$ perl --help Usage: perl [switches] [--] [programfile] [arguments] -0[octal] specify record separator (\0, if no argument) -a autosplit mode with -n or -p (splits $_ into @F) -c check syntax only (runs BEGIN and END blocks) -d[:debugger] run scripts under debugger -D[number/list] set debugging flags (argument is a bit mask or flags) -e 'command' one line of script. Several -e's allowed. Omit [programfile]. -F/pattern/ split() pattern for autosplit (-a). The //'s are optional. -i[extension] edit <> files in place (make backup if extension supplied) -Idirectory specify @INC/#include directory (may be used more than once) -l[octal] enable line ending processing, specifies line terminator -[mM][-]module.. executes `use/no module...' before executing your script. -n assume 'while (<>) { ... }' loop around your script -p assume loop like -n but print line also like sed -P run script through C preprocessor before compilation -s enable some switch parsing for switches after script name -S look for the script using PATH environment variable -T turn on tainting checks -u dump core after parsing script -U allow unsafe operations -v print version number, patchlevel plus VERY IMPORTANT perl info -V[:variable] print perl configuration information -w TURN WARNINGS ON FOR COMPILATION OF YOUR SCRIPT. Recommended. -x[directory] strip off text before #!perl line and perhaps cd to directory Complete documentation for Perl, including FAQ lists, should be found on this system using `man perl' or `perldoc perl'. If you have access to the Internet, point your browser at http://www.perl.com/, the Perl Home Page.