Monks
conceptually, i'd like to match any value of string $str1 that starts (exactly) with another string ($str2), both stored in variables eg:
if( $str1 =~ /^$str2/ )
{
    print "match\n";
}
else
{
    print "nomatch\n";
}

[download]
Given:
$str2 = ".1.2.3.4";

I'd like it to match if:

$str1 =".1.2.3.4 lhkfjd";

but not if $str1 is any of

"x1.2.3.4 lhkfjd";
" 1.2.3.4 lhkfjd";
"..1.2.3.4 lhkfjd";
etc

Unfortunately, I can't seem to get the syntax quite correct, although i have looked at various perl regex tutorials, inc at perldoc.
Solution with explanation deeply appreciated
Cheers
Chris

In reply to Regex Start Anchor with variables by chrism01

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