Re: [MacPerl] Perl Shared Library (was Re: [MacPerl] ports and builds)

[Matthias Neeracher <neeri@iis.ee.ethz.ch>]

In article <199901132314.PAA57728@scv4.apple.com>, Steve Zellers <zellers@apple.com> writes:
> 1) I'd like to see perl on the mac distributed as a pure shared library.  
> This would allow plugins to operate in different application contexts, 
> and would allow freeze-dried perl applications to not have to bundle the 
> entire perl runtime.

While I do agree with the basic feeling that Perl should be available in a more
embeddable form and actually am working (slowly) toward that goal, the actual
distribution logistics are going to be difficult.

> 2) Perl libraries (/usr/local/lib/perl5/*) should be placed relative to 
> this shared library

What I've experimented with is a symbolic link in the perferences folder.
I prefer not to install major directory trees in the system folder (BTW,
another slowly simmering project I have is to bundle the libraries into
a compressed archive, similar to what, I think, Java is doing).

> 3) An API for Mac developers to embed the perl shared library in other 
> applications

Been there, done that, had some pretty persistent problems with leaks
and reentrance problems.

> 4) A metrowerks perl runtime plugin to do syntax checking, perhaps 
> interactive console execution.

This is one of several possible ways of integrating Perl with metrowerks.
Lots of possibilities there, but too little time.

> If anyone has any interest in these things, let me know and we can start 
> some off-line discussions.

> p.s.: I work on the Java VM at apple and would like to see some "neat" 
> java / perl / OS integration...

As you might or might not know, I'm also working at Apple now. I'd love to
get together with you (and other interested parties @ Apple) to discuss these
topics. In particular, I would be interested in finding out how Perl is
going to fit into MacOS X (my understanding is that it's shipping in MacOS X
Server, would you happen to know who is responsible for that port?).

Matthias

-- 
Matthias Neeracher   <neeri@iis.ee.ethz.ch>   http://www.iis.ee.ethz.ch/~neeri
  "And that's why I am going to turn this world upside down, and make
   of it a fire so *bright* that someone real will notice"
                                -- Vernor Vinge, _Tatja Grimm's World_

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