Chapter 1

Bundles

A bundle is a module that allows you to install a list of modules automatically 

using the CPAN module. A bundle is simply a module in the Bundle:: namespace 

containing a list of modules to download; it doesn't contain other modules. A 

bundle can also specify the versions of the modules to be downloaded, so that it 

can serve as a  known good  module set.

To use a bundle, simple install it with the CPAN module. For example, to install 

Bundle::CPAN, enter the following:

# perl  MCPAN  e shell

cpan> install Bundle::CPAN

There are bundles available for many popular module groups: Bundle::LWP, 

Bundle::DBI, and Bundle::Apache, for example. To get a list of all bundles on 

CPAN, use the bundle search command b in the CPAN shell:

cpan> b /Bundle::/

Bundle          Bundle::ABH         (A/AB/ABH/Bundle ABH 1.05.tar.gz)

Bundle          Bundle::ABH::Apache (A/AB/ABH/Bundle ABH 1.05.tar.gz)

...

CPAN's Future

Writing about CPAN is a risky proposition, as it is under constant development. 

Use this chapter as a starting point and be prepared to find things a bit different 

than I've described them.

Summary

This chapter has introduced you to the wonderful world of CPAN. If I've done my 

job, by now you're interested in joining the CPAN community. The next chapter 

will introduce the science of building modules in Perl.

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