Installing Perl on Windows is basically like installing any other program on a computer running Windows.
Download the Perl software. ActiveState offers Perl for free at http://www.activestate.com.
Once you have Perl downloaded, double-click the file to begin installation. If you have downloaded the Microsoft Installer package, you may have to right-click the file and choose Install from the pop-up menu.
Figure A-1 shows the first screen that comes up when you begin the installation.
Figure A-1: ActivePerl install screen
Click the Next button to continue the installation.
Figure A-2 shows the license agreement. You must accept the terms of the license to continue with the installation.
Figure A-2: ActivePerl License Agreement screen
Click the Next button to continue the installation.
Figure A-3 shows the Custom Setup screen. Generally, you should leave these settings alone; the default installation is perfect for most situations.
Figure A-3: ActivePerl Custom Setup screen
Click the Next button to continue the installation.
Figure A-4 shows the New PPM (Perl Package Manager) Features screen. The PPM is used to install precompiled modules onto Windows systems. If you want to enable ActiveState to see your system’s Perl configuration, leave the box checked.
Figure A-4: New PPM Features screen
Click the Next button to continue the installation.
Figure A-5 shows the Choose Setup Options screen. Usually, these settings should also be left alone. The ActivePerl setup checks your system and attempts to choose the settings that are best for the system being installed on.
Figure A-5: ActivePerl Choose Setup Options screen
Click the Next button to continue the installation.
Figure A-6 shows the Ready to Install screen. This is the last screen you see before the installation begins.
Figure A-6: ActivePerl Ready to Install screen
Click the Install button to begin the file installation.
Figure A-7 shows the final setup screen. This screen provides some promotional information as well as an HTML link to the ActiveState Perl site.
Figure A-7: ActivePerl SetUp screen
Click the Finish button to complete the installation.
That is it for the Windows installation of ActivePerl. If you have any problems with the installation, check the ActiveState site’s great support and troubleshooting information.