[Techtalk] Learning Perl!!!!

L J Laubenheimer ljl at rahul.net
Wed Sep 11 09:39:34 EST 2002


kansas_kennedy at phreaker.net wrote:
> Hi Larry Walls and Randal Schwartzs, I hope at least someone has started 
> with the Perl thingie. I have already started and am facing some 
> problems. Anyone would like to lend a helping hand please...

Ohh, ick, I hate that book.  Too deep, too fast.  I intend to try to start up 
the perl class in a few days, after I get the first couple lessons written. 
Look for the announcement.

> 1) While using "use stricts" it says 'can't find the strict.pm.' Where 
> can I get this pm file and how can I embed it in my Perl?

Try CPAN (cpan.org) for instructions.  Also, depending on what distro you're 
using, it may be available in a package you haven't installed yet.

> 2) What is the big fuss about 'foobar'? what is it exactly in Linux? 
> Does it have any significance (like /dev/null)? I seen it being also 
> used in Learning Perl book.

Foobar is derived from FUBAR (f***ed up beyond all recognition).  The $foo, 
%bar, @baz are typically used as nonsense names for temporary or testing 
variables and such.  It's kind of a tradition thing.

> 3) And I am having some trouble with the problem in section 2.2.1.1 in 
> Page 23 of Picking up Perl pdf. I don't understand why they are using " 
> ' ' "  and then " "" " sort of alternatively. So far I learned that 
> single quotes are used when we don't want to interpret anything and keep 
> it as it is and double-quotes are used for interpolation. But I am not 
> getting this one. The answer comes out same no matter which quote rule 
> you follow. I have used single and double quotes both consistently and 
> alternatively. It doesn't make any difference in the program.

Welcome to the world of Perl.  On some things single or double quotes doesn't 
matter.  However, it is always advisable to use the ones you want 
(interpolated/noninterpolated) out of habit, so that they'll be right when it 
does matter.

> And finally how's it going with you guys? I have started today and gave 
> it two hours including doing this mail and a short lunch break. I have 
> completed till page 24, took loads of notes. I am digesting it all 
> slowly. More practice is needed. I will resume tomorrow again.

Eeeeeek!!  Take the time to practice and digest.  With the book I used, it 
took three weeks, and that was just the basics.

					Linda
-- 
Linda J Laubenheimer - UNIX Geek, Sysadmin, Bibliophile and Iconoclast
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