sub compatible { my ($s1, $s2) = @_; my $t; $s1=~/\G_/gcs and $s2=~/./gcs or $s1=~/(.)/gcs and $t = $1, $s2=~/\G_/gcs or $s2=~/(.)/gcs and $t eq $1 or return 0 until $s1=~/\G\z/ or $s2=~/\G\z/; 1; } printf "%s v %s ? %s\n", @$_, compatible( @$_ ) ? 1 : 0 for [ qw[ _8__3__19 48____7__ ] ], # compat [ qw[ _8__3__19 4_8___7__ ] ], # compat [ qw[ _8__3__19 48_____7_ ] ]; # clash