So, is this an excuse to not use CGI.pm? No, it is not. Just because one uses a module does not necessarily mean that one does not understand how 'things' work - period. One uses a module because they want to get stuff done. I find nothing wrong with the desire to learn things, i find nothing wrong with reinventing wheels to further your own education. What i do find wrong is the attitude that using CPAN modules is a 'cop-out'.

Here is a scenario, you have 1 day to write an IRC bot. What do you do? You use Net::IRC and keep your job. That's what we are talking about here.

"Some people ... like to learn how things work instead of using a module to do the work for them..."

No one said you can't do both, some people like to use the module and THEN figure out how they work, if only because the person who wrote that module has more experience and can offer a tried and tested road to explore. perldoc -m is your friend. :)

jeffa

L-LL-L--L-LL-L--L-LL-L--
-R--R-RR-R--R-RR-R--R-RR
B--B--B--B--B--B--B--B--
H---H---H---H---H---H---
(the triplet paradiddle with high-hat)