In a recent post I described a method I discovered for packing hashes and arrays. As part of the description, I typed a few examples into my REPL and pasted the output in the post; 10 lines of sample code being worth a 1000 words of verbiage.

But I just realised that I made a typo. Instead of using a template of n/(n/a*)*, I accidentally omitted the final *. But the mystery is, it still worked:

$packed = pack 'n/(n/a*)', 1..10;;

@array = unpack 'n/(n/a*)', $packed;;

print @array;;
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

[download]

The question is why? Why did pack see fit to pack all 10 values rather than just the first?

Is there a logical explanation, or are the last 3 digits of the id of the above linked node somehow responsible :)

With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'
Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

The start of some sanity?

In reply to Mystery! Logical explanation or just Satan's work? by BrowserUk

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