Re: [MacPerl] Aspiring Newbie

[pvhp@forte.com (Peter Prymmer)]

loaf writes:

> Hey all,
> 
> I'm new to the list, new to Perl, new to Applescript, and pretty new at
> programming but not new to Macs so please don't flame me too much for
> asking the following.
> 
> My brother got me a copy of Learning Perl from O'Reilly for my birthday and
> has since subscribed me to the Perl CD-ROMs from Walnut Creek.  Although, I
> haven't been able to find an answer to what the difference between writing
> Perl and MacPerl are.  Will MacPerl not work with PCs and therefore not be
> used with CGI scripts on PC servers of my ISP?  And vice versa, will
> scripts written in Perl not always work on my Mac?

There are similarities and differences.  It is possible, indeed quite easy, to 
write a useful program that runs on a PC and a Mac.  It is also possible, and 
again quite easy, to write a program that will run successfully on one and not 
the other.  It is sometimes possible to modify such incompatible programs so 
that they do one thing based on one value of $^O and do something else for a 
different value of $^O.  See the document at:

   http://www.perl.com/CPAN/doc/manual/html/pod/perlport.html

for a few more suggestions.

> Also, what would you say are the best books to learn MacPerl and
> Applescript from?  I see that Ms. Brown and Mr. Nandor have written a book
> on MacPerl so if you have, in your opinion, a better book suggestion for me
> please email me privately.  No offense to either one of you, I'm new to the
> list and don't know either one of you.  I hope you understand.
> 
> I went to the book store today and saw three or four books on Perl 5 but
> don't have $50 to throw down for each book.  That's why I'm looking for a
> definitive book on each language.

You may not want to throw away a lot of money.  I definitely recommend Ms. 
Brown and Mr. Nandor's "MacPerl Power and Ease" to you.  Fortunately that
book comes with an extensive and well commented bibliography and can provide 
references to other material.


Peter Prymmer



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