Is there a better aproach to my learning process

5plit_func has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Dear Monks, I have been learning perl for quite a while now. I noticed when i get half way through the book i am using to learn perl which is learning perl 6th edition, i stop and start all over again. I think this is because i feel i need to master the basic concept and technique before moving on to more complex topic.

What i find disturbing is, i am not consistent in my learning approach. Some days i put in the required hours of practice while other days I'll rather sleep than be in front of the computer. However i have come to realize that if i continue this way i will not succeed in my quest to master perl.

I begin to wonder if i am the only one in this situation. if i am not, what was your method of putting in the required amount of time and commitment needed to learn perl. How much time do you spend practicing daily. I know there are very great rewards for those who put in the required hours and time needed to learn perl. I want to enjoy the rewards but i have learnt that there is a price to pay which i am finding difficult to pay.

I am also cut up between majoring on CGI or CLI applications. which is best for a learner or intermediate perl programmer?

Fellow monks, please kindly let me into your ways and approach to learning so i can learn from you.

Thanks in advance.

Comment on Is there a better aproach to my learning process

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Re: Is there a better aproach to my learning process by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on Jan 22, 2015 at 23:03 UTC
if i continue this way i will not succeed in my quest to master perl. Stop trying to "master Perl". Start using it. Books are great; and structured learning plans are fine on paper; but until you start applying the knowledge, it's all just smoke. Once you start using perl (or any language) to achieve real results; you'll rapidly learn where and on what you need to expend extra time and commitment. Expending "time and commitment" on stuff you don't use; is both less fun, and less productive, than masturbation, With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday' Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error. "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". I'm with torvalds on this In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice. Agile (and TDD) debunked	[reply]
Re^2: Is there a better aproach to my learning process by 5plit_func (Beadle) on Jan 22, 2015 at 23:10 UTC
Many thanks BrowserUk. I will put to practice what i have learnt and begin to apply the acquired knowledge in real life.	[reply]
Re: Is there a better aproach to my learning process (4th time!) by Discipulus (Canon) on Jan 23, 2015 at 09:11 UTC
Hello 5plit_func, this is the 4th time! There is none so deaf as who he will not ear. What have you tried in 3 years and what suggestion from many good monks have you picked up? Try to have a copy of Perl Cookbook beside your Learning Perl. Also the free Modern Perl book is very interesting read. What have you done in such long period? Personally this is the count of my junk Perl gymnasium: `find . -name .pl -ctime -1095 -maxdepth 1 \| wc -l 1132` [download] HtH L There are no rules, there are no thumbs.. Reinvent the wheel, then learn The Wheel; may be one day you reinvent one of THE WHEELS.	[reply] [d/l]
Re: Is there a better aproach to my learning process by jmlynesjr (Deacon) on Jan 23, 2015 at 01:19 UTC
Do you learn MS-Word by reading the 1000 page manual? No. You learn the basics and then look up individual functions as you need to use them. That's what I do with perl. I keep Learning Perl and the Perl Cookbook handy and look it up when I need it. As time goes by you will remember more and have to look up less. James There's never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over...	[reply]
Re: Is there a better aproach to my learning process by karlgoethebier (Abbot) on Jan 23, 2015 at 08:00 UTC
Some nodes - less more related to your question: Re: What 'should' a professional PERL programmer know? Re: Forgetting Syntax, Forgetting logic, Heck, Should I even try keep learning Perl?? Re: I SEEK THE WISDOM Re: Whats the average time taken to learn Perl? Best regards, Karl ŤThe Crux of the Biscuit is the Apostropheť	[reply]
Re: Is there a better aproach to my learning process by FloydATC (Deacon) on Jan 23, 2015 at 09:52 UTC
Learning to use Perl is a bit like learning to ride a bike. You can read as many books as you like but at some point you have to get up and try it in real life. Expect to make a few mistakes, break a few things and hurt yourself. Although hurting yourself writing Perl is less common. -- FloydATC Time flies when you don't know what you're doing	[reply]
Re^2: Is there a better aproach to my learning process by 5plit_func (Beadle) on Jan 24, 2015 at 01:33 UTC
Thanks Fellow Monks I do appreciate Your comments and directions. Dicupulus it my be my 4th time but i have to ask when i get stuck or i am not clear about things. Once again i say thank you.	[reply]
Re: Is there a better aproach to my learning process by Anonymous Monk on Jan 23, 2015 at 05:23 UTC
I think it's completely fine to read just 1/2 of a programming language book. That's what I do. Then I just read the documentation when I need it.	[reply]