# Dear Distribution Packagers
#
# Hi there!
#
# Before we begin, I'm really really sorry for what you are about to
# encounter a bit lower down in this file.
#
# Trust me, I didn't want to WRITE it just as much as you are probably
# not going to want to READ it and try to work out how the hell it
# applies to your Linux/etc distribution.
#
# So lets try to shortcut the whole confusion thing and save us both
# some time.
#
# Some distributions have this problem where the Scalar::Util version
# in the Perl core gets built WITHOUT a C compiler available. When this happens,
# most of the functions in Scalar::Util that need the compiler are replaced
# with a Pure-Perl version that works identically...
#
# ...except for two function relating to "weak references", a reference
# that is intentionally not counted for the purposes of garbage collection.
#
# It's used to implement certain specific data structures, like circular
# references and parent links in tree structures, in a way that can safely
# be garbage collected and won't leak.
#
# So what you really should check FIRST, is that the Perl build in your
# distribution has the Scalar::Util::weaken function defined.
#
# If not, then your Perl build is probably broken, and your solution
# ultimately needs to be applied to Perl itself. Then the whole problem
# goes away.
#
# If Scalar::Util::weaken is defined in your core Perl distribution, then
# none of the edge cases described below apply, and everything will be
# just rosy.
#
# Best Regards
#
# Adam K