Amazon.co.uk Review
The multifaceted Perl programming language is captured in a new profile in this fascinating, graphically driven synopsis by a group of graphical text designers at Maran Graphics. Perl newbies of marginal literacy--or who have no patience for textual explanations of programming tasks--will find the visual blueprint to be a stimulating and highly parallel interface for the communication of Perl syntax, code structure, and functionality.
But there is a fine line between simple and simplistic. In an effort to convey the live look-and-feel code development environment, the Maran designers depict the "pico" editor window around every code snippet, and pico's own interface becomes synonymous with Perl by the third example. Moreover, the editors underestimate newbie user interface experience when they remind the user to "position the cursor" in certain locations before typing the next segment of the demonstration code, even after 16 chapters. Code annotation is graphically stimulating but conceptually mundane throughout.
The Maran group succeeds in hitting Perl's most important high points in its 285-page jaunt across the language. Examples for variable dereferencing, making and using Perl modules, building dynamic Web interaces, accessing databases, and designing for the CGI server-side Web interface are all included. The accompanying CD-ROM contains Perl 5.6 distribution for Unix, ActivePerl for Windows platforms, a pdf e-copy of the text itself, and a variety of extras. --Peter Leopold
Product Description
Welcome to the only guidebook series that takes a visual approach to professional–level computer topics. Inside you′ll discover step–by–step screen shots that demonstrate over 100 key Perl tasks, including:
- Demystifying references
- Creating variables and expressions
- Building arrays, lists, and subroutines
- Generating output
- Working with strings
- Handling regular expressions
- Working with file systems
- Harnessing Perl modules
- Using Perl with CGI
- Working with databases
The companion CD–ROM includes:
- Perl 5.6.0
- Perl Builder and ActiveState Perl Development Kit evaluation versions
- Perl2Exe for Win 32 trial version
- Visual Perl Editor and UltraEdit32 shareware versions
- Plus, all sample code and an eversion of the book
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