FAQ - NT Perl

• What version of Perl do you use?
• Why can't I get my Perl script to work with my NT account if I can get it to run on a UNIX server?
• Where is the path to the perl binary?
• What PPM modules do you have installed?
• Can I ask you to install additional PPM modules?
• Can I use Perlscript with ASP?
• I can't get my perl program to call another Perl program.
• I keep receiving a "Parse Exception" error when attempting to use a PPM?
• I am still experiencing problems with Perl. How do I know it is working on my site?
• Where can I get more information on Active Perl for NT?

What version of Perl do you use?

We use the latest build version of Activestate's Perl 5.05.

Why can't I get my Perl script to work with my NT account?

Although the Perl language is very similar between NT and UNIX, there are still some subtle differences. The biggest change is that the perl interpreter does not need to be called in the way it is handled in UNIX. In order to have Perl recognize a script, all you have to do is have the file extension end in either .pl or .cgi. This will automatically invoke the Perl interpreter.

Where is the path to the perl binary?

This is unnecessary under NT. In fact, calls to the perl binary at the beginning of a script will cause the script to fail. If you have a UNIX script you are attempting to port to NT, please make sure that the Perl binary is not called at the beginning of the script.

What PPM modules do you have installed?

• Win32::ODBC
• Win32::ADO
• Win32::ASP
• Win32::PerlZip

Can I ask you to install additional PPM modules?

Yes. As always, our support staff must first approve the module for use in inSolSys.com's platform.

Can I use Perlscript with ASP?

Yes, we have Perlscript available to asp. Please note that you must have the NT Developer account in order to use ASP.

I can't get my perl program to call another Perl program.

In order to call your other perl program, you need to initiate the Perl interpreter by using the following system command syntax. Remember that this must be within your HTTP directory structure otherwise security will not allow the script to be run (for example, you can not run it from your FTP directory).

system('\path\to\script.pl')

I keep receiving a "Parse Exception" error when attempting to use a PPM?

Please contact inSolSys.com technical support. This usually means that an installed PPM is out-of-date with the current build of Perl that is installed. InSolSys.com will not guarantee customers that third party PPMs will operate with every version of Perl that is installed. We will constantly upgrade our versions of Perl, and if a particular PPM falls behind and can not be interpreted, InSolSys.com can not do anything about it.

I am still experiencing problems with Perl. How do I know it is working on my site?

Cut and paste the following perl code into a file and call it dumpvars.pl. Place it in your HTTP directory and call it through a browser. If perl is working correctly, you should see a list of environmental variables displayed. If you do not, please contact InSolSys.com support.

#!/usr/local/bin/perl
print "Content-type: text/plain\n\n";
for $k (sort keys %ENV) {
print "$k : $ENV{$k}\n";
}

Where can I get more information on Active Perl for NT?

See http://www.activestate.com/ActivePerl