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Administrator refuses to install DBD::mysql

by kidd (Curate)
on Jan 21, 2003 at 18:17 UTC ( [id://228771]=perlquestion: print w/replies, xml ) Need Help??

kidd has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Hello Monks:

I have a major problem and I would like to know what are your comments and if you can give me some ideas.


In the beginning

Some client wanted a big project, I had to change their whole site which was flat-text based to a database. Since I know MySQL I recommended that they use it.
I decided to use perl for this task and the famous module DBD::mysql and DBI.
I've been working on the CGI's for almost three months now and finally three days ago I finished them.


The Test

It was the moment of truth, finally I was able to see my work in action and hopefully I could show the work done the day after that.
I uploaded all my CGI's, created the database trough their Control Panel and checked all the attributes. So I entered the browser and OH NO a HUGE problem... the server doesn't have DBD::mysql installed.


Agony

Quickly I opened my mail program and sent an email to the administrator asking him to please install the module...

I had to wait 24 hours and finally the response:
Sorry... we can't install any modules that do not come with the original perl distribution


The Problem

Now Im desperate I don't know what to do, I tried to upload the module in a ne dir apart and tell my CGI's to look for the module there, but I have a version problem with the Dynaloader.


Solutions

I had thought of some solutions, and here they are:

  • Use another module: Imposible, Im close to my dateline and that would mean a total rewrite of everything, and I will have to study the new module (3 months work).
  • Try to make the administrator enter to reason Maybe if I send him some links so he can see for himself why DBD::mysql and DBI are so famous and important, he can maybe change his mind and install them.
  • Tell my client to move to another hosting company Not very likely.


I hope some of you may give me some ideas and comments...I really need to sort this out...THANKS

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: Administrator refuses to install DBD::mysql
by broquaint (Abbot) on Jan 21, 2003 at 18:28 UTC
    When in doubt check out CPAN to find your answers, and in your case it comes in the form of Net::MySQL. It's a pure perl implementation of the MySQL network protocol interface (not even using XS!). So installation would be just a simple matter of copying MySQL.pm to the the Net directory in one of perl's library paths (consult @INC for info on your available library paths).
    HTH

    _________
    broquaint

Re: Administrator refuses to install DBD::mysql
by dws (Chancellor) on Jan 21, 2003 at 18:54 UTC
    I have a major problem and I would like to know what are your comments and if you can give me some ideas.

    You have a serious problem. You did three months of work without first establishing some key information about your customer's deployment environment, and without doing any sort of early proof-of-concept test. If your customer is sufficiently non-tech-savvy to have not seen the issue as soon as you argued for MySQL, it may mean they're relying on you to have verified that it's a viable option in their hosted environment.

    The part of this that sounds off is that you were able to create a database through the hosting outfit's control panel. If it's the case that they support MySQL, but don't provide the pieces to access it, something somewhere is off. How do they expect people to access MySQL? PHP?

    Assuming the company you're contracting for has some leverage with the hosting outfit, your best bet may be to apply pressure through your customer.

Re: Administrator refuses to install DBD::mysql
by batkins (Chaplain) on Jan 21, 2003 at 19:32 UTC
    just use DBD::mysqlPP. it's exactly the same as DBD::Mysql except that it doesn't require compilation and is thus infinitely easier to install.

    all you need to do is create a lib directory somewhere, use lib 'libdir'; in your script and then use DBD::mysqlPP; and use Net::MySQL. simply copy the files from DBD::mysqlPP and Net::MySQL into the lib directory and you should be good to go. just be sure to change the driver name in your connection string from "dbi:mysql" to "dbi:mysqlPP"

    good luck.

Re: Administrator refuses to install DBD::mysql
by kidd (Curate) on Jan 21, 2003 at 23:05 UTC
    Thanks a lot....

    You really saved my life..I was able to do it with DBD:mysqlPP and Net:MySql...

    Th problem was that before I started I DID ask the administrator if he had the module installed...I even have the email of him replying to me that he was sure he have it...so I trusted his word...MISTAKE...

    Well...I was able to run the tests...and tomorrow Im giving the presentation...I hope I dont need to make any changes(just laziness)...hehe...

    Thanks again..

Re: Administrator refuses to install DBD::mysql
by Fletch (Bishop) on Jan 21, 2003 at 18:40 UTC

    Not that it'd be much help if you don't have shell access, but see also perldoc -q 'my own module'.

    And remember: Test early and test often. And make sure of the requirements for the target environment before you start coding, not just before you deliver.

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