How has support for path handling (File::Spec, Path::Tiny) changed across recent Perl versions?

In recent Perl versions, support for path handling has seen significant improvement through modules like File::Spec and Path::Tiny. These modules provide developers with tools to easily manage file paths in a cross-platform manner.

File::Spec has been a core part of Perl since earlier versions, allowing developers to work with file paths that are compatible with the underlying operating system. However, Path::Tiny, introduced in later versions, offers a more modern and user-friendly API, with functions designed for common tasks such as file manipulation and directory operations.

As of Perl 5.30 and later, modules like Path::Tiny are recommended over File::Spec for most new projects due to their simplicity and additional features.

The evolution of these modules reflects the growing need for robust path handling solutions in Perl, making it easier for developers to write portable code.

Here’s a simple example demonstrating both File::Spec and Path::Tiny:

# Example using File::Spec use File::Spec; my $path = File::Spec->catfile('folder', 'file.txt'); print "Path using File::Spec: $path\n"; # Example using Path::Tiny use Path::Tiny; my $file = path('folder/file.txt'); print "Path using Path::Tiny: ", $file->absolute, "\n";

Perl File::Spec Path::Tiny path handling file paths cross-platform file manipulation