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<TITLE>Book Review: Object Oriented Perl</TITLE>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>Object Oriented Perl</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2>Author: Damian Conway</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2>Publisher: Manning</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2>Published: 2000-01</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2>ISBN: 1884777791</FONT>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>OOP is the definitive book on Object Oriented (OO) programming in Perl. It starts out with a very gentle 20 page primer on essential OO concepts, and follows on with a 50 page Perl refresher chapter. The best hardboiled synopsis of essential Perl concepts which this reader has yet read. This is one of those rare books which will thoroughly teach beginners, and yet continue to hold rapt, surprise, and inform more advanced readers as well.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2>The book is a well paced introduction to OO, illustrating and implementing the core concepts of OO in the context of Perl. While the earliest chapters serve as building blocks to those that follow, the later chapters need not be read front to back, but rather as the topic appeals to the reader. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2>Topics covered include: inheritance, polymorphism, ties, operator overloading, encapsulation, genericity, multiple dispatch, and persistent objects. Each topic is introduced along with code which highlights how each technique helps to solve common real world problems. As various tips, tricks, and pitfalls are covered, the reader will often find themselves revisiting and evolving improved solutions to familiar problems.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2>A lot of languages implement a particular flavor of OO. And indeed, OOP shows a variety of the techniques and flavors of OO and how they may be implemented in Perl. -Explaining when and where each may best be used, and trade-offs involved. As a result, the reader comes away from the book with a greater understanding of OO, and not just a single style embraced by a particular language.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2>Conway is well-known and respected throughout the Perl community. His writing is clever, humorous, and while information dense... surprisingly easy to follow. There is a sense of grace and continuity to his writing which made this book a real pleasure to read. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2>--</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2>Garrett Goebel</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2>IS Development Specialist</FONT>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>ScriptPro Direct: 913.403.5261</FONT>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=2>www.scriptpro.com garrett at scriptpro dot com</FONT>
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