I find quite often that my old C habits are actually preventing me from using features in Perl.

For instance, I tend to initialize all variables when I declare them, because in C an uninitialized variable can, and usually does, contain garbage. However, this takes away the helpful "use of uninitialized variable" warning, so what worked for me in C really works *against* me in Perl. (Although the point about initializing to a default value is well taken)

Another habit I have is that of declaring all global variables at the top of the file. This can lead to having to go to the top of a file to find out about a variable that is used down in the body of the code somewhere. Then again, as has been pointed out already, that can be due to a poor variable name. On the other hand, if I don't have it at the top of the file, I have to go find it. I think part of this dilemma, for me, goes back to the following:

I still tend to use a lot of global variables, and I'm working at making variables just where I need them. (Keeps the "namespace" less cluttered? I'm still learning the lingo.) The classic example, for me, is the index variable of a for loop. No need, generally, to have it defined anywhere but within the loop, so why make it global? ("lexical" is the word I need?) And now that I've started learning about how to do OO programming in Perl, I can really start to "encapsulate" and avoid globals still more.

So I guess I'm just a recovering C addict. Thanks to the supportive Perl Monastery community, though, I'm beginning to kick the habit.

In reply to Re: To initialise or not to initialise? by melora
in thread To initialise or not to initialise? by kiat

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