How to distribute an example data file in a CPAN module

zby has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Dear Brothers in Perl,

I would like to add an example SQLite database to Catalyst::Example::InstantCRUD - so that it lives up to it's name. That is I would like that instantcrud.pl when invoked without a DSN would connect to that example database and produce the appriopriate CRUD application. It might be even the database that I use in the tests - but I have no reliable way of finding it from a working script. What are my options?

Comment on How to distribute an example data file in a CPAN module

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Re: How to distribute an example data file in a CPAN module by Corion (Patriarch) on Feb 19, 2009 at 14:42 UTC
I'd append the SQL to create that database to the script itself, in (for example) a `__DATA__` section. That way, it's easily seen or modified.	[reply] [d/l]
Re^2: How to distribute an example data file in a CPAN module by zby (Vicar) on Feb 19, 2009 at 14:55 UTC
Hmmm - yeah - you are right! I was thinking about an in memory database - I think I've seen something like that but I could not figure out how to do it so I decided that I must have confused something and stopped thinking in that direction.	[reply]
Re: How to distribute an example data file in a CPAN module by jplindstrom (Monsignor) on Feb 20, 2009 at 00:58 UTC
I think SQLite db files are binary cross platform, but possibly not across versions. I guess you'd have to check the SQLite manual for that. That does sound a bit fragile in any case, so the DDL might be a more solid choice. You can put data files next to where your module source gets installed. Find out where that is: `package Your::Module; use Path::Class; # Return ".../site_lib/Your/Module/data/sample.sql" sub sample_db_file { file( file(__FILE__)->dir->absolute, "data", "sample.sql") . ""; }` [download] If you use Module::Build, you need to specify that nonstandard file extensions should be packaged, like this: `# Build.PL $builder->add_build_element('sql');` [download] Not sure about the EMM or Module::Install incantations. So you'll need to create a .db file in a convenient (for the user) writable location. File::HomeDir might be useful for finding that location. /J	[reply] [d/l] [select]
Re^2: How to distribute an example data file in a CPAN module by zby (Vicar) on Feb 20, 2009 at 07:08 UTC
Thanks! Although I decided to put the SQL into __DATA__ - but once it grows I'll remember your solution :)	[reply]