generating an array of array

Marshall has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

#usr/bin/perl -w 

use strict;
use Data::Dumper; #core Perl module
use Time::Local;  #core Perl module

#This "sort of works", but not completely

my @valid_dates =
  #timegm( $sec, $min, $hour, $mday, $mon, $year ) 
  [timegm (0,0,16,4,10,  2014), timegm (0,0,22,5,10,2014)], #2014 
  [timegm (0,0,16,5,10,  2013), timegm (0,0,22,6,10,2013)], #2013
  [timegm (0,0,16,6,10,  2012), timegm (0,0,22,7,10,2012)], #2012
;

print Dumper \@valid_dates;

__END__
prints:
$VAR1 = [
          [
            1415116800,
            1415224800
          ]
        ];
[download]

which I think is right as far as it goes. I want a array of arrays and this doesn't seem to do it. I am perplexed as to why the first line of the array def "works" and the rest do not?

There are no compile errors with this code.

I can think of other ways to accomplish the objective. The question is the easiest way to do this?

Update

Thanks! Sometimes these simple things are hard. /Marshall


my @valid_dates =
  #timegm( $sec, $min, $hour, $mday, $mon, $year ) 
  ([timegm (0,0,16,4,10,  2014), timegm (0,0,22,5,10,2014)], #2014 
   [timegm (0,0,16,5,10,  2013), timegm (0,0,22,6,10,2013)], #2013
   [timegm (0,0,16,6,10,  2012), timegm (0,0,22,7,10,2012)],)#2012
;
[download]

Comment on generating an array of array Select or Download Code

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: generating an array of array by GrandFather (Saint) on Sep 16, 2014 at 04:18 UTC
I strongly recommend you use `use warnings` which will give you some information about your problem even with a bollixed bang-splat line. Your first line should include a !, although if you are running on Windows that line is less important: `#!usr/bin/perl -w` [download] With `use warnings;` (preferred technique) or the corrected bang-splat line above your script will generate something like: `Useless use of anonymous list ([]) in void context at noname.pl line 1 +0. Useless use of anonymous list ([]) in void context at noname.pl line 1 +0.` [download] in addition to the $VAR1 dump. Perl is the programming world's equivalent of English	[reply] [d/l] [select]
Re^2: generating an array of array by Marshall (Canon) on Sep 16, 2014 at 05:26 UTC
I did bollix the she-bang line! No doubt about it. Under Windows, this doesn't matter. Under Unix, this matters a lot. The AofA works with formatting suggestions. I just screwed up with missing parens. Thanks, Marshall	[reply]
Re: generating an array of array by Cristoforo (Curate) on Sep 16, 2014 at 03:47 UTC
You need to have your list enclosed with parenthesis.	[reply]
Re: generating an array of array by AnomalousMonk (Archbishop) on Sep 16, 2014 at 07:49 UTC
Marshall: You appear to have deleted part or all of your OP. This is considered inconsiderate here in the Monastery. Please see How do I post a question effectively?, especially the second point under "And a few added points: ..."	[reply]