Web Languages
In a Nutshell - CIW Course Section 2
This is where we start to get serious! Again I have tinkered with JavaScript before, so this wasn't a complete surprise but I certainly learned a lot from this section. Perl was completely new to me and, I must confess, I struggled with the data type declarations and usage. In both parts the end of section tutor marked assignments (TMAs) were stinkers. They each took me over two weeks to complete.
- JavaScript
- Part A1 Programming Principles
- Part A2 Program Development
- Perl
- Part B1 Basic Perl Syntax
- Part B2 Manipulating Scripts
- Part B3 Best Practices
I have conversed with other CIW students regarding this section and they have also been flummoxed by it. I would suggest taking your time as you work through the notes, and type up ALL the code samples and try them out. You will learn more from your mistakes in typing out the samples than from anything else. With both languages, syntax is very important and the slightest error in the code will prevent correct execution. Debugging you code is the best learning tool!
The Perl section is considerably longer and much more detailed. Work through it carefully and, quite possibly, by a book on the subject if you are serious about learning the language.
While I had no great desire to learn the Perl language, I have found it useful as the syntax has a lot in common with PHP, a language I was very keen to become familiar with. I may even include a little about it when I become a more adept with it.