Rating: 
Summary: This is the most important book in my library (of over 300)
Review: Like many others, I wish I'd seen this book long ago.The attention to detail and accuracy of the examples is just incredible! This is by far the most used reference book in my library. After repeatedly having to tape the book together, I finally gave it away and bought a new one. Following his examples eliminates many potential pitfalls that would otherwise result in hours of troubleshooting. I can't imagine how I would have ever learned this information without the expert advice of the author, Paul DuBois. His coverage of CGI.pm is essential as well as his list of other books to read. I think I have all his other books as well. He even returned email almost immediately! My only complaint is that it isn't bound in leather!
Rating:
Summary: This is the most important book in my library (of over 300)
Review: Like many others, I wish I'd seen this book long ago. The attention to detail and accuracy of the examples is just incredible! This is by far the most used reference book in my library. After repeatedly having to tape the book together, I finally gave it away and bought a new one. Following his examples eliminates many potential pitfalls that would otherwise result in hours of troubleshooting. I can't imagine how I would have ever learned this information without the expert advice of the author, Paul DuBois. His coverage of CGI.pm is essential as well as his list of other books to read. I think I have all his other books as well. He even returned email almost immediately! My only complaint is that it isn't bound in leather!
Rating: 
Summary: Mysql and Perl for the Web --fills a gap
Review: Mysql and Perl for the Web by Paul Dubois gives you the tools and concepts needed to transit from a basic knowledge of Perl and Mysql to actually getting the two working together in harmony. Most of what is covered in this book can be found on the web and in mail archives BUT be prepared for many many hours of scouring obscure sites, trying not-so-hot code and out dated examples. I began working with Perl many years ago, but only in the last 2 years have I been using Perl and Mysql in production web sites. The first thought that came to mind when I thumbed through this book was 'Man I wish I had seen this book a year and a half a go'. Most of the solutions presented I have figured out myself, but after a long time of head banging and trial and error. I've been going through my code and comparing it the methods and examples found in this book and have been able to make many improvements. The writing is clear and code examples evolve with the concepts presented. You should have a basic understanding of Perl before digging into this book, or at least have a good Perl reference book handy. You can also download (and try out) scripts and libraries (...) I do wish I'd seen this book a year or so ago. It would have saved me a lot of time and effort. -Z
Rating:
Summary: Excellent reference for MySQL and Perl
Review: MySQL and Perl for the Web by Paul DuBois is one of those slap your forehead, "I wish I had this X months ago" books. A splendid book that fills a real void. Though not for total beginners - have Paul's excellent previous book "MySQL", as well as the some reference like the Camel book handy if you have little or no background in MySQL or Perl - it is written in a concise, easy to read manner that allows one to fully understand what each application does and how the examples could be the basis for use in their own code. In addition, it's a fine repository of tips, and not all are limited to MySQL and Perl. For example, the section on configuring Apache for secure connections using mod_ssl and OpenSSL, could easily save a newbie seeking SSL knowledge hours of research over many sites and through many README's. Each chapter builds on the examples of the previous, from the simple to the complex. The book covers, amongst other subjects ... Form generation and design
Processing forms
Using e-mail to enhance your web site
Storing and retrieving images
The use of MySQL to power your forms
Effective MySQL table design
Automating form handling
Generating form elements from tables
Forms navigation
Forms error handling
Advanced MySQL statements
Indexing and searching your data
Intermediate to advanced Perl usage
Session Management
Maintenance techniques with sessions
Security and privacy, both remotely and locally
Writing secure applications
E-commerce applications
Implementing different payment collection techniques In other words, it touches on just about every aspect someone looking to leverage MySQL and Perl for web development could want, all in a single source. I learned a lot from this book and think it's easily worth the price.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent reference for MySQL and Perl
Review: MySQL and Perl for the Web by Paul DuBois is one of those slap your forehead, "I wish I had this X months ago" books. A splendid book that fills a real void. Though not for total beginners - have Paul's excellent previous book "MySQL", as well as the some reference like the Camel book handy if you have little or no background in MySQL or Perl - it is written in a concise, easy to read manner that allows one to fully understand what each application does and how the examples could be the basis for use in their own code. In addition, it's a fine repository of tips, and not all are limited to MySQL and Perl. For example, the section on configuring Apache for secure connections using mod_ssl and OpenSSL, could easily save a newbie seeking SSL knowledge hours of research over many sites and through many README's. Each chapter builds on the examples of the previous, from the simple to the complex. The book covers, amongst other subjects ... Form generation and design
Processing forms
Using e-mail to enhance your web site
Storing and retrieving images
The use of MySQL to power your forms
Effective MySQL table design
Automating form handling
Generating form elements from tables
Forms navigation
Forms error handling
Advanced MySQL statements
Indexing and searching your data
Intermediate to advanced Perl usage
Session Management
Maintenance techniques with sessions
Security and privacy, both remotely and locally
Writing secure applications
E-commerce applications
Implementing different payment collection techniques In other words, it touches on just about every aspect someone looking to leverage MySQL and Perl for web development could want, all in a single source. I learned a lot from this book and think it's easily worth the price.
Rating:
Summary: MySQL + Perl = Wonderful tool
Review: Paul, another wonderfully written book. Both open source technologies are very widely used these days. After reading this book, you get the feeling that they are almost made for each other. This is a must have for anyone developing web apps with Perl and MySQL back end.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book on both MySQL and Perl.
Review: There are plenty of books about MySQL and PHP in bookstores. Yet, I still prefer Perl as my web page languages, thanks to its powerful regex and the similarity to C grammar (Some functions have exactly the same name and take the same arguments as in C).
For web applications, a backend database is necessary (MySQL). But how to access and operate on these dabatases? Perl comes into scene at this point.
I don't understand why people write so many books on PHP and MySQL, and so few on Perl and MySQL. Up to now, Paul's book is the only one I ever saw to cover both MySQL and Perl's application in web pages.
Paul's method is step by step, and the examples are not trivial ones. And he clearly explained the critical parts of his code. He even wrote some packages which can be used as library.
Before reading his book, I feel curious how the dynamic web pages work. Now, after finishing his book, I can understand how a commercial site such as Amazon works.
Finally, I recommend this book be bought with the other title by Paul - "MySQL". This is the book dedicated to MySQL language. It is a good companion to "MySQL and Perl for the Web".
Rating:
Summary: a solid practicum for beginners
Review: This book covers timely material in a casual, conversational style. I'd recommend it to the working programmer with basic knowledge of Perl and exposure to web and database concepts but no experience in writing database-backed web applications. Unfortunately (perhaps unavoidably) the book repeats much of the information found in man pages and earlier books, and somebody with 6 months or more of experience writing web applications is unlikely to find more than the odd tidbit from this book. Beginners to the subject will find it much more valuable.
Rating:
Summary: All around must have.
Review: This book has quickly become part of my "at arms length" books. This book finds that rare zone between readability and technical data. In other words, it's a good read, and you get useful information from it.
This book is good for both people already experienced in Perl and MySQL, but is also well suited for those who are relatively new to one or both of the subjects. I now am using this book to help step up several friends in their understanding of this type of development, with great success.
Rating:
Summary: Good starting point for beginning Perl/MySQL programming
Review: This book provides some solid example applications that the reader can use as is, or better yet, expand upon to add some nice features to their public web site or private intranet site. The book also provides some useful information on using mod_perl and creating your own Perl modules. This book is the "tutorial volume" that should be placed along side Paul's other book "MySQL", the "reference volume", in all Perl/MySQL programmers personal libraries.
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