Why isn't there a CPAN for .NET?

Question

CPAN is a really helpful resource for Perl.

Why isn't there a CPAN for .NET? Should there be one? Are there other programming or platform technologies that have a CPAN-like infrastructure?

---

EDIT
No one mentioned this: isn't the Comprehensive base-class library included in .NET one of the key reasons you would NOT expect to see a CPAN-like thing for .NET? I mean, there are Perl libraries for XML, HTTP, Encryption, and so on - but all of these are included in the BCL out-of-the-box. No one needs another FTP library, aside from the one that's built-in.

related: Is there a CPAN for PHP?

Answer 1

Similar: CTAN for TeX and JSAN for JavaScript. JSAN is still in development. Perl community has plans for CPAN for C. Also planned C6AN will have modules in any language that will exist on Parrot VM.

I guess CPAN and related sites had success because they were written in Perl and by Perl community, Perl is really good for such tasks. Also CPAN modules use Perl testing orientation - thats why CPAN modules usually have good quality. CPAN is also a hobby for many Perl programmers and these programmers are very good ones.

Answer 2

By it's very nature, .NET is restricted to one platform, and isn't as tied to Open-Source/Free software as is Perl. As a MicroSoft product, .NET also has major corporate support behind it from the get-go, something that Perl didn't have. CPAN had to be created by volunteers. While .NET support structures can be created by volunteers, so much doesn't need to be. And these pre-existing corporate support structures sap energy that could be used by a bottom-up volunteer community, and at the same-time inhibit it, by suggesting that it isn't needed.

MS is trying to build more grass-roots community support, but it's going to be a long haul effort, if ever successful.