Re: Programming Perl 3rd Edition x 2nd Edition
by eyepopslikeamosquito (Archbishop) on Sep 17, 2005 at 02:27 UTC
|
To stay up to date with the "hottest new UNIX utility in years", you might consider buying the
first edition, also known as the Pink Camel, and
promoted as "An authoritative guide to the hottest new UNIX utility in years, coauthored by its creator, Larry Wall". ;-)
I was shocked to recently see a copy of the Pink Camel (circa 1991), sitting pristine in its plastic wrapping
and with quick reference card, on the shelves of a
North Sydney book store!
Seriously, most people query whether it is still worthwhile to
buy the third edition, because it is now five years old
(see, for example, latest perl book: 3rd edition still?).
I still think it is well worth buying this superb
classic book ... but recommend supplementing it with a more modern treatment,
such as
Perl Best Practices
or
Perl Cookbook.
| [reply] |
Re: Programming Perl 3rd Edition x 2nd Edition
by sauoq (Abbot) on Sep 16, 2005 at 23:26 UTC
|
I don't think I'd ever advise anyone to buy an outdated technical book...
If money is that much of an issue, the 2nd edition would still be useful, but the man pages and Perl Monks are free!
-sauoq
"My two cents aren't worth a dime.";
| [reply] |
Re: Programming Perl 3rd Edition x 2nd Edition
by sh1tn (Priest) on Sep 16, 2005 at 23:13 UTC
|
IMHO - when it comes to such precious book - the latest edition always deserves its price.
| [reply] |
Re: Programming Perl 3rd Edition x 2nd Edition
by itub (Priest) on Sep 17, 2005 at 00:30 UTC
|
I found the 3rd edition to be better organized, and of course more up to date. I'd recommend buying the 3rd edition. | [reply] |
If money is an object
by systems (Pilgrim) on Sep 17, 2005 at 18:31 UTC
|
If money is an object
I recommend you check out the free online resource first, you can start with Beginning Perl by Simon Cozen
You can then check out the free sample chapters from O'reilly
Try the safari bookshelf for 14 free days
Use perldoc
Ask here
Read Perl articles
Wait for "Higher Order Perl" as it should be free-ed anyday now
And finally, if you just have to buy something, check out the Perl cd bookshelve, I think it may offer better value for the money, and they all seem to include "Programming Perl"
| [reply] |
|
Says systems:
Wait for Higher-Order Perl as it should be free-ed anyday now
This is actually true.
I decided I wanted to make the book into a wiki. In the last couple of weeks I've acquired and installed MediaWiki (this is the software that powers Wikipedia) and hacked in the features I want. Then I discovered that my computer was too slow to run MediaWiki usefully, so I've replaced my computer.
The next step is to import the book into the wiki. There are two phases to this. Phase one is to translate the book into MediaWiki markup. Phase two is to break it into pieces and import the pieces into the database.
I hope I'll get this done in the next week or two.
But I have made a lot of progress very recently---things are moving along.
Thanks for your attention.
| [reply] |
|
Dominus,
If you have mentioned this on the list, I apologize as I haven't seen it. Do you intend to include the things that "didn't make it in" when you publish it in Wiki format?
| [reply] |
|
|
| [reply] |
|
|
| [reply] |
|
"Higher Order Perl" as it should be free-ed anyday now
Bad timing, I'm a poor student now, but would have bought it in a few weeks otherwise. :-)
| [reply] |
|
| [reply] |
Re: Programming Perl 3rd Edition x 2nd Edition
by cbrandtbuffalo (Deacon) on Sep 17, 2005 at 14:12 UTC
|
The only reason you might consider buying the old edition is if you are working on a system that has been frozen in time. Sometimes people are assigned to maintenance of a system with a ton of Perl code where the system, the code, and the version of Perl hasn't been touched in years. Anyone remember what version of Perl was current when the 2nd edition came out?
If you need a general reference, go for the most recent edition. | [reply] |