how to print 'normal' string from hex string?

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

Hi. I've got a string which is in hex format. Like this:

$hex_string = "4d414a523e576573742d622053544d2d31204d532d41495328434c4
+5415229"
[download]

In 'normal' text this is "MAJR>West-b STM-1 MS-AIS(CLEAR)" How do I easily print this? I tried print hex $hex_string, but this converts to a number, so I get an Integer Overflow :( Regards, Leo

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Re: how to print 'normal' string from hex string? by Eliya (Vicar) on Nov 22, 2011 at 16:37 UTC
`print pack "H*", $hex_string;` [download]	[reply] [d/l]
Re: how to print 'normal' string from hex string? by johngg (Canon) on Nov 22, 2011 at 17:36 UTC
Expanding Eliya's reply slightly. `knoppix@Microknoppix:~$ perl -E ' > $hex = q{4d414a523e576573742d622053544d2d31204d532d41495328434c45415 +229}; > $str = unpack q{a}, pack q{H}, $hex; > say $str;' MAJR>West-b STM-1 MS-AIS(CLEAR) knoppix@Microknoppix:~$` [download] As BrowserUk points out, the unpack here is not necessary. Cheers, JohnGG	[reply] [d/l]
Re^2: how to print 'normal' string from hex string? by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on Nov 22, 2011 at 17:54 UTC
What is the `unpack 'a'` bit for? `print pack 'H', "4d414a523e576573742d622053544d2d31204d532d4149532843 +4c45415229";; MAJR>West-b STM-1 MS-AIS(CLEAR)` [download] With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday' Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error. "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.	[reply] [d/l] [select]
Re^3: how to print 'normal' string from hex string? by johngg (Canon) on Nov 23, 2011 at 11:17 UTC
What is the `unpack 'a'` bit for?* It is a side effect of my still somewhat flaky understanding of pack/unpack or, in other words, completely un-necessary :-( I will update my post. Cheers, JohnGG	[reply] [d/l]