Without the subtraction, all perl needs to do is remember where the value of $ofs is, and get it when it's time to output the resulting string. Of course, in between, the value gets modified. With the subtraction, perl gets the value of $ofs, subtract 0, and scribbles away the result. That result won't get modified when $ofs gets modified.

Yep. Thats what I tried to say myself, but youv'e done a much better job. :-)

Don't modify a variable and use its value elsewhere in the same expression. Don't modify a variable twice in the same expression. Don't assume Perl has a defined order of evaluation.

Yep, its just that Perls loose rules for this stuff make it so easy to do. Given enough rope to hang themselves... :-)

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demerphq

_{<Elian> And I do take a kind of perverse pleasure in having an OO assembly language...}