Win32::API in perl v5.20.2

[BillKSmith]

I recently upgraded from Active State Perl 5.16.2 to 5.20.2 on my Win7 (64-bit) system. Most went well except for one script (which had been in daily use for a few years. It now fails with the message:

Can't locate object method "new" via package "Win32::API" at C:\USERS\
+BILL\PERL\
LIB/PDFPrint.pm line 15.

I have attached the module PDFPrint.pm referenced by the message. The code originally came from a post (Print PDF using Win32::OLE and Acrobat Reader) in this forum

Notes: In the install procedure, I saved and restored the ppm module configuration with ppm profile save/restore. While attempting to diagnose the problem, I noticed that a newer version of Win32::API was available on ppm. Installing the newer version did not change the result at all.

Would someone please suggest a way to resolve this issue.

I also have an unrelated issue with this “upgrade” because ActiveState has removed Perl/Tk from their ppm repository.

[marto]

"I also have an unrelated issue with this “upgrade” because ActiveState has removed Perl/Tk from their ppm repository."

If you're working on a Microsoft Windows platform Strawberry Perl makes life much easier. I can't reproduce your Win32::API problem on Win7, Strawberry 5.20, Win32::API v0.82.

[marinersk]

OMG I just read the front page on your Strawberry Perl link and my (software development) mouth is watering.

If it lives up to its front page hype, I can see why so many of you grow Stawberries rather than live in an Active State.

Normally I dread changing platforms, doing upgrades, etc. I can't recall the last time I was actually excited about the prospect of a change like this.

Hmm. And I have a three-day weekend coming up. Hmmm...

[marto]

Is it last year again already? ;P

[ikegami]

Everything on the Strawberry Perl's front page is true of ActivePerl too.

[soonix]

You should be able to use them in parallel if you take the "portableZIP" edition. At least if you call your scripts with perl [switches] scriptname.pl

[Anonymous Monk]

Can't locate object method "new" via package "Win32::API" at foo.pl line 15.

So you're missing a use Win32::API;

I also have an unrelated issue with this “upgrade” because ActiveState has removed Perl/Tk from their ppm repository.

<Nelson Muntz>Ha-ha!</Nelson Muntz>

ppm install MinGW && cpan Tk

or ppm install http://www.sisyphusion.tk/ppm/Tk.ppd

[fishmonger]

Hi Bill,
I'm going to point you in the same direction as marto. I moved away from ActiveState several years ago due to module install issues and have been using Strawberry perl which IMO is much better.

However, with your current issue, it sounds like you're missing use Win32::API, which was already pointed out by another monk.

[syphilis]

...ActiveState has removed Perl/Tk from their ppm repository

You should be able to take care of that with:
ppm install http://www.sisyphusion.tk/ppm/Tk.ppd --force

Update: Ooops - essentially repeating advice already provided by marto.
The sisyphusion ppm packages all want to install the same small gcc dll - and many version of PPM won't allow (without --force) the overwriting of a file that was precviously installed by PPM (even if the files are identical).
Hence, installing from that repo usually requires --force.

Cheers,
Rob

[BillKSmith]

What else do I need to know?

C:\Users\Bill\Perl>ppm install http://www.sisyphusion.tk/ppm/Tk.ppd --
+force
ppm install failed: 403 Forbidden

C:\Users\Bill\Perl>

[syphilis]

What else do I need to know?

Seems to be a problem with the website ... that I'll have to sort out later today.
In the meantime, download:
http://www.sisyphusion.tk/ppm/x64/Tk-520_x64.tar.gz

Place that file in some folder and, in the same folder place a file named Tk.ppd that contains:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<SOFTPKG NAME="Tk" VERSION="804,033,0,0">
    <TITLE>Tk</TITLE>
    <ABSTRACT>a graphical user interface toolkit for Perl</ABSTRACT>
    <AUTHOR>Nick Ing-Simmons</AUTHOR>
    <PROVIDE NAME="Tk" VERSION="804.033" />
    <IMPLEMENTATION>
        <OS NAME="MSWin32" />
        <ARCHITECTURE NAME="MSWin32-x64-multi-thread-5.20" />
        <CODEBASE HREF="Tk-520_x64.tar.gz" /> 
    </IMPLEMENTATION>
</SOFTPKG>

(Beware the dreaded wrap-around if you copy'n'paste that code - safer to grab it by clicking on the 'download' link.)

Then 'cd' to that folder and run:

ppm install Tk.ppd --force

I think that should work as an interim method. It works for me.
If it doesn't, please let us know.

And I'll get the problem (which seems to be affecting all ppm packages) fixed as soon as I can.

Cheers,
Rob

[Anonymous Monk]

So where is the error message coming from? For what url? Increase verbosity in ppm and find out

Also try force like suggested

[Laurent_R]

I'm going to point you in the same direction as marto. I moved away from ActiveState several years ago due to module install issues and have been using Strawberry perl which IMO is much better.

We have had the same discussion ongoing on a French Perl forum over the last two years or so, and we reached the same conclusion as FishMonger's quote above. Strawberry is currently much better.

[BillKSmith]

Thanks to martok, FishMonger, and Laurent_R for the strong recommendation of Strawberry perl. Many years ago, I was deterred from Strawberry by the installation process. I Chose ActiveState, and never looked back. I fresh look today suggests that this should no longer be a problem. I am not quite ready to make the switch yet, but it is great to know that I do have an option!

[Laurent_R]

Hi Bill,

Strawberry also offers a portable version, where everything is contained within a specific directory tree and nothing is changed to your system.

In other words, you can install it and test it without having to decide immediately whether you really want to switch.

Personally, when working on Windows (i.e. only at home, where I really need a Windows box because I am using some proprietary software applications that only exist on Windows and Mac, but not on Linux)), I prefer using Cygwin (because I prefer a Unix-like environment with a real shell and Unix commands), but I have both ActiveState and Strawberry installed on my PC, Strawberry is really better in terms of module management, IMHO.

Anyway, the bottom line is that, with portable Strawberry, you can test it without having to decide to change immediately.