Because CPAN doesn't have any features for installing configuration files, data files, etc. RPM does, apt does, PAR does, etc., but not CPAN. CPAN has executables, documentation, and libaries; but many full-blown applications consist of much more. I've hacked MakeMaker so that it will install my data and config files, but it really is just that: a hack.
In my opinion, CPAN could stand to borrow a few features from rpm/apt and friends, then it would be a good place for Applications *and* code.
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Are you talking about the CPAN shell? CPAN is just a repository for Perl software. You can put whatever you want on there. The CPAN shell would not be a good way to install an application though.
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Aha, you are right: one could host software on CPAN and yet require that users install it without the CPAN.pm shell. Never thought of that.
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Because most applications I know for perl arn't on CPAN and because I often read that CPAN is for reusable modules and not for applications. | [reply] |