While working on a module for object persistence (Class::AutoDB), I had a need modify Data::Dumper very slightly - basically allowed for Dumper to check whether the Freezer method is defined for an object before calling it (that way every method doesn't HAVE to implement a Freezer method, only the ones that want to be serialized).

Anyway, I tried on a number of occasions to contact the maintainer but after at least three tries over the same number of weeks, I gave up and contacted the author (Gurusamy Sarathy), who told me to hand the patch off to perl-5-porters. I did so, but that was over 5 weeks ago. I have heard nothing since, despite my prompts for status.

The change is very minor, all of Data::Dumper's tests still pass and I included a test for Dumper to test the new functionality.

So my question is this: is it a no-no to just upload a new version of Data::Dumper to the CPAN with the patched source?

As of the latest Class::AutoDB release, I have inlcluded the patches and instructions for patching. But this is really quite unsatisfactory. I would rather just specify the latest version of Dumper because, after all, this is perl, not C++ :)

In reply to socio-political guidance sought by Anonymous Monk

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