How can I run a Perl script with ActivePerl?

Question

I just recently installed ActivePerl 5.12.2.1202 on my Windows XP in C:/Perl. I am new to Perl scripting.

I just want to run a Perl program which contains one print statement, which I saved in Notepad with the name ex.pl.

1. How can I run this Perl program?
2. Can I use an editor for typing a Perl script other than Notepad?
3. How do I use ActivePerl?

Answer 1

• Run Perl program from command prompt

  start->run>cmd (command prompt will appear), write perl full_path_of_your_script, like
  C:\> perl hello.pl #This assumes that perl is in your PATH environment variable.

• There are many Perl Editors, you can used for Perl scripts like DzSoft, Perl Expess, Komodo Edit etc and also see http://www.perlmonks.org/?node_id=169668 and Perlfaq3- Windows Perl Editors for more detail.

• Have a look at http://docs.activestate.com/activeperl/5.12/, for ActivePerl 5.12 documentation.

Answer 2

Perl programs (or any other program run by an interpreter) is run by passing the script as a command-line argument to the interpreter. For example, in this case:

perl.exe ex.pl

Padre the Perl IDE and Kephra are good editors for Perl.

As an alternative to ActivePerl, there is Strawberry Perl.