The problem is so bad that I can't even install Module::Build 0.2805, because the tests fail for the exact same reason.

The solution that works for me, is find a way to specify that directory into the command line for the linker. Open the file C:\Perl\site\lib\ActivePerl\Config.pm, and replace the line 108,

        _override("lddlflags", "-mdll");
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        _override("lddlflags", "-mdll -LC:/Perl/lib/CORE");
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bart,
Very interesting though this workaround is just that - a workaround. I would be interested in knowing who the right people are to get a real fix for this. The alternative I found for Devel::Caller was just to bypass Module::Build though I have confirmed your workaround also works.

Cheers - L~R

Despite your skeptiscism, after some more digging together with Intrepid who enjoys messing with build problems, I appear to have found the exact spot of the problem. You see, here is the line in Config Config_heavy.pl for ActivePerl5.8.8:

lddlflags='-dll -nologo -nodefaultlib -debug -opt:ref,icf  -libpath:"C
+:\Perl\lib\CORE"  -machine:x86'
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And here is what is made of in in ActivePerl::Config:

        _override("lddlflags", "-mdll");
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which lists the option for the dynamic libraries, i.e. the DLLs made out of the XS modules.

Do you see anything missing? Well, actually, a lot is missing, but most importantly, the command line switch to include the library search directory "C:\Perl\lib\CORE" is not there any more.

So, with a bit of cleanup, i.e. poring the library path out of _orig_config instead of hardcoding it, I guess I have the most acceptable patch.

update I've made a more politically correct patch, which gets the (MSVC style) -libpath: parameter switches out of the original lddlflags setting, and replaces each with the gcc style -L switch for MinGW. I've tested it and it seems to work, even with quotes and backslashes in place.

        _override("lddlflags", join " ", "-mdll",
          map "-L$_", map /^-libpath:(.+)/,
          _orig_conf("lddlflags") =~ /(?=\S)(?>[^"\s]+|"[^"]*")+/g);
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update The code has been updated (from a simple split " ") so it can properly handle spaces embedded between quotes.

use ExtUtils::MakeMaker;

WriteMakefile(
    'NAME'    => 'Devel::Caller',
    'VERSION_FROM' => 'lib/Devel/Caller.pm', # finds $VERSION
);
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Rob,
I think there's an element of Module::Build bugginess involved here

bart and I are coming to the same conclusion. Oddly enough, the last ppd I can find for Devel::Build is .08 and according to the changes file, it ported to Module::Build at .09 version. Oddly enough, the test report shows the current version building on Win32 when MVC++ is used as the compiler. This leads me to believe it is a ActiveState/MinGW/Module::Build problem. I have several different makes lying around so that isn't the problem as I see the behavior with all of them.

Interestingly enough, my <make> test passed. Apparently a lot of the failing tests are marked TODO. As far as Devel::Caller::Perl, the particular module I am trying to install won't accept it as a surrogate dependency.

Thanks so much for figuring out a work around!!!! Any suggestions on who to contact on a real fix would be appreciated.

Cheers - L~R