What did cpan.pm actually look like in 1993? Did packages ('distributions') have static metadata? Could the installer perform recursive dependency resolution? Was the resolver complete?
My impression is that none of that resembled contemporary CPAN, and isn't really what I have in mind with the admittedly ambiguous phrase 'modern package management'.
But I'd love to hear more! The history of package management is very interesting to me. Tales of ancient but sophisticated package management systems are very welcome. :)
My impression is that none of that resembled contemporary CPAN, and isn't really what I have in mind with the admittedly ambiguous phrase 'modern package management'.
But I'd love to hear more! The history of package management is very interesting to me. Tales of ancient but sophisticated package management systems are very welcome. :)