+=for maintainers
+Generated by perlmodlib.PL -- DO NOT EDIT!
+
=head1 NAME
perlmodlib - constructing new Perl modules and finding existing ones
=item charnames
-Define character names for C<\N{named}> string literal escape.
+Define character names for C<\N{named}> string literal escapes.
=item constant
Perl compiler pragma to force verbose warning diagnostics
+=item encoding
+
+Pragma to control the conversion of legacy data into Unicode
+
=item fields
Compile-time class fields
=item integer
-Compute arithmetic in integer instead of double
+Use integer arithmetic instead of floating point
=item less
Package for overloading perl operations
-=item perlio
-
-Configure C level IO
-
=item re
Alter regular expression behaviour
Enable simple signal handling
+=item sort
+
+Control sort() behaviour
+
=item strict
Restrict unsafe constructs
=item utf8
-Enable/disable UTF-8 in source code
+Enable/disable UTF-8 (or UTF-EBCDIC) in source code
=item vars
Predeclare global variable names (obsolete)
+=item vmsish
+
+Control VMS-specific language features
+
=item warnings
Control optional warnings
Perl compiler's optimized C translation backend
+=item B::Concise
+
+Walk Perl syntax tree, printing concise info about ops
+
=item B::Debug
Walk Perl syntax tree, printing debug info about ops
Backward compatibility module for defunct CGI::Switch
+=item CGI::Util
+
+Internal utilities used by CGI module
+
=item CPAN
Query, download and build perl modules from CPAN sites
Warn of errors (from perspective of caller)
+=item Carp::Heavy
+
+No user serviceable parts inside
+
+=item Class::ISA
+
+Report the search path for a class's ISA tree
+
=item Class::Struct
Declare struct-like datatypes as Perl classes
Generate stubs for a SelfLoading module
+=item Digest
+
+Modules that calculate message digests
+
=item DirHandle
Supply object methods for directory handles
Character encodings
+=item Encode::EncodeFormat
+
+The format of encoding tables of the Encode extension
+
+=item Encode::Tcl
+
+Tcl encodings
+
=item English
Use nice English (or awk) names for ugly punctuation variables
Utilities to replace common UNIX commands in Makefiles etc.
+=item ExtUtils::Constant
+
+Generate XS code to import C header constants
+
=item ExtUtils::Embed
Utilities for embedding Perl in C/C++ applications
Methods to override UN*X behaviour in ExtUtils::MakeMaker
+=item ExtUtils::MM_NW5
+
+Methods to override UN*X behaviour in ExtUtils::MakeMaker
+
=item ExtUtils::MM_OS2
Methods to override UN*X behaviour in ExtUtils::MakeMaker
=item File::Spec::Mac
-File::Spec for MacOS
+File::Spec for Mac OS (Classic)
=item File::Spec::OS2
=item File::Spec::Unix
-Methods used by File::Spec
+File::Spec for Unix, base for other File::Spec modules
=item File::Spec::VMS
Compare 8-bit scalar data according to the current locale
+=item I18N::LangTags
+
+Functions for dealing with RFC3066-style language tags
+
+=item I18N::LangTags::List
+
+Tags and names for human languages
+
=item IO
Load various IO modules
Open a process for reading, writing, and error handling
+=item Locale::Constants
+
+Constants for Locale codes
+
+=item Locale::Country
+
+ISO codes for country identification (ISO 3166)
+
+=item Locale::Currency
+
+ISO three letter codes for currency identification (ISO 4217)
+
+=item Locale::Language
+
+ISO two letter codes for language identification (ISO 639)
+
+=item Locale::Maketext
+
+Framework for localization
+
+=item Locale::Maketext::TPJ13
+
+Article about software localization
+
=item Math::BigFloat
-Arbitrary length float math package
+Arbitrary size floating point math package
=item Math::BigInt
Arbitrary size integer math package
+=item Math::BigInt::Calc
+
+Pure Perl module to support Math::BigInt
+
=item Math::Complex
Complex numbers and associated mathematical functions
Trigonometric functions
+=item Memoize
+
+Make your functions faster by trading space for time
+
+=item Memoize::AnyDBM_File
+
+Glue to provide EXISTS for AnyDBM_File for Storable use
+
+=item Memoize::Expire
+
+Plug-in module for automatic expiration of memoized values
+
+=item Memoize::ExpireFile
+
+Test for Memoize expiration semantics
+
+=item Memoize::ExpireTest
+
+Test for Memoize expiration semantics
+
+=item Memoize::NDBM_File
+
+Glue to provide EXISTS for NDBM_File for Storable use
+
+=item Memoize::SDBM_File
+
+Glue to provide EXISTS for SDBM_File for Storable use
+
+=item Memoize::Storable
+
+Store Memoized data in Storable database
+
=item NDBM_File
Tied access to ndbm files
+=item NEXT
+
+Provide a pseudo-class NEXT that allows method redispatch
+
+=item Net::Cmd
+
+Network Command class (as used by FTP, SMTP etc)
+
+=item Net::Config
+
+Local configuration data for libnet
+
+=item Net::Domain
+
+Attempt to evaluate the current host's internet name and domain
+
+=item Net::FTP
+
+FTP Client class
+
+=item Net::NNTP
+
+NNTP Client class
+
+=item Net::Netrc
+
+OO interface to users netrc file
+
+=item Net::POP3
+
+Post Office Protocol 3 Client class (RFC1081)
+
=item Net::Ping
Check a remote host for reachability
+=item Net::SMTP
+
+Simple Mail Transfer Protocol Client
+
+=item Net::Time
+
+Time and daytime network client interface
+
=item Net::hostent
By-name interface to Perl's built-in gethost*() functions
+=item Net::libnetFAQ
+
+Libnet Frequently Asked Questions
+
=item Net::netent
By-name interface to Perl's built-in getnet*() functions
Disable named opcodes when compiling perl code
+=item POSIX
+
+Perl interface to IEEE Std 1003.1
+
+=item PerlIO
+
+On demand loader for PerlIO layers and root of PerlIO::* name space
+
=item Pod::Checker
Check pod documents for syntax errors
Convert POD data to formatted *roff input
+=item Pod::ParseLink
+
+Parse an LE<lt>E<gt> formatting code in POD text
+
=item Pod::ParseUtils
Helpers for POD parsing and conversion
Convert POD data to formatted color ASCII text
+=item Pod::Text::Overstrike
+
+Convert POD data to formatted overstrike text
+
=item Pod::Text::Termcap
Convert POD data to ASCII text with format escapes
Print a usage message from embedded pod documentation
+=item Pod::t::basic
+
+Test of various basic POD features in translators.
+
=item SDBM_File
Tied access to sdbm files
Persistency for perl data structures
+=item Switch
+
+A switch statement for Perl
+
=item Symbol
Manipulate Perl symbols and their names
Provides a simple framework for writing test scripts
+=item Test::Builder
+
+Backend for building test libraries
+
=item Test::Harness
Run perl standard test scripts with statistics
+=item Test::More
+
+Yet another framework for writing test scripts
+
+=item Test::Simple
+
+Basic utilities for writing tests.
+
+=item Test::Tutorial
+
+A tutorial about writing really basic tests
+
=item Text::Abbrev
Create an abbreviation table from a list
+=item Text::Balanced
+
+Extract delimited text sequences from strings.
+
=item Text::ParseWords
Parse text into an array of tokens or array of arrays
Implementation of the Soundex Algorithm as Described by Knuth
+=item Text::Tabs
+
+Expand and unexpand tabs per the unix expand(1) and unexpand(1)
+
=item Text::Wrap
Line wrapping to form simple paragraphs
+=item Thread
+
+Manipulate threads in Perl
+
=item Tie::Array
Base class for tied arrays
Base class for ALL classes (blessed references)
+=item Unicode::Collate
+
+Use UCA (Unicode Collation Algorithm)
+
+=item Unicode::UCD
+
+Unicode character database
+
=item User::grent
By-name interface to Perl's built-in getgr*() functions
By-name interface to Perl's built-in getpw*() functions
+=item Win32
+
+Interfaces to some Win32 API Functions
+
=back
To find out I<all> modules installed on your system, including
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 be linked in statically. Supported extension modules
+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
=over
=item *
+
Language Extensions and Documentation Tools
=item *
+
Development Support
=item *
+
Operating System Interfaces
=item *
+
Networking, Device Control (modems) and InterProcess Communication
=item *
+
Data Types and Data Type Utilities
=item *
+
Database Interfaces
=item *
+
User Interfaces
=item *
+
Interfaces to / Emulations of Other Programming Languages
=item *
+
File Names, File Systems and File Locking (see also File Handles)
=item *
+
String Processing, Language Text Processing, Parsing, and Searching
=item *
+
Option, Argument, Parameter, and Configuration File Processing
=item *
+
Internationalization and Locale
=item *
+
Authentication, Security, and Encryption
=item *
+
World Wide Web, HTML, HTTP, CGI, MIME
=item *
+
Server and Daemon Utilities
=item *
+
Archiving and Compression
=item *
+
Images, Pixmap and Bitmap Manipulation, Drawing, and Graphing
=item *
+
Mail and Usenet News
=item *
+
Control Flow Utilities (callbacks and exceptions etc)
=item *
+
File Handle and Input/Output Stream Utilities
=item *
+
Miscellaneous Modules
=back
Registered CPAN sites as of this writing include the following.
You should try to choose one close to you:
-=over
+=head2 Africa
-=item Africa
-
- South Africa ftp://ftp.is.co.za/programming/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.saix.net/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.sun.ac.za/CPAN/
- ftp://ftpza.co.za/pub/mirrors/cpan/
-
-
-=item Asia
-
- China ftp://freesoft.cei.gov.cn/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
- Hong Kong ftp://ftp.pacific.net.hk/pub/mirror/CPAN/
- Indonesia ftp://malone.piksi.itb.ac.id/pub/CPAN/
- Israel ftp://bioinfo.weizmann.ac.il/pub/software/perl/CPAN/
- Japan ftp://ftp.dti.ad.jp/pub/lang/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.jaist.ac.jp/pub/lang/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.lab.kdd.co.jp/lang/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.meisei-u.ac.jp/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.ring.gr.jp/pub/lang/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://mirror.nucba.ac.jp/mirror/Perl/
- Saudi-Arabia ftp://ftp.isu.net.sa/pub/CPAN/
- Singapore ftp://ftp.nus.edu.sg/pub/unix/perl/CPAN/
- South Korea ftp://ftp.bora.net/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.kornet.net/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.nuri.net/pub/CPAN/
- Taiwan ftp://coda.nctu.edu.tw/computer-languages/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.ee.ncku.edu.tw/pub3/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp1.sinica.edu.tw/pub1/perl/CPAN/
- Thailand ftp://ftp.nectec.or.th/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
-
-
-=item Australasia
-
- Australia ftp://cpan.topend.com.au/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.labyrinth.net.au/pub/perl-CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.sage-au.org.au/pub/compilers/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://mirror.aarnet.edu.au/pub/perl/CPAN/
- New Zealand ftp://ftp.auckland.ac.nz/pub/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://sunsite.net.nz/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
-
-
-=item Central America
-
- Costa Rica ftp://ftp.ucr.ac.cr/pub/Unix/CPAN/
-
-
-=item Europe
-
- Austria ftp://ftp.tuwien.ac.at/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
- Belgium ftp://ftp.kulnet.kuleuven.ac.be/pub/mirror/CPAN/
- Bulgaria ftp://ftp.ntrl.net/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
- Croatia ftp://ftp.linux.hr/pub/CPAN/
- Czech Republic ftp://ftp.fi.muni.cz/pub/perl/
- ftp://sunsite.mff.cuni.cz/Languages/Perl/CPAN/
- Denmark ftp://sunsite.auc.dk/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
- Estonia ftp://ftp.ut.ee/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
- Finland ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
- France ftp://ftp.grolier.fr/pub/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.lip6.fr/pub/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.oleane.net/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.pasteur.fr/pub/computing/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.uvsq.fr/pub/perl/CPAN/
- German ftp://ftp.gigabell.net/pub/CPAN/
- Germany ftp://ftp.archive.de.uu.net/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.freenet.de/pub/ftp.cpan.org/pub/
- ftp://ftp.gmd.de/packages/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
-
-ftp://ftp.leo.org/pub/comp/general/programming/languages/script/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.mpi-sb.mpg.de/pub/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.rz.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.uni-erlangen.de/pub/source/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.uni-hamburg.de/pub/soft/lang/perl/CPAN/
- Germany ftp://ftp.archive.de.uu.net/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.freenet.de/pub/ftp.cpan.org/pub/
- ftp://ftp.gmd.de/packages/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
-
-ftp://ftp.leo.org/pub/comp/general/programming/languages/script/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.mpi-sb.mpg.de/pub/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.rz.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.uni-erlangen.de/pub/source/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.uni-hamburg.de/pub/soft/lang/perl/CPAN/
- Greece ftp://ftp.ntua.gr/pub/lang/perl/
- Hungary ftp://ftp.kfki.hu/pub/packages/perl/CPAN/
- Iceland ftp://ftp.gm.is/pub/CPAN/
- Ireland ftp://cpan.indigo.ie/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://sunsite.compapp.dcu.ie/pub/perl/
- Italy ftp://cis.uniRoma2.it/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.flashnet.it/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.unina.it/pub/Other/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.unipi.it/pub/mirror/perl/CPAN/
- Netherlands ftp://ftp.cs.uu.nl/mirror/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.nluug.nl/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
- Norway ftp://ftp.uit.no/pub/languages/perl/cpan/
- ftp://sunsite.uio.no/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
- Poland ftp://ftp.man.torun.pl/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.pk.edu.pl/pub/lang/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://sunsite.icm.edu.pl/pub/CPAN/
- Portugal ftp://ftp.ci.uminho.pt/pub/mirrors/cpan/
- ftp://ftp.ist.utl.pt/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.ua.pt/pub/CPAN/
- Romania ftp://ftp.dnttm.ro/pub/CPAN/
- Russia ftp://ftp.chg.ru/pub/lang/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.sai.msu.su/pub/lang/perl/CPAN/
- Slovakia ftp://ftp.entry.sk/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
- Slovenia ftp://ftp.arnes.si/software/perl/CPAN/
- Spain ftp://ftp.etse.urv.es/pub/perl/
- ftp://ftp.rediris.es/mirror/CPAN/
- Sweden ftp://ftp.sunet.se/pub/lang/perl/CPAN/
- Switzerland ftp://sunsite.cnlab-switch.ch/mirror/CPAN/
- Turkey ftp://sunsite.bilkent.edu.tr/pub/languages/CPAN/
- United Kingdom ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/mirrors/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.flirble.org/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
-
-ftp://ftp.mirror.ac.uk/sites/ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.plig.org/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://sunsite.doc.ic.ac.uk/packages/CPAN/
-
-
-=item North America
-
- Alberta ftp://sunsite.ualberta.ca/pub/Mirror/CPAN/
- California ftp://cpan.nas.nasa.gov/pub/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://cpan.valueclick.com/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/perl/CPAN/
- http://download.sourceforge.net/mirrors/CPAN/
- Colorado ftp://ftp.cs.colorado.edu/pub/perl/CPAN/
- Florida ftp://ftp.cise.ufl.edu/pub/perl/CPAN/
- Georgia ftp://ftp.twoguys.org/CPAN/
- Illinois ftp://uiarchive.uiuc.edu/pub/lang/perl/CPAN/
- Indiana ftp://csociety-ftp.ecn.purdue.edu/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.uwsg.indiana.edu/pub/perl/CPAN/
- Kentucky ftp://ftp.uky.edu/CPAN/
- Manitoba ftp://theoryx5.uwinnipeg.ca/pub/CPAN/
- Massachusetts
-ftp://ftp.ccs.neu.edu/net/mirrors/ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.iguide.com/pub/mirrors/packages/perl/CPAN/
- Mexico ftp://ftp.msg.com.mx/pub/CPAN/
- New York ftp://ftp.deao.net/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.rge.com/pub/languages/perl/
- North Carolina ftp://ftp.duke.edu/pub/perl/
- Nova Scotia ftp://cpan.chebucto.ns.ca/pub/CPAN/
- Oklahoma ftp://ftp.ou.edu/mirrors/CPAN/
- Ontario ftp://ftp.crc.ca/pub/packages/lang/perl/CPAN/
- Oregon ftp://ftp.orst.edu/pub/packages/CPAN/
- Pennsylvania ftp://ftp.epix.net/pub/languages/perl/
- Tennessee ftp://ftp.sunsite.utk.edu/pub/CPAN/
- Texas ftp://ftp.sedl.org/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
- ftp://jhcloos.com/pub/mirror/CPAN/
- Utah ftp://mirror.xmission.com/CPAN/
- Virginia ftp://ftp.perl.org/pub/perl/CPAN/
- ftp://ruff.cs.jmu.edu/pub/CPAN/
- Washington ftp://ftp-mirror.internap.com/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.llarian.net/pub/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.spu.edu/pub/CPAN/
-
-
-=item South America
-
- Brazil ftp://cpan.if.usp.br/pub/mirror/CPAN/
- ftp://ftp.matrix.com.br/pub/perl/
- Chile ftp://sunsite.dcc.uchile.cl/pub/Lang/PERL/
+=over 4
-=back
+=item *
-For an up-to-date listing of CPAN sites,
-see http://www.perl.com/perl/CPAN/SITES or ftp://www.perl.com/CPAN/SITES .
+South Africa
-=head1 Modules: Creation, Use, and Abuse
+ ftp://ftp.is.co.za/programming/perl/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.mweb.co.za/pub/mirrors/cpan/
+ ftp://ftp.saix.net/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.sun.ac.za/CPAN/
-(The following section is borrowed directly from Tim Bunce's modules
-file, available at your nearest CPAN site.)
+=back
-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).
+=head2 Asia
-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 F<.pm> file is required to
-exist. See L<perlsub>, L<perltoot>, and L<AutoLoader> for details about
-the AUTOLOAD mechanism.
+=over 4
-=head2 Guidelines for Module Creation
+=item *
-=over 4
+China
-=item Do similar modules already exist in some form?
+ ftp://freesoft.cei.gov.cn/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
+ http://www2.linuxforum.net/mirror/CPAN/
+ http://CPAN.pacific.net.hk/
+ ftp://ftp.pacific.net.hk/pub/mirror/CPAN/
+ http://cpan.shellhung.org/
+ ftp://ftp.shellhung.org/pub/CPAN
-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.
+=item *
-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.
+India
-=item Try to design the new module to be easy to extend and reuse.
+ http://cpan.in.freeos.com
+ ftp://cpan.in.freeos.com/pub/CPAN/
-Try to C<use warnings;> (or C<use warnings qw(...);>).
-Remember that you can add C<no warnings qw(...);> to individual blocks
-of code that need less warnings.
+=item *
-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.,:
+Indonesia
- sub new {
- my $class = shift;
- return bless {}, $class;
- }
+ http://cpan.itb.web.id/
+ ftp://mirrors.piksi.itb.ac.id/CPAN/
+ http://CPAN.mweb.co.id/
+ ftp://ftp.mweb.co.id/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
-or even this if you'd like it to be used as either a static
-or a virtual method.
+=item *
- sub new {
- my $self = shift;
- my $class = ref($self) || $self;
- return bless {}, $class;
- }
+Israel
-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.
+ http://www.iglu.org.il:/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.iglu.org.il/pub/CPAN/
+ http://cpan.lerner.co.il/
+ http://bioinfo.weizmann.ac.il/pub/software/perl/CPAN/
+ ftp://bioinfo.weizmann.ac.il/pub/software/perl/CPAN/
-Avoid class name tests like: C<die "Invalid" unless ref $ref eq 'FOO'>.
-Generally you can delete the C<eq 'FOO'> part with no harm at all.
-Let the objects look after themselves! Generally, avoid hard-wired
-class names as far as possible.
+=item *
-Avoid C<< $r->Class::func() >> where using C<@ISA=qw(... Class ...)> and
-C<< $r->func() >> would work (see L<perlbot> for more details).
+Japan
-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:
+ ftp://ftp.u-aizu.ac.jp/pub/CPAN
+ ftp://ftp.kddlabs.co.jp/CPAN/
+ http://mirror.nucba.ac.jp/mirror/Perl/
+ ftp://mirror.nucba.ac.jp/mirror/Perl/
+ ftp://ftp.meisei-u.ac.jp/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.jaist.ac.jp/pub/lang/perl/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.dti.ad.jp/pub/lang/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.ring.gr.jp/pub/lang/perl/CPAN/
- eval join('',<main::DATA>) || die $@ unless caller();
+=item *
-Does your module pass the 'empty subclass' test? If you say
-C<@SUBCLASS::ISA = qw(YOURCLASS);> your applications should be able
-to use SUBCLASS in exactly the same way as YOURCLASS. For example,
-does your application still work if you change: C<$obj = new YOURCLASS;>
-into: C<$obj = new SUBCLASS;> ?
+Korea
-Avoid keeping any state information in your packages. It makes it
-difficult for multiple other packages to use yours. Keep state
-information in objects.
+ http://mirror.Mazic.org/pub/CPAN
+ ftp://mirror.Mazic.org/pub/CPAN
-Always use B<-w>.
+=item *
-Try to C<use strict;> (or C<use strict qw(...);>).
-Remember that you can add C<no strict qw(...);> to individual blocks
-of code that need less strictness.
+Philippines
-Always use B<-w>.
+ http://www.adzu.edu.ph/CPAN
-Follow the guidelines in the perlstyle(1) manual.
+=item *
-Always use B<-w>.
+Russian Federation
-=item Some simple style guidelines
+ http://cpan.tomsk.ru
+ ftp://cpan.tomsk.ru/pub/CPAN
-The perlstyle manual supplied with Perl has many helpful points.
+=item *
-Coding style is a matter of personal taste. Many people evolve their
-style over several years as they learn what helps them write and
-maintain good code. Here's one set of assorted suggestions that
-seem to be widely used by experienced developers:
+Saudi Arabia
-Use underscores to separate words. It is generally easier to read
-$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.
+ ftp://ftp.isu.net.sa/pub/CPAN/
-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).
+=item *
-You may find it helpful to use letter case to indicate the scope
-or nature of a variable. For example:
+Singapore
- $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
+ http://cpan.hjc.edu.sg
-Function and method names seem to work best as all lowercase.
-e.g., C<< $obj->as_string() >>.
+=item *
-You can use a leading underscore to indicate that a variable or
-function should not be used outside the package that defined it.
+South Korea
-=item Select what to export.
+ http://CPAN.bora.net/
+ ftp://ftp.bora.net/pub/CPAN/
+ http://ftp.kornet.net/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.kornet.net/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.nuri.net/pub/CPAN/
-Do NOT export method names!
+=item *
-Do NOT export anything else by default without a good reason!
+Taiwan
+
+ ftp://coda.nctu.edu.tw/UNIX/perl/CPAN
+ ftp://ftp.ee.ncku.edu.tw/pub/perl/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp1.sinica.edu.tw/pub1/perl/CPAN/
+ http://ftp.tku.edu.tw/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.tku.edu.tw/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Thailand
+
+ http://download.nectec.or.th/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.nectec.or.th/pub/languages/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.cs.riubon.ac.th/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
+
+=back
+
+=head2 Central America
+
+=over 4
+
+=item *
+
+Costa Rica
+
+ ftp://ftp.linux.co.cr/mirrors/CPAN/
+ http://ftp.ucr.ac.cr/Unix/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.ucr.ac.cr/pub/Unix/CPAN/
+
+=back
+
+=head2 Europe
+
+=over 4
+
+=item *
+
+Austria
+
+ ftp://ftp.tuwien.ac.at/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Belgium
+
+ http://ftp.easynet.be/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.easynet.be/pub/CPAN/
+ http://cpan.skynet.be
+ ftp://ftp.skynet.be/pub/CPAN
+ ftp://ftp.kulnet.kuleuven.ac.be/pub/mirror/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Bulgaria
+
+ ftp://ftp.ntrl.net/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Croatia
+
+ ftp://ftp.linux.hr/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Czech Republic
+
+ http://ftp.fi.muni.cz/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.fi.muni.cz/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://sunsite.mff.cuni.cz/MIRRORS/ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Denmark
+
+ http://mirrors.sunsite.dk/cpan/
+ ftp://sunsite.dk/mirrors/cpan/
+ http://www.cpan.dk/CPAN/
+ ftp://www.cpan.dk/ftp.cpan.org/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+England
+
+ http://www.mirror.ac.uk/sites/ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN
+ ftp://ftp.mirror.ac.uk/sites/ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
+ http://cpan.crazygreek.co.uk
+ ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.flirble.org/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.plig.org/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://sunsite.doc.ic.ac.uk/packages/CPAN/
+ http://mirror.uklinux.net/CPAN/
+ ftp://mirror.uklinux.net/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://usit.shef.ac.uk/pub/packages/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Estonia
+
+ ftp://ftp.ut.ee/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Finland
+
+ ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
+ http://cpan.kpnqwest.fi/
+
+=item *
+
+France
+
+ ftp://cpan.ftp.worldonline.fr/pub/CPAN/
+ http://cpan.mirrors.easynet.fr/
+ ftp://cpan.mirrors.easynet.fr/pub/ftp.cpan.org/
+ ftp://ftp.club-internet.fr/pub/perl/CPAN/
+ http://fr.cpan.org/
+ ftp://ftp.lip6.fr/pub/perl/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.oleane.net/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.pasteur.fr/pub/computing/CPAN/
+ http://cpan.cict.fr/
+ ftp://cpan.cict.fr/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.uvsq.fr/pub/perl/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Germany
+
+ ftp://ftp.rz.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.freenet.de/pub/ftp.cpan.org/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.uni-erlangen.de/pub/source/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp-stud.fht-esslingen.de/pub/Mirrors/CPAN
+ ftp://ftp.gigabell.net/pub/CPAN/
+ http://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.uni-hamburg.de/pub/soft/lang/perl/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.leo.org/pub/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/
+
+=item *
+
+Greece
+
+ ftp://ftp.forthnet.gr/pub/languages/perl/CPAN
+ ftp://ftp.ntua.gr/pub/lang/perl/
+
+=item *
+
+Hungary
+
+ http://cpan.artifact.hu/
+ ftp://cpan.artifact.hu/CPAN/
+ http://ftp.kfki.hu/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.kfki.hu/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Iceland
+
+ http://ftp.rhnet.is/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.rhnet.is/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Ireland
+
+ http://cpan.indigo.ie/
+ ftp://cpan.indigo.ie/pub/CPAN/
+ http://sunsite.compapp.dcu.ie/pub/perl/
+ ftp://sunsite.compapp.dcu.ie/pub/perl/
+
+=item *
+
+Italy
+
+ http://cpan.nettuno.it/
+ http://gusp.dyndns.org/CPAN/
+ ftp://gusp.dyndns.org/pub/CPAN
+ http://softcity.iol.it/cpan
+ ftp://softcity.iol.it/pub/cpan
+ ftp://ftp.unina.it/pub/Other/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.unipi.it/pub/mirror/perl/CPAN/
+ ftp://cis.uniRoma2.it/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.edisontel.it/pub/CPAN_Mirror/
+ ftp://ftp.flashnet.it/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Latvia
+
+ http://kvin.lv/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Lithuania
+
+ ftp://ftp.unix.lt/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Netherlands
+
+ ftp://download.xs4all.nl/pub/mirror/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.nl.uu.net/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.nluug.nl/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
+ http://cpan.cybercomm.nl/
+ ftp://mirror.cybercomm.nl/pub/cpan/
+ ftp://ftp.cpan.nl/pub/CPAN/
+ http://www.cs.uu.nl/mirror/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.cs.uu.nl/mirror/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Norway
+
+ ftp://ftp.uninett.no/pub/languages/perl/CPAN
+ ftp://ftp.uit.no/pub/languages/perl/cpan/
+
+=item *
+
+Poland
+
+ ftp://ftp.pk.edu.pl/pub/lang/perl/CPAN/
+ http://www.fic.uni.lodz.pl/pub/CPAN
+ ftp://ftp.fic.uni.lodz.pl/pub/CPAN
+ ftp://ftp.mega.net.pl/pub/mirrors/ftp.perl.com/
+ ftp://ftp.man.torun.pl/pub/doc/CPAN/
+ ftp://sunsite.icm.edu.pl/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Portugal
+
+ ftp://ftp.ua.pt/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://perl.di.uminho.pt/pub/CPAN/
+ http://cpan.ip.pt/
+ ftp://cpan.ip.pt/pub/perl/
+ ftp://ftp.ist.utl.pt/pub/CPAN/
+ http://cpan.ip.pt/
+ ftp://cpan.ip.pt/pub/cpan/
+ ftp://ftp.netc.pt/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.up.pt/pub/CPAN
+
+=item *
+
+Romania
+
+ ftp://archive.logicnet.ro/mirrors/ftp.cpan.org/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.kappa.ro/pub/mirrors/ftp.perl.org/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.dntis.ro/pub/cpan/
+ ftp://ftp.opsynet.com/cpan/
+ ftp://ftp.dnttm.ro/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.lasting.ro/pub/CPAN
+ ftp://ftp.timisoara.roedu.net/mirrors/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Russia
+
+ ftp://ftp.chg.ru/pub/lang/perl/CPAN/
+ http://cpan.rinet.ru/
+ ftp://cpan.rinet.ru/pub/mirror/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.aha.ru/pub/CPAN/
+ http://cpan.sai.msu.ru/
+ ftp://ftp.sai.msu.su/pub/lang/perl/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Slovakia
+
+ ftp://ftp.entry.sk/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Slovenia
+
+ ftp://ftp.arnes.si/software/perl/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Spain
+
+ ftp://ftp.rediris.es/mirror/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.etse.urv.es/pub/perl/
+
+=item *
+
+Sweden
+
+ http://ftp.du.se/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.du.se/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://mirror.dataphone.se/pub/CPAN
+ ftp://ftp.sunet.se/pub/lang/perl/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Switzerland
+
+ ftp://ftp.danyk.ch/CPAN/
+ ftp://sunsite.cnlab-switch.ch/mirror/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Turkey
+
+ ftp://sunsite.bilkent.edu.tr/pub/languages/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Ukraine
+
+ http://cpan.org.ua/
+ ftp://cpan.org.ua/
+ ftp://ftp.perl.org.ua/pub/CPAN/
+
+=back
+
+=head2 North America
+
+=over 4
+
+=item *
+
+Canada
+
+=over 8
+
+=item *
+
+Alberta
+
+ http://sunsite.ualberta.ca/pub/Mirror/CPAN/
+ ftp://sunsite.ualberta.ca/pub/Mirror/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Manitoba
+
+ http://theoryx5.uwinnipeg.ca/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://theoryx5.uwinnipeg.ca/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Nova Scotia
+
+ ftp://cpan.chebucto.ns.ca/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Ontario
+
+ ftp://ftp.crc.ca/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Quebec
+
+ http://cpan.mirror.smartworker.org/
+ ftp://cpan.mirror.smartworker.org/pub/CPAN
+
+=back
+
+=item *
+
+Mexico
+
+ http://cpan.azc.uam.mx
+ ftp://cpan.azc.uam.mx/mirrors/CPAN
+ http://cpan.unam.mx/
+ ftp://cpan.unam.mx/pub/CPAN
+ http://www.msg.com.mx/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.msg.com.mx/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+United States
+
+=over 8
+
+=item *
+
+Alabama
+
+ http://mirror.hiwaay.net/CPAN/
+ ftp://mirror.hiwaay.net/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+California
+
+ http://www.cpan.org/
+ ftp://cpan.valueclick.com/pub/CPAN/
+ http://mirrors.gossamer-threads.com/CPAN
+ ftp://cpan.nas.nasa.gov/pub/perl/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/plan/perl/CPAN/
+ http://mirrors.kernel.org/cpan/
+ ftp://mirrors.kernel.org/pub/CPAN
+ http://cpan.digisle.net/
+ ftp://cpan.digisle.net/pub/CPAN
+ http://www.linuxjar.com/CPAN
+ ftp://linuxjar.com/pub/CPAN
+ http://www.perl.com/CPAN/
+ http://download.sourceforge.net/mirrors/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Colorado
+
+ ftp://ftp.cs.colorado.edu/pub/perl/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+District of Columbia
+
+ ftp://ftp.dc.us.telia.net/pub/cpan/
+
+=item *
+
+Florida
+
+ ftp://ftp.cise.ufl.edu/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
+ http://mirror.csit.fsu.edu/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://mirror.csit.fsu.edu/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Illinois
+
+ http://uiarchive.uiuc.edu/mirrors/ftp/cpan.cse.msu.edu/
+ ftp://uiarchive.uiuc.edu/mirrors/ftp/cpan.cse.msu.edu/
+
+=item *
+
+Indiana
+
+ ftp://ftp.uwsg.indiana.edu/pub/perl/CPAN/
+ http://cpan.nitco.com/
+ ftp://cpan.nitco.com/pub/CPAN/
+ http://archive.progeny.com/CPAN/
+ ftp://archive.progeny.com/CPAN/
+ ftp://cpan.in-span.net/
+ http://csociety-ftp.ecn.purdue.edu/pub/CPAN
+ ftp://csociety-ftp.ecn.purdue.edu/pub/CPAN
+
+=item *
+
+Kentucky
+
+ http://cpan.uky.edu/
+ ftp://cpan.uky.edu/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Massachusetts
+
+ ftp://ftp.ccs.neu.edu/net/mirrors/ftp.funet.fi/pub/languages/perl/CPAN/
+ http://cpan.mirrors.netnumina.com/
+ ftp://mirrors.netnumina.com/cpan/
+ ftp://ftp.iguide.com/pub/mirrors/packages/perl/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Michigan
+
+ ftp://cpan.cse.msu.edu/
+
+=item *
+
+New Jersey
+
+ ftp://ftp.cpanel.net/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+New York
+
+ ftp://ftp.freesoftware.com/pub/perl/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.stealth.net/pub/CPAN/
+ http://www.rge.com/pub/languages/perl/
+ ftp://ftp.rge.com/pub/languages/perl/
+ ftp://mirrors.cloud9.net/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+North Carolina
+
+ ftp://ftp.duke.edu/pub/perl/
+
+=item *
+
+Ohio
+
+ ftp://ftp.loaded.net/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Oklahoma
+
+ ftp://ftp.ou.edu/mirrors/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Oregon
+
+ ftp://ftp.orst.edu/pub/CPAN
+
+=item *
+
+Pennsylvania
+
+ http://ftp.epix.net/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.epix.net/pub/languages/perl/
+ http://mirrors.phenominet.com/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://mirrors.phenominet.com/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://carroll.cac.psu.edu/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Tennessee
+
+ ftp://ftp.sunsite.utk.edu/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Texas
+
+ http://ftp.sedl.org/pub/mirrors/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Utah
+
+ ftp://mirror.xmission.com/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Virginia
+
+ http://mirrors.rcn.net/pub/lang/CPAN/
+ ftp://mirrors.rcn.net/pub/lang/CPAN/
+ ftp://ruff.cs.jmu.edu/pub/CPAN/
+ http://perl.Liquidation.com/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Washington
+
+ http://cpan.llarian.net/
+ ftp://cpan.llarian.net/pub/CPAN/
+ http://cpan.mirrorcentral.com/
+ ftp://ftp.mirrorcentral.com/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp-mirror.internap.com/pub/CPAN/
+
+=back
+
+=back
+
+=head2 Oceania
+
+=over 4
+
+=item *
+
+Australia
+
+ http://ftp.planetmirror.com/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.planetmirror.com/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://mirror.aarnet.edu.au/pub/perl/CPAN/
+ ftp://cpan.topend.com.au/pub/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+New Zealand
+ ftp://ftp.auckland.ac.nz/pub/perl/CPAN/
+
+=back
+
+=head2 South America
+
+=over 4
+
+=item *
+
+Argentina
+
+ ftp://mirrors.bannerlandia.com.ar/mirrors/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Brazil
+
+ ftp://cpan.pop-mg.com.br/pub/CPAN/
+ ftp://ftp.matrix.com.br/pub/perl/CPAN/
+
+=item *
+
+Chile
+
+ ftp://ftp.psinet.cl/pub/programming/perl/CPAN/
+ ftp://sunsite.dcc.uchile.cl/pub/lang/perl/
+
+=back
+
+
+For an up-to-date listing of CPAN sites,
+see http://www.cpan.org/SITES or ftp://www.cpan.org/SITES .
+
+=head1 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 F<.pm> file is required to
+exist. See L<perlsub>, L<perltoot>, and L<AutoLoader> for details about
+the AUTOLOAD mechanism.
+
+=head2 Guidelines for Module Creation
+
+=over 4
+
+=item *
+
+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.
+
+=item *
+
+Try to design the new module to be easy to extend and reuse.
+
+Try to C<use warnings;> (or C<use warnings qw(...);>).
+Remember that you can add C<no 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: C<die "Invalid" unless ref $ref eq 'FOO'>.
+Generally you can delete the C<eq 'FOO'> part with no harm at all.
+Let the objects look after themselves! Generally, avoid hard-wired
+class names as far as possible.
+
+Avoid C<< $r->Class::func() >> where using C<@ISA=qw(... Class ...)> and
+C<< $r->func() >> would work (see L<perlbot> for more details).
+
+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 $@ unless caller();
+
+Does your module pass the 'empty subclass' test? If you say
+C<@SUBCLASS::ISA = qw(YOURCLASS);> your applications should be able
+to use SUBCLASS in exactly the same way as YOURCLASS. For example,
+does your application still work if you change: C<$obj = new YOURCLASS;>
+into: C<$obj = new SUBCLASS;> ?
+
+Avoid keeping any state information in your packages. It makes it
+difficult for multiple other packages to use yours. Keep state
+information in objects.
+
+Always use B<-w>.
+
+Try to C<use strict;> (or C<use strict qw(...);>).
+Remember that you can add C<no strict qw(...);> to individual blocks
+of code that need less strictness.
+
+Always use B<-w>.
+
+Follow the guidelines in the perlstyle(1) manual.
+
+Always use B<-w>.
+
+=item *
+
+Some simple style guidelines
+
+The perlstyle manual supplied with Perl has many helpful points.
+
+Coding style is a matter of personal taste. Many people evolve their
+style over several years as they learn what helps them write and
+maintain good code. Here's one set of assorted suggestions that
+seem to be widely used by experienced developers:
+
+Use underscores to separate words. It is generally easier to read
+$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., C<< $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.
+
+=item *
+
+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
then export nothing. If it's just a collection of functions then
@EXPORT_OK anything but use @EXPORT with caution.
-=item Select a name for the module.
+=item *
+
+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
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.
-=item Have you got it right?
+=item *
+
+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
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!
-=item README and other Additional Files.
+=item *
+
+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
=over 10
=item *
+
A description of the module/package/extension etc.
=item *
+
A copyright notice - see below.
=item *
+
Prerequisites - what else you may need to have.
=item *
+
How to build it - possible changes to Makefile.PL etc.
=item *
+
How to install it.
=item *
+
Recent changes in this release, especially incompatibilities
=item *
+
Changes / enhancements you plan to make in the future.
=back
=over 4
-=item Adding a Copyright Notice.
+=item *
+
+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
also wish to include it in a Copying file and your source files.
Remember to include the other words in addition to the Copyright.
-=item Give the module a version/issue/release number.
+=item *
+
+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
releasing the module (ModuleName-1.02.tar.Z).
See perldoc ExtUtils::MakeMaker.pm for details.
-=item How to release and distribute a module.
+=item *
+
+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
Follow the instructions and links on:
- http://www.perl.com/CPAN/modules/00modlist.long.html
- http://www.perl.com/CPAN/modules/04pause.html
+ http://www.cpan.org/modules/00modlist.long.html
+ http://www.cpan.org/modules/04pause.html
or upload to one of these sites:
Please remember to send me an updated entry for the Module list!
-=item Take care when changing a released module.
+=item *
+
+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
=over 4
-=item There is no requirement to convert anything.
+=item *
+
+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.
-=item Consider the implications.
+=item *
+
+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?
-=item Make the most of the opportunity.
+=item *
+
+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.
-=item The pl2pm utility will get you started.
+=item *
+
+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:
=over 10
=item *
+
Adds the standard Module prologue lines
=item *
+
Converts package specifiers from ' to ::
=item *
+
Converts die(...) to croak(...)
=item *
+
Several other minor changes
=back
=over 4
-=item Complete applications rarely belong in the Perl Module Library.
+=item *
+
+Complete applications rarely belong in the Perl Module Library.
+
+=item *
-=item Many applications contain some Perl code that could be reused.
+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.
-=item Break-out the reusable code into one or more separate module files.
+=item *
+
+Break-out the reusable code into one or more separate module files.
+
+=item *
+
+Take the opportunity to reconsider and redesign the interfaces.
-=item Take the opportunity to reconsider and redesign the interfaces.
+=item *
-=item In some cases the 'application' can then be reduced to a small
+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: