Customer Reviews

Creating Cool Web Pages With Perl

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book succeeds in accomplishing what it sets out to do-get beginners started with Perl CGI programming. It did that for me. The writing style is folksy and easy to read. There are plenty of examples and most of the explanations are clear. I don't give it a 10 because there are a couple of drawbacks.

At times, too many new concepts are mixed together in the code examples and presented to the reader to sort out on his or her own. I think this is forgivable considering that the author was under space constraints. In the end, I was able to sort out all the examples. The other drawback is that there are a number of errors in the program listings. This problem, however, is well addressed at the book's web site (www.hytext.com/coolperl/index.html) where fixes, updates and links to other Perl resources are posted.

The web site adds a great deal of value to the book. One of its best features is the bulletin board where you can communicate with the author. He was very responsive to my questions.

No, the book isn't perfect, but yes, I recommend it.

I've purchased several books on CGI and PERL.

I'm *not* a programmer and Mr. Muelver's book is an *excellent* resource for those of us suddenly thrust into programming by way of wanting Cool Web Pages. The book is well-written -- which means to me that it's intelligent, packed with information, and funny -- *without* being condescending, or worse yet, *cute*.

Not to mention the fact that it's the only CGI/PERL purchase I made which *didn't* send me to the medicine cabinet looking for either aspirin (to cure the headache created by techno- horrible writing) or seltzer (to cure the nausea created by the "We treat you like you're a three-year old" writing).

If you're going to buy only one book on CGI/PERL, make it this one. If you're going to buy several, make this one first.

Claire Amundsen (commspec@cashgraf.com)

The book has information, but far too often it glosses over important points, sometimes even rudely ("I would like to help you, but I'm a forms guy.") Formatting is inconsistet. Errors are not infrequent (like the diagram showing HTTP requests as client -> CGI -> server on p50.) Bad organization left me wondering for chapters about topics introduced and left unexplored. This is not, IMO, a book for beginners to programming. And on a personal note, the title is insipid and the font unbalanced.

ok i just started perl and this is my first perl book. note: its a little old(1996) k

The writing style is excellent, and the level and depth of information is perfect for a neophyte programmer. But an editor! An editor! My kingdom for an editor! Or at least a good proofreader. Both the text and the code examples have errors so numerous that I finally gave up trying to document them so I could point them out to the author. Even the requisite "Hello, World!" script had an error, for crying out loud! The second edition, when all the typos get fixed, will no doubt be superb, but this one is seriously flawed. If you cannot wait, be sure to bet the errata from the book's Web Site, or you will be lost

This book should be standard issue for anyone out there who wants to get a grasp of Perl without getting buried in egg-head talk! I warmly recommend it to beginners and anyone else, as even the more expert among us could learn something from this lucid and friendly book. Buy now.