That's teaching them to fish.

Well, there is a level thing. Comparing with teaching a person how to search CPAN, this is a fish; But comparing with giving a person a piece of sample code as how to use that CPAN module, this is teaching them fishing. (One more: comparing with telling one that there is a CPAN.org, teaching a person how to use CPAN is giving him a fish ;-)

So the question really is what is the right level, or put it in this way, should you give one a raw fish? a marinated fish? or a cooked fish?

I think it is perfectly okay to point people to a particular CPAN module, as they still have a widely open space to learn, they have to read doc, have to dig into those methods, and figure out how to make it work for them.

There might be a couple of CPAN modules available for the same thing, as an experienced user, you must have a reason to pick this particular one, and that's what is really precious to newbies - your experience.

Sometime, some people are in a rush to have something done, and by pointing them to a module, you saved them.

In reply to Re: Is CPAN fish or fishing? by pg
in thread Is CPAN fish or fishing? by BrowserUk

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