We are looking at 2 different files.

Mine is the result of a 'module' load using 'cpan install Kafka'; while you are referencing a 'Distribition' Kaffka-0.12.tar. There is a Kafka::Mock module that has the same -0.12 nomenclature.

The CPAN command "i /Kafka/ " shows both.

In 'root/.cpan/build/Kafka-09010-xxxxxx'there is only one README with:

...
TESTING

The following environment variable changes the way Kafka Benchmark tes
+t behave:

   # The root directory of the installation Kafka 0.8+
   KAFKA_BASE_DIR

SIMPLE BENCHMARK
...
[download]

Which is is the most current or correct one, or what are the content differences, I don't know...

++++ UPDATE+++++ I just tried installing the Distribution, and it installed without comment.

++++ UPDATE-2 +++++ The distribution did not contain ALL of the modules. Kafka::Message.pm and Kafka::Connection, at least, were not installed. I believe other utility pieces were also missing.

I did a 'cpan install Kafka::Message' and numerous other modules were also installed.
The sample program in the Kafka::Producer man page does pass a syntax check, but always ends with the error

     Error: (-1004) Can't bind: topic = 'ort2'
[download]

A tcpdump shows a good TCP connection with 50+ packets exchanged. And I tried pre-defined topics and unique new topics

More study needed...