Beginners@Perl.Org:
I'm working on some Perl code that generates Makefile code that invokes
external programs. I'd like my code to check if a command is installed
before writing to the Makefile (so that Make doesn't explode when the
command is missing). I'd like my code to work on all the CPAN tester
platforms -- GNU/Linux, *BSD, Win32, Mac, etc..
I've been going around in circles with two basic approaches:
1. Use Capture::Tiny::capture around a system() call (string and/or
list form) and look at the $stdout, $stderr, the return value, and/or $!.
2. Use eval() around backticks and look at the return value and/or $...@.
I've thought about searching the PATH, but that won't work for shell
built-in commands.
I've yet to find one approach that works correctly for all programs on
all platforms.
I've STFW, CPAN, Perl Monks, etc., but haven't found a solution to what
should be a classic need.
What is the proper, platform-independent Perl way to determine if a
program is installed?
Bonus question: what is the proper, platform-independent Perl way to
determine if a shell built-in command is available?
TIA,
David
--
To unsubscribe, e-mail: beginners-unsubscr...@perl.org
For additional commands, e-mail: beginners-h...@perl.org
http://learn.perl.org/
