You can download a working version of Perl onto your personal computer from the ActiveState webpage at www.activeperl.com
Click on the ActivePerl link and you will go to the download link for ActivePerl. On the lefthand side of this page, you will see a link for their Install Notes. Clicking on this link will take you to a page that displays the system requirements for the various Microsoft Windows operating systems:
Windows 2000
No additional requirements
Windows Me
No additional requirements
Windows NT
Service pack 5+
Microsoft Windows Installer 1.1+
Internet Explorer >=5, FireFox, or Opera
Windows 98
Microsoft Windows Installer 1.1+
Internet Explorer >=5, FireFox, or Opera
DCOM for Windows 98
Windows 95
Microsoft Windows Installer 1.1+
Internet Explorer >=5, FireFox, or Opera
DCOM for Windows 95
MSVCRT
Macintosh
You should already have it. Open the terminal window (/Aplications/Utilities/Terminal) and type
perl --versionto make sure.
If you're lucky enough to be using a Macintosh, or a Windows 2000/XP/Me computer, you do not need to download any additional software. If you're using Windows98, you will have to download the Microsoft Windows Installer 1.1+ and DCOM for Windows 98. After downloading these files onto your computer you will have to go to the folder where the files are located and install the programs by double clicking on the program icons. Make sure you install these programs BEFORE you install ActivePerl.
At the top of the download page for ActivePerl you will find a pair of Windows links. I recommend clicking on the MSI link to use with your pc. This link will download the ActivePerl program and documentation to your pc. You will need to install the program once the file has been downloaded by double clicking on the program icon.