Getting started with Perl scripting

Interpreter:

The interpreter is the "engine" that executes scripts.
Download ActiveState's ActivePerl.

Development software:

EDIT (MS-DOS), Notepad (Windows), E (OS/2), or any other ASCII editor will do.
Basically, a Perl script is just an ASCII text file with a ".pl" extension, containing the Perl code.
A more "advanced" editor or IDE does help make scripting a lot easier.

Help files:

Available as online web manual.

Books:

I compiled a "list" of books on Perl scripting, and there are many more available.

Samples:

Start by examining sample Perl scripts and exploring other Perl related sites.

Newsgroups:

• PerlMonks.org
• ActiveState forums