Comprehensive [Perl] Archive Network - [http://www.cpan.org/]

There are several key parts to CPAN:

   * A master site of contributed Perl source module tar/zip files, organized by author and general subject area
   * A group whose job is to manage (in a rough form) Perl module names
   * A series of mirrored ftp/http sites providing copies of the master site
   * A central web site which redirects visitor to one of the mirrors based on a guess at the visitor's world area (based on IP address, etc.)
   * A Perl module that ships with the basic language that streamlines searching a local cache or connecting via the internet to a one of the mirrors to fetch perl modules

Note that not all Perl modules are in CPAN - some people do not care to participage, while others have other technical issues that restrict/prevent them from managing their code at a central site.

[[discuss whether or not Tcl should have something similar, and why]]

See [Cantcl] and [ETEN] for related information.

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