Review of Perl for Dummies (Third Edition) (Paperback)

I am copying an excerpt from "The Perl Journal" review of this book.

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Summary: This is a really rotten book. Very few books are able to attain as many as eight major flaws:

1.'Dummy' approach encourages and reinforces the reader's disability

2.Lack of concrete programming examples

3.Lack of general discussion of how to program, apart from language-specific features

4.Reference manual organization style

5.Inclusion of too many useless and abstruse features

6.Complicated explanations where simple ones arepossible

7.Scaremongering and panic instead of calm explanation of affairs

8.Many, many technical errors, some very serious

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I taught myself Perl with little programming background (BASIC, 20 years ago). I started 1 1/2 years ago and am now using it daily as a web developer and data analyst.

Learning Perl from the books and resources out there is *extremely* difficult. There were many times I could've saved 3 weeks of hammering on a script if a perl guru had said, "Hey, list context just means the function wants a list, like an array or hash." I understand very well that the O'Reilly books are godawful for a beginner b/c that's where I started and suffered long from every explanation that said simply, "It's just like in C, so we won't explain it." That said, the books are pretty terrific once you're at a level to absorb them, but steer clear before then, unless you already know everything that POSIX means.

It might be tempting to pick up this book b/c there are pretty much no Perl books for those who haven't coded already. You should consider "The Elements of Perl" instead of this one. It's a better start for beginners and a wonderful way to start to understand Perl, its idioms, its culture, and how to program well. There is also "The Perl Black Book" which is a much better overview of the Perl than any single O'Reilly book, though the author isn't a guru, he's a good writer and tackles everything from the basics to advanced stuff with lots of examples and a CD with all the code.

Perl is wonderful, so please do pick up a book, just not this one.



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Review of MSDE Bible (Paperback)

I don't understand, why do you write a book that contains nothing but information about SQL Server, and call it MSDE bible? In my opinion just trying to sell copies of a rehash of other ideas. I bought this book in hopes of really learning the best way to do things in MSDE without the benefit of the GUI Enterprise Manager in SQL Server. Well in a word this book does not even come close. There is one puny little chapter on SQLDMO which leaves much to be desired. To say the least I am extremely irritated that they 'show you how to do this in MSDE by explaning how to do it in Enterprise Manager in SQL Server.' Does anyone else find that odd? I mean please if I wanted to know how to do something in SQL Server I would have bought a SQL Server book, instead I feel like I have been duped into buying a book that is misrepresentative of its contents. Do not waste your money, this book will not help you learn MSDE.

Product Description
Developers, programmers, software architects, technical managers, and technical support staff who work with MSDE (Microsoft Data Engine) applications will all benefit from this book, which guides you through everything from installation and configuration of MSDE to administration and deployment.

Some of the topics covered in this reference include: the MSDE architecture; database structures; data retrieval and modification; database administration; securing MSDE applications; database monitoring and maintenance; and packaging SQL in stored procedures.

The CD-ROM included with the book contains all the example code.

From the Back Cover
If MSDE can do it, you can do it too… If you're a developer, programmer, software architect, or technical support person in an environment using MSDE applications, you'll benefit from this book. Providing comprehensive coverage of MSDE's features, this guide demonstrates how to make the most of this database engine using SQL Server Enterprise Manager, Access 2000, SQL commands, Visual Studio®, and DMO. Plus, you'll get pointers on providing scalable database solutions, securing your applications, monitoring and maintaining your databases, and more! Inside, you'll find complete coverage of Microsoft® SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine

• Determine when and why to use MSDE
• Install and configure MSDE
• Understand the MSDE architecture and database structures
• Build custom applications
• Implement security features
• Deploy and administer MSDE applications
• Retrieve and modify data
• Monitor and maintain databases
• Migrate existing solutions that use Microsoft Jet Database Engine

The CD-ROM includes all example code from the book Shareware programs are fully functional, free trial versions of copyrighted programs. If you like particular programs, register with their authors for a nominal fee and receive licenses, enhanced versions, and technical support. Freeware programs are free, copyrighted games, applications, and utilities. You can copy them to as many PCs as you like-free-but they have no technical support.

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