You need to put the filehandle read into a scalar context to get a single line at a time, as by default print() is evaluated in a list context 
print scalar <DATA>;
__DATA__
the first line
the second line

[download]
This will output "the first line". Or if you decide you need to put the file into an array I'd recommend using Dominus' Tie::File module.
HTH

_________
broquaint

In reply to Re: To print one line from a file? Non-loop? by broquaint
in thread To print one line from a file? Non-loop? by Anonymous Monk

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