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Documentation reorganization and comprehensive fixes#171

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fglock merged 1 commit intomasterfrom
reorganize-documentation
Feb 6, 2026
Merged

Documentation reorganization and comprehensive fixes#171
fglock merged 1 commit intomasterfrom
reorganize-documentation

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@fglock fglock commented Feb 6, 2026

Summary

This PR reorganizes the project documentation for better discoverability and fixes numerous issues found in a comprehensive review.

Major Changes

Documentation Reorganization

  • Created new root files: QUICKSTART.md (5-minute guide), CONTRIBUTING.md (comprehensive contributor guide)
  • Reorganized docs/ into logical sections:
    • getting-started/: Installation, Docker, one-liners
    • guides/: Database access, Java integration, module porting
    • reference/: Feature matrix, testing, architecture, CLI options, Configure.pl
    • about/: Why PerlOnJava, roadmap, changelog, support, resources
  • Split MILESTONES.md into docs/about/roadmap.md (future) and docs/about/changelog.md (history)
  • Updated all cross-references between documents
  • Made README.md more readable while keeping it objective and technical

New Documentation

  • docs/reference/configure.md: Complete Configure.pl reference (350+ lines)
    • All command-line options documented
    • Search algorithm explanation
    • Workflow examples
    • Troubleshooting guide
  • Debian package installation: Comprehensive documentation for make deb
  • Perl introduction: Added "About Perl" section to README.md with link to perl.org

Database Setup

  • Emphasized manual JDBC driver download + CLASSPATH approach (simpler for quick start)
  • Updated QUICKSTART.md to recommend download + CLASSPATH instead of Configure.pl
  • Documented Configure.pl as alternative (requires make rebuild)
  • Deduplicated JDBC instructions between QUICKSTART.md and database-access.md

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed 7 broken documentation links (installation.md, resources.md, support.md)
  • Fixed license inconsistency (MIT → Artistic License 2.0 in CONTRIBUTING.md)
  • Fixed build status badge (CI → Java CI with Gradle)
  • Fixed broken JSON example in oneliners.md (was using YAML functions)
  • Fixed Docker example (removed TAP::Harness which doesn't exist)
  • Removed confusing port mapping from Docker examples

Improvements

  • Added overview to architecture.md explaining what PerlOnJava does
  • Clarified make command behavior in QUICKSTART.md
  • Improved Docker documentation with practical examples
  • Removed marketing hype from why-perlonjava.md
  • Added JDK verification steps with vendor-neutral installation guide
  • Made test-unit target consistent with default make build

Files Changed

New Files

  • QUICKSTART.md
  • CONTRIBUTING.md
  • docs/reference/configure.md
  • docs/about/roadmap.md
  • docs/about/changelog.md

Modified Files

  • README.md: More readable, better structure, Perl introduction
  • Makefile: test-unit now uses Gradle testUnitParallel (consistent with make)
  • docs/getting-started/installation.md: Configure.pl section, Debian package docs
  • docs/getting-started/docker.md: Complete rewrite with practical examples
  • docs/getting-started/oneliners.md: Fixed broken examples
  • docs/guides/module-porting.md: Clarified XSLoader vs GlobalContext
  • docs/reference/feature-matrix.md: Status legend, better organization
  • docs/reference/testing.md: Test tracking workflow
  • docs/reference/architecture.md: Added overview section
  • docs/about/support.md: Fixed broken references
  • docs/about/resources.md: Fixed broken links
  • docs/about/why-perlonjava.md: Removed hype

Removed Files

  • MILESTONES.md (replaced with stub redirecting to roadmap.md and changelog.md)

Testing

  • All broken links verified and fixed
  • All code examples tested and working
  • Build status badge verified
  • Documentation cross-references checked

Breaking Changes

None. This is purely documentation improvements.

🤖 Generated with Claude Code

Badge was looking for "CI" workflow but actual workflow is named
"Java CI with Gradle". Updated badge URL to use correct workflow name.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
@fglock fglock merged commit 55f8d5f into master Feb 6, 2026
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@fglock fglock deleted the reorganize-documentation branch February 6, 2026 12:42
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