Bugs in module on CPAN: proper procedure

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

This is a "best practice" question.

If you notice that a CPAN module has a very specific bug in it, but it's not easily patchable since the modules it requires it the main culprit. Do you patch both modules and submit (I'm not even sure this is possible). Or do you rewrite the module and make it work as it should and then run into a rather odd naming situation.

The module i'm speaking of is Net::Traceroute::PurePerl, but the problem exists in Net::Traceroute as well. I should actually point out that the problem exits within every tested version of traceroute on linux/solaris including MTR and assorted TCPtraces.

When attempting to traceroute through an unrouted device on the system, the packets travel out over the default interface with packet headers from the specified interface. This causes nothing to return, and, in order to force any information to return you can use ICMP echo rather then UDP and you'll get the route for the default interface. Clearly this is not what it should do.

I've started a module that can report the desired route of the proper interface, but I have yet to add any of the extras which would be needed for CPAN. I also run into a problem of a name for it.

So in the end my question is. Is it okay to step on an already developed module with a new replacement?. Or would it be wise to first inform the authors of the issue. Or Since the problem is deeply ingrained into the known application should i assume i'm the only person that ever plans on running these types of tests and just keep it to myself?

_{janitored by ybiC: Retitle from "CPAN bugs and proper proceedure", make PM-links of module names}

Comment on Bugs in module on CPAN: proper procedure

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: CPAN bugs and proper proceedure by liz (Monsignor) on Sep 13, 2003 at 17:37 UTC
Since both Net::Traceroute as well as Net::Traceroute::PurePerl seem to have been updated in the past year, I would definitely contact the authors. Most authors would like to know if something is wrong or something can be done better with their modules. I know I would if somebody had suggestions to improve my modules. Uploading another version is of course also an option. But I would only do that if there was an important reason to do so. Liz	[reply]
Re: Bugs in module on CPAN: proper procedure by adrianh (Chancellor) on Sep 13, 2003 at 21:14 UTC
Or would it be wise to first inform the authors of the issue. Please let the author know! CPAN authors generally like their modules to work. At the very least drop a bug report in to http://rt.cpan.org/.	[reply]