NAME
CPAN::Reporter - Provides Test::Reporter support for CPAN.pm
VERSION
This documentation describes version 0.12.
SYNOPSIS
1. Install a version of CPAN.pm that supports CPAN::Reporter
2. Install CPAN::Reporter
3. Edit .cpanreporter/config.ini
4. Test/install modules as normal with "cpan" or "CPAN::Shell"
DESCRIPTION
"CPAN::Reporter" is an add-on for the "CPAN.pm" module that uses
Test::Reporter to send the results of module tests to the CPAN Testers
project. *Support for "CPAN::Reporter" is available in "CPAN.pm" version
1.87_57 or later.*
The goal of the CPAN Testers project ( ) is
to test as many CPAN packages as possible on as many platforms as
possible. This provides valuable feedback to module authors and
potential users to identify bugs or platform compatibility issues and
improves the overall quality and value of CPAN.
One way individuals can contribute is to send test results for each
module that they test or install. Installing "CPAN::Reporter" gives the
option of automatically generating and emailing test reports whenever
tests are run via "CPAN.pm".
GETTING STARTED
"CPAN::Reporter" requires version 1.87_57 or later of "CPAN.pm". To
install this development version, use the following commands from the
CPAN shell:
cpan> install ANDK/CPAN-1.87_57.tar.gz
cpan> reload cpan
Depending on the version of "CPAN.pm" already installed, users may be
prompted to renew their configuration settings. This will include an
option to enable "CPAN::Reporter". To manually enable "CPAN::Reporter",
type the following commands from the CPAN shell prompt:
cpan> o conf test_report 1
cpan> o conf commit
Next, install "CPAN::Reporter" if it is not already installed. After
installation, users will need to edit their "CPAN::Reporter"
configuration file per the instructions below.
CONFIG FILE OPTIONS
Default options for "CPAN::Reporter" are read from a configuration file
".cpanreporter/config.ini" in the user's home directory (Unix) or "My
Documents" directory (Windows). If CPAN::Reporter does not find a
configuration file, it will attempt to create one with default values.
The configuration file is in "ini" format, with the option name and
value separated by an "=" sign
email_from = "John Doe"
cc_author = no
Options shown below as taking "yes/no/ask" should be set to one of four
values; the result of each is as follows:
* "yes" -- automatic yes
* "no" -- automatic no
* "ask/no" or just "ask" -- prompt each time, but default to no
* "ask/yes" -- prompt each time, but default to yes
For prompts, the default will be used if return is pressed immediately
at the prompt or if the "PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULTS" environment variable is
set to a true value.
Descriptions for each option follow.
Email Address (required)
"CPAN::Reporter" requires users to provide an email address that will be
used in the "From" header of the email to cpan-testers@perl.org.
* "email_from = " -- email address of the user sending
the test report; it should be a valid address format, e.g.:
user@domain
John Doe
"John Q. Public"
Because "cpan-testers" uses a mailing list to collect test reports, it
is helpful if the email address provided is subscribed to the list.
Otherwise, test reports will be held until manually reviewed and
approved.
Subscribing an account to the cpan-testers list is as easy as sending a
blank email to cpan-testers-subscribe@perl.org and replying to the
confirmation email.
Standard Options
These options are included in the standard config file template that is
automatically created.
* "cc_author = yes/no/ask" -- should module authors should be sent a
copy of the test report at their "author@cpan.org" address (default:
ask/no)
* "edit_report = yes/no/ask" -- edit the test report before sending
(default: ask/no)
* "send_report = yes/no/ask" -- should test reports be sent at all
(default: ask/yes)
Additional Options
These additional options are only necessary in special cases, such as
for testing or for configuring "CPAN::Reporter" to work from behind a
firewall that restricts outbound email.
* "smtp_server = " -- one or more alternate outbound mail
servers if the default perl.org mail servers cannot be reached (e.g.
users behind a firewall); multiple servers may be given, separated
with a space (default: none)
* "email_to = " -- alternate destination for reports
instead of "cpan-testers@perl.org"; used for testing (default: none)
* "editor = " -- editor to use to edit the test report; if not
set, Test::Reporter will use environment variables "VISUAL",
"EDITOR" or "EDIT" (in that order) to find an editor (default: none)
* "debug = " -- turns debugging on/off (default: off)
FUNCTIONS
"CPAN::Reporter" provides one public function for use within CPAN.pm. It
is not imported during "use". Ordinary users will never need it.
"test()"
CPAN::Reporter::test( $cpan_dist, $system_command );
Given a "CPAN::Distribution" object and a system command to run
distribution tests (e.g. "{make test}"), "test()" executes the command
via "system()" while teeing the output to a file. Based on the output
captured in the file, "test()" generates and sends a Test::Reporter
report. It returns true if the captured output indicates that all tests
passed and false, otherwise.
KNOWN ISSUES
* Does not (yet?) support reporting on "test.pl" files; will issue a
warning and continue
BUGS
Please report any bugs or feature using the CPAN Request Tracker. Bugs
can be submitted by email to bug-CPAN-Reporter@rt.cpan.org or through
the web interface at
When submitting a bug or request, please include a test-file or a patch
to an existing test-file that illustrates the bug or desired feature.
AUTHOR
David A. Golden (DAGOLDEN)
dagolden@cpan.org
http://www.dagolden.org/
COPYRIGHT AND LICENSE
Copyright (c) 2006 by David A. Golden
This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
under the same terms as Perl itself.
The full text of the license can be found in the LICENSE file included
with this module.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY
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FOR THE SOFTWARE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. EXCEPT WHEN
OTHERWISE STATED IN WRITING THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND/OR OTHER PARTIES
PROVIDE THE SOFTWARE "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE
ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE IS WITH
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