use Perl

After long discussions with the wife, we are now proud owners of two of the new iBooks. We are leaving the Windows world for new horizons.

w00t!

There is an unofficial contents between me (Perl) and another programmer (Java) at work. We are both "racing" to complete a reporting system. Which basically takes data out of Oracle and formats it real pretty like for the users to look at.

I haven't decided whether to go with Template-Toolkit or CGI-Application but I have prototyped two separate apps with each (one with TT and one with CA) and the Java programmer is struggling to get one up.

I looked at the Java code (and it didn't blind me) and I couldn't believe how much code is needed just to talk to Oracle and get stuff out.

I am just wondering what would drive someone to choose Java over Perl for doing web application development.

I am having a lot of fun using Perl and Template Toolkit.

We do people never ask the systems administrator if something is possible or where a server resides? People at work have been arguing for a month about how to use a piece of equipment and in one sentence I could have given the answer but was I asked? Nope.

Idiots they are!

I wonder if I could get away with not doing my job while looking for another job (and still be paid)?

"YOU'RE GOING TO FIND US WORKING"

This is about scalars and strings.

I did all the excercises and got them right.

I have never been sure when writing code before now (like in a 'die' statement) whether to use || or the OR operator. I am sure it will become apparent or at least more so as I go through the excercises.

I am typing in and testing all the examples as well as doing all the excercises. Learn by doing is the best way.

note: this actually catches me up as I am in the 3rd chapter.

A step into history. Perl's, of course.

Chapter 1 was basically a journey through the history of Perl. It also had how to get it and how to install it among other things.

I am on Windows (for now) and using ActiveStates version of Perl. So the setup was easy. I messed around with 'perldoc' because I read in the comp.lang.perl.misc newsgroup that it was a very good Perl tool to know.

I have made a resolution that my Perl code will not be "line noise".

My mantra will be:

use strict;
use warnings;
comment as needed
clarity above brevity

I have purchased "The Perl CD Bookshelf v4" from O'Reilly. It was recommended by a friend of mine. I will be going through the book "Learning Perl v3 by Randal L. Schwartz and Tom Phoenix". And then I will go on to the second book "Learning Perl Objects, References & Modules" by the same two guys.

I also have the whole plethora of Perl resources on the Internet.

I think I am well prepared.