Minimal Perl

Part 1. Minimal Perl: for UNIX and Linux Users

Part 1 gives those with at least user-level Unix skills—which includes even the most advanced Unix programmers—a gentle introduction to the use of Minimal Perl’s most essential features.

We’ll start with a humorous allegory about a Traveler from the world of Unix who’s visiting Perlistan, which leads to a discussion of the “less is more” philosophy underlying Minimal Perl. Then in chapter 2 we’ll cover the most essential features of the Minimal Perl dialect, which is a strategically crafted subset of standard Perl designed for easy assimilation by Unix people. In the following chapters, we’ll use those features to develop tiny Perl programs that surpass the limitations of some of the most important ...