NAME

       Module::Install::External - Specify dependencies on external non-Perl things

DESCRIPTION

       "Module::Install::External" provides command that allow you to declaratively specify a
       dependency on a program or system that is not Perl.

       The commands it provides are similar to those in Module::Install::Can, except that they
       implement an explicit dependency, in addition to just working out if the particular thing
       is available.

COMMANDS

   requires_xs
         requires_xs;

       The "requires_xs" command explicitly specifies that a C compiler and the perl header files
       are required in order to build (at make-time) the distribution (specifically XS files).

       It does not take any params, and aborts the Makefile.PL execution in a way that an
       automated installation or testing system will interpret as a "NA" ("not applicable to this
       platform") result.

       This may be changed to an alternative abort result at a later time.

       Returns true as a convenience.

   requires_external_cc
         requires_external_cc;

       The "requires_external_cc" command explicitly specifies that a C compiler is required in
       order to build (at make-time) the distribution.

       It does not take any params, and aborts the Makefile.PL execution in a way that an
       automated installation or testing system will interpret as a "NA" ("not applicable to this
       platform") result.

       This may be changed to an alternative abort result at a later time.

       Returns true as a convenience.

   requires_external_bin
         requires_external_bin 'cvs';

       The "requires_external_bin" command takes the name of a system command or program, similar
       to the "can_run" command, except that "requires_external_bin" checks in a way that is a
       declarative explicit dependency.

       The takes a single param of the command/program name, and aborts the "Makefile.PL"
       execution in a way that an automated installation or testing system will interpret as a
       "NA" ("not applicable to this platform") result.

       Returns true as a convenience.

TO DO

       Work out how to save the external dependency metadata, in agreement with the larger Perl
       community.

       Implement the agreed external dependency metadata solution.

AUTHORS

       Adam Kennedy <adamk@cpan.org>

SEE ALSO

       Module::Install

COPYRIGHT

       Copyright 2006 Adam Kennedy.

       This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the same
       terms as Perl itself.

       See <http://www.perl.com/perl/misc/Artistic.html>