2**3
[download]

or

exp(log(2)*3)
[download]

** and other operators are documented in perlop. exp, log and other core functions (aka "named operators") are documented in perlfunc.

Update: Added the exp-log expression. It's not very useful in Perl, but I threw it in since it's useful in languages without an exponentiation operator or function. In fact, ** is probably implemented as the exp-log expression.

You've already been pointed to the ** operator described in perlop, but I wanted to mention one other thing that may be relevant. How big are the numbers that you will be generating?

If the values you are using are small, ** will work fine. If your code may generate very large numbers, however, you might want to look at Math::BigInt. There is a performance penalty that could become significant, so if you find that speed is an issue then Math::BigInt::GMP might help.

Exponentiation

Binary "**" is the exponentiation operator.  It binds even more tightl
+y than unary minus,
so -2**4 is -(2**4), not (-2)**4. (This is implemented using C’s pow(3
+) function,
which actually works on doubles internally.)
[download]

Example:

perl -le 'print 2**3'
8
[download]

Cheers,
Darren :)

Hi dbdiaz

Even though you already got the answer to your question: the ** operator described in perlop, I wanted to give you some advice: you should check the perl.org Online Library. There, you will find several books with the full text available. For instance, in the book Impatient Perl, you have that the numeric functions are described starting in page 15 (by the way, the ** operator is described on page 16).

I hope this helps

Cheers,