What are common pitfalls or gotchas with path handling (File::Spec, Path::Tiny)?

When working with path handling in Perl, especially using modules like File::Spec and Path::Tiny, there are several common pitfalls to be aware of. These "gotchas" can lead to unexpected behavior in file handling and path manipulations.

Common Pitfalls with Path Handling:

• Using Incorrect Separator: It's important to use the correct path separator for the operating system. File::Spec->catfile() helps with this, but be cautious about manual concatenation.
• Assuming Absolute Paths: Paths can be relative or absolute based on context. Ensure you're aware of your current working directory when resolving paths.
• File Existence Checks: Using Path::Tiny, if you use Path::Tiny->new($path)->exists, ensure that the path is correctly constructed first.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Paths hardcoded with forward slashes or backslashes can lead to issues on different platforms. Favor the use of methods provided by File::Spec or Path::Tiny.
• Path Normalization: Always normalize paths using Path::Tiny->new($path)->slurp to avoid issues with different directory structures.

Example of Path Handling:

use File::Spec;
use Path::Tiny;

# Correctly creating a file path using File::Spec
my $file_path = File::Spec->catfile('folder', 'subfolder', 'file.txt');

# Creating a Path::Tiny object
my $path = Path::Tiny->new($file_path);

# Checking if the file exists
if ($path->exists) {
    print "File exists at: $file_path\n";
} else {
    print "File does not exist at: $file_path\n";
}