> On Tue, 8 Aug 2000 06:44:00 +1000 (EST), Damian Conway wrote:
>
> > > A true value indicates that the file is indeed valid Perl.
> >
> >So is an empty file! :-)
>
> That is precisely the problem. You won't get a syntax error if this
> happens.
>
> Now, bringing in the million monkeys typing, again: the chances of
> getting a corrupt file that yet is valid Perl source file, is *far*
> greater, if empty files are allowed as well.
>
> Empty files won't return a true value.
>
> Say you accidently erase the contents of some module file. The
> requirement of it returning a true value will immediately warn you where
> things went wrong.
So require and do issue a warning if they require or do an empty file.
Better that than meaningless 1;'s at the end of every module.
Damian
