MySQL and Perl for the Web

Once in a while a book comes along that covers an area of development that has previously been largely ignored. Both MySQL and Perl are well documented in several tutorials, but in-depth coverage of Web development using the combination of the two is rare. MySQL and Perl for the Web zeroes in on this interesting pairing, illustrating practical application development possibilities using this popular duo.

The book is perfect for developers of Web sites running on Apache on Unix. Loyalties vary in terms of operating systems, Web servers, and scripting languages, but those who find their home in the Unix and Perl environments will find this book right up their alleys. The target audience is developers somewhat familiar with Perl and the Unix-based Web server environment, but you'll find the book illustrative even if your knowledge is sketchy.

After showing how to make database connections using Perl and MySQL, author Paul DuBois dives into some useful real-world examples to help you build your skills. He shows how to implement a simple to-do list application, an online product registration site, contests, online polls, image databases, an online greeting card service, and more. There is also excellent coverage of search facilities and session management.

The sample code for the applications in this text is presented in small pieces in context with the discussion; most of the space is devoted to explanations of the issues and implementation. All of the code is available, however, from the book's companion Web site. This tutorial is an excellent way for Perl developers to move to the next level of development and make the most of some powerful, free tools. --Stephen W. Plain