CPAN betas

jonasbn on 2006-12-20T07:36:22

I have for some time wondered how the CPAN contributors got these parallel beta distributions going through some of the mailinglists I do not get to read as often I would like, I found the answer on module-authors:

Geoffrey Leach wrote: Some time back I uploaded a new version for a distribution of which I am not the owner (no updates since 2004). The file, Pod-HtmlEasy-0.08_01, is in my directory, and shows up on author search (GLEACH), but does not show up on module search.

x.xx_01 indicates a beta release and thus does not show up for that reason. Only those who really want it and know how to get it will do so. If you want it to be returned in searches, you'll have to bump the version to 0.09.

David

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Well, kind of...

Alias on 2006-12-20T11:23:11

That explains WHAT they are, but if I'm reading right you want to "get it going", as in install it?

You can install devel releases via the CPAN client, but referencing the module DIRECTLY, rather than by module name.

So...

> cpan -i Foo::Bar

This maps Foo::Bar via the index to AUTHOR/Foo-Bar-0.01.tar.gz

But likewise, you can just do it directly.

> cpan -i AUTHOR/Foo-Bar-0.01.tar.gz

And it will work.

This mechanism is what things like CPAN::Inject take advantage of.

Re:Well, kind of...

jonasbn on 2006-12-20T11:31:58

Uh nice tip, if this is not already in 'Perl Hacks' it should be in second edition.

Well I am actually more a distributor in that sense I want to make use of the ability to distribute both a beta and stable distribution release.

But giving INSTALL instructions even for the beta distribution makes good sense.

Thanks for the feedback,

jonasbn