In this case, you're trading compile-time compilation (there's a good catchphrase for people looking to quote me) for run-time compilation on every pass through the subroutine.

If it weren't for the string eval, I'd definitively say that you're not gaining anything on memory use -- if the subroutine is ever called -- as the eval() takes on the package context of the surrounding code. Any exported variables or methods will be installed in the current package table, as far as I understand it.

Granted, if the module has already been used, Perl will look in %INC to see if it's there. You'll still have to pay the (however slight) eval string penalty.

Besides all that, it's *generally* unclear and bad style, in my opinion. Unless there's a very compelling reason to do this, I'd whack somebody who suggested it. In general, there aren't many good reasons to use eval string.

In reply to Re: runtime "use" statements via string eval by chromatic
in thread runtime "use" statements via string eval by geektron

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