I am attempting to set up a Perl build system in a non-writable environment (ClearCase VOB). Basically, I have a set of makefiles that incrementally builds the final distribution from the following pieces:
  1. Support libraries (gdbm, expat, zlib)
  2. Perl 5.8.0
  3. Additional CPAN modules

I build each piece in order, installing into a 'dist' subdirectory, which is not the final installation directory. Confused? I am. All of the packages are built as though the installation will be into /usr/local/lib, /usr/local/perl5, but using makefile trickery or Perl Configure's -Dinstallprefix, things are installed into .../myvob/src/dist/lib, .../myvob/src/dist/perl5.

I can manage to get the libraries and Perl itself to install into this directory structure, and have them *think* they ar e installed in /usr/local. The rub is in getting the CPAN modules to build using the 'dist' version of Perl.

For instance, trying to install Config::IniFiles, I get the following error:

Checking if your kit is complete...
Looks good

Error: Unable to locate installed Perl libraries or Perl source code.

It is recommended that you install perl in a standard location before
building extensions. Some precompiled versions of perl do not contain
these header files, so you cannot build extensions. In such a case,
please build and install your perl from a fresh perl distribution. It
usually solves this kind of problem.

(You get this message, because MakeMaker could not find "/usr/local/pe
+rl5/lib/5.8.0/sun4-solaris-64int/CORE/perl.h")

[download]

I need the modules to utilize the Perl core stuff from the 'dist' directory, but without building binary dependencies on these paths. This is much the same as the Perl build's -Dprefix vs -Dinstallprefix. I can't figure out how to make Ext::MakeMaker to behave the same way!!!

Any help appreciated.

Edit by tye, change PRE to CODE

In reply to Building Perl in a Non-standard environment by comand

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