format

See the current Perl documentation for format.

Here is our local, out-dated (pre-5.6) version:

format - declare a picture format with use by the write() function

format

Declare a picture format for use by the write() function. For example:

    format Something =
        Test: @<<<<<<<< @||||| @>>>>>
              $str,     $%,    '$' . int($num)
    .

    $str = "widget";
    $num = $cost/$quantity;
    $~ = 'Something';
    write;

See the perlform manpage for many details and examples.