As is traditional, I disagee. I find this far clearer than any other option shown: 

$html .= sprintf '%s have %d message%s left',
    createLink( $USER, "you" ),
    $new + $old,
    $new + $old == 1 ?  ''  :  's'
;

[download]
  1. The general format (and the constant parts) of the message are clearly identifiable on the first line.
  2. All the variable parts are clearly identified.
  3. You have complete control over the formating.
    • Leading zeros. Hex/octal.
    • Graceful transition to sci notation if number get big or small.
    • Left/right justification if needed.
  4. And it's a fully extensible construct that deals nicely with very long string too. 
    $html .= sprintf '%s have %d message%s left'
      . ' occupying 0x%x %s of server space',
    createLink( $USER, "you" ),
    $new + $old,
    $new + $old == 1 ?  ''  :  's',
    $space, 
    $units,
;

    [download]
Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.
"Too many [] have been sedated by an oppressive environment of political correctness and risk aversion."

In reply to Re^2: Perl style: Arguing against three-argument join() (++join '') by BrowserUk
in thread Perl style: Arguing against three-argument join() by martin

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