Text::CSV is actually only a thin wrapper for Text::CSV_XS (prefered) and Text::CSV_PP (fallback).

it seems that Text::CSV [...] can only deal with ascii characters.

Both implementation can handle binary characters (with Binary=>1). In fact, both implementations have the same interface and capabilities.

I looked at both modules and it seems that Text::CSV is the older module

Both are kept in sync. Both had a released in the last two months.

The only differences should be

• Text::CSV_XS is faster
• Text::CSV_XS can be harder to install for some people.