enc2xs

enc2xs [-o directory] [-f codepage] [-b] [-Q alias] [-C] file.enc ...

-o directory
    Specifies the output directory for the generated Perl module files. If not provided, the current directory is used.

-f codepage
    Specifies the base codepage to inherit from. Allows creating encodings derived from existing ones.

-b
    Forces the creation of a binary encoding. The default is text.

-Q alias
    Adds an alias for the encoding. Multiple -Q options can be specified.

-C
    Check the mapping table and emit warnings for common errors.

file.enc
    One or more encoding definition files (typically with the `.enc` extension) to be processed.

enc2xs is a utility that converts character encoding tables into Perl source code. It is primarily used for creating Perl modules that handle specific character encodings. These modules are then used by Perl's Encode module to provide encoding and decoding functionality. The tool parses encoding definition files (typically `.enc` files) which contain mapping information between Unicode code points and the target encoding's byte sequences. It generates Perl code that implements the encoding and decoding logic. This generated code is then compiled and installed as part of a Perl module, enabling Perl scripts to transparently handle data in that specific encoding.

enc2xs is essential for extending Perl's built-in encoding support. When a new character encoding is needed, enc2xs provides the mechanism to integrate it with Perl's core encoding facilities. It's a crucial tool for module developers and system administrators who need to support a wide range of character encodings in their Perl applications.

The generated code may require manual adjustments for complex encodings. It's important to validate the generated module and its behavior thoroughly before deploying it in production.

The .enc file format is a simple text format that defines the mapping between Unicode code points and the target encoding. It typically includes comments, header information, and the mapping table itself.

enc2xs generates a Perl module that is subsequently installed. To actually *use* the generated encoding in your Perl program, you need to `use Encode;` and call `Encode::find_encoding($encoding_name);`. The documentation for Encode module explains how to integrate new encodings.

enc2xs has been a core part of the Perl Encode module since its inception. It was created to facilitate the easy addition of new character encodings to Perl's encoding framework. It has evolved alongside Perl's Unicode support and continues to be the standard tool for extending encoding capabilities.

Encode(3), perl(1)