Perl-RunEND - Execute perl code after __END__ literal USAGE: perl-run-end /opt/Module/Whatever/YourModule.pm A common best-practice under Python is to include a self-test at the end every module - especially if the module is largely standalone. In Python this is done via: if __name__ == '__main__': In Perl, we have __END__ available, often we will put test code or notes or comments, etc. We make use of this data by using the DATA filehandle. It would be handy if we could put fully working Perl code in this section as a self documenting example. (say of the SYNOPSIS) When we execute the module as 'self' (e.g. perl-run-end /opt/module.pm) it would execute all the code contained below __END__. This could be handy to use __END__ to create self-testing code. This is not meant to replace Test::More, or any of the other great testing modules avaiable in Perl, it's more of a 'test helper', or convienent notepad to test your synopsis code, or to show actual working examples of your module. In fact this could be used in conjunction or even as a jump start (this working code could then become your test suite. this would even work with TDD, to flesh out your module. write code to use the interface, then create the actual interface.) Additionally, this can be also be used for any perl script, or file with executable perl code with an __END__. NOTE: I wrote this before I saw Test::Inline (which is probably a better approach) however, I still find this useful. I believe this would be useful as a command line switch to the perl interpreter itself: something like: perl -r Execute code embedded in __END__ block probably introducing a new literal would be best like __RUN__ which would act just like __END__ . The code contained within would only be exectuted if perl was called with the command line switch. =head1 SYNOPSIS If module is called as 'self' run the code beneath __END__. perl-run-end /opt/Module/Whatever/YourModule.pm # displays FOOfunction1 called Where the contents of ModuleWhatever/YourModule.pm package YourModule; use strict; sub new { my $class = shift; my $self = bless {}, $class; $self->{foo} = 'FOO'; return $self; } sub function1 { return 'function1 called'; } 1; # End of Perl::RunEND __END__ use strict; use warnings; use YourModule; my $ym = YourModule->new(); warn $ym->{foo}; warn $ym->function1; # you may have to add the module path to your @INC perl-run-end -i /opt/Module/Whatever/Mod /opt/Module/Whatever/Mod/YourModule.pm =head1 DESCRIPTION Some people like to create their POD below the __END__ literal in the modules This module could be useful for proving your synopsis and POD examples are working code. Consider the following POD: =head1 SYNOPSIS use My::MyModulePod; my $mm = My::MyModulePod->new(); print $mm->function1,"\n"; =cut # perdoc does not parse this code but perl-run-end does execute it use My::MyModulePod; my $mm = My::MyModulePod->new(); print "test synopsis\n"; print $mm->function1,"\n"; =head2 function1 provides useful funtion type access $mm->function1; =cut print "test method definition\n"; print $mm->function1,"\n"; INSTALLATION To install this module, run the following commands: perl Build.PL ./Build ./Build test ./Build install SUPPORT AND DOCUMENTATION After installing, you can find documentation for this module with the perldoc command. perldoc Perl::RunEND You can also look for information at: RT, CPAN's request tracker (report bugs here) http://rt.cpan.org/NoAuth/Bugs.html?Dist=Perl-RunEND AnnoCPAN, Annotated CPAN documentation http://annocpan.org/dist/Perl-RunEND CPAN Ratings http://cpanratings.perl.org/d/Perl-RunEND Search CPAN http://search.cpan.org/dist/Perl-RunEND/ LICENSE AND COPYRIGHT Copyright (C) 2012 David Wright This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the the Artistic License (2.0). You may obtain a copy of the full license at: L Any use, modification, and distribution of the Standard or Modified Versions is governed by this Artistic License. By using, modifying or distributing the Package, you accept this license. Do not use, modify, or distribute the Package, if you do not accept this license. If your Modified Version has been derived from a Modified Version made by someone other than you, you are nevertheless required to ensure that your Modified Version complies with the requirements of this license. This license does not grant you the right to use any trademark, service mark, tradename, or logo of the Copyright Holder. This license includes the non-exclusive, worldwide, free-of-charge patent license to make, have made, use, offer to sell, sell, import and otherwise transfer the Package with respect to any patent claims licensable by the Copyright Holder that are necessarily infringed by the Package. If you institute patent litigation (including a cross-claim or counterclaim) against any party alleging that the Package constitutes direct or contributory patent infringement, then this Artistic License to you shall terminate on the date that such litigation is filed. Disclaimer of Warranty: THE PACKAGE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS' AND WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES. THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT ARE DISCLAIMED TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY YOUR LOCAL LAW. UNLESS REQUIRED BY LAW, NO COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTOR WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THE PACKAGE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.