Here are some ideas:

1. Do not use $_ (implicitly), use named variables.
Reason : You need to keep track of where the value of $_ is created, and where it is destroyed, which is difficult. You also need to keep track of what functions use $_, and as what argument.

2. Do not use consecutive maps and/or greps on a line. Split them into several lines with temporary variables, or use foreach.
Reason: Hard to look into maps and greps with a debugger.

3. Write long variable and function names, as "jump_to_good_place_in_file()", 

    my $current_template_contents = $self->current_template_contents;

[download]

(OK, I write almost ridiculously long names, but it works for me :-)

4. Write methods that are no longer than one screen. If longer, make it into two methods.

5. Use objects and methods instead of subroutines. Objects give a spatial relationship between chunks of code, which is easier for the (average) mind to grasp than several subroutines called at diiferent places in a program.

6. Write a lot of comments, especially about the purpose of a code chunk.

/jeorgen

In reply to Re: Rules of Proper Perl Style by jeorgen
in thread Rules of Proper Perl Style by sierrathedog04

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