There is a wiki that is trying to keep a list of favourite modules and why. My Favourite CPAN Modules
I like the idea but the format and information currently leave a lot to be desired. But if you want reviews of modules it is a start. I think a community like Perl Monks is better than a static list. Because most of the times a search for a particular way of doing things ie a module, involve defining the problem you are trying to solve. And most of the time your problem is not unique it is your perspective on the problem that is. And through discussion you can usually find a solution or improve your perspective on the problem. And having both tools availbe is of course ideal. But as others have said CPAN by category is the best bet to go or state your problem here and just chat about it.

I doubt if a master list would actually add something that http://search.cpan.org doesn't already provides. You would get a huge list, that eventually you had to dig through.

Now, if you want to know what module to use, if, for example, you want to do some form validation, you might as well search CPAN directly with "form validation". Besides that, CPAN also lists it's modules category-wise, so if you aren't sure what exactly you want to search for, that might help.


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b10m

Seems like a module list would be subject to controversy. Of course, some modules are better than others, but in many cases they are simply different -- as different as English and Outer Mongolian.

For instance, if you like POE you might favor POE modules over non-POE ones. This is a case of style preference dictating module choice. In other cases, functionality dictates choice. I find POE very interesting, but Net::Jabber floors POE::Component::Jabber in terms of current functionality. So in this case, functionality might drive the decision. Still, I think there is a reasonable debate that in some cases both the POE version and the non-POE version have their uses!

A very wise Philosopher once said "There are two roads to go by, but in the long run, there is still time to change the road you're on." Try to not let the choice of modules dictate your application's permanent direction. Isolate them to the side, if you can, you may find better ones. It appears a good chunk of learning Perl is learning which Perl modules are cool, and cooler ones come along all of the time.

..And if you don't already have it, get a copy of the Perl Cookbook. A good place to start as well.

  
  use strict;
  use diagnostics;
  use WWW::Mechanize;
  my $page = WWW::Mechanize->new;
  $page->get("http://search.cpan.org/";)||die("Cannot get cpan:$!");
[download]

Now i am sure one should use AI::ExpertSystem::Simple and setup a rule file which may be evolve via expert (monks here) contribution.

Then this should goto experts.perl.org. I guess with 3-4 web forms the think is ready, optimistically ;)

Murat