Anonymous Monk has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Pretty simple question. I have Learn Perl 2nd edition, is the 3rd edition changed/updated enough to warrant buy it? Thanks David

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re (tilly) 1: Learning Perl 2nd-3rd
by tilly (Archbishop) on Jan 22, 2002 at 19:25 UTC
    What do you have it for?

    If it is for yourself, and you have learned the second edition pretty well, then I would move on to another book. If it is for something you give people to get them started, I would buy the third edition. If it is for yourself and you have not read the second edition, decide how much it is worth it to you.

    As for me, with books which are not intended to be used as references (Learning Perl is not), if I buy it and don't learn it pretty well I feel like I wasted my money. (I try not to waste my money...) And if I don't finish one edition, I probably wouldn't finish the next.

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Re: Learning Perl 2nd-3rd
by redsquirrel (Hermit) on Jan 22, 2002 at 19:29 UTC
    The answer will depend on how much you absorbed from reading the Llama 2nd Ed. Do you feel as though you've grasped the majority of the concepts and syntax? If so, then move on to somewhat more challenging books. I'd recommend Effective Perl Programming.

    If you feel like you still have a lot to learn from the Llama, then I'd stick with the 2nd Ed. since you already have it. It's a great book!

    --Dave

    Update: looks like tilly had some similar ideas...

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Re: Learning Perl 2nd-3rd
by strat (Canon) on Jan 22, 2002 at 20:06 UTC
    I'd rather buy The Perl Cookbook or the Camel-Book (Programming Perl)

    Best regards,
    perl -e "print a|r,p|d=>b|p=>chr 3**2 .7=>t and t"

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[d/l]
Re: Learning Perl 2nd-3rd
by joealba (Hermit) on Jan 22, 2002 at 20:45 UTC
    Well, how much do you love Perl? :)

    3rd edition has a GREAT chapter on Object Oriented programming. It's a great starter chapter before you move on to TheDamian's Object Oriented Perl.

    Also, I personally find that 3rd edition makes it easier to find things for reference, like standard functions and special variables.

    Finally, you can learn how to play with threads... mmmmm.. yummy.. :)

    Give your 2nd edition to a wanna-be Perl hacker. It'll get them started the right way. 3rd edition is well worth the 50 clams, and you may find it with a 30% off sticker at Borders real soon.

    Updated: ACK! Damn coffee hasn't kicked in yet. I saw 3rd edition and my brain automatically assumed that you were talking about the camel book. I really wasn't a fan of Learning Perl. It was too basic, and the camel book really starts you off with a great overview. According to the preface, Camel 3 has made less assumptions about your programming experience -- so the overview is even better than before for newbies. Always go camel.
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