What does the perfect infinitive mean?

Question

I came across a sentence recently: Before I turn 40, I want to have written a book.

Could someone explain to me what does it actually mean?

I'd rather say: Before I turn 40, I want to write a book. but I'm not native speaker.

I understand the meaning of the perfect infinitive in sentences below:

If I had known you were coming I would have baked a cake.

Someone must have broken the window and climbed in

but I can't grasp the difference between:

Before I turn 40, I want to have written a book vs Before I turn 40, I want to write a book

Thanks for any help Marcel

"When I'm 40, I want to be able to look back on my life and be able to number among my achievements that I wrote a book". — Dan Bron, Commented Apr 10, 2015 at 15:36
It's the same difference as that between I wrote a book and I have written a book. Basically, not much. — FumbleFingers, Commented Apr 10, 2015 at 16:41
Comparing "Before I turn 40, I want to have written a book" with "Before I turn 40, I want to write a book", I'd say that there's a slight difference in perspective. In the first, you're imagining being in your forties, looking back, having written a book. — David Garner, Commented Apr 12, 2015 at 13:39

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-10 15:43:52Z

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Before I turn 40, I want to have written a book.

That means I want to have that job/accomplishment behind me, completed, by that time.

You are looking back in time, at /accomplishments/achievements/. Your other sentence looks forward in time, shows projects still to come.

answered Apr 10, 2015 at 15:43

Marius Hancu

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They're closely related, though, because in order to have written a book, you first have to write a book.
– Barmar
Commented Apr 10, 2015 at 21:31

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