A common way is to use the param() function of CGI.pm to see whether any parameters were sent. That way you don't need a named submit button at all, which you may not always have. (Or you may have more than one.) 

if( $cgi->param ){
   # do stuff with submitted form data
} else {
   # print form
}

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Aaron B.
My Woefully Neglected Blog, where I occasionally mention Perl.

In reply to Re: Web form to alter files is writing to file before submit button is pressed. by aaron_baugher
in thread Web form to alter files is writing to file before submit button is pressed. by Lady_Aleena

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