[9759] in Perl-Users-Digest
Perl-Users Digest, Issue: 3352 Volume: 8
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Perl-Users Digest)
Wed Aug 5 04:06:10 1998
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 98 01:00:36 -0700
From: Perl-Users Digest <Perl-Users-Request@ruby.OCE.ORST.EDU>
To: Perl-Users@ruby.OCE.ORST.EDU (Perl-Users Digest)
Perl-Users Digest Wed, 5 Aug 1998 Volume: 8 Number: 3352
Today's topics:
Re: ActivePerl 5.005 and missing Win32:Ole <hangtown_nospam@thelostweb.com>
Re: ActiveState Perlscript <hangtown_nospam@thelostweb.com>
Re: Cheapest Win32 5.005 build <snif@xs4all.nonono.nl>
Re: Cheapest Win32 5.005 build <snif@xs4all.nonono.nl>
Re: Cheapest Win32 5.005 build <snif@xs4all.nonono.nl>
Re: Cheapest Win32 5.005 build <snif@xs4all.nonono.nl>
Re: comp.lang.perl.announce redux <jimbo@soundimages.co.uk>
Re: comp.lang.perl.announce redux <jimbo@soundimages.co.uk>
Re: comp.lang.perl.announce redux <jimbo@soundimages.co.uk>
Re: GD.pm and Win95 problem <aspinelli@ismes.it>
Re: Getting some weird problems. (-)
Re: Has anyone used the POP3 module ? (-)
Re: hiding user input <danboo@negia.net>
Re: hiding user input <hangtown_nospam@thelostweb.com>
Re: hiding user input <hangtown_nospam@thelostweb.com>
Re: How to write a UNIX command line script which acces (-)
Packages must be installed using ppm.pl <pep_mico@hp.com>
Re: Perl Counter <kims@tip.net.au>
Re: perl5.005 threads: Where's the priority? (Ilya Zakharevich)
please critique my calendar (Peter J. Schoenster)
Re: Problems with File::Find (Mark Thompson)
Re: Problems with File::Find (Mark Thompson)
Re: Processing on email recv (-)
Re: Security in PERL (Alexander Weaver)
Re: seeing if a file exists. <hangtown_nospam@thelostweb.com>
Re: Wanted AWK To Perl Translater A2P.exe for cygnus/WI <sulmona@teleport.com>
Re: WANTED: Perl Autoreponder - Any Takers? (-)
Re: Win32::Registry module missing <pep_mico@hp.com>
wtf is the obsession with "foo" and "bar" <kims@tip.net.au>
Re: wtf is the obsession with "foo" and "bar" (Craig Berry)
Special: Digest Administrivia (Last modified: 12 Mar 98 (Perl-Users-Digest Admin)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 01:03:06 -0700
From: "Scott Willsey" <hangtown_nospam@thelostweb.com>
Subject: Re: ActivePerl 5.005 and missing Win32:Ole
Message-Id: <35c81083.0@calwebnnrp>
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
------=_NextPart_000_0055_01BDC00C.CDDC4F70
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charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
It seems to be a problem with the distribution files. Copy the OLE.pm =
and the Registry.pm files from the old install to the 5.005 install and =
it should work fine.
Regards,
Scott
Pep Mico <pep_mico@hp.com> wrote in message =
35C45093.76291208@hp.com...
Hi,=20
I just downloaded the latest release of Activestate, "ActivePerl" =
5.005 modules. But all my scripts that has the entry USE Win32:OLE =
does't work.=20
After a little investigation I've seen that OLE.PM file are not =
included. It's normal? Should I change my=20
Scripts or is a problem with the distribution file?=20
To fix this problem I installed back previous release, a Beta release =
5.00471 that works correctly.=20
=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=20
This is my current version (perl -v)=20
This is perl, version 5.005 built for MSWin32-x86-object=20
Copyright 1987-1998, Larry Wall=20
Binary build provided by ActiveState Tool Corp. =
http://www.ActiveState.com=20
Built 10:56:51 Jul 28 1998=20
=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=20
And this is the error that produces a file that only contais the =
following line "use Win32::OLE"=20
Can't locate Win32/ole.pm in @INC (@INC contains: =
C:\Perl\5.005\lib/MSWin32-x86-object C:\Perl\5.005\lib =
C:\Perl\site\5.005\lib/MSWin32-x86-object C:\Perl\site\5.005\lib =
C:\Perl\site\lib .) at C:\USERS\DEFAULT\activeperl\sample.pl line 2.=20
BEGIN failed--compilation aborted at =
C:\USERS\DEFAULT\activeperl\sample.pl line 2.=20
Regards=20
pep_mico@hp.com=20
=20
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charset="iso-8859-1"
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<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN">
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<META content=3Dtext/html;charset=3Diso-8859-1 =
http-equiv=3DContent-Type><HTML>
<META content=3D'"MSHTML 5.00.0518.7"' name=3DGENERATOR>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#bad5e2>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial size=3D2>It seems to be a =
problem with the=20
distribution files. Copy the OLE.pm and the Registry.pm files from =
the old=20
install to the 5.005 install and it should work fine.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial size=3D2>Regards,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial size=3D2>Scott</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE=20
style=3D"BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: =
5px">
<DIV>Pep Mico <<A =
href=3D"mailto:pep_mico@hp.com">pep_mico@hp.com</A>>=20
wrote in message <A=20
=
href=3D"mailto:35C45093.76291208@hp.com">35C45093.76291208@hp.com</A>...<=
/DIV>
<P>Hi,=20
<P>I just downloaded the latest release of Activestate, =
"ActivePerl"=20
5.005 modules. But all my scripts that has the entry USE Win32:OLE =
does't=20
work. <BR>After a little investigation I've seen that OLE.PM file are =
not=20
included. It's normal? Should I change my <BR>Scripts or is a problem =
with the=20
distribution file?=20
<P>To fix this problem I installed back previous release, a Beta =
release=20
5.00471 that works correctly.=20
=
<BR>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=20
<BR><B>This is my current version (perl -v)</B> <BR>This is perl, =
version=20
5.005 built for MSWin32-x86-object=20
<P>Copyright 1987-1998, Larry Wall=20
<P>Binary build provided by ActiveState Tool Corp. <A=20
href=3D"http://www.ActiveState.com">http://www.ActiveState.com</A> =
<BR>Built=20
10:56:51 Jul 28 1998 =
<BR>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=20
<BR><B>And this is the error that produces a file that only contais =
the=20
following line "use Win32::OLE"</B>=20
<P>Can't locate Win32/ole.pm in @INC (@INC contains:=20
C:\Perl\5.005\lib/MSWin32-x86-object C:\Perl\5.005\lib=20
C:\Perl\site\5.005\lib/MSWin32-x86-object C:\Perl\site\5.005\lib=20
C:\Perl\site\lib .) at C:\USERS\DEFAULT\activeperl\sample.pl line 2. =
<BR>BEGIN=20
failed--compilation aborted at C:\USERS\DEFAULT\activeperl\sample.pl =
line 2.=20
<P>Regards <BR><A href=3D"mailto:pep_mico@hp.com">pep_mico@hp.com</A> =
<BR> =20
</P></BLOCKQUOTE>
</BODY></HTML>
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 00:59:41 -0700
From: "Scott Willsey" <hangtown_nospam@thelostweb.com>
Subject: Re: ActiveState Perlscript
Message-Id: <35c80fb5.0@calwebnnrp>
Christopher Bradford <bradford@aliveonline.com> wrote in message
PnTw1.4961$XM4.13284880@news.rdc1.md.home.com...
>Has anyone used ActiveState's Perlscript? Any success in getting it to
work
>over the web (there is a registry key, apparently, that limits Perlscript
to
>the local machine). What do I need to change to get this to work?
>
>
Christopher, forgive me for sounding stupid, but I'm not sure what you mean
by "work over the web"? Are you talking about using it for client-side
scripting?
I have ActivePerl 5.005 installed, which includes PerlScript. After
installing the Registry.pm and OLE.pm files, which they somehow forgot were
important, it works great. I wrote a couple test active server pages and
they work fine. Since it's server-side scripting, it works on any browser
for anyone who hits that page.
I haven't played with it much yet, and it's been awhile since I've done
anything in Perl, and even then I was a novice, but if you need any more
details about ActivePerl, please let me know and I'll do the best I can.
Scott
......................................................................
Please edit the email address to reply
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 07:53:59 +0200
From: "Jonkers" <snif@xs4all.nonono.nl>
Subject: Re: Cheapest Win32 5.005 build
Message-Id: <6q8s09$pmm$1@news.gns.getronics.nl>
Brent Michalski wrote in message <35C72C64.253C185C@inlink.com>...
>Jonkers wrote:
>>
>> Brent Michalski wrote in message <35C6F516.1BE83DA8@inlink.com>...
>> >I may be missing something, but do you realize that you can get Perl
>> >5.005 already compiled for FREE!
^^^^^^^^^ we're looking for a compiled Win32
version
<snip>
>> But the "Gurusamy Sarathy's binary version of Perl" (=bindist) is still
>> perl5.00402-bindist04-bc.zip (at least on my mirror
>> ftp://ftp.cs.ruu.nl/pub/PERL/CPAN/ports/win32/Standard/x86 )
>>
>> Sander
>
>
>My CPAN
>mirror,(http://www.perl.com/CPAN-local/ports/win32/Standard/x86/), has
>the following links:
>
> perl5.005-beta1-VMS-1..16-Jul-98 14:52 1k
> perl5.005-beta1-dec_o..16-Jul-98 14:52 4k
...<snip>...
> perl5.005_50.tar.gz 26-Jul-98 05:20 3.6M
So, as far as I can see, not a compiled ready-to-run bindist executable
win32 perl.exe from Perl 5.005 in this directory.
People without a C compiler can't use the Perl source code. They want the
compiled
version.
Sander
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 07:53:59 +0200
From: "Jonkers" <snif@xs4all.nonono.nl>
Subject: Re: Cheapest Win32 5.005 build
Message-Id: <6q8s2c$pmu$1@news.gns.getronics.nl>
Brent Michalski wrote in message <35C72C64.253C185C@inlink.com>...
>Jonkers wrote:
>>
>> Brent Michalski wrote in message <35C6F516.1BE83DA8@inlink.com>...
>> >I may be missing something, but do you realize that you can get Perl
>> >5.005 already compiled for FREE!
^^^^^^^^^ we're looking for a compiled Win32
version
<snip>
>> But the "Gurusamy Sarathy's binary version of Perl" (=bindist) is still
>> perl5.00402-bindist04-bc.zip (at least on my mirror
>> ftp://ftp.cs.ruu.nl/pub/PERL/CPAN/ports/win32/Standard/x86 )
>>
>> Sander
>
>
>My CPAN
>mirror,(http://www.perl.com/CPAN-local/ports/win32/Standard/x86/), has
>the following links:
>
> perl5.005-beta1-VMS-1..16-Jul-98 14:52 1k
> perl5.005-beta1-dec_o..16-Jul-98 14:52 4k
...<snip>...
> perl5.005_50.tar.gz 26-Jul-98 05:20 3.6M
So, as far as I can see, not a compiled ready-to-run bindist executable
win32 perl.exe from Perl 5.005 in this directory.
People without a C compiler can't use the Perl source code. They want the
compiled
version.
Sander
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 07:53:59 +0200
From: "Jonkers" <snif@xs4all.nonono.nl>
Subject: Re: Cheapest Win32 5.005 build
Message-Id: <6q8sah$pqt$1@news.gns.getronics.nl>
Brent Michalski wrote in message <35C72C64.253C185C@inlink.com>...
>Jonkers wrote:
>>
>> Brent Michalski wrote in message <35C6F516.1BE83DA8@inlink.com>...
>> >I may be missing something, but do you realize that you can get Perl
>> >5.005 already compiled for FREE!
^^^^^^^^^ we're looking for a compiled Win32
version
<snip>
>> But the "Gurusamy Sarathy's binary version of Perl" (=bindist) is still
>> perl5.00402-bindist04-bc.zip (at least on my mirror
>> ftp://ftp.cs.ruu.nl/pub/PERL/CPAN/ports/win32/Standard/x86 )
>>
>> Sander
>
>
>My CPAN
>mirror,(http://www.perl.com/CPAN-local/ports/win32/Standard/x86/), has
>the following links:
>
> perl5.005-beta1-VMS-1..16-Jul-98 14:52 1k
> perl5.005-beta1-dec_o..16-Jul-98 14:52 4k
...<snip>...
> perl5.005_50.tar.gz 26-Jul-98 05:20 3.6M
So, as far as I can see, not a compiled ready-to-run bindist executable
win32 perl.exe from Perl 5.005 in this directory.
People without a C compiler can't use the Perl source code. They want the
compiled
version.
Sander
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 07:53:59 +0200
From: "Jonkers" <snif@xs4all.nonono.nl>
Subject: Re: Cheapest Win32 5.005 build
Message-Id: <6q8son$q1c$1@news.gns.getronics.nl>
Brent Michalski wrote in message <35C72C64.253C185C@inlink.com>...
>Jonkers wrote:
>>
>> Brent Michalski wrote in message <35C6F516.1BE83DA8@inlink.com>...
>> >I may be missing something, but do you realize that you can get Perl
>> >5.005 already compiled for FREE!
^^^^^^^^^ we're looking for a compiled Win32
version
<snip>
>> But the "Gurusamy Sarathy's binary version of Perl" (=bindist) is still
>> perl5.00402-bindist04-bc.zip (at least on my mirror
>> ftp://ftp.cs.ruu.nl/pub/PERL/CPAN/ports/win32/Standard/x86 )
>>
>> Sander
>
>
>My CPAN
>mirror,(http://www.perl.com/CPAN-local/ports/win32/Standard/x86/), has
>the following links:
>
> perl5.005-beta1-VMS-1..16-Jul-98 14:52 1k
> perl5.005-beta1-dec_o..16-Jul-98 14:52 4k
...<snip>...
> perl5.005_50.tar.gz 26-Jul-98 05:20 3.6M
So, as far as I can see, not a compiled ready-to-run bindist executable
win32 perl.exe from Perl 5.005 in this directory.
People without a C compiler can't use the Perl source code. They want the
compiled
version.
Sander
------------------------------
Date: 05 Aug 1998 08:18:07 +0100
From: Jim Brewer <jimbo@soundimages.co.uk>
Subject: Re: comp.lang.perl.announce redux
Message-Id: <u90l3aocw.fsf@jimbosntserver.soundimages.co.uk>
Lloyd Zusman <ljz@asfast.com> writes:
> > ++ Only that technology is spoken
> > ++ with English as a first language. Seems very reasonable to limit
> > ++ postings to only the "first" language of a particualr
> > ++ discipline. Including Perl. Including c.l.p.a.
> >
> > Seem totally unreasonable to me. First doesn't mean only.
>
> Again I agree. I don't see how you (Mr. Brewer) derive your
> conclusion that we should *limit* c.l.p.a postings to English from the
> initial premise that English is the "first" language of this
> discipline. Would you care to elaborate on your chain of reasoning?
Perhaps a better example comes from Germany's Fortune 500
equivalent. Based on the empirical evidence which clearly showed
English as THE language of business, these firms made the strategic
decision requiring all senior executives to speak ONLY English while
doing business. They felt that opportunities were being missed by
failing to use and understand the language of business, English. Today
these executives communicate using English, their 'first' language in
business, not German, their native language. This includes both
internal and external communication.
For Perl as well as technology in general, empirical evidence
indicates the very same conclusion: English is THE language of
technology, just as Randall pointed out. Yes, a tremendous body of
technology activity takes place in languages other than English, but
the fact remains, the working language of technology IS English.
Perhaps I can frame my 'chain of reasoning' thus: Just as
photographers have a wide choice of camera format and film type,
picture editors still require submissions to adhere to a particular
specification. This in no way limits the creative expression of the
photographer, only the 'language' in which his final expression must
be framed if publication is desired. That is ALL that Randall is
requiring. All submissions meet the specification required for
publication. The very simple specification being: All postings to be
submitted in the working language of the discipline to hand,
Technology.
Sure, you can get to a destination many ways. But to say that
Interstate 5 is not the main route between San Francisco and Los
Angeles seems myopic. Thus, in transportation terms, one could say
that Interstate 5 is the working language of the haulage business when
discussing lorry freight between San Francisco and Los
Angeles. Insisting all company drivers use Interstate 5 rather than
some other route of their choosing is a sensible decision, based on
empirical evidence.
Well, maybe I have, and maybe I have not, made may 'chain of
reasoning' clear or, even, reasonable. But like much of what passes
for content on this forum, it least it's off-topic, has nothing to do
with Perl, serves to stroke my ego, and indulge our shared passion for
trying getting one over on another poster. As well as show how clever
we are. Or are not, as the case may be.
Jim Brewer
------------------------------
Date: 05 Aug 1998 08:29:40 +0100
From: Jim Brewer <jimbo@soundimages.co.uk>
Subject: Re: comp.lang.perl.announce redux
Message-Id: <u7m0nantn.fsf@jimbosntserver.soundimages.co.uk>
fl_aggie@thepentagon.com (I R A Aggie) writes:
> Notice, tho, that the Camel wasn't translated into English.
I noticed that as well. I have also noticed very few Perl books
translated into English. I wonder why that is? No lack of demand
then.
I'm so glad this a Perl group. That means we don't actually have to
talk about Perl at all. Perl is just an entry point for what ever
takes ones fancy to dicuss.
I wonder what the weather's like this time of year for native speakers
of Swahili? Any takers?
Jim Brewer
------------------------------
Date: 05 Aug 1998 08:40:57 +0100
From: Jim Brewer <jimbo@soundimages.co.uk>
Subject: Re: comp.lang.perl.announce redux
Message-Id: <u67g7anau.fsf@jimbosntserver.soundimages.co.uk>
Tom Christiansen <tchrist@mox.perl.com> writes:
> and it still holds true. He is immorally using the moderatorship to
> advertise his own for-profit venture.
How's the cookbook Tom? You don't do the docs and FAQ just to keep in
the public eye. Oh, I forgot, your a non-profit venture. No conflict
then. Anyway, I'll still buy the cookbook. But at least I know you
don't get any money from it. I'll sleep easier knowing your muses are
purity and piety.
--
Jim Brewer
e-mailed courtesy copies are unappreciated, please refrain.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 05 Aug 1998 09:28:45 +0200
From: Andrea Spinelli <aspinelli@ismes.it>
To: aranya@my-dejanews.com
Subject: Re: GD.pm and Win95 problem
Message-Id: <35C809AD.EC5F8D17@ismes.it>
aranya@my-dejanews.com wrote:
> This is perl, version 5.003_07
>
> Copyright 1987-1996, Larry Wall
>
> + suidperl security patch
> Win32 port Copyright (c) 1995-1996 Microsoft Corporation.
> All rights reserved.
> Developed by ActiveWare Internet Corp., http://www.ActiveWare.com
>
> Perl for Win32 Build 310 - Built 19:24:08 Sep 4 1997
>
> ============ OUTPUT END =================
>
Go get a _real_ port, not the braindead ActiveState/Microsoft look-alike.
Seriously, download the port from /CPAN/ports. (perl 5.004_02 for win32 by
Gurusamy Sarathy). It's _definitely_ better.
It will take one hour of your time, but you will lose a lot less time in the
future.
For instance, TCP/IP does work on the real port and is broken
on ActiveStae's. I have used GD with the `good' port and works perfectly.
perl -v will say something like:
---
This is perl, version 5.004_02
Copyright 1987-1997, Larry Wall
Perl may be copied only under the terms of either the Artistic License or the
GNU General Public License, which may be found in the Perl 5.0 source kit.
---
Good luck!
Andrea Spinelli
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 04 Aug 1998 20:19:57 GMT
From: root.noharvest.\@not_even\here.com (-)
Subject: Re: Getting some weird problems.
Message-Id: <35c76c8e.59414708@news2.cais.com>
BJ Kim <benk@netscape.com> Said this:
>Basically, I'm using a perl script to change settings for a
>database-like software, restart the database, and add some entires.
>When I do this manually, everything works fine. I've narrowed it down
>to the fact that restarting the database using the script isn't working
>properly even though output is saying that the database is being
>restarted. I've used both system("command") and `command`. I'm sure I
>can't get any help with such limited information but maybe someone out
>there knows what's going on.
>
Just a shot in the dark.... when you run it from the command line you
are in the correct directory, but when you run it through cron or
whatever it is you are doing, it's "current directory" isn't the same.
Try using fully qualified paths to the commands,
`/home/user/blah/blah/command`;
for example.
Like I said, a shot in the dark.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 04 Aug 1998 15:05:21 GMT
From: root.noharvest.\@not_even\here.com (-)
Subject: Re: Has anyone used the POP3 module ?
Message-Id: <35c7211b.40339598@news2.cais.com>
Alan Silver <alan@find-it.furryferret.uk.com> Said this:
>In article <35c607db.78749411@news2.cais.com>, root. noharvest. <?@?.?>
>writes
>
>The problem is that my ISP won't do this. He says that a .forward file
>wouldn't work (don't know if this is true or an excuse) and that I would
>have to have virtual mailboxes set up. These (naturally) cost money. As
>far as the aliases files goes, I think that is a system file, as opposed
>to a personal file for me, so again he probably wouldn't agree to
>changing it for me.
Figures. Some ISPs aren't being run by "traditional" unix admins, so
they have all these mythical beliefs about security and what works and
what doesn't. Other ISPs think nothing of allowing .forward files,
adding and changing aliases, etc. I suppose it's a random thing? ;)
>
>>
>>There's so much you can do once you've told sendmail to pipe the
>>message to an executable - you can set up "auto-reply" or send the
>>message to anyone, anywhere, or write it to another file, or whatever.
>>
>
>I'm not sure I understand this bit. Please could you explain it a bit
>more. Remember I am talking about incoming mail, so where does sendmail
>come into it ?
>
Sendmail comes into it because that is the MTA - mail transfer agent -
the program that actually accepts incoming mail and sends outgoing
mail. POP3 is merely an interface between your mail client and the
mail spool (/var/spool/mail/username). If you can telnet into your
ISP's machine, type "cd /var/spool/mail" and see if you can find your
mailbox, it should be a file with your login name as it's name. Some
ISPs are too large to keep all of them in one directory, though.
If .forward files worked on your ISP's network, you could place one in
your home directory that can point to another program that would be
executed by sendmail instead of writing the incoming message to your
mail spool file (/var/spool/mail/username). What happens when
sendmail recieves a message, it first checks it's internal
configurations (aliases, domainaliases, .cf files, etc) then it
checks the recipient's home directory for .forward (and .vacation I
think) - if that file is present, it uses the instructions inside it
to handle the message. So, in .forward you can tell it to pipe to a
simple perl script, which can determine how to deal with the message
based on subject, sender, recipient, or even the body of the message,
or whatever.
The simplest to do is an auto-reply - just create a new message
addressed to the person who sent the message.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 05 Aug 1998 02:06:49 -0400
From: Dan Boorstein <danboo@negia.net>
Subject: Re: hiding user input
Message-Id: <35C7F678.5E655187@negia.net>
Greg Bacon wrote:
>
> You're morbidly wrong. If someone is too lazy to check the FAQ, they
> have no business posting.
>
> If all you're going to talk about is advocating giving this group over
> to FAQs, then you should shut the fuck up.
In article <6h8cdr$nkk$1@info.uah.edu>,
gbacon@cs.uah.edu (Greg Bacon) writes:
> When the new group is in place, I promise never again to bitch about
> someone asking a FAQ on comp.lang.perl.misc. :-)
since i've seen posts attributed to you in "the new group" (i.e.,
comp.lang.perl.moderated), i'm going to assume that you are aware
that it "is in place".
now, this is where i get confused. one of the following is likely to
be true (at least from your POV), but i don't know which:
1. you were merely joking, and attempted to indicate this with an
emoticon. if so, you fooled me, and i am disappointed. the end.
2. if you were not joking then you have either broken your promise
which leaves me disappointed yet again, but hopeful that you will
stand by your word from here on, or. . .
3. . . .you don't think that you are currently bitching. if this is
the case then one of us does not understand the phrase "to bitch".
( i'd present a dictionary definition of "bitch" here, but previously
i've been admonished for attempting to define the keywords of a
discussion in this forum. ;)
*sigh*, i wonder if c.l.p.moderated got any votes from people who
thought that a vote for moderation was a vote for the end of
FAQ (bash|bitch)ing in c.l.p.misc.
--
Dan Boorstein home: danboo@negia.net work: danboo@y-dna.com
"THERE IS AS YET INSUFFICIENT DATA FOR A MEANINGFUL ANSWER."
- Cosmic AC
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 00:13:24 -0700
From: "Scott Willsey" <hangtown_nospam@thelostweb.com>
Subject: Re: hiding user input
Message-Id: <35c804dd.0@calwebnnrp>
Gary L. Burnore <gburnore@databasix.com> wrote in message
35c22bf3.64588375@nntpd.databasix.com...
>
>It's not sexist. Men can be bitches too.
>
Not the ones I hang around...
Scott
......................................................................
Please edit the email address to reply
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 00:18:53 -0700
From: "Scott Willsey" <hangtown_nospam@thelostweb.com>
Subject: Re: hiding user input
Message-Id: <35c80626.0@calwebnnrp>
Gary L. Burnore <gburnore@databasix.com> wrote in message
35c5db8a.17567593@nntpd.databasix.com...
>
>I do not consider netcom and comp groups to be the same thing. Nor alt
groups
>and comp groups. Comp groups are quite a different animal. Note that even
the
>two "you know who's" don't come treading into comp groups.
>
It's not the same thing being a jerk when I want to, where I want to, but
when someone ELSE does it, WELL!!
Give it up, Gary. I agree with you that being a jerk to newbies doesn't
help, but the fact is, as long as newbies rudely ask things they should know
better than to ask, the experts will rudely reply in a fashion they should
know better to reply in.
To a point, you can't keep answering the same things over and over and
over...
Scott
......................................................................
Please edit the email address to reply
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 04 Aug 1998 17:31:04 GMT
From: root.noharvest.\@not_even\here.com (-)
Subject: Re: How to write a UNIX command line script which accesses remote web sites.
Message-Id: <35c744dc.49454661@news2.cais.com>
Jim Michael <jim.michael@gecm.com> Said this:
>Erik Kleinbussink wrote:
>>
>> I am looking for advice on how to write a command line web access
>> script.
>>
>> The basic need is to automate a mobilecomm pager by using
>> www.mobilecomm.com's paging website without using an interactive web
>> browser to
>> send an alphanumeric page.
>
>Simple, just use the LWP module and send your get or post to the
>mobilecomm web server. You may have to dissect their web page to see
>which parameters to pass. A good reference is 'Web Client Programming
>with Perl' isbn=156592214x. HTH.
>
But since you have all unix machines available, and probably aren't
concerned with cross-platform compatibility, the easiest thing to do
is simply invoke lynx from within your perl script (or even a simple
shell script).
in perl, you can do this:
$result = `lynx http://www.mobilecomm.com/whatever`;
or to get the source code and not the formatted output:
$result = `lynx -source http://www.mobilecomm.com/whatever`;
Sure, you can use LWP, but if your needs are simple, this works great.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 05 Aug 1998 09:47:18 +0200
From: Pep Mico <pep_mico@hp.com>
To: grehom@my-dejanews.com
Subject: Packages must be installed using ppm.pl
Message-Id: <35C80E06.A593584B@hp.com>
Hi, I just received answer from ActiveState, it seems that Packages must be
installed using ppm.pl script.
You need to install the OLE package.
With your internet connection active, run ppm.pl in your ActiveState's bin
directory, and type "install Win32-OLE". This is how you install modules and
packages available for ActivePerl.
Pete (David Grove)
pete@ActiveState.com
ActiveState Tool Corp. - Professional Tools for Perl Developers
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
grehom@my-dejanews.com wrote:
> I got just the same error - the funny thing was the program I was trying to
> run with ActivePerl 5.005 was their Perl Debugger!! Not greatly amused
> especially since the 5.00402 core release worked just fine with and without
> the debugger. Come on Active .... test your software before you waste
> thousands of man hours
>
> In article <35C45093.76291208@hp.com>,
> Pep Mico <pep_mico@hp.com> wrote:
> >
> > --------------DF4C0EC978E0358E6222E419
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> > Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I just downloaded the latest release of Activestate, "ActivePerl" 5.005
> > modules. But all my scripts that has the entry USE Win32:OLE does't
> > work.
> > After a little investigation I've seen that OLE.PM file are not
> > included. It's normal? Should I change my
> > Scripts or is a problem with the distribution file?
> >
> > To fix this problem I installed back previous release, a Beta release
> > 5.00471 that works correctly.
> > ================================================================
> > This is my current version (perl -v)
> > This is perl, version 5.005 built for MSWin32-x86-object
> >
> > Copyright 1987-1998, Larry Wall
> >
> > Binary build provided by ActiveState Tool Corp.
> > http://www.ActiveState.com
> > Built 10:56:51 Jul 28 1998
> > ====================================================
> > And this is the error that produces a file that only contais the
> > following line "use Win32::OLE"
> >
> > Can't locate Win32/ole.pm in @INC (@INC contains:
> > C:\Perl\5.005\lib/MSWin32-x86-object C:\Perl\5.005\lib
> > C:\Perl\site\5.005\lib/MSWin32-x86-object C:\Perl\site\5.005\lib
> > C:\Perl\site\lib .) at C:\USERS\DEFAULT\activeperl\sample.pl line 2.
> > BEGIN failed--compilation aborted at
> > C:\USERS\DEFAULT\activeperl\sample.pl line 2.
> >
> > Regards
> > pep_mico@hp.com
> >
> > --------------DF4C0EC978E0358E6222E419
> > Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
> > Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> >
> > <HTML>
> >
> > <P>Hi,
> >
> > <P>I just downloaded the latest release of Activestate, "ActivePerl" 5.005
> > modules. But all my scripts that has the entry USE Win32:OLE does't work.
> > <BR>After a little investigation I've seen that OLE.PM file are not included.
> > It's normal? Should I change my
> > <BR>Scripts or is a problem with the distribution file?
> >
> > <P>To fix this problem I installed back previous release, a Beta release
> > 5.00471 that works correctly.
> > <BR>================================================================
> > <BR><B>This is my current version (perl -v)</B>
> > <BR>This is perl, version 5.005 built for MSWin32-x86-object
> >
> > <P>Copyright 1987-1998, Larry Wall
> >
> > <P>Binary build provided by ActiveState Tool Corp. <A
> HREF="http://www.ActiveState.com">http://www.ActiveState.com</A>
> > <BR>Built 10:56:51 Jul 28 1998
> > <BR>====================================================
> > <BR><B>And this is the error that produces a file that only contais the
> > following line "use Win32::OLE"</B>
> >
> > <P>Can't locate Win32/ole.pm in @INC (@INC contains: C:\Perl\5.005
> \lib/MSWin32-x86-object
> > C:\Perl\5.005\lib C:\Perl\site\5.005\lib/MSWin32-x86-object C:\Perl\site\5.005
> \lib
> > C:\Perl\site\lib .) at C:\USERS\DEFAULT\activeperl\sample.pl line 2.
> > <BR>BEGIN failed--compilation aborted at C:\USERS\DEFAULT\activeperl\sample.pl
> > line 2.
> >
> > <P>Regards
> > <BR>pep_mico@hp.com
> > <BR> </HTML>
> >
> > --------------DF4C0EC978E0358E6222E419--
> >
> >
>
> -----== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==-----
> http://www.dejanews.com/rg_mkgrp.xp Create Your Own Free Member Forum
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 16:10:56 +1000
From: "Kim Saunders" <kims@tip.net.au>
Subject: Re: Perl Counter
Message-Id: <6q8t1k$tn$1@nswpull.telstra.net>
>> Is it possible to make a perl counter not to increment on refresh of the
>> page.
>With PERL all things are possible - if not very accurate -
>as in this case :)
>
>Problem is - How do you know if someone hit the refresh/reload button?
>Figure that out and you will know how to prevent it. Good luck!
Don't bother... if you really want to, why not send them a cookie when they
get it, then not count them when they come back? Or only count each IP
address once? As the other guy said, not very accurately. You could make it
so that each person is counted once only, and not recounted the next
day/reload? Don't bother...
KimS
------------------------------
Date: 5 Aug 1998 06:40:10 GMT
From: ilya@math.ohio-state.edu (Ilya Zakharevich)
Subject: Re: perl5.005 threads: Where's the priority?
Message-Id: <6q8uoa$ej3$1@mathserv.mps.ohio-state.edu>
[A complimentary Cc of this posting was sent to Dan Sugalski
<sugalskd@netserve.ous.edu>],
who wrote in article <6q88j9$l2r$1@news.NERO.NET>:
> : just played with the thread functions that come with perl 5.005 -
> : looking great! Just one question: Is there a priority that can be
> : assigned to a thread?
>
> Nope. That's not in there right now.
Note that the current implementation is *very* priority-unfriedly as
well. For syncronization it uses events instead of mutexen (?!),
which IMHO makes priority inversion imminent.
Ilya
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 05 Aug 1998 04:58:52 GMT
From: pschon@baste.magibox.net (Peter J. Schoenster)
Subject: please critique my calendar
Message-Id: <35c7e57d.17977830@news.netten.net>
Hello,
I am going to create a calendar program and I wanted to be able to
create a screen shot of some future month. I wrote the following and
it ... it seesm to work. It's a bit late at night now and I was
hoping someone would not hesitate to tell me where I may have gone
wrong.
Note that I print the output to a file. This was written rather
quickly to just test it all out.
use Date::DateCalc qw(days_in_month day_of_week);
@days = qw(Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday);
open(W,">cal.html");
$y = 2010;
$mm = "1";
$dd = "1";
$days = days_in_month($y,$mm);
$weekday = day_of_week($y,$mm,$dd);
print "Days: $weekday=$days\n";
$wc = 8 - $weekday;
print W qq|<table border><tr>\n|;
for(@days) {
print W qq|<th>$_</th>\n|;
}
print W qq|</tr>\n|;
if ($weekday != 7) {
for ($t = 1; $t <= $weekday; $t++) {
print W qq|\t<td></td>\n|;
}
}
for ($i = 1; $i <= $days; $i++) {
if ($i == $wc) {
print W qq|</tr><tr>\n|;
$wc= $wc + 7;
}
print W qq|\t<td>$i</td>\n|;
print W qq|</tr></table>\n| if $i == $days;
}
-end
Thanks
Peter
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 05 Aug 1998 05:05:40 GMT
From: mark-lists@webstylists.com (Mark Thompson)
Subject: Re: Problems with File::Find
Message-Id: <35cae7ff.9203921@news.supernews.com>
Just an update, I've tried this on a second system and I get the same
results. The second system uses 5.004_04 (I'm not sure about the first
system right now.)
On Wed, 05 Aug 1998 04:06:54 GMT, mark-lists@webstylists.com (Mark Thompson)
wrote:
>Hi,
>
>I'm having problems getting an example program working that uses File::Find.
>The problem is that I end up with an $_ but $dir and $name are never
>initialized in &wanted. I've included the source code as well as a partial
>result set.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Mark Thompson
>
>
>Here's the source code:
>
>#!/usr/local/bin/perl5 -w
>
># Purpose
># Lists all the files under a directory tree.
>
>use Getopt::Long;
>use File::Find;
>
># Set up the command line to accept a filename.
>my $ret = GetOptions ("d|directory:s");
>my $directory = $opt_d || die "Usage: $0 -d directory\n";
>
>#
># This performs actions on the files we have found.
>#
>sub wanted
>{
> print "Dir =<$dir>\n";
> print "Name=<$name>\n";
> print "File=<$_>\n";
>}
>
>find(\&wanted, $directory);
>
>
>
>Partial results:
>
>Use of uninitialized value at /u/mwt/bin/listtree.pl line 18.
>Dir =<>
>Use of uninitialized value at /u/mwt/bin/listtree.pl line 19.
>Name=<>
>File=<w3mir>
>Use of uninitialized value at /u/mwt/bin/listtree.pl line 18.
>Dir =<>
>Use of uninitialized value at /u/mwt/bin/listtree.pl line 19.
>Name=<>
>File=<w3mfix>
>Use of uninitialized value at /u/mwt/bin/listtree.pl line 18.
>Dir =<>
>Use of uninitialized value at /u/mwt/bin/listtree.pl line 19.
>Name=<>
>File=<.redirs>
>Use of uninitialized value at /u/mwt/bin/listtree.pl line 18.
>Dir =<>
>Use of uninitialized value at /u/mwt/bin/listtree.pl line 19.
>Name=<>
>File=<.referers>
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 05 Aug 1998 07:15:12 GMT
From: mark-lists@webstylists.com (Mark Thompson)
Subject: Re: Problems with File::Find
Message-Id: <35cd0586.16763931@news.supernews.com>
Hi again,
Solved the problem with looking at another book. The book with the bad code
(or at least code that doesn't work on two different machines with what I
consider pretty complete implementations of Perl 5.004) in it is Perl 5
How-To (from Waite).
The solution so others can learn is to use:
print "Dir =<$File::Find::dir>\n";
instead of:
print "Dir =<$dir>\n";
and
print "Name=<$File::Find::name>\n";
instead of:
print "Name=<$name>\n";
Could anyone tell me where they got the version that I have? Is it from a
version of File::Find that no longer exists?
Thanks,
Mark
On Wed, 05 Aug 1998 04:06:54 GMT, mark-lists@webstylists.com (Mark Thompson)
wrote:
>Hi,
>
>I'm having problems getting an example program working that uses File::Find.
>The problem is that I end up with an $_ but $dir and $name are never
>initialized in &wanted. I've included the source code as well as a partial
>result set.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Mark Thompson
>
>
>Here's the source code:
>
>#!/usr/local/bin/perl5 -w
>
># Purpose
># Lists all the files under a directory tree.
>
>use Getopt::Long;
>use File::Find;
>
># Set up the command line to accept a filename.
>my $ret = GetOptions ("d|directory:s");
>my $directory = $opt_d || die "Usage: $0 -d directory\n";
>
>#
># This performs actions on the files we have found.
>#
>sub wanted
>{
> print "Dir =<$dir>\n";
> print "Name=<$name>\n";
> print "File=<$_>\n";
>}
>
>find(\&wanted, $directory);
>
>
>
>Partial results:
>
>Use of uninitialized value at /u/mwt/bin/listtree.pl line 18.
>Dir =<>
>Use of uninitialized value at /u/mwt/bin/listtree.pl line 19.
>Name=<>
>File=<w3mir>
>Use of uninitialized value at /u/mwt/bin/listtree.pl line 18.
>Dir =<>
>Use of uninitialized value at /u/mwt/bin/listtree.pl line 19.
>Name=<>
>File=<w3mfix>
>Use of uninitialized value at /u/mwt/bin/listtree.pl line 18.
>Dir =<>
>Use of uninitialized value at /u/mwt/bin/listtree.pl line 19.
>Name=<>
>File=<.redirs>
>Use of uninitialized value at /u/mwt/bin/listtree.pl line 18.
>Dir =<>
>Use of uninitialized value at /u/mwt/bin/listtree.pl line 19.
>Name=<>
>File=<.referers>
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 04 Aug 1998 20:17:49 GMT
From: root.noharvest.\@not_even\here.com (-)
Subject: Re: Processing on email recv
Message-Id: <35c76c17.59295800@news2.cais.com>
Ky Nguyen <knguyen@ab.bluecross.ca> Said this:
>Hi all,
>
>I seen sites using email to process request using keywords in Subject or
>Body.
>Could someone pls point out how this can happen?
>
>Thanks
>
>PS: I realize this is not a perl question but I believe that many
>adminstrators
>must deal with this issue using perl as backend tool. If I am asking the
>wrong
>group, pls point out where is the right group.
>
Well... if you want to deal with it using perl, this is probably a
fairly relevant place to start.
You can use a simple .forward file placed in the "home" directory of
the recipient to point all incoming messages to an executable. Then
you need that executable to parse the headers so it can act on them.
It's fairly simple, really.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 05 Aug 1998 05:29:16 GMT
From: weave005@bama.ua.edu (Alexander Weaver)
Subject: Re: Security in PERL
Message-Id: <35c7ec88.9336500@news.ua.edu>
>how do I implement the following secure PERL Prog:
>I wrote a PERL prog, which deals with a passwort list, saved in an ASCII
>File.
>The PERL prog is implemented as a CGI-File, which is executed by the
>webserver on demand of a web-surfer.
>The PERL Prog should have access to the file, rights to modify and see the
>content.
>The Web-Surfer should be able to execute it, but not to see the
>Password-File.
>
>Any ideas?
Well, I've got an off-the-wall idea that a lot of people will probably
think is stupid, but it should work. If your web server has a certain
extension that it recognizes as scripts to be run, e.g. *.cgi, then
you can name the password file something like words.cgi. The perl
script will still be able to read the file, but if a web browser
requests the file, it should return a server error instead of the
file. I haven't tested this, but it probably depends on the server
anyway, so I figured there wasn't much point in me testing it.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 01:01:58 -0700
From: "Scott Willsey" <hangtown_nospam@thelostweb.com>
Subject: Re: seeing if a file exists.
Message-Id: <35c8103e.0@calwebnnrp>
Alan Silver <alan@find-it.furryferret.uk.com> wrote in message
9zGWTKAVJZx1EwQC@find-it.uk.com...
>
>Evidently not judging by the other answers to my comment !! Looks like I
>was misinformed and Usenet strikes one more blow to the fatally crippled
>(but kept alive by Microsoft) "I'm sure about this even though it's
>wrong" lobby.
>
Oh, wow. Now Microsoft gets the blame when people who are sure of something
turn out to be wrong. Amazing. ;)
"Microsoft made me pull the trigger, your honor... Microsoft and society!"
Scott
......................................................................
Please edit the email address to reply
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 05 Aug 1998 05:35:11 GMT
From: "Scott McFetridge" <sulmona@teleport.com>
Subject: Re: Wanted AWK To Perl Translater A2P.exe for cygnus/WIN32
Message-Id: <jaSx1.10420$MV.7671868@news.teleport.com>
Try the perl distribution....
--- Mike Kinney
kinneym@cascade.com
Paul Neth wrote in message <35BE01C6.41090CEC@nowhere.com>...
>Can someone give me the location of where I could download the A2P awk
>to perl translater. I cannot find one where I have been looking. I
>dont have it with the cygnus GNU awk distribution V3.03.
>
>Please tell me where I can download the executable or source code to
>compile. I would prefer the executable.
>
>Thanks in advance
>Paul
>
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 04 Aug 1998 15:14:08 GMT
From: root.noharvest.\@not_even\here.com (-)
Subject: Re: WANTED: Perl Autoreponder - Any Takers?
Message-Id: <35c72525.41346737@news2.cais.com>
Tony Curtis <Tony.Curtis+usenet@vcpc.univie.ac.at> Said this:
>Re: WANTED: Perl Autoreponder - Any Takers?, Wolfgang
><wd@uebemc.siemens.de> said:
>
>Wolfgang> Graham Donohoe <gdonohoe@nmp.nokia.com> writes:
>>>> Try mailagent - it's great, and it's in perl.
>
>>> It's OK as long as you know some gents to mail.
>
>Wolfgang> I'm not sure I understand this...
>
>Wolfgang> mailagent is usually quite simple to install and
>Wolfgang> configure, just like Perl.
>
>Wolfgang> Where is your problem?
>
>It was a *joke*.
>
> mailagent ==> mail a gent(leman)
>
>Oh dear, that was rather content-free.
I got it.... don't feel bad - some people are constitutionally
incapable of having a sense of humor ;)
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 05 Aug 1998 09:49:52 +0200
From: Pep Mico <pep_mico@hp.com>
To: Tom Ross <tomr@frascati.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Win32::Registry module missing
Message-Id: <35C80EA0.DCCAC324@hp.com>
Hi, I had a similar error when I tried to use OLE package, it seems that
Packages must be added after the installation of ActivePerl, you will probably
have the same error. I think that list of packages is reported in
www.activestate.com/packages
Regards
This is the message that I've received:
You need to install the OLE package.
With your internet connection active, run ppm.pl in your ActiveState's bin
directory, and type "install Win32-OLE". This is how you install modules and
packages available for ActivePerl.
Pete (David Grove)
pete@ActiveState.com
ActiveState Tool Corp. - Professional Tools for Perl Developers
===================================================
Tom Ross wrote:
> I've just upgraded to the latest version of ActiveState perl for Windows NT.
> I have a number of scripts that manipulate my registry. After the upgrade I
> can't run any of the scripts I get an error:
>
> Can't locate Win32/Registry.pm in @INC (@INC contains:
> G:\Perl\5.005\lib/MSWin32
> -x86-object G:\Perl\5.005\lib G:\Perl\site\5.005\lib/MSWin32-x86-object
> G:\Perl\
> site\5.005\lib G:\Perl\site\lib .) at D:\users\tomr\reg.pl line 1.
> BEGIN failed--compilation aborted at D:\users\tomr\reg.pl line 1.
>
> I've searched the installation directories and it appears the this file is
> missing even though I found a directory called Registry with the following
> files:
> Registry.bs
> Registry.dll
> Registry.exp
> Registry.lib
>
> The new documentation does not mention Registry module at all.
>
> Has someone seen this problem ? Am I doing something wrong ? I think that
> the installation went O.K. everything else is working as expected.
>
> I still have the old Registry.pm file from the previous version and I
> suppose I could use that but I'm not sure what effect that would have on the
> rest of the system.
>
> Any ideas ?
>
> Tom Ross
>
> tomr@frascati.demon.co.uk
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 16:01:45 +1000
From: "Kim Saunders" <kims@tip.net.au>
Subject: wtf is the obsession with "foo" and "bar"
Message-Id: <6q8sgb$dl$1@nswpull.telstra.net>
Hiya,
Why are "foo" and "bar" ALWAYS used as example names in anything unix
related, and partularly perl? What is the origin? What do they mean? (foo i
can handle). Why aren't people more imaginative when they do stuff, and use
their own things? It's rather irritating sometimes.
KimS
------------------------------
Date: 5 Aug 1998 06:34:41 GMT
From: cberry@cinenet.net (Craig Berry)
Subject: Re: wtf is the obsession with "foo" and "bar"
Message-Id: <6q8ue1$7ka$1@marina.cinenet.net>
Kim Saunders (kims@tip.net.au) wrote:
: Why are "foo" and "bar" ALWAYS used as example names in anything unix
: related, and partularly perl? What is the origin? What do they mean? (foo i
: can handle). Why aren't people more imaginative when they do stuff, and use
: their own things? It's rather irritating sometimes.
Their origins are the syllables of the acronym FUBAR; "Fouled Up Beyond
All Recognition" is the G-rated expansion. They don't 'mean' anything;
the Jargon File (qv) describes them as the first two metasyntactic
variables. That means that they are the first two choices when you need
to say "some arbitrary thing goes here" without being that wordy, and with
handy backreferencing. For example, a Unixer might say "To delete a file
foo, just type 'rm foo'." This useage implies you can replace 'foo' with
the actual name of any file.
As to why they get used so often, rather than creative alternatives, I
believe it's because using foo and bar allows everyone instantly to see
that a metasyntactic variable is intended. If someone says to me "To
defrabify the frelb, just type 'defrab frelb'," I'm not sure if this is a
special case applying only to frelb or a general rule for any replacement
for 'frelb'. If it's expressed in terms of defrabifying foo, I know right
away it's meant to be general.
Make sense?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
| Craig Berry - cberry@cinenet.net
--*-- Home Page: http://www.cinenet.net/users/cberry/home.html
| Member of The HTML Writers Guild: http://www.hwg.org/
"Every man and every woman is a star."
------------------------------
Date: 12 Jul 98 21:33:47 GMT (Last modified)
From: Perl-Request@ruby.oce.orst.edu (Perl-Users-Digest Admin)
Subject: Special: Digest Administrivia (Last modified: 12 Mar 98)
Message-Id: <null>
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------------------------------
End of Perl-Users Digest V8 Issue 3352
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