in reply to checking a file for changes

A general question causes general answers.

Did you already have a look at Algorithm::Diff, Algorithm::Diff::Any, String::Diff or String::ShowDiff? Text::Diff also seems worth of being examined.

CountZero

A program should be light and agile, its subroutines connected like a string of pearls. The spirit and intent of the program should be retained throughout. There should be neither too little or too much, neither needless loops nor useless variables, neither lack of structure nor overwhelming rigidity." - The Tao of Programming, 4.1 - Geoffrey James