The perl debugger, perl5db, uses the Term::ReadLine mechanism to get its command line input. Although this is core, what comes with it is merely a stub.
You need to install Term::ReadLine::Perl and/or Term::ReadLine::Gnu, which support arrow keys and command history. The latter needs the readline library as a prerequisite - this library is outside perl.
--
Oh Lord, won’t you burn me a Knoppix CD ?
My friends all rate Windows, I must disagree.
Your powers of persuasion will set them all free,
So oh Lord, won’t you burn me a Knoppix CD ?
(Missquoting Janis Joplin)
