my $highest;
if (@bids > 1){
    for (my $i = 1; $i < @bids; $i++) {
        my ($alias, 
            $email, 
            $bid, 
            $time, 
            $add1, 
            $add2, 
            $add3, 
            $oqty, 
            $soldqty) = read_bid($bids[$i]);
        $highest = $bid > $highest ? $bid : $highest;
    }
    print "Highest bid: $highest\n";
}