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The reason is because ($a, $b, $c, $d) are all strings. That means "|" works on strings, bytewise: "189" | "2" yields "389". That is unlike 189 | 2 which returns 191 — where the operands are treated as integers.

Just converting one string into a number is enough to force "|" into numerical mode.

In reply to Re: Can you spot the problem? by bart
in thread Can you spot the problem? by dws

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