On July 15, 2004 9:52:30 PM EDT, Robert Rothenberg wrote:
> I am working on a module that when given a CPAN distribution, it will determine what modules that distribution depends on by scanning the META.yml file or if that one is not present, the Makefile.PL file.
>
> Is that a good name for it?
>
> It differs from existing modules in that it merely parses the Makefile.PL file rather than try to compile or run it and look for what modules it requests. For most modules on CPAN, it is quite adequate.
>
Rob:
I took a look thru the TL CPAN::* and Module* namespaces yesterday and, contrary to my first impression, came to the conclusion that your module does indeed do something that other modules don't, mainly because it is more narrowly focused and modest. So I think it will be a useful addition to CPAN.
I think you are correct in not wanting to create a TL Distribution:** namespace. However, I tend to agree with other posters that the best place for this will be under the Module::* namespace, not the CPAN::* namespace.
My reasoning: (1) As comdog said, if this can apply to _any other_ form of distribution besides CPAN (and I suspect it can, or should), then it should not go in the CPAN namespace; and (2) the other modules that do things like yours are in the Module** namespace, so someone searching through that space will be able to make quick comparisons between your module and say, Module::Install, and determine which is better for his/her needs.
Jim Keenan
