One of the most common questions on the mod_perl mailing list is how to share data efficiently between processes. Whether it's for building a cache of frequently used data or storing the state of user sessions on the server, choosing the right tool can be tricky and most of the time it is done with a mix of anecdotal evidence and guesswork.

This talk examines a number of different options for sharing data that are available on CPAN, from IPC::Shareable to Cache::Cache, and presents performance metrics for various levels of concurrent access and mixes of reading and writing. It also covers relative ease of installation and use. Attendees will learn how to choose the right tool for their own situations.