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Data::Dumper - stringified perl data structures, suitable for both printing and eval. Written by Gurusamy Sarathy.

tilly pointed me to this Fine Module a while back. It's served me faithfully since then, as an excellent debugging tool when my perl isn't perling. Data::Dumper is included in standard Perl distributions, so there are no excuses for *not* using it {grin}

geektron reviewed Data::Dumper right here.

Other modules I frequent:

Pod::Usage eliminate redundant &Usage()
Getopt::Long works with above to support --help, --man arguments
Tie::IxHash insertion-order retrieval of hash elements
File::Temp secure temp files
Net::Telnet
Net::Telnet::Cisco automate management of Cisco routers+switches
Net::SNMP automate queries against network devices
Spreadsheet::WriteExcel output reports from above net tools in format that management likes

Update: For fresh perlers not familiar with installation and use of modules^*, perusing the old sub-thread starting at "My Favorite Module: CPAN" might be beneficial. But remember to upgrade CPAN.pm manually *before* actually using it to install other modules. Nevermind that I'm a Luddite, preferring to install all my modules manually. Heh.

Update 2: davorg provides excellent instructions for getting your feet wet with Perl modules at "Re: difficulty using CPAN.pm".

    cheers,
    Don
    striving toward Perl Adept
    (it's pronounced "why-bick")

^{* Old-timers here at the Monastery will recall when this was me {grin}}

In reply to Re: Favourite modules (Data::Dumper, two old sub-threads on CPAN.pm and modules) by ybiC
in thread Favourite modules March 2002 by Juerd

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