Beginning Perl [Paperback]

Curtis Poe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 19, 2012 | ISBN-10: 1118013840 | ISBN-13: 978-1118013847 | Edition: 1

Everything beginners need to start programming with Perl

Perl is the ever-popular, flexible, open source programming language that has been called the programmers’ Swiss army knife. This book introduces Perl to both new programmers and experienced ones who are looking to learn a new language. In the tradition of the popular Wrox Beginning guides, it presents step-by-step guidance in getting started, a host of try-it-out exercises, real-world examples, and everything necessary for a Perl novice to start programming with confidence.

• Introduces Perl to both new programmers and experienced ones who want to learn a new language
• Provides a host of real-world applications for today's environments so readers can get started immediately
• Covers the new features of Perl but fully applicable to previous editions

Beginning Perl provides the information and instruction you need to confidently get started with Perl.

For Instructors: Classroom and training support material are available for this book.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Learn the Perl skills employers are looking for

As one of the most influential programming languages in the world, Perl is used extensively in web development, data processing, and system administration. Whether you're new to Perl or looking to strengthen your real-world skills, this resource covers what you need to handle scenarios. Drawing on his decade-plus of Perl experience, Curtis "Ovid" Poe begins with a brief review of the basics of Perl, then moves on to demonstrate how you actually use Perl in the workplace. Additionally, hands-on exercises, invaluable advice, and real-world examples all contribute to making this book essential reading.

Beginning Perl:

• Explains how to work with data using Perl's built-in functions
• Shows how to handle Unicode in Perl
• Details the basics of control flow and handling references, files, and directories
• Devotes a full chapter to Object-Oriented Perl as well as a chapter on Moose
• Provides a comprehensive introduction to automated testing
• Touches on Catalyst, DBIx::Class usage, and other popular modules
• Technical edit by chromatic, a well-known developer, prolific writer, and author of several Perl titles

"This is not your everyday Beginning Perl book. Not only does Ovid provide splendid coverage of Perl's basics and best practices, he also covers modern Perl techniques and modules, where Perl's real power lies. [It] is like being given Batman's utility belt: you have everything you need to do truly amazing things. If Perl were a shark, this book would teach you how to outfit it with lasers."
—Paul Fenwick, Perl Training Australia

wrox.com

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Wrox Beginning guides are crafted to make learning programming languages and technologies easier than you think, providing a structured, tutorial format that will guide you through all the techniques involved.

About the Author

Curtis "Ovid" Poe has specialized in Perl since 2000. He is an author, a regular guest speaker at conferences across Europe and the United States, and he wrote the test harness that currently ships with the Perl language.

Product Details

• Paperback: 744 pages
• Publisher: Wrox; 1 edition (September 19, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1118013840
• ISBN-13: 978-1118013847
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 1.4 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,611 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Languages & Tools > Perl

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice overview of Perl February 16, 2013

By David Pool

Format:Paperback

I'm still reading through this book but I find the breezy style and humor enjoyable. I think the book is an excellent overview of Perl from someone who is deeply familiar with the topic. While I don't think it is a book for a complete newbie to programming, I think it's a good introduction for someone who has a background with programming and wants to pick up Perl, or for someone who has dabbled in Perl but wants to brush up on fundamentals.

All of the code is available on line so you don't HAVE to slavishly type out all the examples. So that's nice. I also thought the pointers on getting CPAN up and running were nice to have upfront. In fact one of the best things about the book is that the author has such a rich history with the language that you feel like you are being GUIDED through the language instead of just being introduced. For example, not only do you learn how to set a $variable, but you get some insights into things like the default $_ variable and other Perl tidbits that make it powerful and easy to use.

All in all, well worth the purchase price.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing! Best book for new Perl programmers! December 9, 2012

By numberwhun

Format:Paperback

I bought this book more for review purposes, to get my skills in Perl back to what they should be, so that I could take them further. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the author covered more detail than expected when he wrote this book. His examples and the way he explains things makes understanding each topic all that much easier. I am still reading the book, but I have learned more little obscure things that other Perl book designed for beginners just don't cover.

The author has done a fantastic job of giving you a very solid grounding in the Perl language so that you can take the knowledge he has shared and go further. His coverage of modern Perl topics as well as great in-depth coverage of "must learn" areas, makes this the new must have book in everyone's Perl bookshelf. If you have no other book in your library, you need to have this one. Without a doubt, this is the new bible for the Perl language.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book December 6, 2012

By Ali H. Alsaleh

Format:Paperback

I am still reading the book but I can say that the book is great and covers a wide variety of topics some are rarely written about even in the more advanced Perl books (This is obvious by just skimming the table of contents). One thing I didn't like so much is the order of chapters, because the author chose an unusual order he continuously repeats sentences such as "More on that on chapter "..."", "We will talk about that more later". For example workflow discussion is delayed until chapter 5..