Re: Sub call isn't returning values

As a beginner, I probably do treat programming as alchemy... especially when something isn't working, I try everything I can think of.

IMO, that's a very wrong thing to do. It won't teach you *anything*. If code works, or if you think it works just because it happens to produce the right output on a few test cases, it's just luck. It won't give you much insight.

Yes, I forgot to mention... I tried to print out spec_vars and it was empty after the second call to the page (which, of course, explains why variables later on in that second call are empty).

Well, that's a clear indication that your program isn't getting the data it's expecting. Not setting $|, calling the sub at a different time or cleaning the litter box aren't going to fix that.

Abigail

Comment on Re: Sub call isn't returning values

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Re: Re: Sub call isn't returning values by tinita (Parson) on Mar 03, 2004 at 09:22 UTC
IMO, that's a very wrong thing to do. It won't teach you anything. If code works, or if you think it works just because it happens to produce the right output on a few test cases, it's just luck. It won't give you much insight. while i generally agree with that, i must say that it sometimes happens to me that i find myself trying out things until i get what i want. of course checking the docs before or after is crucial, but, to tell the truth, i learned a lot of cool perl features by trying out, just for the fun of it. (mostly that happened when playing golf or something, less often when i program production code) being curious and creative can help becoming a good programmer, IMHO.	[reply]

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Re: Re: Sub call isn't returning values
by tinita (Parson) on Mar 03, 2004 at 09:22 UTC

IMO, that's a very wrong thing to do. It won't teach you *anything*. If code works, or if you think it works just because it happens to produce the right output on a few test cases, it's just luck. It won't give you much insight.

while i generally agree with that, i must say that it sometimes happens to me that i find myself trying out things until i get what i want. of course checking the docs before or after is crucial, but, to tell the truth, i learned a lot of cool perl features by trying out, just for the fun of it. (mostly that happened when playing golf or something, less often when i program production code)
being curious and creative can help becoming a good programmer, IMHO.

[reply]