This is just conjecture, but I think what is happening is that in the second case you are stringifying your reference.

The terms after the open are just an argument list. By using the 2-argument form of open, you are creating a string that looks like < SCALAR(0x182f4c4). Open then takes that string and looks for a file named SCALAR(0x182f4c4), which presumably does not exist on your system. This is in contrast to three argument form, where you actually pass the reference to the variable.

In reply to Re: Open Function Question by kennethk
in thread Open Function Question by bichonfrise74

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