BUGS(1p)

NAME
PDL::Bugs - How to diagnose and report PDL problems

VERSION
version 1.0000

DESCRIPTION
This module explains how to get help with a PDL problem and how, when, and where to submit a bug report. In the future it may be extended to provide some sort of automated bug reporting capability.

IF YOU HAVE A PDL PROBLEM
The primary resource for support for the Perl Data Language is via the PDL mailing lists. The perldl list is for general use and discussions and is the one to use for questions about problems with PDL or PDL use for computation. This is almost always the list to post to for PDL problems.

The pdl-porters list is specifically for PDL development and often contains discussions of a rather technical nature relating to PDL internals. This is not the list for general PDL discussion or questions.

   http://pdl.perl.org/?page=mailing-lists

NOTE: Both perldl and pdl-porters are read by the PDL developers so you don't save time or increase the probability of response by posting to pdl-porters or by cross-posting to pdl-porters. Please stick to perldl list posts unless you want to talk PDL implementation and development.

NOTE: There is also a PDL IRC channel which can be useful for immediate questions if populated. However, it has the big disadvantage of not being easily searched or routinely read by all PDL developers and users. As a result, if you get an answer there, it may be incorrect or incomplete depending on who happens to be chatting at the time. It is definitely not readily searchable.

REPORTING BUGS
Please submit bug reports via the sourceforge bug tracker interface at

   http://sourceforge.net/p/pdl/bugs/

where you can review the previously submitted bug reports. Click on "Create Ticket" to generate a bug report. If you do not already have a sourceforge.net account, you will need to get one to submit the report:

   http://sourceforge.net/account/registration/

Please provide a way for the PDL developers to contact you regarding the problem.

Try to include any information you think might help someone isolate, reproduce, and fix your problem.

At a minimum, include the following information:

•   PDL version number (e.g. PDL-2.007)

•   Perl version information. Output from "perl -v" or "perl -V" (even better!)

•   Your operating System. You can run the "uname -a" command on many unix systems

•   The full output of "perldl -V"

    If you are reporting a bug with an already installed PDL. If the PDL has compiled and built but not been installed, you may run "perl -Mblib perldl -V" from the top level of the PDL build directory.

•   The bug description and how to reproduce it.

    Short examples using the PDL shells, "pdl2" or "perldl", are excellent! Don't forget to include needed input data (as small as possible) so that the code can be run with a cut and paste.

Other things that are often helpful:

•   Details about your operating environment that might be related to the problem

•   Exact cut and pasted error or warning messages

•   The shortest, clearest code you can manage to write which reproduces the bug described.

•   A patch against the latest released version of this distribution which fixes this bug.

Alternatively, send an e-mail report with the above information (including the output of "perldl -V") to "pdl-porters@jach.hawaii.edu". See

   http://pdl.perl.org/?page=mailing-lists

for info on how to subscribe to this list.

BEFORE YOU SEND A REPORT
BEFORE you report a bug make sure you got the latest release version of PDL, always available from CPAN, check

   http://search.cpan.org/search?dist=PDL

Also, you can check the FAQ at

   http://pdl.perl.org/?docs=FAQ&title=PDL::FAQ

and the mailing list archives for hints. You can find links to the searchable archives at

   http://pdl.perl.org/?page=mailing-lists

and there is a Google enable search box on the top right of <http://pdl.perl.org> which usually gives the best results.

PATCHES
Patches can be sent to the pdl-porters mailing list (see above) or can be directly submitted to the patch manager

   http://sourceforge.net/p/pdl/patches/

Patches should be made against the latest released PDL or, ideally, against the current git sources which you can browse and check out at

   git://git.code.sf.net/p/pdl/code

Thanks, The pdl-porters team.