Although in Perl, most statements can also be used as expressions, there are a few exceptions. The while above is a statement modifier and cannot be used in an expression.

For example: 

push @elements, $1  while
 (/\G\s*"(.*?)"/gc or
  /\G\s*'(.*?)'/gc or
  /\G\s*(\S+)/gc) or die "Argh";

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is still parsed as: 
push @elements, $1  while(
 (/\G\s*"(.*?)"/gc or
  /\G\s*'(.*?)'/gc or
  /\G\s*(\S+)/gc) or die "Argh" );

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and if we try to force your desired interpretation: 
(push @elements, $1  while
  /\G\s*"(.*?)"/gc or
  /\G\s*'(.*?)'/gc or
  /\G\s*(\S+)/gc) or die "Argh";

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we get: syntax error at line 1, near "$1  while"

        - tye (but my friends call me "Tye")

In reply to Re: Re: Extract potentially quoted words by tye
in thread Extract potentially quoted words by merlyn

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