Yes, you can use a Perl executable. However, if you are planning on making the CD platform independent, you will run into trouble unless you provide an executable for each of the platforms you expect it to run on. You will probably be safe just supporting the big OSes. ActiveState's Perl Development Kit is pretty nice for making executables. I've also found that Perl2Exe is nice. I think there is another, also; help, anyone?
Comment on Re: Can I use a Perl exe on a CD to search a flatfile on the CD?
Have a look at the FAQ How can I compile my Perl program into byte code or C? for another way to do this (though this would require the OP to have access to a C compiler, and the answer doesn't mention whether this is supported under windows).