How do I create then use long Windows paths from Perl?

Question

I have part of a build process that creates a hideously long paths in Windows. It\'s not my fault. It\'s several directories deep, and none of the directory names are abnorm

Answer 1

I had three thoughts, all of them kind of hacks:

1. Start with some short directory names (C:\data_directory\a\b\c\d\4\5\6\...) and then rename the directories (starting with the deepest directory first of course).

2. Create Windows shortcut to a moderately long path and create files and subdirectories from there? (Or install Cygwin and use symlinks?)

3. Create the desired files in a directory with a short name, zip/tar them, and unpack them to the directory with the longer name. Or create zip/tar files "by hand" and unpack them in the desired location.