What does vim-perl plugin do that "syntax on" doesn't? -

i'm trying vim set ide perl. i'm using generic, text-based vim, not gvim.

i installed "vim-perl" addon @ https://github.com/vim-perl/vim-perl using vim addon manager per suggestion of else. @ least think it's installed don't notice difference in how file processed.

first installed vim-addon-manager debian's package manager. put following code in .vimrc file , reloaded it:

" put line first in ~/.vimrc set nocompatible | filetype indent plugin on | syn on  fun! setupvam()   let c = get(g:, 'vim_addon_manager', {})    let g:vim_addon_manager = c    let c.plugin_root_dir = expand('$home', 1) . '/.vim/vim-addons'    " force ~/.vim/after directory last in &rtp always:   " let g:vim_addon_manager.rtp_list_hook = 'vam#forceusersafterdirectoriestobelast'    " used options may want use:   " let c.log_to_buf = 1   " let c.auto_install = 0  let &rtp.=(empty(&rtp)?'':',').c.plugin_root_dir.'/vim-addon-manager'   if !isdirectory(c.plugin_root_dir.'/vim-addon-manager/autoload')     execute '!git clone --depth=1 git://github.com/marcweber/vim-addon-manager '         \       shellescape(c.plugin_root_dir.'/vim-addon-manager', 1)   endif    " provides vamactivate command, passing plugin names,   call vam#activateaddons([], {})  endfun setupvam()  " activating plugins  " option 1, use vamactivate vamactivate github:vim-perl/vim-perl   " option 2: use call vam#activateaddons "call vam#activateaddons([vim-perl], {})  use <c-x><c-p> complete plugin names  " option 3: create file ~/.vim-srcipts putting plugin_name each line " see lazy loading plugins section in readme.md details " call vam#scripts('~/.vim-scripts', {'tag_regex': '.*'}) 

so vim-perl addon supposed me? can't find documenation anywhere.

at least parts of vim-perl incorporated in factory-default configuration of vim; cp. $vimruntime/ftplugin/perl.vim , $vimruntime/syntax/perl.vim. installing (and regularly upgrading) plugin, you'll get:

• a newer version of scripts, potential enhancements , bug fixes
• some additional functionality (f.e. there's syntax/mason.vim that's not yet in vim itself)

if regularly edit non-trivial perl scripts, or use latest language features, installing vim-perl worth contemplating. if you're casual programmer, wait until real need arises.