[Pdx-pm] Perl executables...

Tom Phoenix rootbeer at redcat.com
Wed May 21 16:27:05 CDT 2003


On Wed, 21 May 2003, Nick Wehr wrote:

>   I was wondering if anyones messed around with
> converting your perl script into a binary executable.

I've never found anyone who has needed to do it. (I've met those who have
done so, and I've made binaries myself. But I've never found anyone who
has _needed_ to do so, in any practical sense.)

> I want to be able to distribute scripts that utilize
> modules without the need of an interpreter.

When Perl 6 is available, you may be able to do this, although I'm not
sure. But even using perl2exe means having an interpreter. It's simply
hidden away in the gigantic binary file, that's all.

Making a binary out of your Perl code won't make your programs faster to
run, easier to maintain, or more portable. About the only benefit is that
the program itself is easier to install on some machines, and impossible
to install on some others. But a well-written installation document (or,
in severe cases, an installation program) should help the user to get it
going.

If you're trying to solve some other problem than the installation
problem, compiling Perl programs probably won't help. Sorry! But tell us
what the problem is, and maybe we can help.

Cheers!

--Tom Phoenix




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