me talking out loud

Found this article through planet MySQL. In it he goes over 4 different “types” of abstraction layers that typically are collectively called a “database abstraction layer” - though they are very different from one another. I found it an interesting read.

His 4 types:

1. A software library to connect to a database server and issue queries, fetch results etc.
2. A software library to present a common API to different database servers.
3. A software library to automatically generate portable SQL queries.
4. A software library to map Object-Oriented Programming to a relational database (Object-Relational Mapping, or ORM)

While reading through Perl Monks a while ago I found this thread. It deals with who exactly owns the code your write - on and OFF working hours. Reading it REALLY made me nervous. Granted I haven’t written anything worthwhile - but the idea that my company can own EVERYTHING I have EVER written while employed is just plain old wrong. I think I need to talk to my boss about this and get it straightened out and on paper.

Well since I have been offically taken off of my latest project - I decided to turn my hand to something else in Perl to try to use these new skills. Was doing pretty well got the CGI module to work and then - I hit a bump in the road. Go to Perl Monks and seek their wisdom for this little problem. So far - all their suggestions haven’t worked. Guess I have to wait a little longer and see .

My biggest problem seems to be the error message returned doesn’t (at least to me) give me any information I can work with. Hate waiting around.

So much for just taking a week on “Learning Perl” . I have to admit that it has been time well spent though. I am almost done with it (about 5 more chapters left) and feel much stronger in Perl. To say it is very different than any other language I have ever used is an understatement, but it is similar enough that I “think” I’m picking it up pretty well. Will finish those chapters and go back to trying the MUA. Wish me luck.

I have never been so frustrated as I am now. Trying to learn Perl and fighting with the module documentation is driving me crazy. I thought I had the beginnings of an MUA a while ago using the module POP3Client. Guess not since I get locked out of my email box everytime I try to access it with the script (first time works - every time after that locks). And no - the module doesn’t use flock on the box. Something about the script is triggering the lock.

Started to look into MIME-Tools just out of blind frustration… And the docs have my head spinning. Figured it was time to go to the basics (since I was having problems doing the basic stuff like looking for the inbox.lock file and deleting it - ended up just using a PHP script to do it).

So far just reading the first chapter of “Learning Perl” has helped alot in clarifying things - and that is simply a language summery chapter. I think I’m going to need at least a week to get my metaphoric feet under me with Perl before I’ll try the MUA again. Hopefully I won’t be so incredibly ignorant by then - just mostly.

Maybe one of these days I’ll learn to look before I leap - but where is the fun in that.

Well I managed to get my first Perl script (written completely by me) working. It is only a sad little static web page, but it runs. Woohoo. Now I just have to make it actually do something. Maybe a form next…. hmmm. Then it will be time to move on to the mail modules. Talk about jumping from the frying pan into the fire! Sink or Swim - seem to be in this situation alot when I code. Such is life.

OK - I have been told to research the Perl modules - again for email purposes (I am coming to hate email).
Specifications:

1. must be capable of multiple languages (Japanese and English)
2. must be capable of reading and writing MIME emails.
3. must be capable of accessing the mail box and sending an email

Possible solutions I have come up with:

1. MIME::Tools - everything I should supposedly need but seems kinda bloated
2. MIME::Lite (used to write and send emails) with Mail::Box (access and parse emails)

Can any one think of any other modules I should look at - or possible solutions I can use? Which of my 2 solutions do you like better?

Worst part - all this can be done with PHP… and yet they want to use perl. What are they thinking?

Yes I am a PHP programmer! Work and my own curiosity send me to check out perl and it’s capabilities though. First impression - very confusing, with a steep learning curve. Hell it took me ~3 hours to just figure out the difference between an array, a list and a hash (an associative array in PHP). Though I am still slightly confused over the difference between a list and an array (a list is a finite thing while an array is more dynamic - I think). I have “Learning Perl”, “Programming Perl” and the “Perl Cookbook” ordered and am waiting for them to show up. Hopefully it will clarify some things for me. Figure since I have to look into it for work I might as well take advantage of the situation and actually learn it. Can’t hurt anything and will probably come in handy in my career. I love PHP and will always prefer it - but having another tool in the toolbelt doesn’t hurt.

Work wants me to look into using perl in regards to email. I have been looking at CPAN and think I have found a module that will work for what they want me to do. Now just to figure out 1) how to get it 2) how to use it and 3) how to write the code to do what work needs.

I’m sure I’ll be more then a little bit frustrated the next couple weeks/months doing this. Wish me luck.