How do I install CPAN modules while using perlbrew?

Question

I have started using perlbrew and installed perl-5.12.2.

I understand I need to re-install my CPAN modules, so I switched to my new Perl version (perlbrew switch perl-5.12.2 and hash -r), verified the switch was successful (perl -v) then tried installing some module (File::Copy::Recursive using cpan. However, cpan says `File::Copy::Recursive is up to date (0.38).

When I start a Perl script using this module, it shouts Can't locate File/Copy/Recursive.pm in @INC ... (showing many perl-5.12.2 locations). When I switch back to my 'normal' Perl (perlbrew off) the script runs fine.

Any suggestions? Perhaps CPAN does not work well with perlbrew?

Solution 1

After installing perlbrew you could install cpanm through this command:

perlbrew install-cpanm

Otherwise you will need to install cpanm manually each time you switch your Perl version on perlbrew. With this command just once.

Once installed you can then use cpanm to install the missing module:

cpanm File::Copy::Recursive

Solution 2

Everything should be working fine with "cpan" as well as "cpanm", that is: when switching perl with perlbrew, cpan sees the installed modules of the version you use.

While it's true that cpanm is the recommended tool to use with perlbrew, cpan allows for test reporting so that is what I always use.

Comments

[Joshua Richardson]

Btw., in case you didn't know (as I didn't), cpanm is a cpan alternative, which works better with perlbrew. After installing as above, then you can use, e.g. "cpanm install File::Copy::Recursive", etc.

[Eugen Konkov]

@JoshuaRichardson: Notice cpanm install will try to install install module. because cpanm has not such command: Usage: cpanm [options] Module [...]