PerlApp For Web GUI Program

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

Hi All

I recently posted regarding a perl compile question, but my questions was unspecific and I have to admit I did not use the super search function first to investigate. I have been looking into PerlApp this morning as a solution to compiling our web based perl apps for windows users, but I have some concerns/questions and would greatly appreciate any tips or pointers in the right direction.

Objective: We have a perl based web app that we want to deploy much easier to windows users. Getting them to install and configure perl etc is too much really on a daily basis. I would be very happy if we could ship an .exe and achieve full functionality. The program is OO Perl based, and uses MySQL for a backend - we assume a MySQL server is already available and that is not really a concern.

My question is, can I use perlApp to compile such a program and make it for easier deployment? Would the end-user still need a web server such as IIS or Apache, or could we byass this somehow and simply require MySQL.

What I don't understand is a way to create the .exe and open it up in a browser, without putting the files inside Apache or IIS, which I'd rather avoid as again it is a very confusing step for the non tech savvy user.

Many Thanks for any help or advice you can offer. It would be great to discuss this with someone who is experienced with PerlApp and can help me achieve my goals - I am willing to pay for some pointers over an IM if possible.

Thank you John

Comment on PerlApp For Web GUI Program

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Re: PerlApp For Web GUI Program by monkey_boy (Priest) on May 27, 2005 at 09:55 UTC
"We have a perl based web app" then you need some sort of web server, i dont think there is a way around this, you could include your own light-weight sever in your exe, such as HTTP::Daemon. But you wont get the performance to match up with apache. An afterthought, an example of this is the server that powers squeezebox, a perl based app that is easyly installed on windows by non-techy users, the source is open & can be downloaded from slimserver update: added cpan link. update2: added squeezebox example. This is not a Signature...	[reply] [d/l]
Re^2: PerlApp For Web GUI Program by jblogic (Initiate) on May 27, 2005 at 13:36 UTC
Hi! I took a look at the example you provided, this is exactly the same sort of thing I would like to achieve with our software. I fear this maybe slightly out of the knowledge pond for myself and my co-workers though to produce this in a reasonably short space of time. I hope this is not against any community rules, but if there is anyone out there who has experience in doing something like the above and would like a bit of contracted work please contact me, I'm prepared to pay for some assistance achieving this. My email and MSN id is jbennett@hotmail.co.uk. Many Thanks, any further suggestions would be appreciated.	[reply]
Re^3: PerlApp For Web GUI Program by monkey_boy (Priest) on May 27, 2005 at 14:19 UTC
Its also probably a bit beyond myself to implement quickly, but im sure there are loads of perlmonks who could get it going in a flash, there are a list of perlmonks available for contract work on dragonchild 's homepage, perhaps you should message/email them with your specs. This is not a Signature...	[reply] [d/l]
Re: PerlApp For Web GUI Program by ghenry (Vicar) on May 27, 2005 at 09:50 UTC
Hi, I may be being completely stupid here, but what can be easier for your Windows users, than a hosted web application? Wouldn't it just create more work for you installing and supporting lots of desktop apps, rather than just looking after one server? Walking the road to enlightenment... I found a penguin and a camel on the way..... Fancy a yourname@perl.me.uk? Just ask!!!	[reply]
Re: PerlApp For Web GUI Program by bofh_of_oz (Hermit) on May 27, 2005 at 13:34 UTC
I'm not exactly sure what Perl-based Webapp would require a client-installed code (after all, it's a webapp, right?). If you really need clients to run an executable on their computers, you can always try and use perl2exe ( http://www.indigostar.com/perl2exe.htm). Essentially, it combines Perl interpreter, needed modules, and the script into one executable that can be ran on machines that do not have Perl installed. -------------------------------- An idea is not responsible for the people who believe in it...	[reply]