Try that with: 
$line = join "|", split /:/, $string, $count;

[download]
and you will be able to see what was split and joined. Then compare with what it says in split.

When I do it it works just like the big old book says.

BTW you might find the following string more instructive than your current one: 

$string = 'a:b:c:::';

[download]

In reply to Re: A split ing headache by tilly
in thread A split ing headache by MeowChow

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