Here is one way I put together where I assume @values to already contain the data from the DAT file mentioned. Code untested. 
# compute average
$total += $_ for @values;
$average = $total / @values;

# compute stddev according to your method
$total_deviation += ($_ - $average)**2 for @values;
$standard_deviation = sqrt($total_deviation) / @values;

# compute stddev as I recall it, probably wrong
$total_deviation += abs($_ - $average) for @values;
$standard_deviation = $total_deviation / @values;

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In reply to Re: Is there a simpler way?? by repson
in thread Is there a simpler way?? by yabba

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