One sentence summary:
A comprehensive guide to mastering the Perl programming language, covering its syntax, capabilities, and applications.
Book genre:
Non-fiction, computer programming
Main topic of the book:
The book serves as a reference and tutorial for the Perl programming language.
Key ideas:
- An in-depth explanation of Perl syntax and usage
- Practical examples and real-world applications of Perl
- Best practices for coding in Perl
- Understanding the Perl philosophy and community
Main parts of the book and a short summary:
- Introduction: Gives a brief overview of Perl and its history.
- Basic Perl: Covers basic syntax, operators, data types, control structures, and input/output functions.
- References, Lists, and hashes: Explains how to manipulate complex data structures and utilize references in Perl.
- Subroutines: Discusses the concept of subroutines and how they can be used in Perl.
- Regular Expressions: An in-depth look at regular expressions and their usage in Perl.
- File Access: Explores how to work with files in Perl, including input, output, and file handling.
- Object-oriented Perl: Introduces the concept of object-oriented programming in Perl.
- Modules: Discusses how to use and create modules in Perl to organize code and extend its capabilities.
- Perl Debugging: A chapter dedicated to debugging techniques and tools for Perl.
- Perl Packages: Explores the world of Perl packages, including installation, use, and creation.
- Tying Data Structures: An advanced topic that delves into the concept of “tied” variables and structures in Perl.
- Databases: An overview of database integration with Perl, including popular modules for working with databases.
- Embedding Perl: Covers how to embed Perl code into other programming languages, such as C or HTML.
- Additional Features: A brief introduction to features such as Perl/Tk, socket programming, and XML processing in Perl.
Key takeaways:
- A comprehensive guide to understanding and utilizing the Perl programming language.
- In-depth explanations of Perl syntax, data structures, and features.
- Real-world examples and applications to solidify understanding.
- Tips and best practices for efficient and effective coding in Perl.
- Coverage of advanced topics such as object-oriented programming and database integration.
Author’s background and qualifications:
The author, Randal L. Schwartz, is a renowned expert in the world of Perl. He has been involved with Perl since its early days and has contributed significantly to its development and community. Schwartz is also the author of several other computer programming books and has taught Perl professionally for many years. He is highly respected in the programming community and is a frequent speaker at conferences and events.
Target audience:
This book is suitable for anyone wanting to learn and master the Perl programming language. It is ideal for beginners seeking to understand the basics of Perl, as well as experienced programmers looking to expand their knowledge and skills. It is also a valuable reference tool for professionals working with Perl on a daily basis.
Publisher and first publication date:
Published by O’Reilly Media, Inc. in 2012.