Re: Modern Perl: The Book: The Draft

[RedElk]

I've only read the first few chapters but like it so far. I'm by no means an expert so I feel like your target audience. Generally speaking, the tone is good. I can wade right in with you.

A couple minor points that I will point out which may have been corrected already:
Chapt. 3: variables paragraph, last sentence, used the word "genericity". I suggest "genericness" instead.
Chapt. 3: variables, types and coercion section, it says "assigning to a variable". I assume that should read "assigning type to a variable"?
Chapt. 3. var, types and coercion section, your note "should I include a table of escapes here..?". Why not reference the table here if it is used elsewhere?

I look forward to getting through the rest of the book. Writing about perl 5.10.1 is a good idea, not only because I could benefit from it but it appears overlooked.

[ww]

Moderately agree with point 1, only on the grounds that the "-icity" element may pose a stumbling block to some readers (IMHO_and_E, less common and therefore less familiar_and_understandable than "-ness") but am skeptical about recommendation 2:

'Chapt. 3: variables, types and coercion section, it says "assigning to a variable". I assume that should read "assigning type to a variable"?'

Methinks this has serious potential for confusing readers, who've been told that:

"... the sigil of the variable in a declaration determines the type of the variable...."
at "Variable Sigils"

and that...

"Perl 5 variables do not enforce types on their values."
at "Variables, Types, and Coercion"

Perhaps this "potential" arises only from the limits of my own understanding/appreciation, but I must obviously leave that judgement to others.

Suggestion 3 makes excellent sense to me.

Finally (for this post anyway), I find the sections on references, beginning with "Array References" particularly clear. Well done!

[chromatic]

Thanks for your comments. How would you like me to credit you in the book?

[wazoox]

Chapt. 3: variables paragraph, last sentence, used the word "genericity". I suggest "genericness" instead.

"Genericness" is correct english; however "genericity" carries a particular meaning in programming jargon.

[chromatic]

Thanks for your comments. How would you like me to credit you in the book?