CPAN
cpan.org
What it is
CPAN is a free archive of Perl software and documentation, with ways to find, download, and install modules. Its homepage lists 33,464,960 modules in 47,830 distributions from 14,750 authors; the archive has been online since October 1995. Visitors can search through MetaCPAN or browse modules, authors, and recent uploads. Modules can be installed with CPAN.pm, and manual installation instructions are available. Dependencies can require other modules, a particular version, or a C compiler. The site also provides Perl source archives and instructions for compiling and installing Perl. Authors submit uploads through PAUSE, which inspects, validates, and indexes them before they propagate to CPAN and its mirrors. For existing package namespaces, PAUSE indexes uploads only from the owner or an authorized maintainer. Its documentation says uploaded modules are tested across dozens of architectures by CPAN Testers. The Ports page lists Perl support for over 100 platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. CPAN is backed by a CDN. The FAQ says CPAN handles questions about its own operation, not debugging users’ code.
Spec sheet
- Support
- The FAQ says CPAN is not a helpdesk for debugging users’ code, but handles questions and problems related directly to CPAN’s operation.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cpan.org
- Archive size
- The homepage states that CPAN contains 33,464,960 Perl modules in 47,830 distributions by 14,750 authors.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cpan.org
- Contributor access
- Registered PAUSE developers receive password-protected write access to their CPAN author directory.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cpan.org
- Dependencies
- Modules can depend on other modules, and some require a specific version or a C compiler.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cpan.org
- Distribution workflow
- Authors upload modules to PAUSE, which inspects, validates, and indexes uploads before they propagate to CPAN and mirrors.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cpan.org
- Find modules
- The site links to MetaCPAN for searching and lists ways to browse modules, authors, and recent uploads.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cpan.org
- History
- The archive has been online since October 1995.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cpan.org
- Install modules
- Perl modules can be downloaded and installed using the CPAN.pm tool, with instructions also available for manual installation.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cpan.org
- Mirrors and CDN
- The mirror page says CPAN is backed by a CDN and users can point at www.cpan.org for access.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cpan.org
- Namespace controls
- PAUSE checks package namespaces and only indexes uploads from the owner or an authorized maintainer for existing namespaces.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cpan.org
- Platform support
- The Ports page says Perl supports over 100 platforms and lists Windows, macOS, Linux, and other operating systems.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cpan.org
- Source downloads
- The source page provides Perl source archives and instructions for compiling and installing Perl.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cpan.org
- Testing
- The PAUSE documentation says uploaded modules are tested across dozens of architectures by CPAN Testers.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cpan.org
- What it is
- CPAN is a large collection of Perl software and documentation.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cpan.org
Plans and prices
CPAN Free Free Perl software and documentation archive Read 4 Oct 2026 · cpan.org
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Search through MetaCPAN or browse modules, authors, and uploads.
- CPAN.pm and manual installation instructions are available.
- Perl is listed as supporting over 100 platforms.
- CPAN is backed by a CDN.
Limits
- Some modules require specific versions or a C compiler.
- Dependencies may require installing other modules.
- The FAQ does not offer debugging help for users’ code.
Who it suits
CPAN suits Perl users looking for software, documentation, module installation instructions, or Perl source. Module authors can submit uploads through PAUSE, subject to its indexing rules.
Verdict
CPAN provides a broad archive and several routes to find and install Perl modules, alongside source downloads. Dependencies can complicate setup, and support is limited to issues related to CPAN’s operation.
Where Specifiction places it
- Package Registries#12 of 288.1
