Extending and Embedding Perl by Tim Jenness and Simon Cozens explains how to expand the functionality and usefulness of the Perl programming language and how to use Perl from C programs. It begins simply but also covers complex issues using real code examples from the Perl source. The book discusses how to write interfaces to C libraries (as well as C++ and Fortran libraries). It shows you how to implement Perl callbacks for C libraries, how to pass Perl hashes and arrays between Perl and C, and how to use the Perl Data Language infrastructure to improve the speed of array operations.
Chapter 2: “Extending Perl: an Introduction,” requires minimal knowledge of Cand leads you through the stages of creating a simple module and building an interface to simple C functions.
Download the PDF of Chapter 2
Chapter 8: “Embedding Perl in C,” teaches you how to embed aPerl interpreter in a simple application, preparing the goround for aworked example in the following chapter where we demonstrate how to embedPerl into the mutt mailer.
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Reproduced from Extending and Embedding Perl by permission of ManningPublications Co. ISBN 1-930110-82-0 copyright 2003. All rights reserved. Forfurther information go to www.manning.com/jenness.