Customer Reviews

MySQL and Perl for the Web

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you know some Perl and some MySQL, please, DO by
"MySQL and Perl for the Web" by Paul DeBois and figure out
how those fancy web applications out there are made and learn
how to be able to write one.

Paul's "MySQL and Perl for the Web" touches upon some topics
that NONE OF THE BOOKS out there ever covered in so much details.

The style and examples are amazing. He makes use of Perl5's Object
Oriented features which itself tells you that it's a professional
textbook for professional web-programmers.

The book teaches you neither Perl nor MySQL from basics. It
assumes you already have some basic knowledge of Perl and MySQL.
So it starts off at the most fun part without waisting neither his nor
the readers' time.

Here I'll go over the chapters in case the table of contents
don't tell you much (they didn't to me).

Chapter 1 and chapter 2 go over some basic things that you need
in order to understand and/or try out the examples in the book.

Chapter 2 goes over configurting your MySQL and Apache. I believe
if you are on a hosting service, this should've been done for you already.
It also teaches you to write "A Simple Web-Based Application - To-do List
Maintenance". Although the application doesn't require a lot of
brains to create, but it does cover some basic concepts that
you'll be using all the time in web-programming.

Chapter 3 gives some information on "Improving Performance with mod_perl"
and how to write scripts that work in mod_perl compiled servers.

Chapter 4, "Generating and Proccessing Forms" goes over "Form Anatomy"
and does introduce some concepts of "Form Desgin Issues"

Chapter 5, "Writing form-Based applications" is probably the wealthiest
chapter of the book. Following sections are available under this chapter:
"Product registration", "Using Email from Within Applications", "Running a
Giveaway contest", "Conducting a Poll", "Storing and Retriving Images",
"Electronic Greeting Cards - Send a Friend a Greeting".
This chapter lasts over 80 pages.

Chapter 6, "Automating the Form-Handling process" introduces some
concepts that you can make use of in order to automate the form handling
process through the use of MySQL's table metadata, which is available
through DESC table_name ( or SHOW COLUMNS FROM table_name ) query.
Using his concept I introduced a new module to CPAN.org, MySQL::TableInfo.

Chapter 7, "Performing Searches" covers "Writing a Form-Based Serch
Application" and "Extending" it. It also introduces the concept of
"Link-Based Navigation". It also teaches you how to split the results of the search
over several pages; suppose you have a result of 100 rows in your search, and
you show only 20 results at a page, and provide [previos] and [next] links
so that users could navigate over your pages. Neat, isn't it?

Cahpter 8, "Session Management" was the one I have been wating for so long.
It goes over some "State Maintenance Techqniques" used in web applications, then
introduces the most favorite one, "Active Client Identification" method.
The sections the chapter covers are: "State Maintenance Techqniques", "Implementing
Session Support", "Expiring Sessions", "Storing User Prefernces", "Implementing Resumable
Sessions" and "When Sessions aren't enough"

Chapter 9, "Security and Privacy" teaches you the ways of precaution you could
take against "bad guys" ( hackers? ) to insure the security of your site/database.
Also shows you how to write a login page to provide access to some sensitive information
using the techniques he just mentioned.

Chapter 10, "E-Commerce Applications" covers such topics as Shopping carts,
credit card validation and in the end of the chapter completed a fully operating
commercial web-site.

Although the book concentrates on MySQL, I wrote several applications that make use of
Berkeley Database using the same techniques as Paul suggested. I tell you, I lerned a lot....

Mysql and Perl for the Web by Paul Dubois gives you the tools and concepts needed to transit from a basic knowledge of Perl and Mysql to actually getting the two working together in harmony.

Most of what is covered in this book can be found on the web and in mail archives BUT be prepared for many many hours of scouring obscure sites, trying not-so-hot code and out dated examples. I began working with Perl many years ago, but only in the last 2 years have I been using Perl and Mysql in production web sites.

The first thought that came to mind when I thumbed through this book was 'Man I wish I had seen this book a year and a half a go'. Most of the solutions presented I have figured out myself, but after a long time of head banging and trial and error. I've been going through my code and comparing it the methods and examples found in this book and have been able to make many improvements.

The writing is clear and code examples evolve with the concepts presented.

You should have a basic understanding of Perl before digging into this book, or at least have a good Perl reference book handy. You can also download (and try out) scripts and libraries (...)

I do wish I'd seen this book a year or so ago. It would have saved me a lot of time and effort.

-Z

MySQL and Perl for the Web by Paul DuBois is one of those slap your forehead, "I wish I had this X months ago" books. A splendid book that fills a real void.

Though not for total beginners - have Paul's excellent previous book "MySQL", as well as the some reference like the Camel book handy if you have little or no background in MySQL or Perl - it is written in a concise, easy to read manner that allows one to fully understand what each application does and how the examples could be the basis for use in their own code.

In addition, it's a fine repository of tips, and not all are limited to MySQL and Perl. For example, the section on configuring Apache for secure connections using mod_ssl and OpenSSL, could easily save a newbie seeking SSL knowledge hours of research over many sites and through many README's.

Each chapter builds on the examples of the previous, from the simple to the complex. The book covers, amongst other subjects ...

Form generation and design
Processing forms
Using e-mail to enhance your web site
Storing and retrieving images
The use of MySQL to power your forms
Effective MySQL table design
Automating form handling
Generating form elements from tables
Forms navigation
Forms error handling
Advanced MySQL statements
Indexing and searching your data
Intermediate to advanced Perl usage
Session Management
Maintenance techniques with sessions
Security and privacy, both remotely and locally
Writing secure applications
E-commerce applications
Implementing different payment collection techniques

In other words, it touches on just about every aspect someone looking to leverage MySQL and Perl for web development could want, all in a single source. I learned a lot from this book and think it's easily worth the price.

I found Mysql and Perl for the Web to be a great companion for Paul's MySQL book. After reading through Mysql and Perl for the Web, I finally feel I have enough working knowledge to start my first large project using MySQL & Perl (this is my first foray into using Perl). My only other "addition" was purchasing a complete referance for Perl.

As with his MySQL book, Paul writing style was extremely easy to follow (especally considering my lack of Perl experience).

I felt the examples, especially those in Chapter 6, "Automating the Form-Handling process", to be almost invaluable.
This was actually one of the best example/tutorial I have come across for Form-Handling.

I could go on & on about specific areas that helped me, but suffice it to say, if your going to be doing any work with SQL & Perl, this is a MUST HAVE book.

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book on the condition that I would write a review of it. That said, what follows is my opinion.

This book provides a good "from the ground up" guide for using Perl to do just about anything you'd want to do on your web site, including run an eCommerce site. You need to know a bit of Perl before you start, but even if you don't the examples start out simple enough that you should be able to pick it up as you go, provided you have some programming background. Should you get stuck, there are plenty of pointers to online resources, as well as an appendix to show you how to set up the software used in this book.

The book starts out with the basics: setting up MySQL and Apache to get at your data via the web, including Perl DBI basics. You then get started by writing a simple to-do list application, and in the process create modules that you will use (and build on) later in the book.

Mod_perl is covered, and then progressively more complex form based applications are presented. Many useful techniques are discussed. Once you're just about tired of all the tedium of form based applications, automated form-handling techniques are introduced that use meta-data about the table structures to automatically generate (and validate) input data. Techniques for session management get a chapter as well, presenting very good information on the pros and cons of different session management techniques (IP, cookie, URL key, etc).

Security and privacy get a very good chapter. Not only are issues presented regarding keeping user's information confidential, but cautions are also presented regarding keeping the server secure. SQL injection attacks are discussed, as are defenses against them. Hint: use MySQL's quote() function.

The book closes with a chapter on writing an eCommerce application. All the techniques used in the book are brought together in one application, and it is shown (very well) how they all relate to each other. While the resulting eCommerce application is extremely simple in regards to what it can do, it effectively shows the reader the power of MySQL and Perl together, and provides an excellent reference when writing applications of one's own.

I am a system administrator, and have done a good chunk of web site design (mostly the technical side) and programming. I've been using Perl since 1996, and MySQL with that since 2000 (used mSQL before that). So, yes, I had quite a bit of Perl and DB experience before I read the book. I say that to say this: I still learned things. There were tips and techniques in there that I hadn't thought of, and will make my job just a bit easier the next time I use Perl to write a MySQL based application. Even if you have some Perl and MySQL experience under your belt, the book will still be useful.

There are plenty of books about MySQL and PHP in bookstores. Yet, I still prefer Perl as my web page languages, thanks to its powerful regex and the similarity to C grammar (Some functions have exactly the same name and take the same arguments as in C).

For web applications, a backend database is necessary (MySQL). But how to access and operate on these dabatases? Perl comes into scene at this point.

I don't understand why people write so many books on PHP and MySQL, and so few on Perl and MySQL. Up to now, Paul's book is the only one I ever saw to cover both MySQL and Perl's application in web pages.

Paul's method is step by step, and the examples are not trivial ones. And he clearly explained the critical parts of his code. He even wrote some packages which can be used as library.

Before reading his book, I feel curious how the dynamic web pages work. Now, after finishing his book, I can understand how a commercial site such as Amazon works.

Finally, I recommend this book be bought with the other title by Paul - "MySQL". This is the book dedicated to MySQL language. It is a good companion to "MySQL and Perl for the Web".

Like many others, I wish I'd seen this book long ago.

The attention to detail and accuracy of the examples is just incredible!

This is by far the most used reference book in my library. After repeatedly having to tape the book together, I finally gave it away and bought a new one.

Following his examples eliminates many potential pitfalls that would otherwise result in hours of troubleshooting.

I can't imagine how I would have ever learned this information without the expert advice of the author, Paul DuBois. His coverage of CGI.pm is essential as well as his list of other books to read.

I think I have all his other books as well.

He even returned email almost immediately!

My only complaint is that it isn't bound in leather!

This is an excellent book. I knew my way around Perl and had done a few relatively simple CGIs before being handed a project to build an application that would allow 50 or 60 employees to enter several thousand customer complaints and email them to the right recipients based on the complaint content. I had a three-week deadline.

I bought the book and started patching elements of the example applications together until I had everything almost working. One problem delayed me a couple of days so I emailed DuBois with a question and received a solution within the hour.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who has a moderate grasp of Perl and Apache. It's one of the most lucid computer books I've ever read.

If you would like to use MySQL on you webpage you can use this book to get started and going. The book handles all initial setup and gives good descriptins on how to get relevant software (this doesn't cost any money - except from download). After the first two chapters you are ready to rumble... The next chapters handles eg. Improving perfomance, handling forms, writing form-based applications, handling searches and security issues. Together with the MySQL book this will give you the tools to build a great dynamic website. The book is written in a clear and easy language so you'll benefit from reading it even though english isn't your native language

This book covers timely material in a casual, conversational style. I'd recommend it to the working programmer with basic knowledge of Perl and exposure to web and database concepts but no experience in writing database-backed web applications. Unfortunately (perhaps unavoidably) the book repeats much of the information found in man pages and earlier books, and somebody with 6 months or more of experience writing web applications is unlikely to find more than the odd tidbit from this book. Beginners to the subject will find it much more valuable.