embedded perl

[fz315]

Hi,guys: There is embedded computers based on the Intel PXA-255 CPU, has 32M(can expand to 64M) RAM, runs an embedded version of GNU/Linux, the kernel is based on the open source kernel v2.6 with patches from ARM Linux, there is SDK toolchain provide a pre-bulit compiler,linker and libraries for building user applications,kernel and bootloader. My question is : is it possible to port Perl in this embedded device? if possible, how much space needed ? Any idea will be appreciated.

[elwarren]

Yes, there are several perls available for this hardware. Which one works for you will depend on the specific hardware and os platform you're running.

For work with the PocketPc os you can use PerlCE 5.8.0 or Perl 5.6 for CE. I have personally used this on my ipaq pocketpc.

For linux based systems, perl is probably available as a pkg to install. I have used the familiar embedded linux (which is debian based) on both an intrinsyc cerfcube and on an ipaq pocketpc.

HTH!

[elwarren]

A side note to this, my cerfcube has been sitting on my desk collecting dust for the last year. I recently stumbled upon the perllinux project, which is pretty much just a linux kernel to interface with hardware and everything else is perl. I downloaded it and booted it (once) and it's a neat project.

Has anyone else played with this? I haven't ventured to cross-compile it for ARM yet, but it's a neat idea :-)

[friedo]

What kind of permanent storage does the device have? The Perl 5.8.5 binary is only about 15k, and libperl.so is a little over 1MB. On top of that you'll need a few core modules which probably total another few MB at most.

[Anonymous Monk]

It also can compress the binaries and libs with UPX: http://upx.sf.net

[jdtoronto]

I don't see why not! GumStix offers a series of products based on this processor and their 'Way Small' computers offer a config with Apache installed. So why not Perl. They have some docs on the site about cross-compiling applications. As suggested earlier the space requirements are not that large.

jdtoronto

[Courage]

Perl has initial support for cross-compiling with toolchain, up to 'miniperl', which then can be used as a replacement of full perl

I had plans to use embedded Linux, but did not found proper device in shops, so I used to buy PocketPC device. (looks like it is problematic in our town, as resellers do not bother on non-mainstream directions :(( )
Meanwhile, I am using perl on my PocketPC and very very glad of it.
See screenshots at http://vkonovalov.ru/perlce-tcltk.htm

I know, however, that if you'll contact right people at right time and will donate them device for development, they'll provide you with a solution quite timely.

[whiteEFunk]

I have a Sharp Zaurus 5600 which I use perl on often enough. I found this package somewhere... but I can't remember. perl_5.8.3-3_arm.deb

It looks like it's from the ARM port of Debian. If you can't find it, let me know and I'll email it to you.

Package: perl
Version: 5.8.3-3
Section: perl
Priority: standard
Architecture: arm
Depends: perl-base (= 5.8.3-3), perl-modules (>= 5.8.3-3), libc6 (>= 2
+.3.2.ds1-4), libdb4.0, libgcc1 (>= 1:3.3.3-1), libgdbm3
Suggests: perl-doc, libterm-readline-perl-perl
Conflicts: perl-5.004 (<< 6), perl-5.005 (<< 6), perl-5.6 (<< 6), perl
+-doc (<< 5.8.3-1), libdigest-md5-perl (<< 2.33-1), libmime-base64-per
+l (<< 2.21-1), libtime-hires-perl (<< 1.52-1), libstorable-perl (<< 2
+.08-1)
Replaces: perl-5.005 (<< 6), perl-5.6 (<< 6), perl-doc (<< 5.8.0-1), p
+erl-modules (<< 5.8.1-1), libdigest-md5-perl, libmime-base64-perl, li
+btime-hires-perl, libstorable-perl
Provides: perl5, libdigest-md5-perl, libmime-base64-perl, libtime-hire
+s-perl, libstorable-perl
Installed-Size: 10560
Maintainer: Brendan O'Dea <[e-mail]>

Also, try this: http://www.cpan.org/ports/sharp/Perl_5.8.0_arm.ipk
or email Brendan O'Dea <[e-mail]> the maintainer