Instant Perl Modules [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Doug Sparling (Author), Frank Wiles (Author), Douglas Sparling (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 22, 2001 | Series: Application Development

Publishing Rationale - Perl Modules ("packages" of Perl code) save programmers time: ready-to-use packages of code (modules) cut down programming time. - Modules range from simple to more complex: formatting text paragraphs, converting time, fetching and passing an XML document, accessing and posting stock quotes, etc. - Instant Perl Modules rounds out Osborne's offerings to all levels and types of Perl programmers - from the beginner (Perl: A Beginner's Guide) to advanced (Perl Developer's Guide). - Big market (over one million+ Perl programmers) with no direct competition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Ultimate Collection of Ready-to-Use Code and Expert Techniques

Start scripting with Perl modules and you'll instantly understand why it is one of the dominant languages for Web programmers. Instant Perl Modules will show you short-cuts to help you maximize this already fast-coding language. This helpful guidebook--organized by type--addresses modules that perform a broad range of functions, from creating online Web chats and surveys to connecting to databases and creating GUIs.

All told, there are more than 100 modules covered, each available in ready-to-use coded format on the companion CD, plus step-by-step instructions for creating your own modules. Whether you're new to Perl or an avid user, this book will help you write code faster and extend Perl's programming capabilities.

Use Perl modules to:

• Fetch and parse XML, HTML, and more
• Format text, handle graphics, and develop for the Web
• Send and receive e-mail more efficiently
• Utilize databases via Perl's DBI interface
• Convert dates and times
• Build Web site utilities including searching and ad management

In this book, learn to:

• Master short-cuts for this easy-to-learn, fast-coding language
• Locate and learn exactly the modules you need
• Develop simple to sophisticated programs with these flexible tools
• Write CGI applications
• Understand Win32 modules
• Utilize Internet protocols

ON THE VALUE-PACKED CD:

• More than 100 ready-to-use coded modules
• All source code used throughout the book

About the Author

Doug Sparling (Kansas City, MO) is a Web developer (certified in HTML and Perl) with UClick, which acquires, develops, packages, sells and distributes Web content. Clients include CNN, Salon magazine, AOL, Lycos, and The New York Times. Doug has developed applications for using Perl, JavaScript, XML, Java, and C/C++. His Perl application, "Suitable for Framing" was noted in the August/99 issue of Internet World. Frank Wiles (Lawrence, KS) is a Web developer with UClick and specializes in Perl and database development.

Product Details

• Paperback: 488 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies (February 22, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 007212962X
• ISBN-13: 978-0072129625
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,790,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Move along, folks, nothing to see here..., August 27, 2001

By 

Alex J. Avriette "Alex Avriette" (Arlington, Virginia USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Instant Perl Modules (Paperback)

This book is just a rehash of the POD (plain ol' documentation) provided with all the modules included on the CD. Thats about all that needs to be said. I'll elaborate however. As a professional perl programmer, it is my business to know what modules are out there, and thus I know many of them from CPAN. The last place I am going to look is in a big old printed book when I could do this instead: $ perl -MCPAN -e 'i /irc/' if i were looking, for, say, and IRC module (which the book of course doesnt cover). The copy of postgres included with the book is quite old and full of bugs. Newer versions are faster and more stable. There is a chapter provided on creating your own modules, but it is literally less than 2 pages long, and quite laughable on its face. If you want a book on Object Oriented Programming, get Damian Conway's _Object Oriented Programming with Perl_. It's far better. I gave this book 2 stars instead of one because the CD is useful if I am stuck somewhere on dialup and need a CPAN mirror (incomplete that it is).

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars ...so where are the modules?, October 26, 2001

By 

Todd Goldenbaum (Costa Mesa, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Instant Perl Modules (Paperback)

This book was a real disapointment. Like many programmers, I learn best by example. So I was hoping the code discussed in the book (and on the cd rom) would contain examples of working perl modules. However, it contains exactly three! And even those are so short, they hardly showcase the various aspects of coding a perl module. The rest of the scripts on the cdrom (the non-modules) are incredibly simple little jobs showcasing the abilities of >other< perl modules! Bummer.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simplifies using Perl Modules BUT, September 8, 2001

By 

Dan Skalamera (Pittsford, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Instant Perl Modules (Paperback)

I found this book to be very enlightening to expand the world of Perl modules to me. I was somewhat disappointed , however in the lack of detail in the GD graphics library area. The DBI documentation is right on and very useful.
Part of the beauty of the book is to describe processes you would have to wade thru many readmes. The GD Library part is deceptive as the GD library install has a lot of prerequitites, not listed in the book. The book shows some cool examples on the GD library ...a little more content in this area around the mysterious subject(maybe if they simplified this too) of how to create the shared library libgd. This appears to be a mystery on the web in general. I am not a novice PERL programmer and it was sad to see how convoluted it was to get the GD library to work vs, as described in the book. Bottom Line in this review....this is a book worth buying, however, be careful not to assume that getting thr GD module...one of the more glamourous modules discussed, is as easy as stated.
Doug and Frank...keep up the good work.your book helps to start fill a gap in the Perl module area....well written, easy to follow.