what's compile-time binding?
A normal binding:
$name := expr;
is a run-time operation that installs its RHS operand as a new implementation for the LHS symbol. That is, it means:
$CurrentPackage::{'$name'} = \(expr)
(with some special magic that only enreferences C<expr> if it's not already a reference to a scalar).
A compile-time binding:
$name ::= expr;
*pre*-installs its RHS operand as an implementation for the LHS symbol. That is, it means:
BEGIN { $CurrentPackage::{'$name'} = \(expr) }
(with the same special enreferencing magic).
In other words, C<::=> is to C<:=> as a macro call is to a subroutine call.
Damian
