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Modules in the Windows environment

by rmlacey (Initiate)
on Feb 22, 2002 at 22:58 UTC ( [id://146987]=perlquestion: print w/replies, xml ) Need Help??

rmlacey has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Is it my imagination, or are modules difficult to add to the Perl environment under Windows? I've been trying to get dmake and libwin32 built, but have had no luck. Is there any place or person from which I can get the built library modules for Intel-architected Windows machines? I've been trying to get it built a number of different ways, but nothing seems to work. There must be an easier way to get this done.

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Re: Modules in the Windows environment
by beebware (Pilgrim) on Feb 23, 2002 at 01:27 UTC

    To use modules under ActiveState Perl for Windows, the easiest was is to use the PPM (Perl Package Manager) program supplied with AS Perl.
    To ensure it works correctly and to its maximum potential, you really need to define additional PPM respositories (places where PPM modules are stored on the web, ODP has a little list, but what follows is a long list of other PPMs that I've 'discovered'), here's a quick step through:

    Go to Start->Run and enter either 'command.com' or 'cmd' dependent on your Windows version. You should then get a nice black command window (a la DOS), which you should enter the following:

    c:/> ppm PPM> set repository DevelopHelp http://ppd.develop-help.com/ppd/ PPM> set repository Roth http://www.roth.net/perl/packages/ PPM> set repository PTK http://www.xray.mpe.mpg.de/~ach/ptk/ppm/ PPM> set repository Theory http://theoryx5.uwinnipeg.ca/ppmpackages/ PPM> set repository Dada http://dada.perl.it/PPM PPM> set repository Jenda http://jenda.krynicky.cz/perl PPM> set repository rto http://rto.dk/packages/ PPM> set repository OpenInteract http://openinteract.sourceforge.net/p +pmpackages/ PPM> set repository GA http://ppm.gingerall.cz PPM> set repository EPN http://www.epn.ml.org/~spurkis/Agent/repositor +y PPM> set repository JMC http://homepage.eircom.net/~jmcnamara/perl PPM> set save PPM> quit

    Then when you want to install a module (for example DBI), you just need to do:

    c:/> ppm PPM> search DBI PPM> install DBI PPM> quit

    It really is that simple (you don't even need the search line - but its nice to do it like that as then you see if there are likely to be any other packages which may be of assistance: try search for 'sql' for example!).

    If you would like to create your own PPD (Perl Package Design) module that is needed with the PPMs, then this node (which also gives 'build' information) or Jenda Krynicky's guide should be of use.

      In the version of ActiveState I am running on my win box, that doesn't work. I use the new PPM version 3, in which they may have changed the commands? Anyways, to add more repositories, the command is (now):
      rep add DevelopHelp http://ppd.develop-help.com/ppd/
      And there is no need to call any save command.

      UPDATE: I realized I maybe should add how to search the different repositories: Type

      rep
      to get a list of the repositories you have listed, the active one will be marked with a leading '*'. Then type
      rep set X
      where X is the number of the repository you want to search.
      help rep
      will give you more commands.

      Otherwise, a very good post, and thanks for the extensive list of URLs!


      You have moved into a dark place.
      It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
Re: Modules in the Windows environment
by apprentice (Scribe) on Feb 22, 2002 at 23:11 UTC
    Active State provides pre-compiled modules at the following link. I've found pretty much everything I've needed there.

    http://www.activestate.com/PPMPackages/

    If you're running perl on win32, I assume you got the pre-compiled distribution from them? If not, you should. There is an installation tool (ppm)that comes with their distribution that allows you to easily load the modules.

    Good luck!

    Apprentice
Re: Modules in the Windows environment
by rinceWind (Monsignor) on Feb 23, 2002 at 00:18 UTC
    Taking ActiveState on board is probably a good idea as suggested by apprentice. What flavour of Windows perl are you running? If it's an old version, I recommend slinging it and downloading pre-built perl 5.6.1 from ActiveState. This comes with the PPM installer.

    Incidentally, do you have a C (or C++) compiler? This would be V. useful if you are looking at installing many CPAN extensions. My experience is that ActiveState PPM is limited in its range of modules - especially as new ones and new versions are coming out on CPAN all the time.

    C++ 6.0 comes with nmake, which actually works and builds perl extensions. Though you may encounter problems with paths and library lists - I certainly did.

    Best of luck with your extension building

    -- rW

Re: Modules in the Windows environment
by Anonymous Monk on Feb 23, 2002 at 20:19 UTC
    You can download Nmake from various sites including Microsoft. It has worked with every mod that I have tried to use.

      Except for modules that require a C compiler to build of course :)

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