Mastering Perl

[The Count]

Im a BSc4 Maths/Computer Science student and would like to find out
the best way to learn programming in perl.Perl is not offered in my
course but I find that it is a very popular language.I can program in
Pascal,Delphi and C++.How long could it take me to master perl to a
level where I can make web applications? Can you recommend websites
where I can find good introductory tutorials?What do you suggest would
be the best way to learn Perl?

 

[Mirco Wahab]

Im a BSc4 Maths/Computer Science student and would like to find out
the best way to learn programming in perl.Perl is not offered in my
course but I find that it is a very popular language.I can program in
Pascal,Delphi and C++. How long could it take me to master perl to a
level where I can make web applications?

*Web Applications*?

You have to learn a huge hunk of skills for that,
and of these: Perl will be a tool among others.

The selection of "Perl" implies then possibly the
following languages/concepts to learn:

- SQL and some interface to Perl => Perl:BI
- Apache (or any httpd) with configuration language => mod_perl
- HTML & CSS generators or simple Templating systems (=> CGI, => CGI::Simple)
- HTML and a HTML Templating System (=> Mason, =>Template Toolkit ...)

Each of these topics is covered by a bunch of books,
more books exist on how to "put all these things together".

And this is for "simple web applications" ;-)

Can you recommend websites where I can find good
introductory tutorials?What do you suggest would
be the best way to learn Perl?

Each of the "Names" behind the '=>' from above
will lead you to a book (some are downloadable
and free) via google.

Regards

Mirco

 

[Justin C]

It depends. Perl is a vast language but it is inspired by many other
ones and just like with natural languages in the words of $Larry, it
is officially ok to only speak a subset to it. Call that "baby Perl".
While speaking baby Perl, people will often correct you and suggest
more mature ways to do things. In any case start with an introdutory
book, like the Llama.

[snip]

I'll second the Llama. It's my most thumbed book. I know where
everything is in there and, for those moments when I can't remember the
correct syntax (quite often then), it's invaluable.

I've not built any web-apps but it educated me enough to automate the
web-site for work, and a whole bunch of other things. I don't hesitate
in recommending it as an introductory volume. Of course, when you're
done with that there is still so much more to learn, but it gets you
pointed in the right direction.

Justin.

 

[brian d foy]

The best way depends on how you like to learn.

I'm still trying to master Perl

In any case start with an introdutory
book, like the Llama.

[snip]

I'll second the Llama. It's my most thumbed book. I know where
everything is in there and, for those moments when I can't remember the
correct syntax (quite often then), it's invaluable.

Besides the Llama (which is _Learning Perl_, in case someone forgot to
mention that), there is _Intermediate Perl_ (the Alpaca), and soon
there will be _Mastering Perl_. We designed those books as a
progression from beginner to advanced programmer. _Mastering Perl_
is currently in production for a summer release, but also online:

http://www.pair.com/comdog/mastering_perl

I also have a _Learning Perl Study Guide_, a companion to _Learning
Perl_ with additional exercises and answers:

http://www.theperlreview.com/learning_perl_study_guide/

You might be interested in other books, and most of the Perl ones are
on:

http://books.perl.org