What's a CPAN?

I want spamassassin and I want it NOW!

Since spamassassin is basically just a big Perl module, the easy way to get a copy is through the widely distributed Comprehensive Perl Archive Network, or CPAN.

Assuming you have Perl installed -- and most current Linux distributions won't install without it! -- you can grab a wide variety of handy Perl tools and modules quite easily by typing this at a root shell and following the instructions as they appear:

	# perl -MCPAN -e shell
	Terminal does not support AddHistory.

	cpan shell -- CPAN exploration and modules installation (v1.7601)
	ReadLine support available (try 'install Bundle::CPAN')

	cpan>

The first time you do this, it wil ask a ton of questions about what tools you have available and where you want it to look for stuff on the net. Since I've already done all that, I can cut to the chase. Using CPAN is about as easy as it gets:

	cpan> install Mail::SpamAssassin

CPAN will download the needed files, including any missing prerequisite files, compile the C code, and install the whole thing.

If you have a Debian-based Linux, such as Debian itself or Ubuntu, you should probably use apt-get instead of CPAN. They are strikingly similar in terms of simplicity.

You are invited to discuss this article with the author in the Feedback section of the Brass Cannon webboard.

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