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Re: Is Programming Perl still relevant as a reference book?

by TGI (Parson)
on Mar 02, 2007 at 20:45 UTC ( [id://602962]=note: print w/replies, xml ) Need Help??


in reply to Is Programming Perl still relevant as a reference book?

If you are short on funds, and don't mind ebooks, the Perl CD Bookshelf (some prefer the 3rd edition) is a good value.

I bought the first edition when I first started with perl, and it was invaluable.


TGI says moo

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Re^2: Is Programming Perl still relevant as a reference book?
by gorjusborg (Novice) on Mar 02, 2007 at 20:57 UTC
    I have to agree with the earlier poster, who said most everything can be found in perldoc (and 'man perl***'). I have an early copy of the camel, but I _never_ use it. The main reason is that I feel the text rambles. I must admit reading it is entertaining, but barely what I would want to use as a reference. Also, why use a printed book as a reference when the electronic documentation is updated along with the perl version? The book is destined to become hopelessly out of date, while perldoc/man perl*** is almost always current. Your money is better spent elsewhere.

      My beef is exactly this: I only have electronic documentation. Information is up to date, certainly, but reading long passages of text from the screen is uncomfortable. Call me old-fashioned, but a book is a book.

      Thank you everyone for opinions. I will visit the library (although they likely do not have a copy) or a bookstore and read a few pages before buying, though, simply to ascertain the quality.

      --
      print "Just Another Perl Adept\n";

        Real books are definitely better than ebooks.

        Despite the deficiecies of ebooks, the CD bookshelf is nice. You get a paper version of Perl in a Nutshell, in addition to the ebooks. The search features of the ebooks are handy for looking up something short. IME, On-screen reading is fine for light browsing of a text. However, longer material is unpleasant to read on screen.

        When the CDBS was my primary resource, if I wanted to read a longer selection, I would just print out the sections as I needed them (duplexed, 2 "pages" to a side to save paper) and throw them in a binder. After a while it became obvious which books I was printing lots of, so I bought "real" copies of those books.

        I found the CDBS to be a cost effective way to get my hands on a variety of good perl books, before I had time to build my library. YMMV

        Don't forget to check used book stores, you might be able to find some real bargains.

        Good luck building your library.


        TGI says moo

        Check out good computer stores. We have a local Micro Center that has many older editions for $2 to $5 in a clearance section. I have bought many books that way because I never know what I'll need in the future for reference.

        Another good source are places like half.com to buy used and new books at a discount.

        Update: Removed reference to illegal website. Sorry. -Eugene

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