In order to handle version transitions cleanly, the run-time library has to know which version of which modules it's supposed to have, and the programs which link into it have to know which version they want. Java can almost handle that.
Is perl there yet? Can a program go to the perl library and say, "I need to link to HTML::FormatText, any version between n and m," and expect to be understood?
The ever resourceful Brian Ingerson has released only.pm, which appears to do exactly this sort of thing. It's still pretty new, but looks very promising. You can even specify a range of versions, excluding specific releases within this range! Some people really have too much time on their hands... This requires 5.6.1 (would it work with 5.6.0?)
http://search.cpan.org/author/INGY/only-0.25/
From the README: "The only.pm module allows you to install many different versions of a Perl module distribution, and then specify which one should be used in a program.
use only MyModule => '0.50';"
Drew -- Drew Taylor | Web development & consulting http://www.drewtaylor.com/ | perl/mod_perl/DBI/mysql/postgres ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Netflix: DVD Rentals by mail with NO late fees or due dates! Free Trial - http://www.netflix.com/Default?mqso=36126240 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
