CPAN
What it is
CPAN is a free archive of Perl software and documentation, with tools and instructions for finding and installing modules. Its homepage lists 33,464,960 Perl modules across 47,830 distributions from 14,750 authors; the archive has been online since October 1995. Users can search with MetaCPAN or browse modules, authors, and recent uploads. Modules can be installed with CPAN.pm, with separate instructions for manual installation. Dependencies may require other modules, specific versions, or a C compiler. Authors upload through PAUSE, which inspects, validates, and indexes submissions before they reach CPAN and its mirrors. For existing package namespaces, it indexes submissions only from an owner or authorized maintainer. The site provides Perl source archives and build instructions; its Ports page lists support for over 100 platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. CPAN is backed by a CDN. Its FAQ says support is for CPAN-related issues, not debugging users’ code.
For and against
For
- Free archive of Perl software and documentation.
- Offers search and browsing for modules and authors.
- CPAN.pm and manual installation instructions are available.
- Perl support spans over 100 platforms.
Against
- Some modules require a C compiler.
- Dependencies may require other modules or specific versions.
- CPAN support does not debug users’ code.
The verdict
CPAN is a broad resource for finding, installing, and distributing Perl modules. Check module dependencies and installation requirements before proceeding.
Who it suits
CPAN suits Perl users looking for software, documentation, or installation instructions, and authors distributing Perl modules. Users should be prepared to manage dependencies that can include specific versions or a C compiler.
Plans and prices
CPAN
Free Perl software and documentation archive
Read 4 Oct 2026 · cpan.org
On the record
- Archive size
- The homepage states that CPAN contains 33,464,960 Perl modules in 47,830 distributions by 14,750 authors.cpan.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Contributor access
- Registered PAUSE developers receive password-protected write access to their CPAN author directory.cpan.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Dependencies
- Modules can depend on other modules, and some require a specific version or a C compiler.cpan.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Distribution workflow
- Authors upload modules to PAUSE, which inspects, validates, and indexes uploads before they propagate to CPAN and mirrors.cpan.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Find modules
- The site links to MetaCPAN for searching and lists ways to browse modules, authors, and recent uploads.cpan.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- History
- The archive has been online since October 1995.cpan.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Install modules
- Perl modules can be downloaded and installed using the CPAN.pm tool, with instructions also available for manual installation.cpan.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Mirrors and CDN
- The mirror page says CPAN is backed by a CDN and users can point at www.cpan.org for access.cpan.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Namespace controls
- PAUSE checks package namespaces and only indexes uploads from the owner or an authorized maintainer for existing namespaces.cpan.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Platform support
- The Ports page says Perl supports over 100 platforms and lists Windows, macOS, Linux, and other operating systems.cpan.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Source downloads
- The source page provides Perl source archives and instructions for compiling and installing Perl.cpan.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The FAQ says CPAN is not a helpdesk for debugging users’ code, but handles questions and problems related directly to CPAN’s operation.cpan.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Testing
- The PAUSE documentation says uploaded modules are tested across dozens of architectures by CPAN Testers.cpan.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- What it is
- CPAN is a large collection of Perl software and documentation.cpan.org · read 4 Oct 2026
