An introduction to programming in Perl with specific references to optimising Perl programs to work effectively with CA Technologies' Workload Automation AutoSys(AE) Edition (also known as CA WAAE or simply AutoSys(AE)) product.

Starting with the basics and providing the necessary building blocks for attendees to confidently write useful Perl programs by the end of the course.

We explain how to optimise Perl programs initiated by AutoSys(AE), avoiding duplication of the supplied AutoSys(AE) r11.3 job functionality, utilising a modular approach to batch coding, providing appropriate log files and supplying meaningful exit codes.

We also provide example code for monitoring key AutoSys(AE) components. This course features classroom sessions and practical exercises.

This course is intended for those who want to write programs in Perl or provide basic support and troubleshooting of Perl programs. This course is tailored to those writing Perl programs that may be initiated by AutoSys(AE) or in some way interact with AutoSys(AE) modules.

Attendees need no previous knowledge of Perl. An understanding of programming principles is advantageous but not mandatory. A basic understanding of AutoSys(AE) is required. Whether you are a sysadmin who wants to use Perl as a glue language, a programmer who wants to use it for data munging, someone who wants to write web applications or somebody that needs to understand and support Perl code written by others, this course will give you the basic knowledge you need.

After attending this course you will be able to:

• Write simple but useful Perl programs
• Use Perl’s built-in operators and functions
• Use loops and subroutines to simplify your programs
• Understand simple regular expressions
• Find and install third-party libraries
• Define meaningful exit return codes
• Write modular supportable programs executed by AutoSys(AE)

1. What is Perl
   • Perl’s name
   • Typical uses of Perl
   • What is Perl like?
   • The Perl Philosophy
2. Creating and running a Perl program
   • Hello World
   • Running a Perl program
   • Comments
   • Command line options
3. Variables
   • What is a variable?
   • Variable names
   • Types of Perl variable – scalars arrays and hashes
   • Declaring variables
   • Scalars, arrays and hashes in detail
   • Perl’s special variables
4. Input and Output
   • The print function
   • The file input operator
5. Operators and Functions
   • What are operators and functions?
   • Various types of operators
   • Some useful functions
6. Conditional Constructs
   • Introduction to Boolean expressions
   • if, elsif and else
   • while, until, for and foreach
   • Subroutines
   • What are subroutines?
   • Defining subroutines
   • Calling subroutines
   • Subroutine arguments
   • Subroutine return values
7. Regular Expressions
   • What are regular expressions?
   • The match, substitution and binding operators
   • Metacharacters and quantifiers
8. Smart Matching
   • The smart match operator
   • What is smart matching?
9. Finding and Using Modules
   • What is a module?
   • What is CPAN?
   • Installing modules
   • Using modules
   • Some useful modules
10. AutoSys(AE) best practices
    • Schedules from a Support and Operations perspective
    • Exit with intelligence, clever streams
    • Troubleshooting workshop
    • 'Show and Tell'
    • AutoSys(AE) Q&A
11. Further information
    • Books
    • Web sites
    • Mailing lists
    • The Perl community
    • The AutoSys(AE) community

3 days.