[Chicago-talk] Getting new modules into the standard Perl distribution.

[Sean Blanton]

I am huge fan and user of the XML::Twig and Config::Properties modules. 
After all, these address handling of some of the most common resources 
found today.

When I download Perl, however, they are not there, and the third most 
popular scripting language does not have good XML support 
"out-of-the-box". Yeah, TIMTOWTDI, but XML::Twig is the undisputed king 
of the universe imho. Add all generally accepted XML modules in fact - 
the more the better.

The long sad story is that it is not easy for larger companies with 
standard Perl distributions to add modules. One of our customers has an 
"open source review board" where new modules need to be reviewed and 
approved and maybe tested with a number of different apps (most of the 
time it is most likely just ours). And, there better be a good reason to 
do so and it must be easy enough to understand and believed 
cost-effective for management to go forward with it. It's easier for 
them to pick up new modules on an upgrade. And, that is only one 
customer. We have hundreds.

Our product uses Perl at one layer, but we had to stop distributing Perl 
for Windows because ActiveState wanted to charge for it, so that ended 
our control. We do distribute some simple CPAN modules, but, that's a 
tricky business considering module dependencies and the fact we need to 
support Perl 5.6.x through 5.8.y

So how are requirements managed anyway? How do I start the ball rolling 
even if it is a long uphill path and a heavy ball?

Heading to the meeting shortly!