cpan Module::Build install problem - Argument list too long

[Paul Howarth]

Philippe Lang wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I'm facing a bug when trying to install a perl module from CPAN, which
> requires the installation of Module::Build first.
> 
> This bug is apparently not new:
> http://rt.cpan.org/Public/Bug/Display.html?id=19406. And until now, I
> was not able to find a workaround. Setting the environment variables
> LANG or LC_ALL to C (tips I could find on internet) did not correct
> anything.
> 
> 
> The problem is the following: if you type
> 
>> cpan Module::Build
> 
> ... After a while, you get:
> 
> Running make test
> /usr/bin/perl Build --makefile_env_macros 1 test
> t/basic...........ok
> 
> t/compat..........ok 2/60Couldn't run Build.PL: Argument list too long
> at /root/.cpan/build/Module-Build-0.2801/blib/lib/Module/Build/Compat.pm
> line 200.
> #     Failed test (t/compat.t at line 180)
> t/compat..........NOK 3#     Failed test (t/compat.t at line 181)
> 
> t/compat..........NOK 4make[1]: *** No targets specified and no makefile
> found.  Stop.
> #     Failed test (t/compat.t at line 56)
> t/compat..........NOK 5make[1]: *** No rule to make target `test'.
> Stop.    
> #     Failed test (t/compat.t at line 63)
> t/compat..........NOK 6#     Failed test (t/compat.t at line 64)
> 
> t/compat..........NOK 7#                   'MAKE TEST
> 
> # MAKE[1]: ENTERING DIRECTORY
> `/ROOT/.CPAN/BUILD/MODULE-BUILD-0.2801/T/_TMP/SIMPLE'
> # MAKE[1]: LEAVING DIRECTORY
> `/ROOT/.CPAN/BUILD/MODULE-BUILD-0.2801/T/_TMP/SIMPLE'
> # '
> #     doesn't match '(?-xism:DONE\.|SUCCESS)'
> make[1]: *** No rule to make target `realclean'.  Stop.
> #     Failed test (t/compat.t at line 66)
> t/compat..........NOK 8make: *** [test] Interrupt    
> 
> 
> 
> ... And at the end, the module cannot be installed:
> 
> 
> 
> Failed Test Stat Wstat Total Fail  List of Failed
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -------
> t/compat.t    30  7680    60   30  3-10 13-20 38 41 43 45-46 48-55 59
> 3 tests and 31 subtests skipped.
> Failed 1/21 test scripts. 30/670 subtests failed.
> Files=21, Tests=670, 47 wallclock secs (30.05 cusr + 16.79 csys = 46.84
> CPU) Failed 1/21 test programs. 30/670 subtests failed.
> make: *** [test] Error 255
>   /usr/bin/make test -- NOT OK
> Running make install
>   make test had returned bad status, won't install without force
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> This problem is specific to Redhat. I did the same job under FreeBSD 6.1
> just before, without any problem.
> 
> 
> Does anyone have an idea how I can install this Module? Is there maybe
> an RPM package in order to install Module::Build?

This problem affects RHL9, FC1-FC3, and RHEL3-4.

It may also affect older RHL and RHEL releases; I haven't tried them.

It can be worked around for RHL9, FC1, FC2, RHEL3 by setting LANG=C 
before running the test suite.

For FC3 and RHEL4 you'll need to use an older version of Module::Build, 
such 0.2612. I have packages here:

http://www.city-fan.org/ftp/contrib/perl-modules/

Paul.