All of the suggestions that have been posted are good ones, and you'll note that they're nothing like what you were trying. Perl is its own idiosyncratic self.

Perl has an entirely different feel from what you're used to now (I'm guessing VB or C). Let it wash over you and enjoy it.

xoxo,
Andy
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<megaphone> Throw down the gun and tiara and come out of the float! </megaphone>