__END__ is essentially the same as __DATA__ (when used in the main namespace). Anything after it is considered arbitrary data that can be read via the special file handle DATA-

As to whether or why the script worked for two years but no longer does now, I don't know. It explicitly exits anyway before getting to the __END__ section...  Presumably, at the time it worked, you've been running some other incarnation of the script.

In reply to Re: Does __END__ really mean ignore rest of lines? by Anonyrnous Monk
in thread Does __END__ really mean ignore rest of lines? by jaacmmason

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