Some Perl Tools for NerveCenter Model Building

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I thought I would put together a list of tools, editors and IDE's for Perl that might be useful when designing Perl routines and models for NerveCenter (or any of your other applications.)  Some I have used and others I have just run across.  I would love input or reviews of other tools that you have found useful. 

For most of my work I usually use Notepad++ or Komodo Edit from ActiveState. They work well for building Perl Modules and testing out my Perl code outside of NerveCenter.  I can also keep track of the work in a development area when using Komodo.  If you are working a complicated set of tasks it can be nice to keep track of everything in a common controlled area.

There are a number of other tools we have tried in house.  Engineering has had success with Strawberry Perl on Windows. This tool is useful when debugging Perl on Windows environment.

Some other editors that are worth looking at are:

• EditPadPro - I have not tried it, but it looks interesting.  They advertise they are useful for building and managing your Website files.
• UltraEdit - provides support for Windows, Linux and Mac Operating Systems.  Could be useful if you need common development environment.  Provides a site license level product.
• Textpad  - Windows based product.  Available in multiple languages.
• Vim - is an enhanced version of  the vi editor available with Unix.
• Boxer - a set of editor products for Windows based environments.

Another option is buying a full IDE.  IDE packages are great for large sites with a lot of development in Perl or for users starting out learning the Perl Language.  The IDE will help get you going understanding the language.

• OptiPerl - Really designed for CGI applications, but may be useful for your Perl development environment.  They provide a free trial download.
• Komodo IDE - Provides a full IDE for Perl and many other languages.  Provide single licenses and site licenses for users.  
• Open Perl IDE  - open source Perl IDE environment.
• Perl Express - Free Perl environment for Windows
• Epic IDE - open source Perl IDE based on Eclipse platform.  I use this for Python, but have not tried it for Perl yet.
• PsPad - freeware editor for many languages

If you have a favorite, let me know.  I am always looking for great ways tools for Perl and Python development.  I would recommend trying out a free trial and see what you think.  I have found that it speeds my Perl development up greatly and makes it easier to build Perl Modules for sharing code. 

Happy Programming!

IT Development: The Skills of the Future

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I while back I read an article from a July Tech Republic on IT Jobs of the Future. The article raised some interesting questions for me.  If IT jobs of the future will be moving toward development and consulting, just what type of IT development will that consist of and what new skills will be needed. 

I have worked on lots of Software projects and the System, Security and Network administrators we worked with were often good programmers.  The tools they used were usually scripting languages like Perl, Shell Scripting, AWK and SED and a few others.  Later on they started dabbling with  Javascript and Python and most knew SQL well.  So the question is: weren't they always developers? 

What this article really implies that more and more equipment will be located away from the users and sometimes the IT Support team.  Users will now need access to software running somewhere else, in a "cloud".  The different applications will need to be integrated with custom front ends to allow simplier access, whether on their tablet, smart phone or laptop.  Custom apps on a per site location will be needed for each customer to meet their specific need. 

Does this mean IT Developers are really application developers?  Perhaps not, at least in my opinion.  I see the need for very specific skills in integration that IT departments need to deal with all the time.  IT Developers are building tool sets and Apps to meet very specific needs for a site.  Some of these applications could become out of the box  solutions, but many will remain custom projects that can be updated by a customer, but are not one size fits all.

If all this holds true, we have another issue to think about.  Training and knowledge base.  Right now many IT Engineers need to learn the skills on the job or on their own. Getting a Masters Degree in Information Technology is great but an expensive way to start out.

I think we need to start rethinking how we train the next wave of developers, starting in Elementary and Middle School.  Many schools offer programming in High School and some in Middle School. But do they provide "real world" experience.  I think we may want to consider having 4H for technology: a place for kids interesting in technology to really learn how things work with some guidance.  Just my thoughts.

Lego MindStorm NXT 2.0 provides pluggable coding units to allow easy building of programs.