What about: 
my $fh = DATA;
while (<$fh>) {
   chomp;
   next if /^#/ or $_ eq '';
   print $_;
}
__DATA__
Print this
and this
# but not this

Print me

# not
OK

[download]
One other remark: I'm not sure it is a good idea to do a "my $1". These variables have some magic in them which might get spoiled by doing that.

CountZero

"If you have four groups working on a compiler, you'll get a 4-pass compiler." - Conway's Law

In reply to Re: exiting via next: Extra careful or just bitchy? by CountZero
in thread exiting via next: Extra careful or just bitchy? by vacant

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