print qq{\n}; $kappa++ until( $kappa > $mu ); $bool = $kappa < $mu; if( $kappa < $mu ){ # if( $bool ) $ret_value = sprintf "%-8s%d", '$kappa: ',$kappa; }else{ $ret_value = sprintf "%-8s%d", '$mu: ',$mu; } printf "%8d%s%-4d%s%-11d%s%s\n",$kappa,' < ',$mu,' -> ',$bool,'-> ',$ret_value; __END__ $kappa < $mu -> boolean -> value we ask perl to return 16 < 15 -> 0 -> $mu: 15