The local() function will only work on existing package variables. The reason being is that it localises the given variable(s) to the current scope e.g 
$foo = "main scope";
{
    local $foo = "temp scope";
    print "\$foo is $foo\n";
}
print "\$foo now $foo\n";
__output__
$foo is temp scope
$foo now main scope

[download]
This is handy for some of perl's cruftier globals such as $/ and $".
HTH

broquaint

In reply to Re: Is local a declaration? by broquaint
in thread Is local a declaration? by Anonymous Monk

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