Bug#186778: ExtUtils::Embed problem when libperl-dev not installed

[Niko Tyni]

On Wed, Jun 01, 2011 at 10:11:18PM +0100, Dominic Hargreaves wrote:
> On Tue, May 05, 2009 at 08:47:49AM +0300, Niko Tyni wrote:
> > On Sat, Mar 29, 2003 at 02:51:57PM -0600, Stephen Waters wrote:
> > > Package: perl-modules
> > > Version: 5.8.0-17
> > > 
> > > When perl-modules is installed but libperl-dev is not, ExtUtils::Embed
> > > incorrectly reports -lperl to be available.

> > No other module in perl-modules requires ExtUtils::Embed AFAICS, so that
> > part should not be a problem. Also, I expect that every package that
> > needs ExtUtils::Embed already depends on libperl-dev as the module is
> > quite useless otherwise.
> 
> No response from Brendan in the bug log, but I don't see why we
> shouldn't bite the bullet and do this.

There's the argument that a normal system should have all or nothing
of the upstream perl distribution installed. Although we're sort of
violating that already with the missing libperl.so symlink, a missing
ExtUtils::Embed is a somewhat clearer case of "crippling perl."

TBH, after the last time I tried to split out the dual lived modules [1]
I don't have much enthusiasm in pursuing such changes.

I'm slightly inclined to keep the status quo with ExtUtils::EMbed until
(if?) things change with the dual lived modules, but YMMV.

[1] threads at http://lists.debian.org/debian-perl/2010/11/msg00017.html
    and http://www.xray.mpe.mpg.de/mailing-lists/perl5-porters/2010-11/msg00499.html
-- 
Niko Tyni   ntyni at debian.org