Automate Perl Module Deployment

By Martin C. Brown
2005-04-27


Perl Module Installation
As soon as you install Perl, you start to realize just how many modules make up the "base" installation of the language. As time goes on, you install more and more modules to extend and improve the functionality of your Perl installation. Installing modules is not a difficult process. Most modules are packaged as a simple compressed tarball. The tarball contains the necessary files -- including C/C++ source code to integrate with a third-party library, if necessary.

Most Perl modules use the MakeMaker system -- another Perl module installed with the base Perl installation -- which provides information about the Perl installation as well as a mechanism for building and installing components in the right place. MakeMaker works by translating a simple configuration file into a standard makefile that can be used with the familiar make command.

Using CPAN
If you don't know the Comprehensive Perl Archive Network (CPAN) already, refer to the main page that comes with each installation. CPAN can work in two ways -- either through an interactive shell or through a series of functions that can be used as part of a wider Perl script-based solution. At its simplest, you can use CPAN to install a module simply by typing perl -MCPAN -e "install modulename", where modulename is the name of the package, bundle, or full Perl module you want to install. CPAN will do the rest for you.

Tutorial Pages:
» Scripts go Beyond CPAN to Ease Network Installations
» Perl Module Installation
» Automating CPAN
» Automating CPAN Across a Network
» Use CPAN to Create a Rigid Installation
» Conclusions
» Resources


First published by IBM DeveloperWorks

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