Concretely, I'm looking for a method to search for all CPAN modules that use module X. Is this possible without having to download, uncompress, and inspect every module? If no, can this be added to search.cpan.org?
It does seem to be the only way, luckily Thomas Klausner has done this so you don't have to:
http://search.cpan.org/dist/Module-CPANTS-asHash/lib/Module/CPANTS/ asHash.pm
Specifically there's a prereq key in the data hash.
Do bear in mind that knowing that overhauling module X won't adversely affect CPAN modules doesn't buy you that much. I'd estimate that most code that uses module X won't ever be released to CPAN, and further it's being maintained by programmers who'll be much less understanding of being humped by an API change.
-- Richard Clamp <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
