| CC: | MSCHWERN [...] cpan.org |
| Subject: | Please stop using PREREQ_FATAL=>1 in your Makefile.PL |
By setting PREREQ_FATAL=>1 in your Makefile.PL you're defeating the
purpose of the PREREQ_PM parameter completely. Because then MakeMaker
will not write a Makefile and thus the protocol between MakeMaker and
automated installer is broken. And while my installer could without any
doubt install HTML::Parser without bothering the user, it cannot do so
with PREREQ_FATAL because nobody tells it what needs installing.
Yes, the PREREQ_FATAL thing should never have been invented but now that
we have it we must convince authors to not use it. Sigh.
Let me know if you have doubts about it.
BTW, fortunately with more recent MakeMakers there is the option to
override it by setting PREREQ_FATAL=0 on the commandline. It's a good
way around for the few who care enough, but it's nothing but a handicap
for the many who are not dealing with this stuff every day.
Thanks,