When should you prefer module versioning, and when should you avoid it?

Module versioning in Perl is an essential practice that helps manage dependencies and ensures that your code runs smoothly with different versions of libraries. However, there are scenarios where you might prefer to use versioning and others where it may be best to avoid it.

When to Prefer Module Versioning

  • Ensuring Compatibility: When you depend on specific features or bug fixes in a particular version of a module, versioning is crucial.
  • Preventing Breakages: If your application is running in an environment with various modules, versioning helps you avoid breaking changes when updates are made.
  • Documentation Clarity: Using version numbers in your module ensures that other developers understand which version your code was intended to work with.

When to Avoid Module Versioning

  • Rapid Development: During the early stages of development, it might be more practical to avoid strict versioning to allow for quick iterations.
  • Small Projects: In smaller projects or scripts where dependencies are minimal, adding versioning might introduce unnecessary complexity.
  • Backward Compatibility: If the module is designed to be backward-compatible, strict versioning may not be required.

Perl module versioning dependencies management code compatibility software development