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

I am surprised to find that there are no XML::* modules included in the core modules set.

I would of thought those modules are used frequently enough to warrant inclusion. I know that ActiveState have been doing this, including XML::Simple, from at least 5.6.1...

Does anyone know why this is the case? What process is followed to determine if a module should be included in the core?

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: XML::* in core modules
by davorg (Chancellor) on Jul 11, 2003 at 13:13 UTC

    In general the modules that are included in the core distribution are ones that are going to be useful to everyone. These debates are (I believe) carried out on the p5p mailing list, tho' the current pumpking will have the final word.

    XML modules aren't included for the same reason that DBI/DBD modules aren't included - not everyone will use them (and, I guess, because there are far too many to choose from).

    XML::Parser is included as an extra module with ActivePerl as their package manager, ppm, relies on it.

    --
    <http://www.dave.org.uk>

    "The first rule of Perl club is you do not talk about Perl club."
    -- Chip Salzenberg

[reply]
      Ok, thanks. And that explains why they are in the ActiveState distro's.

      Perhaps I should get participating in p5p discussions: something tells me that XML::Simple/XML::Parse is used more than, for example, WWW:RobotsRules or Math::Complex, wouldn't you agree?

      Perhaps this would make a good poll: what modules would you like to see in the core? Probably been done before tho'....

[reply]

        WWW::RobotRules was added for 5.8.0. It was only added because it was part of the libwww distribution which was added because it was a prerequisite for some other module that Jarkko wanted to add (see how complex it can get). Math::Complex has been in the core for years. If nothing else it serves as a good example of operator overloading.

        As for adding modules to the core, I think we need a good date/time module in there. I suggest DateTime and its friends.

        --
        <http://www.dave.org.uk>

        "The first rule of Perl club is you do not talk about Perl club."
        -- Chip Salzenberg

[reply]
Re: XML::* in core modules
by yosefm (Friar) on Jul 11, 2003 at 12:55 UTC
    Actually I got XML::Parser with my copy of perl distributed with RH Linux 9, but I had to install XML::Simple (which uses Parser) myself.

    Really, what makes a module a core module? I'd like to know too.

[reply]
      Module::Corelist - what modules shipped with versions of perl.

      Versions of perl being those released on CPAN, aka official perl releases.

      update: Also, core modules are generally located in perl -V:installarchlib -V:installprivlib, although this is not guaranteed to remain true (like if you upgrade a certain module, it may move to perl -V:sitelib).

      MJD says "you can't just make shit up and expect the computer to know what you mean, retardo!"
      I run a Win32 PPM repository for perl 5.6.x and 5.8.x -- I take requests (README).
      ** The third rule of perl club is a statement of fact: pod is sexy.

[reply]

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