What is CPAN and how do I use it

CPAN, or Comprehensive Perl Archive Network, is a large collection of Perl software and libraries. It serves as a repository for Perl modules, allowing developers to easily find and install the tools they need for their projects. CPAN is pivotal in enhancing the performance and usability of Perl by providing extensive, ready-to-use code.

To use CPAN, you can start with the command line interface that comes with Perl. Here’s a simple guide on how to install a Perl module using CPAN:

Alternatively, you can create a CPAN configuration file, which will prompt you with options and allow for customization on how modules are installed. You can also use the CPAN shell:

This command fetches the module from the CPAN repository and installs it in your Perl environment.