perl514,

It is very easy to install multiple copies of Perl on *nix boxes. I usually have 3 to 5 versions depending on how old the computer is. Download from CPAN the version you want. I do the following system commands after verifying the checksum:

 gzip -d  perl-5.14.2.tar.gz
 tar -xf  perl-5.14.2.tar               # This creates a new directory
+ perl-5.14.2
 cd perl-5.14.2
 ./Configure -des -Dprefix=/usr/opt/perl_5_14_2   # directory should b
+e unique and already exist
 make
 make test
 make install                           # This will install to /usr/op
+t/perl_5_14_2
 ln -s /usr/opt/perl_5_14_2/bin/perl /usr/local/bin/myperl
[download]

This should generate a new and totally different Perl from the system Perl. To test that everything works, just type

 myperl -V     # you can call it anything, but I recommend having perl
+ in the name
[download]

Some things to keep in mind.

• If you need CPAN modules, they have to be installed with 'myperl'. The libraries are totally separate from the system libraries.
• Do not change the default Perl. I usually do a symbolic link to the system perl in '/usr/local/bin/perl -> system perl. This will give an error message if I try to re-link the default perl.
• If you want the additional features for your custom Perl, read about all the options in 'Configure'. Also the Configure options are shown in all versions of perl by doing 'perl -V;grep "config_args"' which will show you how the system Perl was built.
• Hint: If you need or use other Perl commands, then I usually do a symbolic link to them. But remember, if you have multiple Perls, you will have to re-link the commands to get the correct version.
• Hint2: If you have multiple cores, do the 'make' first, and then do the 'make test' as I showed here, otherwise you may test something before it's compiled.
• Hint3: From the problems you're having, maybe re-install the operating system before doing these steps. Or try this first and if you still have problems, then re-install the system. All of my laptops have *nix and windows both with out a problem. It's easier than trying to have multiple newer *nixes on 1 box :-)

You'll never again be limited by the Perl that ships with the *nix!

I did this from memory, so if you find something that works differently, I'll check it, and update the documentation or at least mark it as system dependent.

Good Luck!

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