If I add Test::More to the Makefile.PL, this creates a dependency upon that module, that I would prefer it not to have. However, trying to write the test so that it if Test::More is installed it runs those tests, and runs the normal test.pl file if Test::More is not present, is giving me a headache.

If you decide to write 'regular' tests in the case Test::More isn't present, why bother writing Test::More tests at all? Test::More is there to make it easier to write test. Writing tests twice in such a way that it uses Test::More if Test::More is present, and do it the old fashion way if Test::More isn't serves no purpose.

Besides, the most used functionality of Test::More (subs like 'ok', 'is', 'isnt') is easily written, and can be included in the test file(s) so you have no dependencies.

Abigail