format 
Declare a picture format with use by the write() function. For example: 

    format Something =
        Test: @<<<<<<<< @||||| @>>>>>
              $str,     $%,    '$' . int($num)
    .


    $str = "widget";
    $num = $cost/$quantity;
    $~ = 'Something';
    write;

See the perlform manpage for many details and examples. 


Source: Perl builtin functions 
Copyright: Larry Wall, et al.