I realize that this script posted doesn't have a purpose and that $thing is undefined. I was looking for the suggestions on structure(which I thank you for providing, I was having trouble with the | and shifted it into a diferent piece of the code). To clarify my meaning: The full program does use strict subs and includes comments on the function of the variables. The variables are designed to allow someone to easily change restrictions on a directory read in a CGI script that functions as a kind of dynamic index file for the page. This is only a boiled down portion I'm using to get advice on better ways to write various commands. In hindsight, I should have left out the whole $regex section, as it is not truely used until much later in the code. ^^;

Thanks again for the information, you fixed my glitch. ^_^