For Solaris systems where I don't have access to the SUN compiler, I typically install Perl somewhere (/opt/perl for instance), and just link /usr/bin/perl to /opt/perl/bin/perl. I then compile using gcc.

Actually, I've often done the same if I do have access to the SUN compiler.

Solaris shouldn't break down if you replace /usr/bin/perl, and I've never experienced any problems by doing so.

But this thread was about Debian, not Solaris.