Linux Journal: Perl: The Programmer’s Companion [Book Review]

“Written originally in 1997 (with the third and most recent
printing in June 1998), Chapman’s book is now somewhat
long-in-the-tooth as Perl books go. Despite this fact, it remains
one of the most readable introductions to the language. In 280
pages (organized in 11 chapters), the reader is taken on a journey
that transforms them from Perl newcomer to Perl programmer.”

“Up first is the obligatory “why this book was written” preface,
which includes details on the syntax diagrams used throughout the
text to describe Perl’s programming constructs. Syntax diagrams are
very much a tool of computer scientists, and Nigel Chapman is proud
to be one. His is a programming book for programmers. If you are
new to programming, look to another book to get you started.”

“The journey begins with a short introductory chapter on Perl as
a programming language–why Perl is useful (and worth using), how
it differs from other programming languages, its relationship to
CGI, its general characteristics and, of course, a discussion of
why it is perfectly okay to do the same thing more than one way in
Perl.”

Complete
Story