Instructions for using Perl in CASLab

You need to access Linux machines in CASLab to run Perl. You do not need to physically login to these machines. From any CASLab machine you can use xwin32 to remotely access the Linux machines and have a full graphical environment.

X-Win32 instructions at:
http://www.caslab.queensu.ca/LabHelp/Linux/xwin32.php

Perl instructions at:
http://www.caslab.queensu.ca/LabHelp/Linux/perl/

Instructions for installing Perl for home use

For Windows

The latest version is 5.8.8.822.
The windows version is called ActivePerl and can be downloaded from the ActiveState website at: http://www.activestate.com/Products/Download/Download.plex?id=ActivePerl
Download the MSI file and run the setup program.

For Cygwin

Cygwin can be downloaded at: http://www.cygwin.com/
The latest version is 5.24-2

      1. Run setup.exe to install Cygwin
      2. Choose "Install from Internet"
      3. Select the install directory of your choice
      4. Select your internet connection:

       
     5. Select a download location (pick the fastest site for your connection)

         6. Expand the "Interpreters" section:

      7. Click on "perl: Larry Wall's Practical Extracting and Reporting Language" until the numbers "5.8.5-3" shows up and "perl-libwin32..."

      8. Install any other package that you wish
      9. Click "Next" to start downloading and installation

For Linux/FreeBSD/Solaris

The latest version is 5.8.8

Download the binary file stable.tar.gz at: http://www.perl.com/download.csp
- unzip and code and install the package like any other package

or

Download the source code file devel.tar.gz at http://www.perl.com/download.csp
- unzip, compile the code and install the like any other package

Using Perl

Perl is a scripting language and must be run in a command line. The typical command to run a perl script is: perl myperlscript.pl [argument1] [argument2]…

This can be done from a windows command line or unix prompt.

The debugger can be started by using the –d switch when running your script (perl –d myscript.pl). Once you have entered the debugger, type “h” for a list of commands available.

Documentation for Perl can be found at: http://aspn.activestate.com/ASPN/docs/ActivePerl/lib/Pod/perl.html. The section “perlintro” is a good place to start. The same documentation also comes with the windows installation.