUtils::MM_Any
Platform-agnostic MM methods
-
ExtUtils::MM_BeOS
Methods to override UN*X behaviour in ExtUtils::MakeMaker
-
ExtUtils::MM_Cygwin
Methods to override UN*X behaviour in ExtUtils::MakeMaker
-
ExtUtils::MM_DOS
DOS specific subclass of ExtUtils::MM_Unix
-
ExtUtils::MM_Darwin
Special behaviors for OS X
-
ExtUtils::MM_MacOS
Once produced Makefiles for MacOS Classic
-
ExtUtils::MM_NW5
Methods to override UN*X behaviour in ExtUtils::MakeMaker
-
ExtUtils::MM_OS2
Methods to override UN*X behaviour in ExtUtils::MakeMaker
-
ExtUtils::MM_QNX
QNX specific subclass of ExtUtils::MM_Unix
-
ExtUtils::MM_UWIN
U/WIN specific subclass of ExtUtils::MM_Unix
-
ExtUtils::MM_Unix
Methods used by ExtUtils::MakeMaker
-
ExtUtils::MM_VMS
Methods to override UN*X behaviour in ExtUtils::MakeMaker
-
ExtUtils::MM_VOS
VOS specific subclass of ExtUtils::MM_Unix
-
ExtUtils::MM_Win32
Methods to override UN*X behaviour in ExtUtils::MakeMaker
-
ExtUtils::MM_Win95
Method to customize MakeMaker for Win9X
-
ExtUtils::MY
ExtUtils::MakeMaker subclass for customization
-
ExtUtils::MakeMaker
Create a module Makefile
-
ExtUtils::MakeMaker::Config
Wrapper around Config.pm
-
ExtUtils::MakeMaker::FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About MakeMaker
-
ExtUtils::MakeMaker::Locale
Bundled Encode::Locale
-
ExtUtils::MakeMaker::Tutorial
Writing a module with MakeMaker
-
ExtUtils::Manifest
Utilities to write and check a MANIFEST file
-
ExtUtils::Miniperl
Write the C code for perlmain.c
-
ExtUtils::Mkbootstrap
Make a bootstrap file for use by DynaLoader
-
ExtUtils::Mksymlists
Write linker options files for dynamic extension
-
ExtUtils::Packlist
Manage .packlist files
-
ExtUtils::ParseXS
Converts Perl XS code into C code
-
ExtUtils::ParseXS::Constants
Initialization values for some globals
-
ExtUtils::ParseXS::Eval
Clean package to evaluate code in
-
ExtUtils::ParseXS::Utilities
Subroutines used with ExtUtils::ParseXS
-
ExtUtils::Typemaps
Read/Write/Modify Perl/XS typemap files
-
ExtUtils::Typemaps::Cmd
Quick commands for handling typemaps
-
ExtUtils::Typemaps::InputMap
Entry in the INPUT section of a typemap
-
ExtUtils::Typemaps::OutputMap
Entry in the OUTPUT section of a typemap
-
ExtUtils::Typemaps::Type
Entry in the TYPEMAP section of a typemap
-
ExtUtils::XSSymSet
Keep sets of symbol names palatable to the VMS linker
-
ExtUtils::testlib
Add blib/* directories to @INC
-
Fatal
Replace functions with equivalents which succeed or die
-
Fcntl
Load the C Fcntl.h defines
-
File::Basename
Parse file paths into directory, filename and suffix.
-
File::Compare
Compare files or filehandles
-
File::Copy
Copy files or filehandles
-
File::DosGlob
DOS like globbing and then some
-
File::Fetch
A generic file fetching mechanism
-
File::Find
Traverse a directory tree.
-
File::Glob
Perl extension for BSD glob routine
-
File::GlobMapper
Extend File Glob to Allow Input and Output Files
-
File::Path
Create or remove directory trees
-
File::Spec
Portably perform operations on file names
-
File::Spec::Cygwin
Methods for Cygwin file specs
-
File::Spec::Epoc
Methods for Epoc file specs
-
File::Spec::Functions
Portably perform operations on file names
-
File::Spec::Mac
File::Spec for Mac OS (Classic)
-
File::Spec::OS2
Methods for OS/2 file specs
-
File::Spec::Unix
File::Spec for Unix, base for other File::Spec modules
-
File::Spec::VMS
Methods for VMS file specs
-
File::Spec::Win32
Methods for Win32 file specs
-
File::Temp
Return name and handle of a temporary file safely
-
File::stat
By-name interface to Perl's built-in stat() functions
-
FileCache
Keep more files open than the system permits
-
FileHandle
Supply object methods for filehandles
-
Filter::Simple
Simplified source filtering
-
Filter::Util::Call
Perl Source Filter Utility Module
-
FindBin
Locate directory of original perl script
-
GDBM_File
Perl5 access to the gdbm library.
-
Getopt::Long
Extended processing of command line options
-
Getopt::Std
Process single-character switches with switch clustering
-
HTTP::Tiny
A small, simple, correct HTTP/1.1 client
-
Hash::Util
A selection of general-utility hash subroutines
-
Hash::Util::FieldHash
Support for Inside-Out Classes
-
I18N::Collate
Compare 8-bit scalar data according to the current locale
-
I18N::LangTags
Functions for dealing with RFC3066-style language tags
-
I18N::LangTags::Detect
Detect the user's language preferences
-
I18N::LangTags::List
Tags and names for human languages
-
I18N::Langinfo
Query locale information
-
IO
Load various IO modules
-
IO::Compress::Base
Base Class for IO::Compress modules
-
IO::Compress::Bzip2
Write bzip2 files/buffers
-
IO::Compress::Deflate
Write RFC 1950 files/buffers
-
IO::Compress::FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about IO::Compress
-
IO::Compress::Gzip
Write RFC 1952 files/buffers
-
IO::Compress::RawDeflate
Write RFC 1951 files/buffers
-
IO::Compress::Zip
Write zip files/buffers
-
IO::Dir
Supply object methods for directory handles
-
IO::File
Supply object methods for filehandles
-
IO::Handle
Supply object methods for I/O handles
-
IO::Pipe
Supply object methods for pipes
-
IO::Poll
Object interface to system poll call
-
IO::Seekable
Supply seek based methods for I/O objects
-
IO::Select
OO interface to the select system call
-
IO::Socket
Object interface to socket communications
-
IO::Socket::INET
Object interface for AF_INET domain sockets
-
IO::Socket::UNIX
Object interface for AF_UNIX domain sockets
-
IO::Uncompress::AnyInflate
Uncompress zlib-based (zip, gzip) file/buffer
-
IO::Uncompress::AnyUncompress
Uncompress gzip, zip, bzip2 or lzop file/buffer
-
IO::Uncompress::Base
Base Class for IO::Uncompress modules
-
IO::Uncompress::Bunzip2
Read bzip2 files/buffers
-
IO::Uncompress::Gunzip
Read RFC 1952 files/buffers
-
IO::Uncompress::Inflate
Read RFC 1950 files/buffers
-
IO::Uncompress::RawInflate
Read RFC 1951 files/buffers
-
IO::Uncompress::Unzip
Read zip files/buffers
-
IO::Zlib
IO:: style interface to Compress::Zlib
-
IPC::Cmd
Finding and running system commands made easy
-
IPC::Msg
SysV Msg IPC object class
-
IPC::Open2
Open a process for both reading and writing using open2()
-
IPC::Open3
Open a process for reading, writing, and error handling using open3()
-
IPC::Semaphore
SysV Semaphore IPC object class
-
IPC::SharedMem
SysV Shared Memory IPC object class
-
IPC::SysV
System V IPC constants and system calls
-
JSON::PP
JSON::XS compatible pure-Perl module.
-
JSON::PP::Boolean
Dummy module providing JSON::PP::Boolean
-
List::Util
A selection of general-utility list subroutines
-
List::Util::XS
Indicate if List::Util was compiled with a C compiler
-
Locale::Codes
A distribution of modules to handle locale codes
-
Locale::Codes::API
A description of the callable function in each module
-
Locale::Codes::Changes
Details changes to Locale::Codes
-
Locale::Codes::Constants
Constants for Locale codes
-
Locale::Codes::Country
Standard codes for country identification
-
Locale::Codes::Currency
Standard codes for currency identification
-
Locale::Codes::LangExt
Standard codes for language extension identification
-
Locale::Codes::LangFam
Standard codes for language extension identification
-
Locale::Codes::LangFam_Retired
Retired langfam codes for the Locale::Codes::LangFam module
-
Locale::Codes::LangVar
Standard codes for language variation identification
-
Locale::Codes::Language
Standard codes for language identification
-
Locale::Codes::Script
Standard codes for script identification
-
Locale::Country
Standard codes for country identification
-
Locale::Currency
Standard codes for currency identification
-
Locale::Language
Standard codes for language identification
-
Locale::Maketext
Framework for localization
-
Locale::Maketext::Cookbook
Recipes for using Locale::Maketext
-
Locale::Maketext::Guts
Deprecated module to load Locale::Maketext utf8 code
-
Locale::Maketext::GutsLoader
Deprecated module to load Locale::Maketext utf8 code
-
Locale::Maketext::Simple
Simple interface to Locale::Maketext::Lexicon
-
Locale::Maketext::TPJ13
Article about software localization
-
Locale::Script
Standard codes for script identification
-
MIME::Base64
Encoding and decoding of base64 strings
-
MIME::QuotedPrint
Encoding and decoding of quoted-printable strings
-
Math::BigFloat
Arbitrary size floating point math package
-
Math::BigInt
Arbitrary size integer/float math package
-
Math::BigInt::Calc
Pure Perl module to support Math::BigInt
-
Math::BigInt::CalcEmu
Emulate low-level math with BigInt code
-
Math::BigInt::FastCalc
Math::BigInt::Calc with some XS for more speed
-
Math::BigRat
Arbitrary big rational numbers
-
Math::Complex
Complex numbers and associated mathematical functions
-
Math::Trig
Trigonometric functions
-
Memoize
Make functions faster by trading space for time
-
Memoize::AnyDBM_File
Glue to provide EXISTS for AnyDBM_File for Storable use
-
Memoize::Expire
Plug-in module for automatic expiration of memoized values
-
Memoize::ExpireFile
Test for Memoize expiration semantics
-
Memoize::ExpireTest
Test for Memoize expiration semantics
-
Memoize::NDBM_File
Glue to provide EXISTS for NDBM_File for Storable use
-
Memoize::SDBM_File
Glue to provide EXISTS for SDBM_File for Storable use
-
Memoize::Storable
Store Memoized data in Storable database
-
Module::CoreList
What modules shipped with versions of perl
-
Module::CoreList::Utils
What utilities shipped with versions of perl
-
Module::Load
Runtime require of both modules and files
-
Module::Load::Conditional
Looking up module information / loading at runtime
-
Module::Loaded
Mark modules as loaded or unloaded
-
Module::Metadata
Gather package and POD information from perl module files
-
NDBM_File
Tied access to ndbm files
-
NEXT
Provide a pseudo-class NEXT (et al) that allows method redispatch
-
Net::Cmd
Network Command class (as used by FTP, SMTP etc)
-
Net::Config
Local configuration data for libnet
-
Net::Domain
Attempt to evaluate the current host's internet name and domain
-
Net::FTP
FTP Client class
-
Net::FTP::dataconn
FTP Client data connection class
-
Net::NNTP
NNTP Client class
-
Net::Netrc
OO interface to users netrc file
-
Net::POP3
Post Office Protocol 3 Client class (RFC1939)
-
Net::Ping
Check a remote host for reachability
-
Net::SMTP
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol Client
-
Net::Time
Time and daytime network client interface
-
Net::hostent
By-name interface to Perl's built-in gethost*() functions
-
Net::libnetFAQ
Libnet Frequently Asked Questions
-
Net::netent
By-name interface to Perl's built-in getnet*() functions
-
Net::protoent
By-name interface to Perl's built-in getproto*() functions
-
Net::servent
By-name interface to Perl's built-in getserv*() functions
-
O
Generic interface to Perl Compiler backends
-
ODBM_File
Tied access to odbm files
-
Opcode
Disable named opcodes when compiling perl code
-
POSIX
Perl interface to IEEE Std 1003.1
-
Params::Check
A generic input parsing/checking mechanism.
-
Parse::CPAN::Meta
Parse META.yml and META.json CPAN metadata files
-
Perl::OSType
Map Perl operating system names to generic types
-
PerlIO
On demand loader for PerlIO layers and root of PerlIO::* name space
-
PerlIO::encoding
Encoding layer
-
PerlIO::mmap
Memory mapped IO
-
PerlIO::scalar
In-memory IO, scalar IO
-
PerlIO::via
Helper class for PerlIO layers implemented in perl
-
PerlIO::via::QuotedPrint
PerlIO layer for quoted-printable strings
-
Pod::Escapes
For resolving Pod E<...> sequences
-
Pod::Find
Find POD documents in directory trees
-
Pod::Functions
Group Perl's functions a la perlfunc.pod
-
Pod::Html
Module to convert pod files to HTML
-
Pod::InputObjects
Objects representing POD input paragraphs, commands, etc.
-
Pod::Man
Convert POD data to formatted *roff input
-
Pod::ParseLink
Parse an L<> formatting code in POD text
-
Pod::ParseUtils
Helpers for POD parsing and conversion
-
Pod::Parser
Base class for creating POD filters and translators
-
Pod::Perldoc
Look up Perl documentation in Pod format.
-
Pod::Perldoc::BaseTo
Base for Pod::Perldoc formatters
-
Pod::Perldoc::GetOptsOO
Customized option parser for Pod::Perldoc
-
Pod::Perldoc::ToANSI
Render Pod with ANSI color escapes
-
Pod::Perldoc::ToChecker
Let Perldoc check Pod for errors
-
Pod::Perldoc::ToMan
Let Perldoc render Pod as man pages
-
Pod::Perldoc::ToNroff
Let Perldoc convert Pod to nroff
-
Pod::Perldoc::ToPod
Let Perldoc render Pod as ... Pod!
-
Pod::Perldoc::ToRtf
Let Perldoc render Pod as RTF
-
Pod::Perldoc::ToTerm
Render Pod with terminal escapes
-
Pod::Perldoc::ToText
Let Perldoc render Pod as plaintext
-
Pod::Perldoc::ToTk
Let Perldoc use Tk::Pod to render Pod
-
Pod::Perldoc::ToXml
Let Perldoc render Pod as XML
-
Pod::PlainText
Convert POD data to formatted ASCII text
-
Pod::Select
Extract selected sections of POD from input
-
Pod::Simple
Framework for parsing Pod
-
Pod::Simple::Checker
Check the Pod syntax of a document
-
Pod::Simple::Debug
Put Pod::Simple into trace/debug mode
-
Pod::Simple::DumpAsText
Dump Pod-parsing events as text
-
Pod::Simple::DumpAsXML
Turn Pod into XML
-
Pod::Simple::HTML
Convert Pod to HTML
-
Pod::Simple::HTMLBatch
Convert several Pod files to several HTML files
-
Pod::Simple::LinkSection
Represent "section" attributes of L codes
-
Pod::Simple::Methody
Turn Pod::Simple events into method calls
-
Pod::Simple::PullParser
A pull-parser interface to parsing Pod
-
Pod::Simple::PullParserEndToken
End-tokens from Pod::Simple::PullParser
-
Pod::Simple::PullParserStartToken
Start-tokens from Pod::Simple::PullParser
-
Pod::Simple::PullParserTextToken
Text-tokens from Pod::Simple::PullParser
-
Pod::Simple::PullParserToken
Tokens from Pod::Simple::PullParser
-
Pod::Simple::RTF
Format Pod as RTF
-
Pod::Simple::Search
Find POD documents in directory trees
-
Pod::Simple::SimpleTree
Parse Pod into a simple parse tree
-
Pod::Simple::Subclassing
Write a formatter as a Pod::Simple subclass
-
Pod::Simple::Text
Format Pod as plaintext
-
Pod::Simple::TextContent
Get the text content of Pod
-
Pod::Simple::XHTML
Format Pod as validating XHTML
-
Pod::Simple::XMLOutStream
Turn Pod into XML
-
Pod::Text
Convert POD data to formatted ASCII text
-
Pod::Text::Color
Convert POD data to formatted color ASCII text
-
Pod::Text::Termcap
Convert POD data to ASCII text with format escapes
-
Pod::Usage
Print a usage message from embedded pod documentation
-
SDBM_File
Tied access to sdbm files
-
Safe
Compile and execute code in restricted compartments
-
Scalar::Util
A selection of general-utility scalar subroutines
-
Search::Dict
Look - search for key in dictionary file
-
SelectSaver
Save and restore selected file handle
-
SelfLoader
Load functions only on demand
-
Storable
Persistence for Perl data structures
-
Sub::Util
A selection of utility subroutines for subs and CODE references
-
Symbol
Manipulate Perl symbols and their names
-
Sys::Hostname
Try every conceivable way to get hostname
-
Sys::Syslog
Perl interface to the UNIX syslog(3) calls
-
Sys::Syslog::Win32
Win32 support for Sys::Syslog
-
TAP::Base
Base class that provides common functionality to TAP::Parser
-
TAP::Formatter::Base
Base class for harness output delegates
-
TAP::Formatter::Color
Run Perl test scripts with color
-
TAP::Formatter::Console
Harness output delegate for default console output
-
TAP::Formatter::Console::ParallelSession
Harness output delegate for parallel console output
-
TAP::Formatter::Console::Session
Harness output delegate for default console output
-
TAP::Formatter::File
Harness output delegate for file output
-
TAP::Formatter::File::Session
Harness output delegate for file output
-
TAP::Formatter::Session
Abstract base class for harness output delegate
-
TAP::Harness
Run test scripts with statistics
-
TAP::Harness::Env
Parsing harness related environmental variables where appropriate
-
TAP::Object
Base class that provides common functionality to all
TAP::*
modules -
TAP::Parser
Parse TAP output
-
TAP::Parser::Aggregator
Aggregate TAP::Parser results
-
TAP::Parser::Grammar
A grammar for the Test Anything Protocol.
-
TAP::Parser::Iterator
Base class for TAP source iterators
-
TAP::Parser::Iterator::Array
Iterator for array-based TAP sources
-
TAP::Parser::Iterator::Process
Iterator for process-based TAP sources
-
TAP::Parser::Iterator::Stream
Iterator for filehandle-based TAP sources
-
TAP::Parser::IteratorFactory
Figures out which SourceHandler objects to use for a given Source
-
TAP::Parser::Multiplexer
Multiplex multiple TAP::Parsers
-
TAP::Parser::Result
Base class for TAP::Parser output objects
-
TAP::Parser::Result::Bailout
Bailout result token.
-
TAP::Parser::Result::Comment
Comment result token.
-
TAP::Parser::Result::Plan
Plan result token.
-
TAP::Parser::Result::Pragma
TAP pragma token.
-
TAP::Parser::Result::Test
Test result token.
-
TAP::Parser::Result::Unknown
Unknown result token.
-
TAP::Parser::Result::Version
TAP syntax version token.
-
TAP::Parser::Result::YAML
YAML result token.
-
TAP::Parser::ResultFactory
Factory for creating TAP::Parser output objects
-
TAP::Parser::Scheduler
Schedule tests during parallel testing
-
TAP::Parser::Scheduler::Job
A single testing job.
-
TAP::Parser::Scheduler::Spinner
A no-op job.
-
TAP::Parser::Source
A TAP source & meta data about it
-
TAP::Parser::SourceHandler
Base class for different TAP source handlers
-
TAP::Parser::SourceHandler::Executable
Stream output from an executable TAP source
-
TAP::Parser::SourceHandler::File
Stream TAP from a text file.
-
TAP::Parser::SourceHandler::Handle
Stream TAP from an IO::Handle or a GLOB.
-
TAP::Parser::SourceHandler::Perl
Stream TAP from a Perl executable
-
TAP::Parser::SourceHandler::RawTAP
Stream output from raw TAP in a scalar/array ref.
-
TAP::Parser::YAMLish::Reader
Read YAMLish data from iterator
-
TAP::Parser::YAMLish::Writer
Write YAMLish data
-
Term::ANSIColor
Color screen output using ANSI escape sequences
-
Term::Cap
Perl termcap interface
-
Term::Complete
Perl word completion module
-
Term::ReadLine
Perl interface to various
readline
packages. -
Test
Provides a simple framework for writing test scripts
-
Test::Builder
Backend for building test libraries
-
Test::Builder::IO::Scalar
A copy of IO::Scalar for Test::Builder
-
Test::Builder::Module
Base class for test modules
-
Test::Builder::Tester
Test testsuites that have been built with
-
Test::Builder::Tester::Color
Turn on colour in Test::Builder::Tester
-
Test::Harness
Run Perl standard test scripts with statistics
-
Test::Harness::Beyond
Beyond make test
-
Test::More
Yet another framework for writing test scripts
-
Test::Simple
Basic utilities for writing tests.
-
Test::Tester
Ease testing test modules built with Test::Builder
-
Test::Tester::Capture
Help testing test modules built with Test::Builder
-
Test::Tester::CaptureRunner
Help testing test modules built with Test::Builder
-
Test::Tutorial
A tutorial about writing really basic tests
-
Test::use::ok
Alternative to Test::More::use_ok
-
Text::Abbrev
Abbrev - create an abbreviation table from a list
-
Text::Balanced
Extract delimited text sequences from strings.
-
Text::ParseWords
Parse text into an array of tokens or array of arrays
-
Text::Tabs
Expand and unexpand tabs like unix expand(1) and unexpand(1)
-
Text::Wrap
Line wrapping to form simple paragraphs
-
Thread
Manipulate threads in Perl (for old code only)
-
Thread::Queue
Thread-safe queues
-
Thread::Semaphore
Thread-safe semaphores
-
Tie::Array
Base class for tied arrays
-
Tie::File
Access the lines of a disk file via a Perl array
-
Tie::Handle
Base class definitions for tied handles
-
Tie::Hash
Base class definitions for tied hashes
-
Tie::Hash::NamedCapture
Named regexp capture buffers
-
Tie::Memoize
Add data to hash when needed
-
Tie::RefHash
Use references as hash keys
-
Tie::Scalar
Base class definitions for tied scalars
-
Tie::StdHandle
Base class definitions for tied handles
-
Tie::SubstrHash
Fixed-table-size, fixed-key-length hashing
-
Time::HiRes
High resolution alarm, sleep, gettimeofday, interval timers
-
Time::Local
Efficiently compute time from local and GMT time
-
Time::Piece
Object Oriented time objects
-
Time::Seconds
A simple API to convert seconds to other date values
-
Time::gmtime
By-name interface to Perl's built-in gmtime() function
-
Time::localtime
By-name interface to Perl's built-in localtime() function
-
Time::tm
Internal object used by Time::gmtime and Time::localtime
-
UNIVERSAL
Base class for ALL classes (blessed references)
-
Unicode::Collate
Unicode Collation Algorithm
-
Unicode::Collate::CJK::Big5
Weighting CJK Unified Ideographs
-
Unicode::Collate::CJK::GB2312
Weighting CJK Unified Ideographs
-
Unicode::Collate::CJK::JISX0208
Weighting JIS KANJI for Unicode::Collate
-
Unicode::Collate::CJK::Korean
Weighting CJK Unified Ideographs
-
Unicode::Collate::CJK::Pinyin
Weighting CJK Unified Ideographs
-
Unicode::Collate::CJK::Stroke
Weighting CJK Unified Ideographs
-
Unicode::Collate::CJK::Zhuyin
Weighting CJK Unified Ideographs
-
Unicode::Collate::Locale
Linguistic tailoring for DUCET via Unicode::Collate
-
Unicode::Normalize
Unicode Normalization Forms
-
Unicode::UCD
Unicode character database
-
User::grent
By-name interface to Perl's built-in getgr*() functions
-
User::pwent
By-name interface to Perl's built-in getpw*() functions
-
VMS::DCLsym
Perl extension to manipulate DCL symbols
-
VMS::Filespec
Convert between VMS and Unix file specification syntax
-
VMS::Stdio
Standard I/O functions via VMS extensions
-
Win32
Interfaces to some Win32 API Functions
-
Win32API::File
Low-level access to Win32 system API calls for files/dirs.
-
Win32CORE
Win32 CORE function stubs
-
XS::APItest
Test the perl C API
-
XS::Typemap
Module to test the XS typemaps distributed with perl
-
XSLoader
Dynamically load C libraries into Perl code
-
autodie::Scope::Guard
Wrapper class for calling subs at end of scope
-
autodie::Scope::GuardStack
Hook stack for managing scopes via %^H
-
autodie::ScopeUtil
Utilities for managing %^H scopes
-
version::Internals
Perl extension for Version Objects
To find out all modules installed on your system, including those without documentation or outside the standard release, just use the following command (under the default win32 shell, double quotes should be used instead of single quotes).
% perl -MFile::Find=find -MFile::Spec::Functions -Tlwe \ 'find { wanted => sub { print canonpath $_ if /\.pm\z/ }, no_chdir => 1 }, @INC'
(The -T is here to prevent '.' from being listed in @INC.) They should all have their own documentation installed and accessible via your system man(1) command. If you do not have a find program, you can use the Perl find2perl program instead, which generates Perl code as output you can run through perl. If you have a man program but it doesn't find your modules, you'll have to fix your manpath. See perl for details. If you have no system man command, you might try the perldoc program.
Note also that the command perldoc perllocal
gives you a (possibly incomplete) list of the modules that have been further installed on your system. (The perllocal.pod file is updated by the standard MakeMaker install process.)
Extension Modules
Extension modules are written in C (or a mix of Perl and C). They are usually dynamically loaded into Perl if and when you need them, but may also be linked in statically. Supported extension modules include Socket, Fcntl, and POSIX.
Many popular C extension modules do not come bundled (at least, not completely) due to their sizes, volatility, or simply lack of time for adequate testing and configuration across the multitude of platforms on which Perl was beta-tested. You are encouraged to look for them on CPAN (described below), or using web search engines like Alta Vista or Google.
CPAN
CPAN stands for Comprehensive Perl Archive Network; it's a globally replicated trove of Perl materials, including documentation, style guides, tricks and traps, alternate ports to non-Unix systems and occasional binary distributions for these. Search engines for CPAN can be found at http://www.cpan.org/
Most importantly, CPAN includes around a thousand unbundled modules, some of which require a C compiler to build. Major categories of modules are:
-
Language Extensions and Documentation Tools
-
Development Support
-
Operating System Interfaces
-
Networking, Device Control (modems) and InterProcess Communication
-
Data Types and Data Type Utilities
-
Database Interfaces
-
User Interfaces
-
Interfaces to / Emulations of Other Programming Languages
-
File Names, File Systems and File Locking (see also File Handles)
-
String Processing, Language Text Processing, Parsing, and Searching
-
Option, Argument, Parameter, and Configuration File Processing
-
Internationalization and Locale
-
Authentication, Security, and Encryption
-
World Wide Web, HTML, HTTP, CGI, MIME
-
Server and Daemon Utilities
-
Archiving and Compression
-
Images, Pixmap and Bitmap Manipulation, Drawing, and Graphing
-
Mail and Usenet News
-
Control Flow Utilities (callbacks and exceptions etc)
-
File Handle and Input/Output Stream Utilities
-
Miscellaneous Modules
The list of the registered CPAN sites follows. Please note that the sorting order is alphabetical on fields:
Continent | |-->Country | |-->[state/province] | |-->ftp | |-->[http]
and thus the North American servers happen to be listed between the European and the South American sites.
Registered CPAN sites
Africa
-
South Africa
http://cpan.mirror.ac.za/ ftp://cpan.mirror.ac.za/ http://mirror.is.co.za/pub/cpan/ ftp://ftp.is.co.za/pub/cpan/ ftp://ftp.saix.net/pub/CPAN/
Asia
-
China
http://cpan.wenzk.com/
-
Hong Kong
http://ftp.cuhk.edu.hk/pub/packages/perl/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.cuhk.edu.hk/pub/packages/perl/CPAN/ http://mirrors.geoexpat.com/cpan/
-
India
http://perlmirror.indialinks.com/
-
Indonesia
http://cpan.biz.net.id/ http://komo.vlsm.org/CPAN/ ftp://komo.vlsm.org/CPAN/ http://cpan.cermin.lipi.go.id/ ftp://cermin.lipi.go.id/pub/CPAN/ http://cpan.pesat.net.id/
-
Japan
ftp://ftp.u-aizu.ac.jp/pub/CPAN ftp://ftp.kddilabs.jp/CPAN/ http://ftp.nara.wide.ad.jp/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.nara.wide.ad.jp/pub/CPAN/ http://ftp.jaist.ac.jp/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.jaist.ac.jp/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.dti.ad.jp/pub/lang/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.ring.gr.jp/pub/lang/perl/CPAN/ http://ftp.riken.jp/lang/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.riken.jp/lang/CPAN/ http://ftp.yz.yamagata-u.ac.jp/pub/lang/cpan/ ftp://ftp.yz.yamagata-u.ac.jp/pub/lang/cpan/
-
Republic of Korea
http://ftp.kaist.ac.kr/pub/CPAN ftp://ftp.kaist.ac.kr/pub/CPAN http://cpan.mirror.cdnetworks.com/ ftp://cpan.mirror.cdnetworks.com/CPAN/ http://cpan.sarang.net/ ftp://cpan.sarang.net/CPAN/
-
Russia
http://cpan.tomsk.ru/ ftp://cpan.tomsk.ru/
-
Singapore
http://mirror.averse.net/pub/CPAN ftp://mirror.averse.net/pub/CPAN http://cpan.mirror.choon.net/ http://cpan.oss.eznetsols.org ftp://ftp.oss.eznetsols.org/cpan
-
Taiwan
http://ftp.cse.yzu.edu.tw/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.cse.yzu.edu.tw/pub/CPAN/ http://cpan.nctu.edu.tw/ ftp://cpan.nctu.edu.tw/ ftp://ftp.ncu.edu.tw/CPAN/ http://cpan.cdpa.nsysu.edu.tw/ ftp://cpan.cdpa.nsysu.edu.tw/Unix/Lang/CPAN/ http://cpan.stu.edu.tw ftp://ftp.stu.edu.tw/CPAN http://ftp.stu.edu.tw/CPAN ftp://ftp.stu.edu.tw/pub/CPAN http://cpan.cs.pu.edu.tw/ ftp://cpan.cs.pu.edu.tw/pub/CPAN
-
Thailand
http://mirrors.issp.co.th/cpan/ ftp://mirrors.issp.co.th/cpan/ http://mirror.yourconnect.com/CPAN/ ftp://mirror.yourconnect.com/CPAN/
-
Turkey
http://cpan.gazi.edu.tr/
Central America
-
Costa Rica
http://mirrors.ucr.ac.cr/CPAN/ ftp://mirrors.ucr.ac.cr/CPAN/
Europe
-
Austria
http://cpan.inode.at/ ftp://cpan.inode.at http://gd.tuwien.ac.at/languages/perl/CPAN/ ftp://gd.tuwien.ac.at/pub/CPAN/
-
Belgium
http://ftp.belnet.be/mirror/ftp.cpan.org/ ftp://ftp.belnet.be/mirror/ftp.cpan.org/ http://ftp.easynet.be/pub/CPAN/ http://cpan.weepee.org/
-
Bosnia and Herzegovina
http://cpan.blic.net/
-
Bulgaria
http://cpan.cbox.biz/ ftp://cpan.cbox.biz/cpan/ http://cpan.digsys.bg/ ftp://ftp.digsys.bg/pub/CPAN
-
Croatia
http://ftp.carnet.hr/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.carnet.hr/pub/CPAN/
-
Czech Republic
ftp://ftp.fi.muni.cz/pub/CPAN/ http://archive.cpan.cz/
-
Denmark
http://mirrors.dotsrc.org/cpan ftp://mirrors.dotsrc.org/cpan/ http://www.cpan.dk/ http://mirror.uni-c.dk/pub/CPAN/
-
Finland
ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/ http://mirror.eunet.fi/CPAN
-
France
http://cpan.enstimac.fr/ ftp://ftp.inria.fr/pub/CPAN/ http://distrib-coffee.ipsl.jussieu.fr/pub/mirrors/cpan/ ftp://distrib-coffee.ipsl.jussieu.fr/pub/mirrors/cpan/ ftp://ftp.lip6.fr/pub/perl/CPAN/ http://mir2.ovh.net/ftp.cpan.org ftp://mir1.ovh.net/ftp.cpan.org ftp://ftp.oleane.net/pub/CPAN/ http://ftp.crihan.fr/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/ ftp://ftp.crihan.fr/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/ http://ftp.u-strasbg.fr/CPAN ftp://ftp.u-strasbg.fr/CPAN http://cpan.cict.fr/ ftp://cpan.cict.fr/pub/CPAN/
-
Germany
ftp://ftp.fu-berlin.de/unix/languages/perl/ http://mirrors.softliste.de/cpan/ ftp://ftp.rub.de/pub/CPAN/ http://www.planet-elektronik.de/CPAN/ http://ftp.hosteurope.de/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.hosteurope.de/pub/CPAN/ http://www.mirrorspace.org/cpan/ http://mirror.netcologne.de/cpan/ ftp://mirror.netcologne.de/cpan/ ftp://ftp.freenet.de/pub/ftp.cpan.org/pub/CPAN/ http://ftp-stud.hs-esslingen.de/pub/Mirrors/CPAN/ ftp://ftp-stud.hs-esslingen.de/pub/Mirrors/CPAN/ http://mirrors.zerg.biz/cpan/ http://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/ http://dl.ambiweb.de/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/ http://cpan.mirror.clusters.kg/ http://cpan.mirror.iphh.net/ ftp://cpan.mirror.iphh.net/pub/CPAN/ http://cpan.mirroring.de/ http://mirror.informatik.uni-mannheim.de/pub/mirrors/CPAN/ ftp://mirror.informatik.uni-mannheim.de/pub/mirrors/CPAN/ http://www.chemmedia.de/mirrors/CPAN/ http://ftp.cw.net/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.cw.net/pub/CPAN/ http://cpan.cpantesters.org/ ftp://cpan.cpantesters.org/CPAN/ http://cpan.mirrored.de/ ftp://mirror.petamem.com/CPAN/ http://cpan.noris.de/ ftp://cpan.noris.de/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.mpi-sb.mpg.de/pub/perl/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.gmd.de/mirrors/CPAN/
-
Greece
ftp://ftp.forthnet.gr/pub/languages/perl/CPAN ftp://ftp.ntua.gr/pub/lang/perl/ http://cpan.cc.uoc.gr/ ftp://ftp.cc.uoc.gr/mirrors/CPAN/
-
Hungary
http://cpan.mirrors.enexis.hu/ ftp://cpan.mirrors.enexis.hu/mirrors/cpan/ http://cpan.hu/
-
Iceland
http://ftp.rhnet.is/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.rhnet.is/pub/CPAN/
-
Ireland
http://ftp.esat.net/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.esat.net/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/ http://ftp.heanet.ie/mirrors/ftp.perl.org/pub/CPAN ftp://ftp.heanet.ie/mirrors/ftp.perl.org/pub/CPAN
-
Italy
http://bo.mirror.garr.it/mirrors/CPAN/ http://cpan.panu.it/ ftp://ftp.panu.it/pub/mirrors/perl/CPAN/
-
Latvia
http://kvin.lv/pub/CPAN/
-
Lithuania
http://ftp.litnet.lt/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.litnet.lt/pub/CPAN/
-
Malta
http://cpan.waldonet.net.mt/
-
Netherlands
ftp://ftp.quicknet.nl/pub/CPAN/ http://mirror.hostfuss.com/CPAN/ ftp://mirror.hostfuss.com/CPAN/ http://mirrors3.kernel.org/cpan/ ftp://mirrors3.kernel.org/pub/CPAN/ http://cpan.mirror.versatel.nl/ ftp://ftp.mirror.versatel.nl/cpan/ ftp://download.xs4all.nl/pub/mirror/CPAN/ http://mirror.leaseweb.com/CPAN/ ftp://mirror.leaseweb.com/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.cpan.nl/pub/CPAN/ http://archive.cs.uu.nl/mirror/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.cs.uu.nl/mirror/CPAN/ http://luxitude.net/cpan/
-
Norway
ftp://ftp.uninett.no/pub/languages/perl/CPAN ftp://ftp.uit.no/pub/languages/perl/cpan/
-
Poland
http://piotrkosoft.net/pub/mirrors/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.piotrkosoft.net/pub/mirrors/CPAN/ http://ftp.man.poznan.pl/pub/CPAN ftp://ftp.man.poznan.pl/pub/CPAN ftp://ftp.ps.pl/pub/CPAN/ ftp://sunsite.icm.edu.pl/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.tpnet.pl/d4/CPAN/
-
Portugal
http://cpan.dei.uc.pt/ ftp://ftp.dei.uc.pt/pub/CPAN ftp://ftp.ist.utl.pt/pub/CPAN/ http://cpan.perl.pt/ http://cpan.ip.pt/ ftp://cpan.ip.pt/pub/cpan/ http://mirrors.nfsi.pt/CPAN/ ftp://mirrors.nfsi.pt/pub/CPAN/ http://cpan.dcc.fc.up.pt/
-
Romania
http://ftp.astral.ro/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.astral.ro/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.lug.ro/CPAN http://mirrors.xservers.ro/CPAN/ http://mirrors.hostingromania.ro/ftp.cpan.org/ ftp://ftp.hostingromania.ro/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/ ftp://ftp.iasi.roedu.net/pub/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/
-
Russia
ftp://ftp.aha.ru/CPAN/ http://cpan.rinet.ru/ ftp://cpan.rinet.ru/pub/mirror/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.SpringDaemons.com/pub/CPAN/ http://mirror.rol.ru/CPAN/ http://ftp.silvernet.ru/CPAN/ http://ftp.spbu.ru/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.spbu.ru/CPAN/
-
Slovakia
http://cpan.fyxm.net/
-
Slovenia
http://www.klevze.si/cpan
-
Spain
http://osl.ugr.es/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.rediris.es/mirror/CPAN/ http://ftp.gui.uva.es/sites/cpan.org/ ftp://ftp.gui.uva.es/sites/cpan.org/
-
Sweden
http://mirrors4.kernel.org/cpan/ ftp://mirrors4.kernel.org/pub/CPAN/
-
Switzerland
http://cpan.mirror.solnet.ch/ ftp://ftp.solnet.ch/mirror/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.adwired.ch/CPAN/ http://mirror.switch.ch/ftp/mirror/CPAN/ ftp://mirror.switch.ch/mirror/CPAN/
-
Ukraine
http://cpan.makeperl.org/ ftp://cpan.makeperl.org/pub/CPAN http://cpan.org.ua/ http://cpan.gafol.net/ ftp://ftp.gafol.net/pub/cpan/
-
United Kingdom
http://www.mirrorservice.org/sites/ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.mirrorservice.org/sites/ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/ http://mirror.tje.me.uk/pub/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/ ftp://mirror.tje.me.uk/pub/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/ http://www.mirror.8086.net/sites/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.mirror.8086.net/sites/CPAN/ http://cpan.mirror.anlx.net/ ftp://ftp.mirror.anlx.net/CPAN/ http://mirror.bytemark.co.uk/CPAN/ ftp://mirror.bytemark.co.uk/CPAN/ http://cpan.etla.org/ ftp://cpan.etla.org/pub/CPAN ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/CPAN/ http://mirror.sov.uk.goscomb.net/CPAN/ ftp://mirror.sov.uk.goscomb.net/pub/CPAN/ http://ftp.plig.net/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.plig.net/pub/CPAN/ http://ftp.ticklers.org/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.ticklers.org/pub/CPAN/ http://cpan.mirrors.uk2.net/ ftp://mirrors.uk2.net/pub/CPAN/ http://mirror.ox.ac.uk/sites/www.cpan.org/ ftp://mirror.ox.ac.uk/sites/www.cpan.org/
North America
-
Bahamas
http://www.securehost.com/mirror/CPAN/
-
Canada
http://cpan.arcticnetwork.ca ftp://mirror.arcticnetwork.ca/pub/CPAN http://cpan.sunsite.ualberta.ca/ ftp://cpan.sunsite.ualberta.ca/pub/CPAN/ http://theoryx5.uwinnipeg.ca/pub/CPAN/ ftp://theoryx5.uwinnipeg.ca/pub/CPAN/ http://arwen.cs.dal.ca/mirror/CPAN/ ftp://arwen.cs.dal.ca/pub/mirror/CPAN/ http://CPAN.mirror.rafal.ca/ ftp://CPAN.mirror.rafal.ca/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.nrc.ca/pub/CPAN/ http://mirror.csclub.uwaterloo.ca/pub/CPAN/ ftp://mirror.csclub.uwaterloo.ca/pub/CPAN/
-
Mexico
http://www.msg.com.mx/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.msg.com.mx/pub/CPAN/
-
United States
-
Alabama
http://mirror.hiwaay.net/CPAN/ ftp://mirror.hiwaay.net/CPAN/
-
Arizona
http://cpan.ezarticleinformation.com/
-
California
http://cpan.knowledgematters.net/ http://cpan.binkerton.com/ http://cpan.develooper.com/ http://mirrors.gossamer-threads.com/CPAN http://cpan.schatt.com/ http://mirrors.kernel.org/cpan/ ftp://mirrors.kernel.org/pub/CPAN http://mirrors2.kernel.org/cpan/ ftp://mirrors2.kernel.org/pub/CPAN/ http://cpan.mirror.facebook.net/ http://mirrors1.kernel.org/cpan/ ftp://mirrors1.kernel.org/pub/CPAN/ http://cpan-sj.viaverio.com/ ftp://cpan-sj.viaverio.com/pub/CPAN/ http://www.perl.com/CPAN/
-
Florida
ftp://ftp.cise.ufl.edu/pub/mirrors/CPAN/ http://mirror.atlantic.net/pub/CPAN/ ftp://mirror.atlantic.net/pub/CPAN/
-
Idaho
http://mirror.its.uidaho.edu/pub/cpan/ ftp://mirror.its.uidaho.edu/cpan/
-
Illinois
http://cpan.mirrors.hoobly.com/ http://cpan.uchicago.edu/pub/CPAN/ ftp://cpan.uchicago.edu/pub/CPAN/ http://mirrors.servercentral.net/CPAN/ http://www.stathy.com/CPAN/ ftp://www.stathy.com/CPAN/
-
Indiana
ftp://ftp.uwsg.iu.edu/pub/perl/CPAN/ http://cpan.netnitco.net/ ftp://cpan.netnitco.net/pub/mirrors/CPAN/ http://ftp.ndlug.nd.edu/pub/perl/ ftp://ftp.ndlug.nd.edu/pub/perl/
-
Massachusetts
http://mirrors.ccs.neu.edu/CPAN/
-
Michigan
http://ftp.wayne.edu/cpan/ ftp://ftp.wayne.edu/cpan/
-
Minnesota
http://cpan.msi.umn.edu/
-
New Jersey
http://mirror.datapipe.net/CPAN/ ftp://mirror.datapipe.net/pub/CPAN/
-
New York
http://mirrors.24-7-solutions.net/pub/CPAN/ ftp://mirrors.24-7-solutions.net/pub/CPAN/ http://mirror.cc.columbia.edu/pub/software/cpan/ ftp://mirror.cc.columbia.edu/pub/software/cpan/ http://cpan.belfry.net/ http://cpan.erlbaum.net/ ftp://cpan.erlbaum.net/CPAN/ http://cpan.hexten.net/ ftp://cpan.hexten.net/ ftp://mirror.nyi.net/CPAN/ http://mirror.rit.edu/CPAN/ ftp://mirror.rit.edu/CPAN/
-
North Carolina
http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/mirrors/CPAN ftp://ftp.ncsu.edu/pub/mirror/CPAN/
-
Oregon
http://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/CPAN/
-
Pennsylvania
http://ftp.epix.net/CPAN/ ftp://ftp.epix.net/pub/languages/perl/ http://cpan.pair.com/ ftp://cpan.pair.com/pub/CPAN/
-
South Carolina
http://cpan.mirror.clemson.edu/
-
Tennessee
http://mira.sunsite.utk.edu/CPAN/
-
Texas
http://mirror.uta.edu/CPAN
-
Utah
ftp://mirror.xmission.com/CPAN/
-
Virginia
http://cpan-du.viaverio.com/ ftp://cpan-du.viaverio.com/pub/CPAN/ http://perl.secsup.org/ ftp://perl.secsup.org/pub/perl/ ftp://mirror.cogentco.com/pub/CPAN/
-
Washington
http://cpan.llarian.net/ ftp://cpan.llarian.net/pub/CPAN/ ftp://ftp-mirror.internap.com/pub/CPAN/
-
Wisconsin
http://cpan.mirrors.tds.net ftp://cpan.mirrors.tds.net/pub/CPAN http://mirror.sit.wisc.edu/pub/CPAN/ ftp://mirror.sit.wisc.edu/pub/CPAN/
-
Alabama
Oceania
-
Australia
http://mirror.internode.on.net/pub/cpan/ ftp://mirror.internode.on.net/pub/cpan/ http://cpan.mirror.aussiehq.net.au/ http://mirror.as24220.net/cpan/ ftp://mirror.as24220.net/cpan/
-
New Zealand
ftp://ftp.auckland.ac.nz/pub/perl/CPAN/ http://cpan.inspire.net.nz ftp://cpan.inspire.net.nz/cpan http://cpan.catalyst.net.nz/CPAN/ ftp://cpan.catalyst.net.nz/pub/CPAN/
South America
-
Argentina
http://cpan.patan.com.ar/ http://cpan.localhost.net.ar ftp://mirrors.localhost.net.ar/pub/mirrors/CPAN
-
Brazil
ftp://cpan.pop-mg.com.br/pub/CPAN/ http://ftp.pucpr.br/CPAN ftp://ftp.pucpr.br/CPAN http://cpan.kinghost.net/
-
Chile
http://cpan.dcc.uchile.cl/ ftp://cpan.dcc.uchile.cl/pub/lang/cpan/
-
Colombia
http://www.laqee.unal.edu.co/CPAN/
RSYNC Mirrors
mirror.as24220.net::cpan cpan.inode.at::CPAN gd.tuwien.ac.at::CPAN ftp.belnet.be::packages/cpan rsync.linorg.usp.br::CPAN rsync.arcticnetwork.ca::CPAN CPAN.mirror.rafal.ca::CPAN mirror.csclub.uwaterloo.ca::CPAN theoryx5.uwinnipeg.ca::CPAN www.laqee.unal.edu.co::CPAN mirror.uni-c.dk::CPAN rsync.nic.funet.fi::CPAN rsync://distrib-coffee.ipsl.jussieu.fr/pub/mirrors/cpan/ mir1.ovh.net::CPAN miroir-francais.fr::cpan ftp.crihan.fr::CPAN rsync://mirror.cict.fr/cpan/ rsync://mirror.netcologne.de/cpan/ ftp-stud.hs-esslingen.de::CPAN/ ftp.gwdg.de::FTP/languages/perl/CPAN/ cpan.mirror.iphh.net::CPAN cpan.cpantesters.org::cpan cpan.hu::CPAN komo.vlsm.org::CPAN mirror.unej.ac.id::cpan ftp.esat.net::/pub/languages/perl/CPAN ftp.heanet.ie::mirrors/ftp.perl.org/pub/CPAN rsync.panu.it::CPAN cpan.fastbull.org::CPAN ftp.kddilabs.jp::cpan ftp.nara.wide.ad.jp::cpan/ rsync://ftp.jaist.ac.jp/pub/CPAN/ rsync://ftp.riken.jp/cpan/ mirror.linuxiso.kz::CPAN rsync://mirrors3.kernel.org/mirrors/CPAN/ rsync://rsync.osmirror.nl/cpan/ mirror.leaseweb.com::CPAN cpan.nautile.nc::CPAN mirror.icis.pcz.pl::CPAN piotrkosoft.net::mirrors/CPAN rsync://cpan.perl.pt/ ftp.kaist.ac.kr::cpan cpan.sarang.net::CPAN mirror.averse.net::cpan rsync.oss.eznetsols.org mirror.ac.za::cpan ftp.is.co.za::IS-Mirror/ftp.cpan.org/ rsync://ftp.gui.uva.es/cpan/ rsync://mirrors4.kernel.org/mirrors/CPAN/ ftp.solnet.ch::CPAN ftp.ulak.net.tr::CPAN gafol.net::cpan rsync.mirrorservice.org::ftp.funet.fi/pub/ rsync://rsync.mirror.8086.net/CPAN/ rsync.mirror.anlx.net::CPAN mirror.bytemark.co.uk::CPAN ftp.plig.net::CPAN rsync://ftp.ticklers.org:CPAN/ mirrors.ibiblio.org::CPAN cpan-du.viaverio.com::CPAN mirror.hiwaay.net::CPAN rsync://mira.sunsite.utk.edu/CPAN/ cpan.mirrors.tds.net::CPAN mirror.its.uidaho.edu::cpan rsync://mirror.cc.columbia.edu::cpan/ ftp.fxcorporate.com::CPAN rsync.atlantic.net::CPAN mirrors.kernel.org::mirrors/CPAN rsync://mirrors2.kernel.org/mirrors/CPAN/ cpan.pair.com::CPAN rsync://mirror.rit.edu/CPAN/ rsync://mirror.facebook.net/cpan/ rsync://mirrors1.kernel.org/mirrors/CPAN/ cpan-sj.viaverio.com::CPAN
For an up-to-date listing of CPAN sites, see http://www.cpan.org/SITES or ftp://www.cpan.org/SITES .
Modules: Creation, Use, and Abuse
(The following section is borrowed directly from Tim Bunce's modules file, available at your nearest CPAN site.)
Perl implements a class using a package, but the presence of a package doesn't imply the presence of a class. A package is just a namespace. A class is a package that provides subroutines that can be used as methods. A method is just a subroutine that expects, as its first argument, either the name of a package (for "static" methods), or a reference to something (for "virtual" methods).
A module is a file that (by convention) provides a class of the same name (sans the .pm), plus an import method in that class that can be called to fetch exported symbols. This module may implement some of its methods by loading dynamic C or C++ objects, but that should be totally transparent to the user of the module. Likewise, the module might set up an AUTOLOAD function to slurp in subroutine definitions on demand, but this is also transparent. Only the .pm file is required to exist. See perlsub, perlobj, and AutoLoader for details about the AUTOLOAD mechanism.
Guidelines for Module Creation
-
Do similar modules already exist in some form?
If so, please try to reuse the existing modules either in whole or by inheriting useful features into a new class. If this is not practical try to get together with the module authors to work on extending or enhancing the functionality of the existing modules. A perfect example is the plethora of packages in perl4 for dealing with command line options.
If you are writing a module to expand an already existing set of modules, please coordinate with the author of the package. It helps if you follow the same naming scheme and module interaction scheme as the original author.
-
Try to design the new module to be easy to extend and reuse.
Try to
use warnings;
(oruse warnings qw(...);
). Remember that you can addno warnings qw(...);
to individual blocks of code that need less warnings.Use blessed references. Use the two argument form of bless to bless into the class name given as the first parameter of the constructor, e.g.,:
sub new { my $class = shift; return bless {}, $class; }
or even this if you'd like it to be used as either a static or a virtual method.
sub new { my $self = shift; my $class = ref($self) || $self; return bless {}, $class; }
Pass arrays as references so more parameters can be added later (it's also faster). Convert functions into methods where appropriate. Split large methods into smaller more flexible ones. Inherit methods from other modules if appropriate.
Avoid class name tests like:
die "Invalid" unless ref $ref eq 'FOO'
. Generally you can delete theeq 'FOO'
part with no harm at all. Let the objects look after themselves! Generally, avoid hard-wired class names as far as possible.Avoid
$r->Class::func()
where using@ISA=qw(... Class ...)
and$r->func()
would work.Use autosplit so little used or newly added functions won't be a burden to programs that don't use them. Add test functions to the module after __END__ either using AutoSplit or by saying:
eval join('',<main::DATA>) || die $@ unless caller();
Does your module pass the 'empty subclass' test? If you say
@SUBCLASS::ISA = qw(YOURCLASS);
your applications should be able to use SUBCLASS in exactly the same way as YOURCLASS. For example, does your application still work if you change:$obj = YOURCLASS->new();
into:$obj = SUBCLASS->new();
?Avoid keeping any state information in your packages. It makes it difficult for multiple other packages to use yours. Keep state information in objects.
Always use -w.
Try to
use strict;
(oruse strict qw(...);
). Remember that you can addno strict qw(...);
to individual blocks of code that need less strictness.Always use -w.
Follow the guidelines in perlstyle.
Always use -w.
-
Some simple style guidelines
The perlstyle manual supplied with Perl has many helpful points.
Coding style is a matter of personal taste. Many people evolve their style over several years as they learn what helps them write and maintain good code. Here's one set of assorted suggestions that seem to be widely used by experienced developers:
Use underscores to separate words. It is generally easier to read $var_names_like_this than $VarNamesLikeThis, especially for non-native speakers of English. It's also a simple rule that works consistently with VAR_NAMES_LIKE_THIS.
Package/Module names are an exception to this rule. Perl informally reserves lowercase module names for 'pragma' modules like integer and strict. Other modules normally begin with a capital letter and use mixed case with no underscores (need to be short and portable).
You may find it helpful to use letter case to indicate the scope or nature of a variable. For example:
$ALL_CAPS_HERE constants only (beware clashes with Perl vars) $Some_Caps_Here package-wide global/static $no_caps_here function scope my() or local() variables
Function and method names seem to work best as all lowercase. e.g.,
$obj->as_string()
.You can use a leading underscore to indicate that a variable or function should not be used outside the package that defined it.
-
Select what to export.
Do NOT export method names!
Do NOT export anything else by default without a good reason!
Exports pollute the namespace of the module user. If you must export try to use @EXPORT_OK in preference to @EXPORT and avoid short or common names to reduce the risk of name clashes.
Generally anything not exported is still accessible from outside the module using the ModuleName::item_name (or
$blessed_ref->method
) syntax. By convention you can use a leading underscore on names to indicate informally that they are 'internal' and not for public use.(It is actually possible to get private functions by saying:
my $subref = sub { ... }; &$subref;
. But there's no way to call that directly as a method, because a method must have a name in the symbol table.)As a general rule, if the module is trying to be object oriented then export nothing. If it's just a collection of functions then @EXPORT_OK anything but use @EXPORT with caution.
-
Select a name for the module.
This name should be as descriptive, accurate, and complete as possible. Avoid any risk of ambiguity. Always try to use two or more whole words. Generally the name should reflect what is special about what the module does rather than how it does it. Please use nested module names to group informally or categorize a module. There should be a very good reason for a module not to have a nested name. Module names should begin with a capital letter.
Having 57 modules all called Sort will not make life easy for anyone (though having 23 called Sort::Quick is only marginally better :-). Imagine someone trying to install your module alongside many others. If in any doubt ask for suggestions in comp.lang.perl.misc.
If you are developing a suite of related modules/classes it's good practice to use nested classes with a common prefix as this will avoid namespace clashes. For example: Xyz::Control, Xyz::View, Xyz::Model etc. Use the modules in this list as a naming guide.
If adding a new module to a set, follow the original author's standards for naming modules and the interface to methods in those modules.
If developing modules for private internal or project specific use, that will never be released to the public, then you should ensure that their names will not clash with any future public module. You can do this either by using the reserved Local::* category or by using a category name that includes an underscore like Foo_Corp::*.
To be portable each component of a module name should be limited to 11 characters. If it might be used on MS-DOS then try to ensure each is unique in the first 8 characters. Nested modules make this easier.
-
Have you got it right?
How do you know that you've made the right decisions? Have you picked an interface design that will cause problems later? Have you picked the most appropriate name? Do you have any questions?
The best way to know for sure, and pick up many helpful suggestions, is to ask someone who knows. Comp.lang.perl.misc is read by just about all the people who develop modules and it's the best place to ask.
All you need to do is post a short summary of the module, its purpose and interfaces. A few lines on each of the main methods is probably enough. (If you post the whole module it might be ignored by busy people - generally the very people you want to read it!)
Don't worry about posting if you can't say when the module will be ready - just say so in the message. It might be worth inviting others to help you, they may be able to complete it for you!
-
README and other Additional Files.
It's well known that software developers usually fully document the software they write. If, however, the world is in urgent need of your software and there is not enough time to write the full documentation please at least provide a README file containing:
-
A description of the module/package/extension etc.
-
A copyright notice - see below.
-
Prerequisites - what else you may need to have.
-
How to build it - possible changes to Makefile.PL etc.
-
How to install it.
-
Recent changes in this release, especially incompatibilities
-
Changes / enhancements you plan to make in the future.
If the README file seems to be getting too large you may wish to split out some of the sections into separate files: INSTALL, Copying, ToDo etc.
-
Adding a Copyright Notice.
How you choose to license your work is a personal decision. The general mechanism is to assert your Copyright and then make a declaration of how others may copy/use/modify your work.
Perl, for example, is supplied with two types of licence: The GNU GPL and The Artistic Licence (see the files README, Copying, and Artistic, or perlgpl and perlartistic). Larry has good reasons for NOT just using the GNU GPL.
My personal recommendation, out of respect for Larry, Perl, and the Perl community at large is to state something simply like:
Copyright (c) 1995 Your Name. All rights reserved. This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the same terms as Perl itself.
This statement should at least appear in the README file. You may also wish to include it in a Copying file and your source files. Remember to include the other words in addition to the Copyright.
-
Give the module a version/issue/release number.
To be fully compatible with the Exporter and MakeMaker modules you should store your module's version number in a non-my package variable called $VERSION. This should be a positive floating point number with at least two digits after the decimal (i.e., hundredths, e.g,
$VERSION = "0.01"
). Don't use a "1.3.2" style version. See Exporter for details.It may be handy to add a function or method to retrieve the number. Use the number in announcements and archive file names when releasing the module (ModuleName-1.02.tar.Z). See perldoc ExtUtils::MakeMaker.pm for details.
-
How to release and distribute a module.
It's good idea to post an announcement of the availability of your module (or the module itself if small) to the comp.lang.perl.announce Usenet newsgroup. This will at least ensure very wide once-off distribution.
If possible, register the module with CPAN. You should include details of its location in your announcement.
Some notes about ftp archives: Please use a long descriptive file name that includes the version number. Most incoming directories will not be readable/listable, i.e., you won't be able to see your file after uploading it. Remember to send your email notification message as soon as possible after uploading else your file may get deleted automatically. Allow time for the file to be processed and/or check the file has been processed before announcing its location.
FTP Archives for Perl Modules:
Follow the instructions and links on:
http://www.cpan.org/modules/00modlist.long.html http://www.cpan.org/modules/04pause.html
or upload to one of these sites:
https://pause.kbx.de/pause/ http://pause.perl.org/
and notify <modules@perl.org>.
By using the WWW interface you can ask the Upload Server to mirror your modules from your ftp or WWW site into your own directory on CPAN!
Please remember to send me an updated entry for the Module list!
-
Take care when changing a released module.
Always strive to remain compatible with previous released versions. Otherwise try to add a mechanism to revert to the old behavior if people rely on it. Document incompatible changes.
-
Guidelines for Converting Perl 4 Library Scripts into Modules
-
There is no requirement to convert anything.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Perl 4 library scripts should continue to work with no problems. You may need to make some minor changes (like escaping non-array @'s in double quoted strings) but there is no need to convert a .pl file into a Module for just that.
-
Consider the implications.
All Perl applications that make use of the script will need to be changed (slightly) if the script is converted into a module. Is it worth it unless you plan to make other changes at the same time?
-
Make the most of the opportunity.
If you are going to convert the script to a module you can use the opportunity to redesign the interface. The guidelines for module creation above include many of the issues you should consider.
-
The pl2pm utility will get you started.
This utility will read *.pl files (given as parameters) and write corresponding *.pm files. The pl2pm utilities does the following:
-
Adds the standard Module prologue lines
-
Converts package specifiers from ' to ::
-
Converts die(...) to croak(...)
-
Several other minor changes
Being a mechanical process pl2pm is not bullet proof. The converted code will need careful checking, especially any package statements. Don't delete the original .pl file till the new .pm one works!
-
Guidelines for Reusing Application Code
-
Complete applications rarely belong in the Perl Module Library.
-
Many applications contain some Perl code that could be reused.
Help save the world! Share your code in a form that makes it easy to reuse.
-
Break-out the reusable code into one or more separate module files.
-
Take the opportunity to reconsider and redesign the interfaces.
-
In some cases the 'application' can then be reduced to a small
fragment of code built on top of the reusable modules. In these cases the application could invoked as:
% perl -e 'use Module::Name; method(@ARGV)' ... or % perl -mModule::Name ... (in perl5.002 or higher)
NOTE
Perl does not enforce private and public parts of its modules as you may have been used to in other languages like C++, Ada, or Modula-17. Perl doesn't have an infatuation with enforced privacy. It would prefer that you stayed out of its living room because you weren't invited, not because it has a shotgun.
The module and its user have a contract, part of which is common law, and part of which is "written". Part of the common law contract is that a module doesn't pollute any namespace it wasn't asked to. The written contract for the module (A.K.A. documentation) may make other provisions. But then you know when you use RedefineTheWorld
that you're redefining the world and willing to take the consequences.
Please login to continue.