Re: J.L. Ford's "Challenges"

[McDarren]

Not a direct answer to your question, but you may consider taking a look at Learning Perl (aka "the Llama"), which is currently in its 5th edition. Widely recognised as one of the best books for Perl beginners (and it does have answers to all exercises).

If you find that a bit easy going, then the next step might be Programming Perl (aka "the Camel"). Considered by many as the Perl "bible", it's also a very entertaining read.

Hope this helps,
Darren :)

[irvson]

Learning Perl is the first book I bought. The author presents the material in such a way that I find it difficult to "put it all together." The Ford book is better in that regard; at least for me it is. But, as you point out, the end-of-chapter exercises do have solutions, so the obvious move is to saddle up the Llama one more time.