Perl::Improved Volume 0, Number 0
Archive

Welcome to the 0th edition of Perl::Improved. You say you like my ideas but you'd like to see more than one at a time? Well, this is the journal for you.

You might have guessed that I'm starting at Volume 0, Number 0 because the numbering of array indexes and other things in Perl start at 0. This is dumb. My numbering scheme mocks Perl.

Perl::Improved might be published weekly, but I won't be observing any strict deadlines, so expect irregular publication. In each issue I'll critique at least one Perl function. Functions will be critiqued in alphabetical order (beginning with a, not null). I'll eventually cover them all. This list contains the functions I'll critique and the order in which I'll critique them, but for the 0th issue, I'll add an extra, "bonus" critique.

Perl::Improved will contain more than complaints about Perl. It will contain reviews of noteworthy Perlmonks posts and a Fun and Games section. This format, as well as other things (such as whether I'll call this a journal, column or newsletter) might change in the future.

We at Perl::Improved (Wassercrats is plural in this context) hope you will enjoy this debut issue.

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In This Issue:

Function Critique: File tests
Bonus Critique: Perl's zero-based numbering scheme
Noteworthy Perlmonks Posts
Fun-n-Games: Color Ratty

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Function Critique

-X

-X FILEHANDLE
-X EXPR
-X

This is "A file test, where X is one of the letters listed below." A single letter doesn't adequately describe the function of the tests. The test names should be longer and more descriptive.

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Bonus Critique
Perl's zero-based numbering scheme

The numbering of array indexes and other things in Perl start at 0. This is dumb.

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Noteworthy Perlmonks Posts

This post (I don't call them nodes unless I damn well feel like it) got me to the top of Worst Nodes of the Year.

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Fun-n-Games

Did you know you could spell "rats ass crew" from the letters in Wassercrats? Readers of Perl::Improved are honorary members of the Rats Ass Crew--the posse that don't give a damn. But as it says in my home node, don't think this will prevent me from bitching about stuff.

As you might have guessed, the mascot of the Rats Ass Crew is a rat. His name is Ratty. Can you color Ratty?

                        ___              

                       /  \\

                ______ \  //

               /      \/ o \

      ________/             \

              \_  \__\ \-----o

               \____|\__|

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