Re: Repeat print problem

Hi,

I know this is slightly off topic, but is it possible to direct the output of the format command to a scalar instead of STDOUT?

I have looked at the documentation and I can’t see anything that will point me in the right direction? Is there another module that might be able to help me?

Thanks,

Alistair

Comment on Re: Repeat print problem

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Re: Re: Repeat print problem by rob_au (Abbot) on Apr 29, 2003 at 02:21 UTC
The formline function can be used to do this - The formline function is normally only used internally but allows for formats to be built and returned in the format output accumulator, `$^A`. Normally, the contents of this variable are outputted to the currently selected filehandle via the `write` command, but this variable, `$^A`, can be read and reset directly. An example from a previous node which I have written on the subject: `my @list = (1, 2); # the output format can be stored in a variable prior to # output my $format = '@<<<< @<<<<'; # format the contents of @list as per the format structure # defined in the variable $format, the output to be # stored in the format output accumulator, $^A formline $format, @list; print $^A, "\n"; $^A = "";` [download] Thus in this manner, through use of the `formline` function, both the output format and the subsequent formatted output can be retrieved and stored - This method is advantageous in that it can be employed with older installations of Perl. For further information see formline and perlform. `perl -le 'print+unpack("N",pack("B32","00000000000000000000001001010100"))'`	[reply] [d/l] [select]

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Re: Re: Repeat print problem
by rob_au (Abbot) on Apr 29, 2003 at 02:21 UTC

formline

$^A

write

$^A

An example from a previous node which I have written on the subject:

my @list = (1, 2);

#   the output format can be stored in a variable prior to 
#   output

my $format = '@<<<<     @<<<<';

#   format the contents of @list as per the format structure
#   defined in the variable $format, the output to be
#   stored in the format output accumulator, $^A

formline $format, @list;
print $^A, "\n";
$^A = "";
[download]

Thus in this manner, through use of the formline function, both the output format and the subsequent formatted output can be retrieved and stored - This method is advantageous in that it can be employed with older installations of Perl. For further information see formline and perlform.

perl -le 'print+unpack("N",pack("B32","00000000000000000000001001010100"))'

[reply]
[d/l]
[select]