In your example, you don't need the $_. This will print lines 1 and 2 from the file test.txt:

Assuming an OS that follows the POSIX spirit, this will also print the first two lines of a file, but probably without reading the entire file, and probably without starting an interpreter:

head -n 2 test.txt

[download]

(POSIX: head)

Alexander

--
Today I will gladly share my knowledge and experience, for there are no sweeter words than "I told you so". ;-)

In reply to Re^2: How does $. work in one liner? by afoken
in thread How does $. work in one liner? by elevenfly

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