This is C::DynaLib, a Perl 5 FFI for calling C functions. Example: use C::DynaLib; $libm = new C::DynaLib("-lm"); $sinh = $libm->DeclareSub("sinh", "d", "d"); print "The hyperbolic sine of 3 is ", &$sinh(3), "\n"; The module has been tested successfully on iX86, Sparc, and Alpha machines. However, there are probably compilers for even these chips which will require some porting. Please report any problems at rt.cpan.org Included are the following packages: C::DynaLib - call a C function from Perl C::DynaLib::Callback - convert a perl sub into a usable C function pointer C::DynaLib::Struct - handle C records nicely. The declaration can be created automatically from .h excerpts if Convert::Binary::C is installed Asm - unsupported whimsical i386 CPU interface (not installed by default) To build this module, run the usual perl Makefile.PL make test Various things can go wrong. First, your perl should be of the dynamic variety. Be sure you answered "y" when Configure asked, "Do you wish to use dynamic loading?". Otherwise, you will still (I think) be able to create callback pointers and convert a function pointer into a Perl sub, but you won't be able to do dynamic loading. gcc stack adjustment changed with gcc-4. This is not fixed yet, so hack30 must be used. The biggest issue in porting this module is your system's function call interface. If Makefile.PL prints that it is using `hack30', it is a sign that your system is not yet supported. Another sign of trouble is when `make test' prints `not ok' or `Illegal memory operation'. Further documentation in pod format is in DynaLib.pm. The callback feature has sometimes caused grief in building the module. If Makefile.PL writes a makefile but you can't get it to build, try `perl Makefile.PL CALLBACKS=0' followed by `make test', and report of your success or failure. COPYRIGHT The files named in MANIFEST, accompanying this file, are Copyright (c) 1997, 2000 by John Tobey. All rights reserved. They may be modified, distributed and used under the same conditions as Perl itself. Of course, there is no express or implied warranty. See the file README in the top-level Perl source directory for more information. Enjoy! -John jtobey@john-edwin-tobey.org and Reini Urban