subroutine()[$x];

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

Hi Monks,
I'm sure i've done this before no worries, but i can't figure out why it is a syntax error now.

my $var = "1:2:3:4:5:6";
my $x = split(":",$var)[4];
[download]

The error is:
"syntax error at ./splittest.pl line 4, near ")[""
I'm sure its a stupid error, but i was just wondering what the correct syntax for this is?.

Neil Archibald - /dev/IT -

Comment on subroutine()[$x]; Download Code

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: subroutine()[$x]; by tilly (Archbishop) on Jun 28, 2003 at 07:00 UTC
Perl doesn't know if you want to take a function then slice the result, or take a slice and pass that to the function. So you have to clarify as follows: `my $var = "1:2:3:4:5:6"; my $x = (split":",$var)[4];` [download]	[reply] [d/l]
•Re: subroutine()[$x]; by merlyn (Sage) on Jun 28, 2003 at 07:42 UTC
The syntax for the literal slice operator is: `@result/$result = ( LIST ) [ LIST ];` [download] I know, because I invented it. It's one of the few things in Perl that I can lay claim to. -- Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker Be sure to read my standard disclaimer if this is a reply.	[reply] [d/l]
Re: •Re: subroutine()[$x]; by ihb (Deacon) on Jun 28, 2003 at 09:28 UTC
Minor nitpick: `qw/ ... / [ LIST ]` (without any parenthesis around `qw//`) works too (as of 5.6 iirc). Not that this is a particulary useful construct. `:-)` `ihb`	[reply] [d/l] [select]
Re: Re: •Re: subroutine()[$x]; by Mr. Muskrat (Canon) on Jun 28, 2003 at 14:55 UTC
You should read Re: Surpised by foreach iterator limitation and it's replies.	[reply]
Re: •Re: subroutine()[$x]; by devslashneil (Friar) on Jun 28, 2003 at 08:43 UTC
Thank you both for your replies, that cleared it up :) Neil Archibald - /dev/IT -	[reply]
duh, simple formatted correctly by Anonymous Monk on Jun 28, 2003 at 22:36 UTC
my $var = "1:2:3:4:5:6"; my $x = (split(":",$var))[4];	[reply]
simple by Anonymous Monk on Jun 28, 2003 at 22:32 UTC
my $var = "1:2:3:4:5:6"; my $x = (split(":",$var))4;	[reply]