Perl 5 Interactive Course: Certified Edition [Paperback]

Jon Orwant (Author)

Book Description

Series: Interactive course | Publication Date: November 1, 1997

Using and interactive approach with online contact, this course introduces a new suite of Perl programs chapter-by-chapter. The CD includes Internet Explorer, the latest Perl source code and all the binaries needed to run perl on the platform of your choice.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Perl is an extremely powerful language that is used on thousands of Web servers for Common Gateway Interface (CGI) scripts, principally because of its unmatched text manipulation capabilities. However, mastering the syntax of Perl is legendarily difficult with its Unix legacy, which favors cryptic--though efficient--syntax. Jon Orwant's Perl 5 Interactive Course is an excellent tutorial for learning the basics of Perl quickly. It lays a foundation and then builds on it to make you a Perl expert.

First, the book outlines the basics of creating and running Perl scripts. (Though this is a Unix-centered approach, the examples will run on Windows NT as well.) Early in the text, the author introduces variables, both scalar and arrays, and basic programming statements (such as conditional statements and looping). He presents the rudiments of using regular expressions and basic Perl metacharacters and commands for searching and replacing text in manageable increments. The author also does a good job of showing how Perl can work together effectively with other Unix commands, such as files and pipes, and operating features, such as processes.

The book is less successful at exposing the intricacies of object-oriented Perl (a difficult topic). However, it is good at explaining some of the pitfalls of Perl programming, including debugging. Other interesting chapters explain topics such as where Perl programming fits into the Internet and why Perl will likely continue to play an important role on the Web. Chapters throughout this book are short and sweet and include simple exercises so that readers can try out Perl on their own. Although no single book can make you into a Perl guru, this tutorial can start you on your way to becoming a competent Perl developer.

From the Publisher

Each chapter of Perl 5 Interactive Course, Certified Edition introduces a new suite of programs, actually guiding the reader through the creation of an Internet Movie Service step-by-step. No other book on the market uses this completely interactive approach to learning Perl nor offers actual Continuing Education Units from a well-known, accredited university. Provides the opportunity to earn 3 Continuing Education Units from Marquette University Updated edition covers the latest version of Perl Web-based components include online mentors to answer specific questions, interactive testing for immediate feedback, discussion groups for student interaction and more CD-ROM includes Microsoft Internet Explorer, the latest Perl source code and all the binaries needed to run Perl on any platform

Product Details

• Paperback: 860 pages
• Publisher: Waite Group Pr (November 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571691138
• ISBN-13: 978-1571691132
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #830,257 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Introductory Perl Book Ever Written - No Holds Barred, April 30, 2000

By 

Howard T. Maher "Perl Guy" (Richardson, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Perl 5 Interactive Course: Certified Edition (Paperback)

I've read and use most of the Perl books out on the market today, but none comes close to getting you going well with Perl as does Jon Orwant's book. I still use it as a reference today, but it is the best any money can buy for learning Perl. I'm back buying another copy because I loaned mine to a friend and I miss it so much that I want to make sure I'll always have a copy handy. My old copy is so well worn that a fresh copy is enticing also. As for extras in the book: the quizzes are great for testing your understanding, and someone has done a great job at proofreading this book -- I don't know whether that person is at the Waite Group or is Jon himself, but I know that anytime I have questioned an answer, or a script, or anything in the book I have always found the book to be accurate on closer inspection. It is very much like the Camel Book in being authoritative -- what Jon says is Perl Gospel Truth - if I had to pick two Perl books, I'd pick this one for learning and the Camel Book for ultimate reference. Jon's book should be rated a 5 and a half star - this is the best that it ever gets!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Perl Book, February 9, 2000

By 

Lara (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Perl 5 Interactive Course: Certified Edition (Paperback)

After the Camel book, of course. This book is very well paced with well thought out examples. I needed it as a refresher last year, and now use it as a reference.

The only down side is that the Web Based interactive segment is no longer available. not a big deal since it's the same quizes as in the book, but there was a gee-whiz, isn't it fun factor to have it available online.

This book covers everything from soup to nuts. It starts the learner off slowly with the basic perl syntax and then smoothly moves into subroutines, OOP, DBI modules, Security, etc. all with the same interesting and amusing style.

I don't know if it's mentioned in the Editorial review, but the author is the Editor of The Perl Journal (www.tpj.com) which is a magazine devoted to the perl programming language. So Jon Orwant *knows* his topic.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Intro to Perl, August 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Perl 5 Interactive Course: Certified Edition (Paperback)

This is the book I am using to learn Perl. I'm a CS student now, and I've learned C and C++. We use a lot of Perl at work. I tried to learn Perl from the Camel book (Programming Perl, 2nd ed.), but found it hard to follow, especially reg exp. I think the OReilly books are good if you already know some Perl, but this is the best one to use to start learning Perl. Plus the Camel book assumes you're on a Unix system, while this can be used on Unix or Win32, and it comes with perl on cd-rom.