It would be useful to maintain a list of CPAN modules that have unusual behavior such as Acme::Bleach. Perhaps MODULATOR could detect these modules and automatically update the list.

If these source-modifying modules all had antidotes with a common naming convention, then MODULATOR could check for self modification and run the antidote if necessary.

I wrote a program to reverse the effects of Bleach. I called it Rit.pl.

If more people give in to the temptation of writing perl code that has unusual side effects, validation will grow in importance. There is potential for harm in many more ways than modifying source code, as merlyn points out. A validation program could use checksums, take advantage of MANIFEST information, etc. It could also be useful for checking for non-perl applications.

It should work perfectly the first time! - toma