I'm looking at some legacy code for a web application where I work, trying to understand what it's doing, specifically with respect to a private namespace package.

Each webpage has it's own script (e.g., somepage.pl). Each of those scripts looks something like this:
#!/usr/bin/perl
use strict;
use Private;

#call a bunch of things to make a page

[download]
The 'Private.pm' module looks something like this:
# This is a private namespace where all modules get loaded.
# Warning: Don't put any 'use' statements that depend on Exporting int
+o a namespace you will actually use in the programs.
use strict;
use base_class1;
use base_class2;
use CGI;
use DBI;
# etc., loads lots of modules

[download]
A few other modules 'use' various packages, but mostly do not.
My Question:
What is this 'Private.pm' package doing for the program? Is it allowing main to find and access the other modules? Does it in any way allow the other modules to locate each other (perhaps through main)? And, why do it this way?

Any enlightenment greatly appreciated!

Apprentice

In reply to Private namespace package question by apprentice

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