Only use != for numeric scalars. So 
if (($key ne "") && ($key !~ /^[0.]+$/ ))){

[download]
If you don't know before hand which it is, treat it as a string, downside of weak typing for those asking about relative merits of Perl on whatever course you're doing ;)

Update: Actually scratch all that JavaFan's answer is a much better solution

In reply to Re: If condition logic yielding partially correct output by Utilitarian
in thread If condition logic yielding partially correct output by perlpal

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