File::ReadBackwards has a nice tie interface that lets you say:

use File::ReadBackwards;
tie *LOG, File::ReadBackwards, $log_file 
    or die "can't read '$log_file' $!" ;

# now read the file in the usual way EXCEPT we
# read the last line first, first line last :-)
# how's that for an interesting use of tie?
while(<LOG>) {
    print;
}
[download]

cheers

tachyon

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