Reviews for Building Bioinformatics Solutions: with Perl, R and MySQL

1. Compact yet Comprehensive

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, March 12st, 2010

   I used this book as my bible during my MSc assignments and group project. It gives a nice informative introduction for each tool then works through towards developing advanced bioinformatics applications.
   
   This book presents a well-written and complete overview of bioinformatics software development using Perl, R and MySQL.
   
   The book is divided into 5 chapters. The first chapter begins with an interesting introduction on various bioinformatics resources and applications. This is followed by useful and descriptive chapters on MySQL, Perl, R and web programming.
   
   A highlight of the book is it's well-structured layout. For each chapter, there is easy introduction followed by concise explanations to developing advanced bioinformatics applications and well commented examples of code plus accompanying online resources in [].
   
   As this book is titled "Building Bioinformatics Solutions: with Perl, R and MySQL", and it does cover its ground very well, plus there is no assumtion of prior knowledge on software development - hence, it is also suitable for those with minimal programming experience.
   
   In conclusion, this book is a very valuable resource for software development in bioinformatics, both for those that are already working in this domain and for those desiring to do so. It is also appropriate as a general introduction into the area of bioinformatics for interested and literate non-specialists.

2. Just what I was looking for ...

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, March 12nd, 2009

   This is a great little book. OK, there are plenty of other places to get information about using Perl, R and MySQL for bioinformatics, but this is the book that gets you started on that road and shows you how everything fits together. You can actually write useful bioinformatics tools after working through this book.

3. Good companion guide to learning Bioinformatics

   Rated 4 out of 5 stars, January 12th, 2009

   I'm a student currently on the Masters Applied Bioinformatics course at Cranfield, so have a student's guide to both the book, and also knowledge of the course content. I'm happily not a schill, and have probably given more than my fair share of feedback both good and bad and seen it acted on.
   
   Some books you get from the library, some you get a copy of, this book is one to buy and use as a companion guide to your studies, and/or alongside a bioinformatics course.
   
   In wanting to learn about bioinformatics, students can come from different backgrouns. So there can be a large range of knowledge on actual usage of computers and programming. By being able to cater from the absolute beginner, who only knows basic PC skills, through to more technically advanced areas and subjects, the beginners can catch up, and the pros can get the lowdown on new information.
   
   I would recommend buying this book as a companion guide as mentioned (like Lesk Introduction to Bioinformatics or Understanding Bioinformatics both worthy of buying a copy)
   
   In areas of bioinformatic learning like Java, Linux, it's probably best to initially get a copy of books for the relevant areas like the recommendations below from the library as you'll know the information fairly quickly. With a taster of Linux, you'll be more prepared for working on the command line, and understanding that you'll be a typist as much as a programmer at the start! Recommendations would be:
   
   General
   Introduction to Bioinformatics, Bioinformatics: The Machine Learning Approach (Adaptive Computation and Machine Learning)Developing Bioinformatics Computer Skills
   Developing Bioinformatics Computer Skills
   
   Java
   Java - the 9 in 1 Java guide Java All-in-one Desk Reference for Dummies, Sams Teach Yourself Java 6 in 21 Days, Head First Java, Head First Java: Your Brain on Java - A Learner's Guide, Effective Java: Second Edition, Beginning Programming for Dummies
   
   Like other languages, you can bolt on knowledge, and get reminders through the "in a nutshell", "cookbook" style books.
   
   Perl
   Probably best to start with is Beginning Perl for BioinformaticsBeginning Perl for Bioinformatics and at a higher level, Mastering Perl for Bioinformatics
   Tisdall's work has been built on. Use Google, with decent search words will help a lot.
   Perl for Dummies (For Dummies (Computers))
   Sams Teach Yourself Perl in 24 Hours
   Sams Teach Yourself Perl in 21 Days
   Perl: A Beginner's Guide (Beginner's Guides (Osborne))
   
   Perl in a Nutshell (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly))
   Bioinformatics, Biocomputing and Perl: An Introduction to Bioinformatics Computing Skills and Practice
   Perl Programming for Biologists
   
   With all of these, it's well worth going through the various books on Amazon and checking out the comments to see what level the books are, and what style, ratings etc.
   
   R
   If you've previous programming knowledge, some people say
   * Gentleman, R., (2009) R Programming for Bioinformatics (Chapman & Hall/CRC Computer Science & Data Analysis),
   chocolate teapot in my opinion - not a starter book if you don't know programming a fair bit & R a little beforehand. Much better off with Building Bioinformatics Solutions information on R, and asking helpful folk.
   
   I know a few coursemates who packed the shelves with R books. Seemed a waste of money (on not so great books - R doesn't have anything like Dummies' guides of Head First out there).
   
   You can't learn Bioinformatics solely from a reading a book, as you might Biology with textbooks and papers. It's a skill set that needs learning to reinforce, so having a go, making mistakes, learning from those mistakes and linking concepts is needed.
   The book helps with this, and the http://bixsolutions.net/ site should help you here - use the resource! The book has a nice pace and learning curve, and you can easily use the book in parallel with coding at a computer.
   You really need this support, and help, so i'd suggest having a look (i'm sure there will be Cranfield students/staff/others there to help).
   
   In Summary
   Pros:
   - Covers the concepts, fundamentals, key areas well
   - A book actually able to make R more palatable for a beginner was a welcome surprise. Very handy chapter - wish i'd got the book earlier just for this!
   - Decent print quality and binding (won't smudge, decent paper))
   - Well explained, logical run through of information, good writing style.
   
   Cons:
   - bixsolutions.net was of time of writing, last updated on the front page November 25th 2008.
   - Lack of extra web based content currently (e.g. screencasts, or test case examples gone through step by step) Show us the 21st century teaching tech!
   - Lack of colour photos. (Much cheaper to show them on the web than print i'll admit!)
   
   Reading doesn't get you out of learning by having a go, but this book will certainly help you learn!
   
   (Amazon only allows 10 linked book recommendations, so i'll make a "Bioinformatics for Cranfield students" list on Amazon)