Test dependency problem in Graphics::Fig

scooter has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

I recently uploaded Graphics::Fig v1.0.5 to fix a defect, and am now getting error reports from the testers. The problem is that the tests aren't finding an internal test module, t/FigCmp.pm. I've worked around these test dependency problems before by creating symbolic links in the source directory. But I notice that when I do that, MakeMaker "make manifest" follows the links and puts duplicate source files into the distribution. I probably introduced this new dependency problem by removing one of the links.

What is the "right" way to get the tests to find both the modules they're testing, and also any internal test modules?

Comment on Test dependency problem in Graphics::Fig

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Re: Test dependency problem in Graphics::Fig by haukex (Archbishop) on Aug 07, 2021 at 04:04 UTC
When my `t/.t` scripts need to find `t/.pm` files, I use `use FindBin (); use lib $FindBin::Bin;` in the `.t` files. I've seen a few other approaches but this one has been working reliably for me.	[reply] [d/l] [select]
Re^2: Test dependency problem in Graphics::Fig by scooter (Initiate) on Aug 08, 2021 at 00:16 UTC
Tests passed this time. Thanks.	[reply]
Re: Test dependency problem in Graphics::Fig by Corion (Patriarch) on Aug 07, 2021 at 07:43 UTC
For my test programs with a test helper library in `t/MyTestHelper.pm` I use something like `use lib 't/'; use MyTestHelper;` [download] This picks up the library when the tests are run using `make test` or `prove`.	[reply] [d/l] [select]
Re: Test dependency problem in Graphics::Fig by perlfan (Parson) on Aug 08, 2021 at 02:35 UTC
`prove`'s -l (lowercase "L") appends `./lib` to `@INC`. So, `prove -l`, might do what you want. Similarly, `prove -It/lib` would work for you it seems. That said, `.pm` files in `./t` should probably be in `./t/lib` or `/xlib`. Using Dist::Zilla, you could also have a proper `lib/Test/` namespace, then strip out what you don't want to include in the actual distribution. YMMV	[reply] [d/l] [select]
Re^2: Test dependency problem in Graphics::Fig by Your Mother (Archbishop) on Aug 08, 2021 at 17:31 UTC
I think s/appends/prepends/. It’s common to have multiple versions of a module or a core version in system perl or in local::lib or… so the distinction matters since @INC is searched in order.	[reply]