http://www.perlmonks.org?node_id=208035


in reply to Win32 Execution: UNiX Style (NT)

I can wholeheartedly recommend cygwin, a bash shell that runs under WinWhatever and comes with most tools you expect on a UNIX (gcc, gdb, UNIX file utils, etc). At the time of writing, even Perl 5.8.0 can be installed.

Since gcc is part of the deal, a lot of UNIX software can be compiled and run under Windows.

Currently it has a nice installer that can be found on the cygwin site and that allows to install software components as needed.

It makes live a lot more bearable on a Windows box.

Hope this helps, -gjb-