use Data::Dumper; print Dumper $version_on_disk, "disk"; print Dumper $version_dns, "dns"; #### $VAR1 = '1195874'; $VAR2 = 'disk'; $VAR1 = '1195874'; $VAR2 = 'dns'; #### $VAR1 = 1195874; $VAR2 = "disk"; $VAR1 = "\a1195874"; $VAR2 = "dns";