I agree with the reply that the magical variables all have a recognisable form, so that a programmer might not know what $. or $] means, but knows it is one of those magical variables and can look it up.

However, calling $input->input_line_number() is quite clear, and according to the docs, is a true method that works on the object called with, rather than doing something counterintuitive like input_record_separator() which is actually global.

What do you mean by "makes things more difficult to implement"? You mean in general, or because this simple task is so small it's not with the overhead?

—John

In reply to Re: Re^4: Determining what line a filehandle is on by John M. Dlugosz
in thread Determining what line a filehandle is on by Anonymous Monk

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