Perl 5 for Dummies (Paperback)

by Paul Hoffman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Perl is one of the easiest-to-learn (and use) programming languages - yet it is as powerful as the harder-to-learn languages. Perl is optimized for scanning text files, extracting information, and printing reports on that information. Perl is also a good language for many system requirement tasks. And, what's the language of choice for writing CGI scripts to use on your Web site? Perl -- and in particular Perl 5, the latest version of this portable, multi-platform language. Perl 5 For Dummies shows you how to use Perl to create neat programs and powerful CGI scripts -- even if you have minimal programming experience. Plus, on the book's accompanying bonus CD-ROM, you get tons of ready-to-use Perl programs that you can adapt and use on your own.


From the Back Cover
Perl is fast becoming the programming language of choice for many wanna-be programmers and systems administrators alike. Find out for yourself why this language is so popular and use Perl 5 For Dummies to begin writing in Perl. You'll see how easy it is to create your own programs in Perl or use any of the hundreds of pre-written programs from the accompanying CD-ROM. You don't need to know a great deal about programming to get started with Perl -- this book shows you everything!

Inside, find helpful advice on how to:

• Figure out Perl object-oriented programs

• Get files from the Internet by using programs you write

• Write programs that will process files, monitor disk use, and perform other system administration tasks

• Create exciting CGI programs for a World Wide Web server

• Discover how quickly you can write in Perl, even if you don't know other programming languages

• Process databases and other corporate information with ease

• Find out where the best Perl sites live on the Internet

• Explore programs written by Perl programmers all over the world on the accompanying CD-ROM

About the CD:

Valuable bonus CD includes:

• Sample code from the book

• WinZip 6.2 for Windows

• StuffIt Expander for Macintosh

• Tools to create Perl code samples from the Internet!

Product Details

• Paperback: 381 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; Bk&CD-Rom edition (February 12, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764500449
• ISBN-13: 978-0764500442
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,028,213 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too many syntax errors, June 3, 1999

By A Customer

I bought this to learn CGI scripting and was very frustrated by the numerous syntax errors or even omissions from the code.

The CD had very little on it, it would have been better to knock $10 off the price and forget the CD. If the sample programs were on the CD, he might have bothered to actually try them. Instead it seems he wrote them off the top of his head and never bothered to test them.

I suppose the techinical editor is partially to blame for letting these by. If you a beginner, skip this book, it'll only frustrate you.

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as accurate as I was expecting , January 26, 2009

By	Ignacio (California) - See all my reviews

I've always enjoyed books from the "Dummies" series because they tend to be easy to understand and do not overwhelm you with all the technical details that you usually find in the hard to read manuals.

This book, however, had quite a few important pieces of information left out and some of the examples in the book did not work. That's not good if you're using this book to learn from. I ended up having to look up some of the information from the internet or other perl books that I have.

It's an ok book but be sure to have other books handy, like maybe a reference book to accompany this one and you'll be ok.

5.0 out of 5 stars Out of print? WHY????, September 28, 1999

By A Customer

I learned how to program perl with this book, having no previous experience in programming. I have since gone on to other languages, but I never would have gotten started if I hadn't read Perl5 for Dummies. Why, oh, why take it out of print?