in reply to Should I learn Perl?

Just a quick remark
I don't know how to dimension an array in this language yet
that's one of the nice things about Perl, you don't :), you just use it. 
# create array
my @array = (1, 2, 3, 4);

# push some elements on it - it grows automatically!
push @array, 8;
push @array, 9, 10, 11;

# and print it out
print "Here are the contents of the array: @array\n";

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-- Hofmator

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Re: Re: Should I learn Perl?
by Anonymous Monk on Mar 10, 2003 at 06:37 UTC
    Wicked! Are their multi-dimensional arrays? If so, how do you controll what the coordinates are for the 'pushed' values? As an example, in Basic, you could dimension an array with 10 x elements, 10 y elements, and 10 z elements... then perform functions on the elements by refering to their coordinates... If you add extra elements, what would their coordinates be? I do like the ability to expand the array as such without disrupting what it already contains... thats nice!


    Me

[reply]
      Yes, there are multi-dimensional arrays as well - we normally call them Arrays of Arrays (AoA). And accessing them is as easy as $array[3][4][0], but in order to understand them properly, you'll have to learn about the different data types in perl: scalars, arrays and hashes ... and references.

      If you have access to a computer with installed perl, I suggest, you open up a command line shell and try typing perldoc perl. You could follow this up by perldoc perldata and perldoc perlreftut ... then you'll understand some more. And if you have questions, come back and ask here - that's what we are here for, after all.

      If you don't have perl installed, then you could also read this up online at http://www.perldoc.com - though I can promise you'll soon want to start playing around with perl ;-)

      If you add extra elements, what would their coordinates be
      Whatever you choose them to be. You can add elements to the front, to the back or into the middle of an array. Sorry, but with your current level of knowledge that has to be sufficient as an explanation ...

      -- Hofmator

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