The CPAN module is designed to automate the make and install of perl modules and extensions. The CPAN module also supports the concept of named and versioned 'bundles' of modules.
Bundles simplify the handling of sets of related modules.
The package contains a session manager and a cache manager. There is no status retained between sessions. The session manager keeps track of what has been fetched, built and installed in the current session. The cache manager keeps track of the disk space occupied by the make processes and deletes excess space according to a simple FIFO mechanism. All methods provided are accessible in a programmer style and in an interactive shell style.