Linux – when using CPAN in linux ubuntu should I run it using sudo / as root or as the default user

configurationinstallationlinuxperlUbuntu

I get errors like this

Running make install
Prepending blib/arch and blib/lib of 17 build dirs to PERL5LIB; for 'install'
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ERROR: Can't create '/usr/local/man/man3'
Do not have write permissions on '/usr/local/man/man3'

  You may have to su to root to install the package
  (Or you may want to run something like
    o conf make_install_make_command 'sudo make'

Will I still be able to run the software / library's that perl / CPAN installs as a my default user.

What is the best practice when working with CPAN / Perl on Debian like systems.

Best Answer

You should run the cpan command as your normal user. You have two choices:

  1. Install modules into a directory under your home dir. local::lib will help you set that up.

  2. Configure cpan to use sudo during the install phase. You do that by starting the cpan shell and typing:

    o conf make_install_make_command 'sudo make'
o conf mbuild_install_build_command 'sudo ./Build'
o conf commit

    The first line configures MakeMaker to use sudo. The second line does the same for Module::Build. The third line saves the changes.

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