Why A Distribution?

  • A package rather than a collection of files
  • Can include examples, test files and additional documentation
  • Can use Perl's builtin automated testing infrastructure
  • Can use Perl's builtin automated installation infrastructure
  • Easy to unpack with OS tools
  • Runs on every platform where there is Perl
  • The same cannot be said of rpm, deb, etc.
  • ... but can then be packaged to other forms (rpm, deb, ppd/ppm)