Ok, i'm not a specialist and I still need to write my tests for my (big) Perl programs. Tests are generally included while writing a module and if you add one test you check it with make test

Modules are easier to test (in respect to lonely scripts) because they export functionalities. Imagine an interactive program: it will need lot of headaches with IPC::Open3 or similar to test it.

Anyway i've not so much experience but i collected some intersting links about testing:

• good thread about test testing and habits.
• change a script to be testable, caller info
• Tux abou refactoring code and Test driven design
• Testing methodology, best practices and a pig in a hut.
• Effective Automated Testing
• the sorry state of Perl unit testing framework
• CPAN test scripts, "run" directory, and test data files

HtH

L*

PS the cronjob idea seems to me not so.. adequate.