I'm getting my sea legs with perl -- -- winxp with ActiveState -- and today I would like to ask the monks a question about cpan. I do 
cpan
install stuff::thing

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and get a bunch of output while the module attempts to install. Many lines of the output read something like 
subroutine _STUFF redefined at /dir/dir/dir line 1234

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Then scary messages like "no response from server, trying again." And in the end, everything works. At least, everything has worked so far.

But when my computer casually tells me that hundreds of functions are being redefined, I worry a bit. What's up with that? Am I being paranoid? Should I learn to love CPAN and not sweat the details?

Or should I back up my installation before every new grab from CPAN?

Here are more questions, while my cpan install grinds on, and my mind glazes over pondering the CPAN voodoo.

1) When should I use 

make
make test
make install

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and when should I use cpan install?

2) How long should I give CPAN install to succeed, before giving up? The error message I usually get many many many times, before it finally succeeds is usually 

connecting to ftp.server.com
logging in as anonymous, okay, okay, okay (skipped some stuff here)
.....
==> PORT ...
Error in server response, closing control connection.
Retrying.

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3) My original question, are these "redefined function" actions of cpan dangerous?

Thanks for your wisdom!

thomas.

PS In this specific case it is log::log4perl, but this overall behavior is pretty constant with cpan, in my experience. PPS Here is my attempt at a google search to do my own research on the problem, but it didn't get me too far:

http://www.google.de/search?hl=de&q=cpan+%22error+in+server+response%22&btnG=Google-Suche&meta=

In reply to CPAN "install" redefines bunches of stuff. Should I worry? by tphyahoo

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