Re^8: What does

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Re^9: What does _ mean? by Argel (Prior) on Feb 04, 2009 at 20:46 UTC
The "problem" is that the underscore in this case is an obscure feature. Most people will understand -d $filename while many will have to look up what the underscore does before they understand what -d (_) does. Use of obscure features makes code harder to understand and thus should be avoided unless there is a good reason for it. At least I think that's what pileofrogs meant. Elda Taluta; Sarks Sark; Ark Arks	[reply]
Re^10: What does _ mean? by ikegami (Patriarch) on Feb 04, 2009 at 20:49 UTC
thus should be avoided unless there is a good reason for it. What should I use instead, a class people would have to look up anyway? Remember, it's not `-d _` vs `-d $filename`. They don't do the same thing. It's `-d _` vs `$stat->mode & 0170000 == 040000` or something that's not even part of Perl.	[reply] [d/l] [select]
Re^11: What does _ mean? by Argel (Prior) on Feb 04, 2009 at 21:14 UTC
But if performance is not an issue then the underscore is not really needed, and thus -d $filename and -d(_) would in effect give the same result, right? Based on merlyn's response below there is virtually no reason to use the underscore anymore. Elda Taluta; Sarks Sark; Ark Arks	[reply]
Re^12: What does _ mean? by Anonymous Monk on Jun 21, 2010 at 23:13 UTC
Re^13: What does _ mean? by Argel (Prior) on Jun 22, 2010 at 19:22 UTC
Re^9: What does _ mean? by pileofrogs (Priest) on Feb 04, 2009 at 19:15 UTC
Okay, fair enough. What name would you give to the quality of code that enables one to read it quickly in poor conditions (half-asleep, drunk, etc...)?	[reply]
Re^10: What does _ mean? by ikegami (Patriarch) on Feb 04, 2009 at 19:53 UTC
Clear, even quicker if it's simplistic.	[reply]