Best Perl IDE

BBEdit isn't free - but it's generally the best if XCode's free editor isn't for you.

People that do a lot of java programming tend to like IDE's like Eclipse and such, but for perl - basic syntax coloring and customizable keycommands are generally all one needs...

Hi--

It's not really an IDE, but for freeware, you could try TextWrangler. It has syntax coloring, and can run the scripts directly from the application. But there's no integrated debugger.

If you're looking for an IDE, including a step-thru debugger, there's Affrus. It's not free, but I bought it because I do a lot of Perl coding for work, and it saved me so much time it was worth it.

charlie

I use Vim (comes with OS X)

I second vim. It is a delight to use.

However, I also let some folks here talk me into purchasing TextMate for OS X. It took a lot to get me to pay for an editor. But I got my money's worth (despite the current exchange rate).

Another option is to use IDLE, which comes with python. Then you can write programs in python instead of perl, which will make the $ key on your keyboard last a lot longer.

I use vim also (actually, gvim, or vim -g) and have a series of mapped keys to run the script, etc. Also take a look at ddd - the gnu debugger which works with perl - lets you hover the mouse over a variable and see the current value, for example. I guess I got ddd from fink since it is in my /sw/bin directory.

One other item: Komodo www.activestate.com/Products/Komodo/
gives a really nice IDE for Perl - it costs $30 or so for individual, but has a 30 day free trial of the full blown tool. My friend on the train uses it to manage the CPAN tools, as well as all the other features that a real IDE has.

Boyd

There is a new review of Komodo at

http://www.unixreview.com/documents/s=10116/ur0701c/

entitled: Award-winning Komodo IDE Deserves Its Acclaim
by Cameron Laird

Boyd

Emacs, of course. And it comes with OS X. I think the OS X version only runs in the shell window though.

Here's a couple of places to get different binaries and source:

1

2

Textmate had a 30 day trial, and its not too difficult to figure out how to keep it running. But then I realized what I was doing and bought it. I'm not sorry I bought it.