Like all perl scripts, samie scripts are written in ascii code. That just means you use the alpha-numeric and special characters, which just means that you use the alphabet, numbers, and other special characters like @(at), #(pound) and $(dollar) signs. If you are going to be using the command line to run your scripts, a text editor will help you write them. Below are some sites that offer free text editors.
textpad - Very nice Windows text editor. Last time I used this they would post a window that asked you if you wanted to buy it after saving a file about 10 times but other than that it was free.
emacs - Lot's of unix/linux people like emacs. After a while you will find that it is a lot more than just another text editor. Downside - it takes a little while to learn how to do simple things in emacs.
Vim - I like vi because it's fast, and if you find yourself on a unix machine it's always available. Downside - it takes a little while to learn how to do simple things in vi.
Notepad comes with Microsoft windows - Upside - it's very easy to learn, Downside - it doesn't do very much.