Hello 5plit_func,

I have two pieces of advice:

1. Focus

   Many years ago I read about an experiment in which two groups of students were each given the same book to read. The first group was just told to study the book and learn as much from it as possible. The second group was told to study the book with a view to answering a specific question. Then both groups were tested on their general comprehension of the book. The second group showed a greater knowledge of the material, not just as it related to their specific question, but across the whole range of topics covered. The researchers concluded that study is more effective when has a definite focus.

   So, as you try to improve your Perl skills (and your programming skills in general), you will derive greater benefit from your reading if you have a specific problem or question in mind as you study. Pick a programming exercise — one that challenges you, but is not too ambitious — and work on it incrementally, keeping it in mind as you read and meditate. This will improve your comprehension, as well as giving you positive feedback as you see your study leading to practical results.

2. Improve your own code

   We’ve all had the experience of writing a sentence that becomes hopelessly muddled in syntax and meaning. Sadly, we often push ahead with the sentence, rather than starting again. I think the same thing happens in programming, and we become mired in a swamp of our own making. Indeed, many questions to the Monastery ask, “How can I make this work?”, when the best answer is, “Don’t! That’s not what you should be doing. Do this instead.”

   I find it a useful exercise to go back over my old(er) scripts to see how they can be improved. It can be surprising what you find when looking at your own work with fresh eyes! Or take a question from Seekers of Perl Wisdom and develop an answer — then compare your solution to the answers given by other monks. That’s a great way to learn best practices and idioms.

   Don’t be afraid to try new things and change things around. (And use version control so you don’t lose anything.) Ask always, not only How can I make this work? but How can I do this more clearly/concisely/elegantly? Keep on the lookout for useful coding tips, and make it a point to incorporate them into your own code. In this way, the good practices will soon become your own.

Hope that helps,