Re: Distribution names are not unique. We need to figure out what to do about it.

On 03/13/2013 03:11 PM, Michael G. Schwern wrote:
> Here's how BackPAN::Index does it...
> 
> A distribution has a name and a list of releases.
> 
> [snip]

This is the model MetaCPAN uses as well.  See
<https://github.com/CPAN-API/cpan-api/tree/master/lib/MetaCPAN/Document>.

> It may make sense to move the formal information of project
> meta data into the distribution, but keep the mechanism for updating it
> to include it with the latest release.  Effectively, most of the project
> meta data is aliased to the latest release.

+1

>> (b) We could extend PAUSE's permission system distribution names as
>> well, so that distribution names would have primary/co-maint rights
>> just as packages do.  This would not fix any existing duplicates, but
>> would prevent future infractions.  It means changing a lot of PAUSE
>> code, but would allow RT, search sites and CPAN Testers (CT) to pretty
>> much remain as is.
> 
> +1
> 
> IMO this is a necessary piece of missing CPAN meta data which everyone
> else has to piece together again and again.

Ditto.  +1.

If we attempt this solution, I suggest considering case-insensitive
distribution names for purposes of general clarity (and portability).

A semi-related discussion regarding case-insensitive module/package
names petered out last year:
http://www.nntp.perl.org/group/perl.cpan.workers/2012/03/msg997.html