Perl version issue, Apache::DBI, ...

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Level 1

4 points

Perl version issue, Apache::DBI, ...

I fear I have mucked up my environment...I have an old install of Perl 5.10 on my machine; recently while installing various components through macports, the default Perl was changed (by macports) from 5.10 to 5.8.9 (which I believe ships with Mac OS).

I am trying to get a web app up and running with mod_perl, and startup.pl cannot find Apache::DBI. There are several issues: 1) Apache::DBI is not installed, 2) when I try to use CPAN to install Bundle::Apache, CPAN asks me for the path to my apache source (which I'm not sure I even have), and 3) when I look at my perl @INC, my @INC still refers to 5.10.0 directories. (I realize that this is unrelated, largely: there is simply no DBI.pm in a directory named Apache on my system. But it's clearly wrong anyway).

Suggestions?

2.4 GHz MacBook, 2 GB memory, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Nov 11, 2009 8:37 AM

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Answer 1

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etresoft

Level 8

46,312 points

Nov 11, 2009 10:08 AM in response to rm50

rm50 wrote:
I fear I have mucked up my environment...I have an old install of Perl 5.10 on my machine; recently while installing various components through macports, the default Perl was changed (by macports) from 5.10 to 5.8.9 (which I believe ships with Mac OS).

Maybe I should start a consulting business where I just repair FUBARs caused by Macports. It certainly seems to be a large market.

First of all, Perl 5.10 isn't old. That is the Perl version that ships with Snow Leopard. 5.8.9 is the old one. If there is one software you don't need from Macports, it is Perl.

I am trying to get a web app up and running with mod_perl, and startup.pl cannot find Apache::DBI. There are several issues: 1) Apache::DBI is not installed, 2) when I try to use CPAN to install Bundle::Apache, CPAN asks me for the path to my apache source (which I'm not sure I even have), and 3) when I look at my perl @INC, my @INC still refers to 5.10.0 directories. (I realize that this is unrelated, largely: there is simply no DBI.pm in a directory named Apache on my system. But it's clearly wrong anyway).

Suggestions?

Unfortunately, your question would have been pretty straightforward before MacPorts. I know very little about MacPorts but I think it should be easy to uninstall. Hopefully they provide an uninstaller.

MacPorts is definitely the source of your problem. I just spent about 27 seconds installing Apache::DBI on my 10.6.1 system. No problems at all.

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Answer 2

rm50 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 11, 2009 10:46 AM in response to etresoft

Well. I used Macports only as a last resort because I failed miserably in getting netpbm to build properly. Of course, after seeing Macports fail in the same way and reading in the Macport forum how to fix it, what I should have done was to go back and fix the problem without Macports (it was a 32-bit vs 64-bit library architecture problem).

How hard is it to simply restore my machine to its native 10.6 configuration and start over?

By the way, how did you install Apache::DBI (in 27 seconds)?

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Answer 3

etresoft

Level 8

46,312 points

Nov 11, 2009 11:25 AM in response to rm50

rm50 wrote:
How hard is it to simply restore my machine to its native 10.6 configuration and start over?

I'm not sure of that. It all depends on how many configuration changes were made. If everything stays in /opt, it shouldn't be that hard, but you never know. Here are the official instructions: http://trac.macports.org/wiki/FAQ#uninstall

By the way, how did you install Apache::DBI (in 27 seconds)?

sudo perl -MCPAN -e shell
install Apache::DBI

I actually thought it had failed at first, because it was so quick. CPAN installs are normally more involved. Also, in CPAN, success is sometimes indicated by a large number of failure messages. After a closer look, those failures were unrelated and I really did have /Library/Perl/5.10.0/Apache/DBI.pm. I did not test it however.

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Answer 4

rm50 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 11, 2009 11:29 AM in response to etresoft

Yeah, I actually meant my whole machine, not just MacPorts...

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Answer 5

etresoft

Level 8

46,312 points

Nov 11, 2009 11:30 AM in response to rm50

rm50 wrote:
Yeah, I actually meant my whole machine, not just MacPorts...

That's even easier. Put in your install disk (or your install drive), select Disk Utility and re-partition your boot drive, then reinstall. That will give you a pristine system.

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