10 Perl modules all Java developers Version 1.

0
should know February 22, 2007

By Melonfire

Takeaway
There are numerous CPAN modules which are designed to import Java classes into Perl scripts or access Java
APIs like Swing, JDBC and JNI. This document lists the ten most important and useful modules in this collection.

Perl for Java

Just like Perl, Java has been around for a while. However, Perl is a scripting language and Java is a true object-
oriented language...which perhaps explains why Java and Perl programmers don't usually hang out at the same
bars. This is a little bit of a shame, because Java and Perl actually inter-operate fairly well -- there are numerous
CPAN modules which are designed to import Java classes into Perl scripts or access Java APIs like Swing, JDBC
and JNI.
This document lists the ten most important and useful modules (Table A) in this collection -- take a look, and you
might find something useful for the next time you sit down to write a hybrid Java/Perl application.
Note: You can install CPAN modules directly from the Internet, by following the instructions provided.

Table A
Package Name Description
Java This module provides a framework to start a local, or connect to a remote, Java
Virtual Machine (JVM). It includes support for VM localization, object creation,
method invocation, event listeners and loops, and exceptions.
Use this module when you need to connect to a local or remote JVM through Perl.

Inline::Java This module is one of the most useful for Java developers switching over to Perl,
because it allows them to embed Java code as-is into a Perl script. This code is
then automatically compiled and invoked as needed by the Perl interpreter. The
module includes support for environment variables, type casting, shared JVMs,
arrays, objects and exceptions.
Use this module when you need to embed Java code directly in a Perl script.

Java::Import This module makes it easy to import and access Java classes from Perl. It includes
the ability to call static methods, pass arguments and process return values, work
with Java-based data structures, and handle exceptions.
Use this module when you need to access a Java class from a Perl script.

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10 Perl modules all Java developers should know

Package Name Description

Java::Build This module provides an alternative to Ant, the traditional Java build tool. It
combines Perl's scripting abilities with the standard Java build/package toolset.
Use this module when you require greater control over the build/package process
for a Java class.

Java::Swing The Swing toolkit provides sophisticated GUI controls (toolbars, buttons, and
selectors) for Java applications. This module provides an object-based interface to
core Swing API calls, and includes support for extended components, listeners and
other wrappers.
Use this module when you need to access Java Swing functions through Perl.

JDBC This module provides an interface to various database systems using JDBC. It
includes support for database connections, query execution and result set retrieval,
prepared statements and error handling.
Use this module when you need to connect to an RDBMS through a JDBC "pipe",
perhaps to make use of a custom JDBC driver class.

Java::SJ This module provides a framework to customize Java VM configuration, making it

possible to run multiple VMs, each with a different startup configuration and service
profile. Configurations are expressed in XML.
Use this module when you need to run multiple Java VMs simultaneously on the
same system.

Java::JVM::Classfile
This module reads and parses JVM classfiles and expresses the information within
them as a series of objects. Various methods are available to retrieve specific
information about class methods, properties and visibility.
Use this module to retrieve detailed information about the objects and classes
defined in a JVM classfile.

Template::Plugin::Java
This module provides a framework for describing Java classes in XML and then
transforming these XML descriptions into Java source code. The XML description
may include descriptions of variables and methods, and includes support for type
casting and arrays. Two operation modes are supported: command-line, and
embedded within a template.
Use this module when you need to create class templates in a standard, easily-
parseable format, perhaps for use on different platforms.

Java::JCR::Jackrabbit This module makes it possible to connect to, and manipulate, a Jackrabbit (JCR)
content repository through Perl. It includes support for custom nodes.
Use this module when you need to access a Jackrabbit content repository.

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10 Perl modules all Java developers should know

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• Create cross-platform database-driven applications with JDBC

Version history
Version: 1.0
Published: February 22, 2007

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