If "the ranks of Perl Elite" is the XP point system used here, this view is really shallow.
Most of the questions asked here are normal questions, and most of the answers given here are normal answers. Most of the time, to write up a reply does not require cleverness, or to be super.
Because nobody knows everything, because there are monks just started to learn Perl... all those create questions => and you may happened to know what he/she doesn't know, so you come to help. It is just that simple.
Did he/she ever beg your answer or comment, NO, if you don't answer, someone else will. Of course, if you provide an answer and be polite, doesn't matter whether your answer is right or wrong, he/she appreciates your effort. If you think it is a must for him/her to feel grateful, sorry, there is no obligation.
Most of the solutions provided here are normal solutions (otherwise as merlyn suggested VERY strongly, it would be perl2exe'd, oh, no, he said that is no longer a good solution any more, see it would become quite a worry for you to know the answers, if they are not "normal" ones), there are more than ten thousands, or maybe hundred thousands people know those answers, you answered it:
- because you type more fast
- because you see the question first
- because you are in a mood to answer
- because you have the guts to answer
- ...
- ...
- NOT BECAUSE YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON KNOWS THE ANSWER
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This is the second posting I have seen which incites a riot among the ranks of the Perl Elite.
The true "Perl elite" wouldn't bother with such flames. In fact, I think at least half of them have a very low opinion of this site's level of discussion.
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And perhaps that is what makes them the "true Perl elite"--they are elitist. Another word for that is "snobs".
They have forgotten what it is like not to know all the answers; they beleive that their opinions are the only opinions; they think of Perl as 'their' language and resent that newbies, ex-VB programmers, AOLers, web-designers are discovering 'their' language and revile them for it.
Perl is designed to help people learn the bits of programming they need right now without forcing them to learn the techniques they aren't ready for. But when they are ready for them, Perl tries to be there too. We just don't tell the beginners that the speedometer on their golf cart wraps around several times.
Larry Wall. 02/09/2002
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