When I run your code I get:

Use of uninitialized value $max_width in subtraction (-) at delme.pl l
+ine 26.
foo0123456789

[download]

which is about what I'd have expected due to the arguments to printf being evaluated before printf is called. What am I missing here?

Optimising for fewest key strokes only makes sense transmitting to Pluto or beyond

In reply to Re^2: How to use sprintf %n formatting pattern by GrandFather
in thread How to use sprintf %n formatting pattern by ibm1620

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