1\t300\t1_a\t30\t1_b\t20
1\t300\t2_a\t22\t2_b\t12
1\t320\t1_a\t10\t1_b\t30
1\t320\t2_a\t32\t2_b\t22
2\t312\t1_a\t30\t1_b\t20
2\t312\t2_a\t22\t2_b\t12
2\t310\t1_a\t31\t1_b\t20
2\t310\t2_a\t21\t2_b\t12

##</code><code>##

 
while (<FILE>) { #containing the above information

chomp;

my @temp_array = split(/\t/,$_);

for (1 .. 2) { #arbitary number based on outside factor

my $pop_tracker = $_;

if ($temp_array[0] == $pop_tracker) {

print $temp_array[0]; #I want this to only print once.

#more print statements here to reflect the below output.

}
}

# I want: 1 - 300 1_a 30 1_b 20
                  2_a 22 2_b 12
              320 1_a 10 1_b 30
                  2_a 32 2_b 22
#         2 - you get the idea...

#Not:     1 - 300 1_a 30 1_b 20
          1 - 300 2_a 22 2_b 12
          1 - you get the idea...
          1 - some info
          2 - some info
          2 - some info
          2 - some info
          2 - some info