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diff --git a/pod/perlfaq2.pod b/pod/perlfaq2.pod index dc951e38f4..34d4825790 100644 --- a/pod/perlfaq2.pod +++ b/pod/perlfaq2.pod @@ -1,6 +1,6 @@ =head1 NAME -perlfaq2 - Obtaining and Learning about Perl ($Revision: 1.32 $, $Date: 2005/04/22 19:04:48 $) +perlfaq2 - Obtaining and Learning about Perl ($Revision: 1.34 $, $Date: 2005/08/10 15:56:54 $) =head1 DESCRIPTION @@ -8,29 +8,29 @@ This section of the FAQ answers questions about where to find source and documentation for Perl, support, and related matters. -=head2 What machines support Perl? Where do I get it? +=head2 What machines support perl? Where do I get it? -The standard release of Perl (the one maintained by the perl +The standard release of perl (the one maintained by the perl development team) is distributed only in source code form. You can find this at http://www.cpan.org/src/latest.tar.gz , which is in a standard Internet format (a gzipped archive in POSIX tar format). Perl builds and runs on a bewildering number of platforms. Virtually -all known and current Unix derivatives are supported (Perl's native +all known and current Unix derivatives are supported (perl's native platform), as are other systems like VMS, DOS, OS/2, Windows, QNX, BeOS, OS X, MPE/iX and the Amiga. Binary distributions for some proprietary platforms, including Apple systems, can be found http://www.cpan.org/ports/ directory. Because these are not part of the standard distribution, they may -and in fact do differ from the base Perl port in a variety of ways. +and in fact do differ from the base perl port in a variety of ways. You'll have to check their respective release notes to see just what the differences are. These differences can be either positive (e.g. extensions for the features of the particular platform that are not supported in the source release of perl) or negative (e.g. might be based upon a less current source release of perl). -=head2 How can I get a binary version of Perl? +=head2 How can I get a binary version of perl? If you don't have a C compiler because your vendor for whatever reasons did not include one with your system, the best thing to do is @@ -43,14 +43,14 @@ Some URLs that might help you are: http://www.cpan.org/ports/ http://www.perl.com/pub/language/info/software.html -Someone looking for a Perl for Win16 might look to Laszlo Molnar's djgpp +Someone looking for a perl for Win16 might look to Laszlo Molnar's djgpp port in http://www.cpan.org/ports/#msdos , which comes with clear installation instructions. A simple installation guide for MS-DOS using Ilya Zakharevich's OS/2 port is available at http://www.cs.ruu.nl/%7Epiet/perl5dos.html and similarly for Windows 3.1 at http://www.cs.ruu.nl/%7Epiet/perlwin3.html . -=head2 I don't have a C compiler on my system. How can I compile perl? +=head2 I don't have a C compiler. How can I build my own Perl interpreter? Since you don't have a C compiler, you're doomed and your vendor should be sacrificed to the Sun gods. But that doesn't help you. @@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ What you need to do is get a binary version of gcc for your system first. Consult the Usenet FAQs for your operating system for information on where to get such a binary version. -=head2 I copied the Perl binary from one machine to another, but scripts don't work. +=head2 I copied the perl binary from one machine to another, but scripts don't work. That's probably because you forgot libraries, or library paths differ. You really should build the whole distribution on the machine it will @@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ installed as well: type C<man perl> if you're on a system resembling Unix. This will lead you to other important man pages, including how to set your $MANPATH. If you're not on a Unix system, access to the documentation will be different; for example, documentation might only be in HTML format. All -proper Perl installations have fully-accessible documentation. +proper perl installations have fully-accessible documentation. You might also try C<perldoc perl> in case your system doesn't have a proper man command, or it's been misinstalled. If that doesn't @@ -479,9 +479,9 @@ same question at some point on c.l.p.m. It requires some time and patience to sift through all the content but often you will find the answer you seek. -=head2 Where can I buy a commercial version of Perl? +=head2 Where can I buy a commercial version of perl? -In a real sense, Perl already I<is> commercial software: it has a license +In a real sense, perl already I<is> commercial software: it has a license that you can grab and carefully read to your manager. It is distributed in releases and comes in well-defined packages. There is a very large user community and an extensive literature. The comp.lang.perl.* @@ -494,20 +494,23 @@ better for everyone. However, these answers may not suffice for managers who require a purchase order from a company whom they can sue should anything go awry. Or maybe they need very serious hand-holding and contractual obligations. -Shrink-wrapped CDs with Perl on them are available from several sources if -that will help. For example, many Perl books include a distribution of Perl, +Shrink-wrapped CDs with perl on them are available from several sources if +that will help. For example, many Perl books include a distribution of perl, as do the O'Reilly Perl Resource Kits (in both the Unix flavor and in the proprietary Microsoft flavor); the free Unix distributions -also all come with Perl. +also all come with perl. =head2 Where do I send bug reports? If you are reporting a bug in the perl interpreter or the modules shipped with Perl, use the I<perlbug> program in the Perl distribution or -mail your report to perlbug@perl.org . +mail your report to perlbug@perl.org or at http://rt.perl.org/perlbug/ . + +For Perl modules, you can submit bug reports to the Request Tracker set +up at http://rt.cpan.org . If you are posting a bug with a non-standard port (see the answer to -"What platforms is Perl available for?"), a binary distribution, or a +"What platforms is perl available for?"), a binary distribution, or a non-standard module (such as Tk, CGI, etc), then please see the documentation that came with it to determine the correct place to post bugs. |