MakefilePL
MakefilePL, commonly written as Makefile.PL, is a Perl packaging script used to generate a Makefile for building and installing a Perl distribution. It is executed by the Perl interpreter during the build process and typically leverages ExtUtils::MakeMaker to produce the Makefile. The script provides configuration as a set of parameters to WriteMakefile, including metadata such as NAME and VERSION, runtime and build dependencies via PREREQ_PM, optional libraries, and additional targets.
When used, a distribution containing a Makefile.PL is processed by running perl Makefile.PL, which creates a
Makefile.PL is part of a traditional Perl packaging approach. Alternatives include Module::Build with Build.PL, and modern
Example: WriteMakefile( NAME => 'My::Module', VERSION => '0.01', PREREQ_PM => { 'Some::Dep' => '1.2' }, ABSTRACT => 'Example module' );
References: ExtUtils::MakeMaker documentation; CPAN distribution guidelines.