Your desktop dictionary may not include it, but 'munging' is a common term in the programmer’s world. Many computing tasks require taking data from one computer system, manipulating it in some way, and passing it to another. Munging can mean manipulating raw data to achieve a final form. It can mean parsing or filtering data, or the many steps required for data recognition. Or it can be something as simple as converting hours worked plus pay rates into a salary cheque.

This book shows you how to process data productively with Perl. It discusses general munging techniques and how to think about data munging problems. You will learn how to decouple the various stages of munging programs, how to design data structures, how to emulate the Unix filter model, etc. If you need to work with complex data formats it will teach you how to do that and also how to build your own tools to process these formats. The book includes detailed techniques for processing HTML and XML. And, it shows you how to build your own parsers to process data of arbitrary complexity.

If you are a programmer who munges data, this book will save you time. It will teach you systematic and powerful techniques using Perl. If you are not a Perl programmer, this book may just convince you to add Perl to your repertoire.

What’s inside:

Using CPAN modules like Number::Format, Date::Manip, Text::CSV_XS
Making your code concise using Perl’s special variables (like $/, $” and $_)
Building data parsers using Parse::RecDescent
Processing of HTML and XML

�ber die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Dave Cross is the owner and Managing Director of Magnum Solutions Ltd., an internet and database consultancy based in London. He has 12 years' experience working in the IT industry. He is an active member of the Perl community, the founder of the London Perl Mongers, and is also a regular columist for Perlmonth, the online Perl magazine.

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