Yes, they are equivalent, and it works with Net::SMTP. just $var = <<EOF; works fine 
$message = <<EOF;
To : user
Subject : Test

foo
bar
baz
EOF

$smtp->datasend($message);

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In reply to Re: Net::SMTP and templates/ here docs by the_slycer
in thread Net::SMTP and templates/ here docs by boo_radley

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