Re^2: array element return syntax

H:\scripts\7d>perl -e "print ((localtime(time))[2])"
16
[download]

=D Excellent thankyou. Could I be cheeky and ask just how print ((localtime(time))[2]) works at each step as regards each context

From :

time

To :

print ((localtime(time))[2])?

Comment on Re^2: array element return syntax Select or Download Code

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re^3: array element return syntax by duff (Parson) on Mar 29, 2006 at 16:16 UTC
`time` returns a number that represents the number of seconds since the start of the epoch. `localtime(time)` returns a list of values that represent the seconds, minutes, etc. in the local time zone `(localtime(time))[2]` indexes into the list (a convenience that perl allows) and returns the 3rd item in the list `print((localtime(time))[2])` outputs the 3rd item in the list returned by `localtime` The only "weird" part might be why there are extra parens on the print. I.e., why not `print (localtime(time))[2];` [download] And the answer is precedence. To perl, that looks like a function call (to the `print` function) with a parameter of `localtime(time)`. So it's really `print(...)[2];` [download] Which doesn't make any sense, so perl tells you so. duff	[reply] [d/l] [select]

Replies are listed 'Best First'.

Re^3: array element return syntax
by duff (Parson) on Mar 29, 2006 at 16:16 UTC

time returns a number that represents the number of seconds since the start of the epoch.
localtime(time) returns a list of values that represent the seconds, minutes, etc. in the local time zone
(localtime(time))[2] indexes into the list (a convenience that perl allows) and returns the 3rd item in the list
print((localtime(time))[2]) outputs the 3rd item in the list returned by localtime

The only "weird" part might be why there are extra parens on the print. I.e., why not

print (localtime(time))[2];
[download]

print

localtime(time)

print(...)[2];
[download]