Reading other people's modules and codes

[Swalif]

Greetings monks,

It's been a while now since I started learning Perl.
I've read some books (learning perl, modern perl...),
wrote some wxPerl, Dancer applications..
I am enjoying learning..
Overall if I want to solve a problem or write an application I can write some code which is not that great but does my job... One aspect that I still don't see any progress in : is reading other peoples code.
For small scripts I can do some reading and modifying but I've downloaded some modules from CPAN and I don't understand the codes let alone contribute to them. I really appreciate your advice in this regard...

[Anonymous Monk]

How many programs, including exercises from those books you've read, have you written ?

Can you solve the same problem again in less time? What if you change the problem slightly?

Did you take notes? Organize/re-organize? Keep them in version control? ( how do you organize your notes?, Work practices: log books, notes files... , Twelve Views of Mark Jason Dominus Talk 6: How to Progress)

What are you trying to learn by reading other peoples code?

Here are similar quests (starting points and reading material, follow deep)

• best way to understand existing perl code
• Quick question on a Perl Code!
• Problems to solve for Perl Beginners
• Improving your skills by reading module sources
• What CPAN modules are "good reads"?
• What CPAN Modules are Good to Learn From?
• code analysis graph
• Re: Other technologies with Perl
• Dirge (Retrograde Amnesia)
• PLEAC - Programming Language Examples Alike Cookbook

Also, visit perl.j and see his questions, like

• What is wrong with this code?
• General Computer Science: For Beginners
• Where Do I Go Next?
That should keep you busy for the next 10 years :)

[Swalif]

--What are you trying to learn by reading other peoples code?
I want to contribute to some existing projects and benefit from working with the community..

I really appreciate your time and effort for this wonderful response. I'll go through all of the questions and resources one by one ...
Also thank you Khen1950fx for your reply...
my regards

[koolgirl]

++ This was a great answer to the posted question. Very informative and helpful. I've often had the same problems, and I've made it a point to read as much code as I can get my eyes on while I'm here (on PM). These links are a great addition to that.

[rspishock]

Thanks for posting these links. As I'm still a beginner with Perl, I'm also trying to learn as much as I can, whether it's by reading books, writing code, or looking for various Perl related sites, the monastery included.

I'm sure that these links will also help keep me occupied for the next 10 years. Thanks again for the post.

[Khen1950fx]

When I first started in Perl, I held on to perlintro like white on rice. I gives an extremely useful overview of Perl that will help you understand other people's code. Just make a habit of reviewing it everyday, and you'll get it.