How to install a module from CPAN

perl -MCPAN -e shell

I always seem to forget this simple syntax, so I thought it would be good to post it where I can find it. Where else, my blog -- by the way, this is another excellent use for blogs. Not only do we publish information for others to find, but occasionally a blog is the best place to put frequently accessed info that the author may need. At least I know the source is reliable. :-)

How do I install a module from CPAN?
The easiest way is to have a module also named CPAN do it for you. This module comes with perl version 5.004 and later.

To get a cpan shell, try either cpan:

Linux:

  $ cpan

Windows:

 C:\>cpan

or the more complete command:

$perl -MCPAN -e shell

Terminal does not support AddHistory.

cpan shell -- CPAN exploration and modules installation (v1.7601)

ReadLine support available (try 'install Bundle::CPAN')

cpan>

The first time the command runs, it will prompt for a series of configuration questions.
Now, within the shell, you can install a module

 cpan> install Some::Module 

To manually install the CPAN module, or any well-behaved CPAN module for that matter, follow these steps:

1. Unpack the source into a temporary area.


2. perl Makefile.PL


3. make


4. make test


5. make install

If your version of perl is compiled without dynamic loading, then you just need to replace step 3 (make) with make perl and you will get a new perl binary with your extension linked in.