Downloading the Latest Version of Perl

Contents of this document

• Source Code Distribution
  • Stable Production Release (Current Version)
  • Experimental Developer's Release (Upcoming Version)
  • Previous Releases (Legacy Version)
    • Source License
• Binary Distributions
  • Unix, Linux
  • Win32
  • Macintosh
• Getting Help

Overview

Perl is Open Source software. You can download it for free as a source code or as a pre-compiled binary distribution.

Perl Source Code Distribution

Once you download the gzip or zip archive, you will have to extract the source code files from the distribution and then follow the instructions on how to compile the source code for your system. If you don't have a compiler, or are unclear about compiling source code, then look first for a binary distribution of Perl.

Stable Production Release

The current version of Perl is 5.8.4. This is a stable, tested release that you should use in production environments.

Features new to this release include generation of C code and support for lightweight processes. This version is a stable, production release that compiles out of the box for virtually all flavors of Unix (its native environment), plus VMS, OS/2, and 32-bit Microsoft platforms as well.

Experimental Developer's Release

The developer's release of Perl is currently at version 5.9.1. The developer's release is considered purely experimental. It is intended for particularly brave developers who want to get close to the front lines of Perl development.

Previous Versions of Perl

For the faint of heart, the previous version of Perl is the 5.005_03 release. Timid souls who are afraid to upgrade to the current release might want this.

 

DOWNLOAD Last Release from CPAN/src
Get source for Unix systems	perl5.005_03.tar.gz archive

Source Licence

Perl is Open Source software. It's free for you to download and use as you wish. Perl's license is called the Artistic license. Read it if you aren't sure what you can or can't do. The bottom line is that this is a kinder and gentler version of the GNU license -- one that doesn't infect your work if you care to borrow from Perl or package up pieces of it as part of a commercial product!

Binary Distributions

Binary distributions of Perl are available for various platforms, including Win32 (Windows NT/95), Mac and Unix. Please read all documentation that comes with each package, as one distribution for a given platform may be very different than another for the same platform (eg. different add-ons, compiled from a different version of Perl etc.)

Generally speaking, CPAN doesn't distribute Perl binaries. It does provide information in the /ports directory that will point you to sites that maintain binary distributions for specific platforms.

Perl for Win32

ActivePerl is the long-awaited "merge" of the two popular Perl Win32 ports. These binaries are intended for anyone using Windows 95/98 or Windows NT. While you can download older Win32 binaries from CPAN, we recommend that you download ActivePerl from ActiveState.

ActivePerl includes:

Perl for Win32: A binary of the core Perl distribution.

PerlScript: ActiveX scripting engine, like JavaScript or VBScript with a Perl brain.

Perl Package Manager: Use the Perl Package Manager (PPM) to easily view and install the large collection of modules and extensions that are available in binary packages at the ActiveState Package Repository.

If you have problems installing ActivePerl, please see the ActiveState site for support information.

Perl for the Macintosh

For Macintosh users, there is really only one way to get Perl. Check out the MacPerl Homepage Home Page.

DOWNLOAD Macintosh Binaries from MacPerl
Go to the MacPerl page:	MacPerl

Perl for Unix

Perl was originally envisioned and written for Unix. Perl will build on almost all Unix platforms and its variants, such as Linux. As far as which Unix variants Perl will compile on, Larry says "I'm not sure there are any unsupported versions of Unix, except on machines without adequate address space such as PDP-11 or i286, and perhaps some old versions of Unix that are no longer supported themselves."

DOWNLOAD Unix Binaries from CPAN
Go to the CPAN /ports list to locate a binary:	List of Ports

Alien Ports

If you are looking to run Perl on a non-native system, then have a look at the /CPAN/ports/ directory. Note that the standard Perl distribution compiles even on most closed-source systems now, so the ports directory is of somewhat limited utility for them.

Getting Help

If you need help, here are some suggestions.

• If you encounter problems configuring, compiling, or installing Perl from the source kits, please read the README in the source directory. Besides including important tips for various platforms, they also document where to send mail if you still have build difficulties.
• If you have problems downloading via ftp, try this web mirror of CPAN instead.
• If you still can't get the download or the unpacking to work, you'll need to contact your local systems administrator (not perl.com staff) for help with your local system. Also, try to contact other Perl users in your organization or your community for help.
• If you have issues with the ActiveState port, please contact them directly.

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