Perl For Dummies? - Softcover

Hoffman, Paul

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0764507761 ISBN 13: 9780764507762

Publisher: For Dummies, 2000

Synopsis

Perl is one of the most popular scripting languages in use today, a vital tool of experienced Unix system and network administrators and of web site developers.

"Perl For Dummies is surprisingly intelligentóhigh praise for any description of this arcane syntax". --MacTech Magazine

Perl for Dummies gives you all of the tools and instructions you need to begin programming in Perl immediately. The book includes hot tips on using Perl to integrate XML with existing Web data. CD-ROM includes hundreds of pre-written building blocks for creating your own Perl applications.

About this title

Review:

The standard for Perl books is, of course, Perl founder Larry Wall's Programming Perl. But every journey requires a first step, and the assumption that everyone interested in learning Perl has a programmer's background can make other Perl books inaccessible to the absolute beginner. Enter Perl for Dummies, a book that presumes that the reader wants to know only how to master the mechanics of Perl.

Just because it starts at the beginning--and we're talking about the very basics--doesn't mean that Perl for Dummies doesn't head into more advanced topics. Paul Hoffman explains the programming terminology and mathematical concepts that programming in Perl requires. He also moves beyond basic file manipulation, discussing pattern matching and using regular expressions. He touches on good Perl style, as well as object-oriented Perl.

He's not averse to criticizing what he perceives as Perl's shortcomings, but he also counters with a section called "10 Reasons Why Perl Is Better Than Java." Hoffman takes great pride in demystifying Perl--a goal that fits in well with Larry Wall's own philosophy of promoting Perl's accessibility. As a way into the "duct tape" programming language, Perl for Dummies fulfills its mission. --Jennifer Buckendorff

From the Back Cover:

ActivePerl™ and examples from the book on CD-ROM!

Packed with painless techniques to help you start programming

Your first aid kit® for writing Perl programs that know how to talk to a Web server You've just found the easy answer to writing programs with Perl, whether you're new to programming or have some scripting under your belt. From simple to complex programming, these pages offer you tried-and-true tips on installing Perl, working with text and numbers, and creating lists, strings, operators, and more. all this on the bonus CD-ROM ActivePerl™ All examples from the book Plus Chapter 23 in HTML format PC running Windows 95 or later or Windows NT 4 or later or a 68040 Mac running OS 7.5.5 or later. See About the CD Appendix for further requirements and details. Includes ActivePerl from ActiveState Tool Corp.

Discover how to: Run Perl on Windows 95/98/NT, UNIX, or a Mac Write conditional statements and loops Gather information from HTML forms Read, write, and append files Wrap your programs in packages

Get smart! www.dummies.com

About this edition

• Publisher: For Dummies
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0764507761
• ISBN 13: 9780764507762
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 408