XML is one of today’s most popular data exchange formats. Perl has a huge collection of methods for handling XML. This month’s Perl column discusses the pros and cons of the most common XML modules to help you choose the best tool for your job.

The Vim editor has any number of tricks for helping you avoid unnecessary typing. In this month’s article, we look at some effort-saving Vim techniques for Perl hackers.

Following in the footsteps of Google, Amazon, and eBay, Yahoo recently introduced a web service API to its search engine. In this month’s column, we look at three Perl scripts that can help you correct typos, view other people’s vacation pictures, and track those long lost pals from school.

Some developers condemn the use of debuggers, but in many cases, a debugger is a programmer’s last hope. In this Month’s Perl Snapshot, we’ll look at Perl’s integrated debugger.

A helpful Perl script gives you an immediate overview of your financial status, adding the balances of multiple accounts and share depots. It even allows users to add their own plugins.

Perl gives you better shell scripts. Sysadm::Install, a new module from CPAN, helps shell addicts let go of Bash.

To get past a firewall and into a LAN,you need either a secret backdoor or a cooperative agent on the inside. A Jabber client on the LAN contacts a public Jabber server and wait for instructions trickling in as instant messages from its Internet buddies.

Armed with just a rescue CD and a Perl script, you can back up a client’s hard disk across the wire.