Global symbol "$file" requires explicit package name at ./backup.pl line 9. #### # before your loop $sth_achroms = $dbh -> prepare( " INSERT INTO achroms (type, ac_id, length, chr_num, chr_strt, chr_end, bac_strt, bac_end, orient) VALUES ( ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?) "); # later, inside your loop $sth_achroms -> execute( $achrom[0],$achrom[1],$achrom[2], $achrom[3], $achrom[4], $achrom[5], $achrom[6], $achrom[7], $achrom[8]);