Re: Which is better: ActiveState or Strawberry Perl?

I have experience with both; however, note the following which may temper your ultimate choice. I've used both on Windows XP but not on any other Windows version. The last version of ActivePerl I used was perl-5.10.? (and haven't used it in ~2 years); the last version of Strawberry Perl I used was perl-5.12.0 (and haven't used it in ~6 months).

I found the installation of both to be straightforward and, to the best of my recollection, hassle-free. Running Perl scripts was equally easy on both.

The main difference becomes evident when you want to use modules (simplistically, these are files with pre-written code which you can selectively add to your Perl scripts). When you install Perl, you'll automatically get some hundreds of modules (see perldoc). Depending on what you want to use Perl for, you'll probably also want to access some of the many thousands of user-contributed modules (see CPAN). With ActivePerl, you'll only have access to a subset (albeit, quite possibly, a perfectly adequate subset) of these extra modules via the Perl Package Manager (PPM) which downloads and installs modules that have been specifically prepared to work with ActivePerl. Strawberry Perl, on the other hand, provides a number of tools that allow you to install (to the best of my recollection) any module: mostly, this is no more difficult than using ActivePerl's PPM but there may be cases that prove somewhat more daunting (depending on your general computer proficiency).

~~If you're more use to working in a GUI environment, then ActivePerl might be your best bet. If you're happy with working on the commandline, then Strawberry Perl might suit you better.~~ It would appear my recollection of ActivePerl is lacking - see BrowserUk's reply below. You can try both if you want; although, trying to run them simultaneously will prove problematic.

To get a better answer, you might like to update your original post with additional information such as:

The version of Windows you're using
What you're intending to use Perl for
Your general computer proficiency

-- Ken

Comment on Re: Which is better: ActiveState or Strawberry Perl?

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Re^2: Which is better: ActiveState or Strawberry Perl? by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on Feb 17, 2012 at 09:06 UTC
If you're more use to working in a GUI environment, then ActivePerl might be your best bet. If you're happy with working on the commandline, then Strawberry Perl might suit you better. I was with you right up until the above paragraph. I exclusively use the command line for perl and C/C++ development. I see absolutely nothing in Active State Perl that requires, nor even encourages using a "GUI environment". In fact, other than the PPM GUI -- which I have always eshewed in favour of the also installed command line alternative: ppm-shell -- there are no GUI components in Active State Perl. So, why do you think you have to be a GUI user to use Active State Perl? With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday' Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error. "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice. The start of some sanity?	[reply]
Re^3: Which is better: ActiveState or Strawberry Perl? by kcott (Archbishop) on Feb 17, 2012 at 09:41 UTC
As you are a current ActivePerl user and I haven't touched it in, as I noted, ~2 years, I'm more than happy to bow to your more recent knowledge. I do recall using the PPM GUI: that probably prompted what I wrote. I'll put an update in my post. On a completely different topic, I think your mouse button got stuck as you seem to have posted your reply 17 times. The visual effect was quite interesting as my Chatterbox appeared to erupt in a shower of "root says You've got a reply to Re: Which is better? from BrowserUk at Re^2: Which is better?" messages. Nice one! :-) Pity about the mouse. :-( -- Ken	[reply]
Re^4: Which is better: ActiveState or Strawberry Perl? by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on Feb 17, 2012 at 09:56 UTC
as you seem to have posted your reply 17 times Yes. Sorry about that. Seems to have been some weird interaction between a longstanding known increasingly frequent PM bug and the fact that I replied to your post when it was in the "Notes" section. Trust me, it cost me (and NodeReaper -- many thanks to the unnamed monk that operated tirelessly behind that id this morning!) considerable effort to ensure that the mess was cleaned up :) I'll strive harder to notice when the time is between 8.00 and 9.00 am UTC and resist the urge to post between those times in future. It's a shame this problem still persists after all these years, but I guess that what comes from having to rely on security through obscurity, and the whims of a single godhead. With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday' Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error. "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice. The start of some sanity?	[reply]
Re^4: Which is better: ActiveState or Strawberry Perl? by Anonymous Monk on Feb 17, 2012 at 09:56 UTC
On a completely different topic, I think your mouse button got stuck as you seem to have posted your reply 17 times. PerlMonks prevents identical replies, so as usual, BrowserUk has stumbled upon a db-server hiccup -- they happen after midnight occasionally, but BrowserUk has a knack for getting singled out, it completely missed me this time around :)	[reply]
Re^2: Which is better: ActiveState or Strawberry Perl? by Anonymous Monk on Feb 17, 2012 at 08:50 UTC
Strawberry Perl, on the other hand, provides a number of tools that allow you to install (to the best of my recollection) any module ActiveState provides the same tools `ppm install MinGW cpan SomethingNotAvailableViaPPM` [download]	[reply] [d/l]