diff --git a/m4/ax_prog_perl_version.m4 b/m4/ax_prog_perl_version.m4
new file mode 100644
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+++ b/m4/ax_prog_perl_version.m4
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+# ===========================================================================
+# http://www.gnu.org/software/autoconf-archive/ax_prog_perl_version.html
+# ===========================================================================
+#
+# SYNOPSIS
+#
+# AX_PROG_PERL_VERSION([VERSION],[ACTION-IF-TRUE],[ACTION-IF-FALSE])
+#
+# DESCRIPTION
+#
+# Makes sure that perl supports the version indicated. If true the shell
+# commands in ACTION-IF-TRUE are executed. If not the shell commands in
+# ACTION-IF-FALSE are run. Note if $PERL is not set (for example by
+# running AC_CHECK_PROG or AC_PATH_PROG) the macro will fail.
+#
+# Example:
+#
+# AC_PATH_PROG([PERL],[perl])
+# AX_PROG_PERL_VERSION([5.8.0],[ ... ],[ ... ])
+#
+# This will check to make sure that the perl you have supports at least
+# version 5.8.0.
+#
+# NOTE: This macro uses the $PERL variable to perform the check.
+# AX_WITH_PERL can be used to set that variable prior to running this
+# macro. The $PERL_VERSION variable will be valorized with the detected
+# version.
+#
+# LICENSE
+#
+# Copyright (c) 2009 Francesco Salvestrini <salvestrini@users.sourceforge.net>
+#
+# Copying and distribution of this file, with or without modification, are
+# permitted in any medium without royalty provided the copyright notice
+# and this notice are preserved. This file is offered as-is, without any
+# warranty.
+
+#serial 11
+
+AC_DEFUN([AX_PROG_PERL_VERSION],[
+ AC_REQUIRE([AC_PROG_SED])
+ AC_REQUIRE([AC_PROG_GREP])
+
+ AS_IF([test -n "$PERL"],[
+ ax_perl_version="$1"
+
+ AC_MSG_CHECKING([for perl version])
+ changequote(<<,>>)
+ perl_version=`$PERL --version 2>&1 | $GREP "This is perl" | $SED -e 's/.* v\([0-9]*\.[0-9]*\.[0-9]*\) .*/\1/'`
+ changequote([,])
+ AC_MSG_RESULT($perl_version)
+
+ AC_SUBST([PERL_VERSION],[$perl_version])
+
+ AX_COMPARE_VERSION([$ax_perl_version],[le],[$perl_version],[
+ :
+ $2
+ ],[
+ :
+ $3
+ ])
+ ],[
+ AC_MSG_WARN([could not find the perl interpreter])
+ $3
+ ])
+])