I'd just like to add one more answer to the question "what are modules?", namely

"worth taking the time to learn about"

My first six months working with Perl I took the attitude that by the time I'd figured out each new module I could have done the work myself. It was a painful learning process. I now have the zeal of the convert, and my first instinct when I come up with a new problem is to browse CPAN. My advice, FWIW, is, if in doubt assume there's a module that will do it for you.

In particular, if you're working with databases, I'd encourage you to check out DBI.pm, which makes a lot of things a different order of magnitude easier, and even makes some problems go away altogether (here's just one example of what I mean).

Remember it's a J curve... you go a LONG way up for a very little dip at the start. I've tried both ways, and I know which I like better!

§ George Sherston

In reply to Re: What are Modules by George_Sherston
in thread What are Modules by ddrumguy

Title:
Use:  <p> text here (a paragraph) </p>
and:  <code> code here </code>
to format your post, it's "PerlMonks-approved HTML":



  • Posts are HTML formatted. Put <p> </p> tags around your paragraphs. Put <code> </code> tags around your code and data!
  • Titles consisting of a single word are discouraged, and in most cases are disallowed outright.
  • Read Where should I post X? if you're not absolutely sure you're posting in the right place.
  • Please read these before you post! —
  • Posts may use any of the Perl Monks Approved HTML tags:
    a, abbr, b, big, blockquote, br, caption, center, col, colgroup, dd, del, details, div, dl, dt, em, font, h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, hr, i, ins, li, ol, p, pre, readmore, small, span, spoiler, strike, strong, sub, summary, sup, table, tbody, td, tfoot, th, thead, tr, tt, u, ul, wbr
  • You may need to use entities for some characters, as follows. (Exception: Within code tags, you can put the characters literally.)
            For:     Use:
    & &amp;
    < &lt;
    > &gt;
    [ &#91;
    ] &#93;
  • Link using PerlMonks shortcuts! What shortcuts can I use for linking?
  • See Writeup Formatting Tips and other pages linked from there for more info.