Programming Perl (Nutshell Handbooks) by Randal L. Schwartz

This is the authoritative guide to the hottest new UNIX utility in years, coauthored by its creator, Larry Wall. Perl is a language for easily manipulating text, files, and processes. Perl provides a more concise and readable way to do many jobs that were formerly accomplished (with difficulty) by programming in the C language or one of the shells. Even though Perl is not yet a standard part of UNIX, it is likely to be available wherever you choose to work. And if it isn't, you can get it and install it easily and free of charge.

Contents include:

• An introduction to Perl
• Common tasks with Perl
• Real Perl programs; includes database manipulation, programming aids, system administration, text and filename manipulation, interprocess communication, and more
• Perl syntax
• Perl functions
• Other oddments; invocation options, debugging, efficiency, the Perl library, linking in C subroutines, etc.

Also includes a pull-out quick-reference card (designed and created by Johan Vromans).