This edition teaches the basics of Perl using lessons and real-world examples. It also provides an advanced treatment of Perl's use in information processing. Covering both UNIX and Windows 95/NT, the book begins with a description of the Perl language and gradually progresses to explain how it is used for Internet and Web programming. Appendices include the resources of the Comprehensive Perl Archive Network and a glossary of Perl terms. The book covers version 5.003. Perl is a freely distributed scription and general-purpose programming language that has become very popular as a systems administration and Internet programming tool. It has been described as the Swiss-Army chain saw of UNIX tools, but over time has become the language of choice among system administrators for quickly cobbling together utility programs. The dramatic popularity of the Internet and World Wide Web has pushed Perl into the forefront of professional programming. Much of the back-end processing on Web servers is done with CGI scripts written in Perl. Its rising use in mission-critical applications, ranging from financial transactions to aeronautical design has transformed Perl from a simple programming tool to a means for obtaining dynamic data and printing out easily formatted reports. Perl currently runs on DOS, Macintosh, Amiga, VMS, OS/2, Windows and many flavours of UNIX.