14. How do I write new modules?

You might want to start by poking around your Tk-b# distribution directory. Is there something there that already does what you want? Is there something that is reasonably close - but only requires minor modification?

Next go through the various perl documents - including the FAQ as well as the various relevant man pages: perlmod(1), perlobj(1), perlbot(1), (and please don't forget: perlpod(1)!)

Post your idea to comp.lang.perl.tk and discuss it with others - there might very well be someone working on an approach already. A clear explanation of all the stuff that gets put into a module was posted to the mailing list and can be found in the archive at:

    http://sun20.ccd.bnl.gov/~ptk/archive/ptk.1995.10/0012.html
Also, be sure to check out a recent version of the official Module List that Tim Bunce <Tim.Bunce@ig.co.uk> maintains and posts to comp.lang.perl.announce periodically. The list is also available at any CPAN ftp site as well as:
    ftp://franz.ww.tu-berlin.de/pub/modules/00modlist.long.html <- html!
    ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/perl-faq/module-list
    ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/perl/db/mod/module-list.txt
    ftp://ftp.wpi.edu/perl5/Modules/module_list.txt
Finally ready to ship? Small (perl/Tk) modules have been posted directly to comp.lang.perl.tk. Big modules may require ftp distribution (see upload info at one of the CPAN sites) then make your announcement to comp.lang.perl.tk and possibly to comp.lang.perl.announce.

Previous | Return to table of contents | Next