in reply to Value of "RE"-coding for the newbie
IMHO, it is time to "RE"-code the original. In doing so, you will assimilate the new technique so that you don't make the mistake again. Most likely, you will reduce the size of the original and make it run faster. Almost definately, you will learn more new techniques in the process.
This is so true. In my experience it almost always hurts to revisit my old code. Quite frankly, I've never learned to like my coding, especially that done in the past, and whenever I revisit I just have to change things around (as time allows). Hopefully this may be an indicator of my evolving into a better Perl hacker ;-). For if upon encountering an older code I didn't consider anything for a change, this would only indicate the three things: 1) My past code was near perfect (*laughs*); 2) I haven't gained any coding wisdom and know-how (so painful it couldn't be true! or could it?); 3) I have degraded in my knowledge of Perl to a point where my old code seems perfect... It's best if out of the three, none is true ;).
As far as learning new languages, I think you are also on target. Provided you have had earlier extensive (or near so) practical exposure to other languages, the matter of learning the guts of a new language pretty much concludes in learning the new syntax and 'culture'. My first encounter with Perl happened after nearly 3 years of non-stop C programming. The transfer wasn't too painful, in fact, I'd enjoyed it much especially realizing how much simpler it was compared to my older favourite.
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This is so true. In my experience it almost always hurts to revisit my old code. Quite frankly, I've never learned to like my coding, especially that done in the past, and whenever I revisit I just have to change things around (as time allows). Hopefully this may be an indicator of my evolving into a better Perl hacker ;-). For if upon encountering an older code I didn't consider anything for a change, this would only indicate the three things: 1) My past code was near perfect (*laughs*); 2) I haven't gained any coding wisdom and know-how (so painful it couldn't be true! or could it?); 3) I have degraded in my knowledge of Perl to a point where my old code seems perfect... It's best if out of the three, none is true ;).
As far as learning new languages, I think you are also on target. Provided you have had earlier extensive (or near so) practical exposure to other languages, the matter of learning the guts of a new language pretty much concludes in learning the new syntax and 'culture'. My first encounter with Perl happened after nearly 3 years of non-stop C programming. The transfer wasn't too painful, in fact, I'd enjoyed it much especially realizing how much simpler it was compared to my older favourite.
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