Intermediate perl

Course description

If you already know the basics of perl programming and are ready to increase your skillset and add Object Oriented Perl, function prototyping, re-usability, modules, "strict" pragmas, and debugging to your toolkit, then this is for you. You will use existing perl modules and write your own OOP modules. PREREQUISITES: Intro to Perl TEXT: Programming Perl, 1.6 CE credits.

Logistics

Prerequisites

Mandatory

1. Introduction to Perl: scalars, arrays, hashes, subroutines (internal and external to your script), file IO and locking, etc.
2. Programming Fundamentals Structured programming and modular design, pseudo code, expressions and statements, sequential, conditional, and iterative (looping) logic, input/output, arrays, block-structured programming, functions and procedures
3. Unix Introduction file and directory manipulation (cp, rm, mkdir, rmdir, mv), text editing with an editor of your choice (vi, pico, joe, emacs, etc), job control
4. General computer literacy and familiarity with the keyboard

   Recommended

5. Exposure to OOP concepts like abstraction, encapsulation, inheritance, constructors, etc. Perl is not the easiest introduction to OOP concepts, so it would be easier on you if you bring some OOP experience to the table.

Teaching Environment

Interaction: I request and encourage student participation, questions, and farfetched guessing in the classroom. If your input is topical we'll integrate it into our class; if it's not topical I'll point you to resources so you can pursue your interest independently.

Watch for the Big Ideas: Big ideas, patterns, attitudes and methods, are more important than details (which are sure to change daily). I suggest you rely on reference works rather than try to memorize anything. Only rarely will I ask you to memorize anything.

Mistakes: if you're not making mistakes you're probably not far out enough on that particular limb. S-t-r-e-t-c-h!
Dare to share your mistakes, broken scripts, and haywire output with the rest of us; a class learns fastest when they can troubleshoot the most common mistakes. We benefit from the experience of others:

"Bernard of Chartres used to say that we are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants, so that we can see more than they and things at a greater distance, not by virtue of any sharpness of sight on our part, or any physical distinction, but because we are carried high and raised up by their giant size." Metalogicon. John of Salisbury.

Physical environment: the temperature of the unix lab varies wildly. I advise dressing very lightly for the usual extreme heat and bringing layers (sweater, windbreaker, etc) in case it is very cold.

Break Periods: Because of the rapid pace of the classes and the huge amount of information to integrate, I usually offer the class a 5-min break each hour rather than longer breaks every two. Please return on time so we may keep on schedule.

Please turn your phones and pagers to the silent mode.

Homework: I assign a short reading assignment for the next class period. This work should take a very short time, 20 minutes or less. The assignment will enhance your understanding up the upcoming session. I want you to get good value for your time and money investment.

Contact Information

© 1994-2002 jason carr.
distributed under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.

jason carr

Reminders

• Classroom temperature can be wildly variable. Dress lightly and bring layers.
• your username is based on the class title and the last two digits of your workstation's hostname.
• remember to take your work with you.