Apple’s Developer Web site has taken a look at Installing Perl 5.8 on Jaguar.
Perl is the interpretive programming language especially popular with Web developers who write CGI scripts. Jaguar incorporates Perl 5.6, an older version — the focus of Apple’s documentation is explaining how to install the newer version, 5.8.0.
Apple’s documentation offers extensive details on where to get Perl, how to install it locally and what to do with the version presently installed in your Jaguar-equipped Mac.