How do I create many modules, and group them together by name ?
A1:
Perl groups module names by using :: to separate each grouping from least specific to most specific. For example, under File there are modules called File::Find and File::IO ”both are related to files, but perform different functions. To create your own grouping for a module named MyModules::File::FileInfo , you need to create a directory called MyModules , and under that a directory named File , and under that a file named FileInfo.pm where your module code will go.
Q2:
I want to put my modules someplace else, separate from the programs. How can I do this?
A2:
Perl uses an internal array called @INC to determine where to search for modules. To look for modules in another directory, there's a helper module called lib that will cause perl to look elsewhere for modules. To look for modules in \home\mymodules use this at the beginning of your program:
use lib '\home\mymodules';
For more information, type perldoc lib .
Q3:
Most of my module users will import large groups of subroutines. This will make my use line very long. Is there a remedy?
A3:
Yes. You can choose to collect a group of module subroutines or variable names together and export them as a group. Use the hash %EXPORT_TAGS instead of (or in addition to) @EXPORT_OK . The keys to the hashes are group names; the values are an array reference of the names themselves . The Exporter module manual page has more information.
