How do I build and install DBD?

nguye103 has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

I know this is probably a very stupid question....but how do I build and install DBD? I built and installed DBI fine, but it seems that I can't find DBD at cpan.org. I can only find DBD::some file. thanks.

Janitored by Arunbear - retitled from 'DBD'

Comment on How do I build and install DBD?

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Re: How do I build and install DBD? by jZed (Prior) on Oct 05, 2004 at 16:39 UTC
DBD stands for DataBase Driver. DBI can not work without one. Each one is different, one (or more) for each Database Management System you want to connect to. If you have an installed Database like PostgreSQL or MySQL, use the DBD for that system (DBD::Pg or DBD::mysql). If you don't have a system yet, both of those are free, but require you to install both the database system and DBI and the appropriate DBD. A simpler approach if you are just getting started is to use a stand-alone driver that does not require a separate Database sytstem backend. DBD::SQLite is the most robust one currently available. The simplest to test with is DBD::DBM since it comes with DBI and doesn't require any other software to do simple tasks.	[reply]
Re: How do I build and install DBD? by kvale (Monsignor) on Oct 05, 2004 at 16:39 UTC
It is just a slight misunderstanding. the DBD::xxx are driver modules that interface between DBI and your particular database. So pick the DBD driver for the database you want to use and install it as you would any other CPAN module. An excellent book on DBI is "Programming the Perl DBI" by Alligator Descartes and Tim Bunce, published by O'Reilly. I found it very helpful when I was getting started. -Mark	[reply]
Re: How do I build and install DBD? by jdtoronto (Prior) on Oct 05, 2004 at 16:36 UTC
Thats right, DBD is the actual database driver, so for MySQL. for example, you need DBD::mysql. jdtoronto	[reply]