[soapdog]

On a related topic, can someone recommend a good book for learning perl these days? I never learned it and think it is a good skill.

[jonathansizz]

Depending on how adept you already are at programming:

1] Learning Perl (6th Edition) is excellent for beginners.

2] Modern Perl (2nd Edition was just published; free ebook version should be out by next week) assumes a basic knowledge of both programming in general and of Perl in particular, but is well-written and very clear.

3] Programming Perl (the 4th Edition covering Perl 5.14 will be a huge update from 3rd Edition (published in 2000 for Perl 5.6!); should be published in February, according to O'Reilly) is the famous Camel book and the ultimate Perl reference.

The Perl Cookbook is a little outdated now, although it's not too bad and there is talk on the mailing lists of updating it. But it's not really aimed at learning Perl though.

As already mentioned, PerlMonks is also a great website to browse.

[soapdog]

Thanks for the tips! Will get the modern perl book and the new camel book when the new edition is published!

=)

[berntb]

I'm fond of the "Modern Perl" book, but you should have programming background for that. You won't go wrong by buying brian d foy's books either.

(Best is probably to ask at PerlMonks.org what to read.)

Edit: My best advice for a newbie is to get the Cookbook after the first basics. The Perl one is really helpful.

[soapdog]

That is my idea. Thanks! =)