Perl for OpenVMS has been ported to OpenVMS I64.  A new kit, Perl for OpenVMS V5.6.1-1A1, runs on OpenVMS I64 Version 8.2 and higher.  The existing Perl for OpenVMS Version 5.6.1 kit runs on OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.3-1 and higher (including OpenVMS Alpha Version 8.2 and higher).

Software Prerequisites

OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.3-1 or higher   -OR-
         OpenVMS I64 Version 8.2 and higher

For Alpha Only: Apply the Perl 5.6.1 ECO 3 kit (CPQ-AXPVMS-PERL561_UPDATE-V0300--4.PCSI-DCX-AXPEXE) if you want to use Perl 5.6.1 with the Secure Web Server Version 2.0 and CSWS_PERL Version 2.0 on OpenVMS Alpha.

Perl runs with the Secure Web Server for OpenVMS via CSWS_PERL. You can also use Perl in a standalone mode through the command line.  You do not need to install the Secure Web Server for OpenVMS nor CSWS_PERL to use Perl for OpenVMS.

Documentation

Downloading the Kit

Expanding the Kit

To expand the Perl for OpenVMS self-extracting file, enter one of the following commands, depending on the kit you download:

    $ RUN CPQ-AXPVMS-PERL-V0506-1-1.PCSI-DCX-AXPEXE     ! for Alpha

    $ RUN HP-I64VMS-PERL-V0506-1A1-1.PCSI_SFX_I64EXE      ! for I64

The system expands the file and names the decompressed file CPQ-AXPVMS-PERL-V0506-1-1.PCSI or HP-I64VMS-PERL-V0506-1A1-1.PCSI. Do not rename this file.

Upgrading Perl from an Earlier Version

You can install a new Perl for OpenVMS kit over an existing version of Perl. Restart the Secure Web Server for the new Perl kit to take effect.

Important

Installing Perl for OpenVMS

To install the Perl for OpenVMS kit, enter the following command.

    $ PRODUCT INSTALL PERL

Note: Perl is not dependent on the Secure Web Server for OpenVMS installation and can reside anywhere on the system. The Secure Web Server uses the PERL_ROOT logical to locate Perl.

As the installation procedure progresses, the system displays information similar to the following:

    $ PRODUCT INSTALL PERL/DEST=DISK$DKA0:[000000]

    The following product has been selected:

    CPQ AXPVMS PERL V5.6.1               Layered Product

    Do you want to continue? [YES]

    Configuration phase starting ...

         You will be asked to choose options, if any, for each selected product
         and for any products that may be installed to satisfy software
         dependency requirements.

    CPQ AXPVMS PERL V5.6.1

            Hewlett Packard Company.

    * This product does not have any configuration options.

    Execution phase starting ...

        The following product will be installed to destination:

            CPQ AXPVMS PERL V5.6.1               DKB100:[000000.]

        Portion done: 0%..10%..20%..30%..40%..50%..60%..70%..80%..90%..100%

        The following product has been installed:

            
CPQ AXPVMS PERL V5.6.1               
Layered Product

        CPQ AXPVMS PERL V5.6.1

            Post-installation tasks are required.

    If you are running the Secure Web Server (CSWS) with Perl support,

    you must stop and restart the Apache server software to complete

    the installation:

            $ @SYS$STARTUP:APACHE$SHUTDOWN

1.                   Define the PERL_ROOT logical

In order for the Secure Web Server for OpenVMS software to use Perl (via CSWS_PERL), Perl must be made available to the server processes. Two logicals are required to locate this kit for the Secure Web Server. If no other versions of Perl are being used on this system, it is recommended that these logicals be defined systemwide. Otherwise, the logicals must be defined as either /GROUP or /JOB by the main server process.

The PERL_ROOT logical locates the top level directory of the Perl installation. It is rooted and must be a concealed logical.

For example:

    $ DEFINE/SYSTEM/EXEC/TRANSLATION=CONCEALED -

    _$ PERL_ROOT DKB100:[PERL5_006_01.]

2.                   Define the PERLSHR logical

Once the top level directory is defined, the Secure Web Server for OpenVMS requires access to the shareable image in this kit (PERLSHR.EXE). By default, OpenVMS looks in SYS$SHARE, but since this kit can be installed anywhere, this logical is necessary.

For example:

    $ DEFINE/SYSTEM/EXEC PERLSHR -

    _$ PERL_ROOT:[000000]PERLSHR.EXE

The Secure Web Server is now able to locate this installation of Perl.

3.                   Define the foreign command

Perl can also be used in a standalone mode without the Secure Web Server. To use Perl in this manner, define a foreign command to the Perl main image.

For example:

    $ PERL :== $PERL_ROOT:[000000]PERL.EXE

Perl scripts can then be executed from the command line by using this verb and the Perl script name as the parameter. Use the command "Perl -h" to see other options.

Removing Perl for OpenVMS

You can remove the Perl for OpenVMS kit by using the POLYCENTER Software Installation utility. To do so, enter the following command:

    $ PRODUCT REMOVE PERL

This command removes all files and directories created by this installation. Note that if you install Perl packages to extend the capabilities of Perl or create additional files in the installation area, PCSI will not have knowledge of these files and will not delete them. This will cause the directory structure to remain because the directories will not be completely empty. Some manual intervention may be needed to completely remove the kit.

Release Notes

This section contains notes on the current release of Perl for OpenVMS.

·                     Problem corrected in Perl Version 5.5-3A3 and Perl Version 5.6.1: SUBSYSTEM attribute added to a rights identifier

Perl Version 5.5-3A3 and Perl Version 5.6.1 correct a bug that occurred when you ran Perl from an account with the SUBSYSTEM attribute added to a rights identifier granted to that account. This bug put Perl into "taint" mode, but the method of doing so had some coding errors, which have been corrected.

·                     Problem corrected in Perl Version 5.5-3A3: Long environment variables caused process to exit from a buffer overflow