Question about switch module for Perl

narashima has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Revered monks,
I am curious about the syntax of the switch module. I have seen two variations and both seem to work. I wanted to know which of these 2 is the correct one.
I am also curious to know why both of them work!! Isn't semicolon a requirement??!

use Switch;
switch ($char)
{
  case 1 { print "1" }
  case 2 { print "2" }
}
[download]

Note: The semicolons are missing above and are present below

use Switch;
switch ($char)
{
  case 1 { print "1"; }
  case 2 { print "2"; }
}
[download]

Any light on this behaviour of Perl is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Comment on Question about switch module for Perl Select or Download Code

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: Question about switch module for Perl by jdhedden (Deacon) on Nov 03, 2006 at 20:41 UTC
From perlsyn: Simple Statements ... Every simple statement must be terminated with a semicolon, unless it is the final statement in a block, in which case the semicolon is optional. (A semicolon is still encouraged if the block takes up more than one line, because you may eventually add another line.) ... Remember: There's always one more bug.	[reply]
Re: Question about switch module for Perl by Fletch (Bishop) on Nov 03, 2006 at 20:57 UTC
An aside, but be sure that you're aware that Switch is not recommended for production use.	[reply]
Re: Question about switch module for Perl by ysth (Canon) on Nov 03, 2006 at 20:22 UTC
No, semicolons aren't necessary at the end of a block, just as in `if ($^O) { print "foo"; }` vs. `if ($^O) { print "foo" }`	[reply] [d/l] [select]