Resource Record Extension HOWTO

To create an RR extension, there are several steps and mis-steps. First,
don't edit the Template.pm file and associated files in this directory. They
are part of the ToolKit distribution and are required for proper operation. 
Template.pm contains the working code for RR A.pm which inherits its
methods.

The steps to generate a new RR extension for distribution are as follows:

  cd ..../Template
  perl Makefile.PL
  make dist

This will create the distribution file:

  Net-DNS-ToolKit-RR-Template-0.XX.tar.gz

Move this file to a work directory and un-tar it.

  tar -xzvf Net-DNS-ToolKit-RR-Template-0.XX.tar.gz

  Net-DNS-ToolKit-RR-Template-0.XX/
  Net-DNS-ToolKit-RR-Template-0.XX/GPL
  Net-DNS-ToolKit-RR-Template-0.XX/Makefile.PL
  Net-DNS-ToolKit-RR-Template-0.XX/Changes
  Net-DNS-ToolKit-RR-Template-0.XX/t/
  Net-DNS-ToolKit-RR-Template-0.XX/t/Template.t
  Net-DNS-ToolKit-RR-Template-0.XX/Artistic
  Net-DNS-ToolKit-RR-Template-0.XX/Template.pm

Let's call our new RR extension XYZ

  mv Net-DNS-ToolKit-RR-Template-0.XX XYZ
  cd XYZ
  mv Template.pm XYZ.pm
  mv t/Template.t test.pl
  rm -r t	[we will create this again later]

Edit Makefile.PL, MANIFEST, and Changes to reflect 
the new module name.

Tailor XYZ.pm to handle the attributes of the new target 
RR type and update the documentation (in detail please).

Generate a new 'test.pl' to check all the methods. 
Once this is accomplished then....

  mkdir t
  mv test.pl t/XYZ.t

See: t/Template.t in this distribution and t/NS.pm in the Net::DNS::ToolKit
distribution for examples of simple and complex test routines including
embedded debugging tools that are commented out.

Test your distribution then submit it to CPAN to extend 
Net::DNS::ToolKit:RR

See some of the other modules in the ToolKit distribution 
for ideas on how to implement yours.

.../Net::DNS:ToolKit/lib/Net/DNS/ToolKit/RR/ ...modules.pm


michael@bizsystems.com