How many modules can one module require before it is considered too many? Given the speed of today's computers and the amount of memory they have, is this question academic?

Before answering the question, I think the question is missing at least one other dimension: the environment in which the module is being used. And if we're distinghuising environments, I'm thinking basically two groups: load,run x 1,quit (basic maintenance scripts, CGI scripts) and load,run x N,quit (persistent environments such as mod_perl).

Many CORE modules use AutoLoader, because it was felt that huge libraries (such as POSIX) or functionality that you need only in exception handling (e.g. Carp), would not need to be loaded in their entirety, but only when they're reallly needed. This is all fine for "run x 1" environments. But it is counterproductive for "run x N" environments, as it introduces memory bloat in those environments (because of shared memory between child processes becoming unshared).

I think Perl needs a way to optimize for the different environments in which it is being used. That is way more important than a discussion about what the right amount of modules is.

Liz

In reply to Re: How Many Modules Is Too Many? by liz
in thread How Many Modules Is Too Many? by Belgarion

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