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perlbrew

manages multiple Perl installations in user space

TLDR

Install Perl version
$ perlbrew install perl-[5.38.0]
List available versions
$ perlbrew available
List installed versions
$ perlbrew list
Switch to Perl version
$ perlbrew switch perl-[5.38.0]
Use version in current shell
$ perlbrew use perl-[5.38.0]
Install cpanm
$ perlbrew install-cpanm
Create library
$ perlbrew lib create perl-[5.38.0]@[mylib]
Run command with specific Perl
$ perlbrew exec --with perl-[5.38.0] [perl script.pl]

SYNOPSIS

perlbrew [install] [switch] [use] [list] [options] [args]

DESCRIPTION

perlbrew manages multiple Perl installations in user space. It enables switching between versions without system access.Installations compile Perl from source in ~/perl5/perlbrew. Each version is independent with its own modules and libraries.Libraries provide isolated module sets for the same Perl version. This enables project-specific dependencies without conflicts.Switch sets the default version for new shells. Use changes only the current shell. This flexibility supports development across versions.cpanm integration simplifies module installation. It's installed once and works with all managed Perl versions.Exec runs commands against specific versions, useful for testing compatibility or building packages.

PARAMETERS

install VERSION

Install Perl version.
available
List available versions.
list
List installed versions.
switch VERSION
Set default version.
use VERSION
Use version in current shell.
off
Disable perlbrew in current shell.
lib create NAME
Create library.
lib list
List libraries.
exec CMD
Run command with Perl version.
uninstall VERSION
Uninstall a Perl version.
alias create name alias
Give a Perl installation a new name.
info
Show perlbrew installation info.
install-cpanm
Install cpanminus.
install-multiple
Install multiple versions and flavors.
self-upgrade
Upgrade perlbrew itself.
clean
Purge tarballs and build directories.
--notest
Skip tests during install.
--thread
Build Perl with usethreads enabled.
-j N
Parallel build jobs.
-q, --quiet
Suppress informative output.
-v, --verbose
More verbose output.

INSTALL

sudo dnf install perlbrew
sudo pacman -S perlbrew

CAVEATS

Building Perl takes time. Disk usage accumulates with versions. Some modules need recompilation when switching. Not for system Perl replacement.

HISTORY

perlbrew was created by Kang-min Liu (gugod) around 2010, inspired by Ruby's rvm and rbenv. It addressed the need for multiple Perl versions in development, especially for testing CPAN module compatibility.

SEE ALSO

plenv(1), cpanm(1), carton(1), perl(1)