User since: Jun 25, 2016 at 18:17 UTC (7 years ago) Last here: Nov 27, 2023 at 03:04 UTC (3 days ago) Experience: 1968 Level: Chaplain (11) Writeups: 355 Location: Pensacola, FL User's localtime: Nov 29, 2023 at 10:11 CST Scratchpad: View For this user: Search nodes

I started to learn Perl in May of 2016. I mostly use TinyPerl 5.8 under Windows.

When I was about 12 years old, my parents bought me my first computer. It was a 40MHz 386DX with 4MB RAM and 128MB HDD running MS-DOS 5.00. I wrote small QBASIC programs for fun. A programmer friend named, Simon Istvan, gave me lessons every week. He taught me C/C++, x86 assembly, HTML, and he also tried to introduce me to Linux and Perl, but at that time I did not have any interest in Perl. Linux is something I found fascinating but it never really stuck with me. I was always a DOS/Windows primary user. Linux is something I used just for fun or in case of emergencies.

Unlike many people, I think playing computer games is a waste of time. There were only three games I liked -- chess, SimCity, and Sokoban. But I found none of them addictive. I could start and stop an hour later and never play again. In fact, I haven't played computer games in ages. I think, computer programming is a lot more fun and fulfilling, because you create something real, something useful, something that makes the world a better place. So, I see computer programming as a way to improve the world.

When I was 17 years old, I began building computers and troubleshooting Windows problems, and people would call me almost every week to get their computer issues solved. When I was 19, I learned JavaS‎crip‎t by myself at home, and I came to love JavaS‎crip‎t. Two of my favorite languages are Perl and JavaS‎crip‎t. When I was 29, I started a computer business. I do data recovery, virus removal, Windows/Linux installation, website maintenance, and I refurbish old computers. The income is not much, so I mostly do other things such as construction... I do carpentry, framing, roofing, flooring, wiring, plumbing, etc...

My hobbies are horticulture, backyard chickens, photography, and good coffee!

Here is my perl page: www.wzsn.net/perl