Appendix. Colophon

The animal on the cover of Programming Flex 3 is a krait snake. The krait (Bungarus caeruleus) is one of the deadliest venomous snakes in the world. Its native habitat is limited to Asia, and it's nocturnal. The snake's bands are white or yellow on a blue/black body. A krait's head is narrow and it can grow to nearly three feet in length.

Fairly common in the fields and jungles of India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, the krait is also known to seek shelter in human encampments. It's fond of hiding out in sleeping bags, footwear, and piles of clothing or rags. Its venom contains a neuro-toxin that causes respiratory failure. Victims often feel little pain from the bite itself, but the death rate of victims is 85 percent without administration of anti-venom, and nearly 50 percent even when medication is available.