match expression from query

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

Hello Monks, I would like to match an expression from a database query. Here is snippet of my code:

my $mail_date = $ARGV[0];
my $row = 0; my $col = 0;

$xWS->write($row,$col++,$_) for @{$sth->{NAME}};

my $name = @{$sth->{NAME}} =~ /\/.*/;

while (my $ar = $sth->fetchrow_arrayref) {
    s{^.*/}{} for @$ar; # this regex thanks to perlmonks
    ++$row, $col = 0;
        $xWS->write($row,$col++,$_) for @$ar, $mail_date;
}
$xWB->close();
print $name;
[download]

when I run my script, I get the error:

Applying pattern match (m//) to @array will act on scalar(@array) at (
+my script name)
[download]

For now, I was trying to match anything after the forward slash to see if it worked. But in actuality, I want to match for whole word after the forward slash. I think this can be done with \w
So for now, I would like to ask: how do I match an expression from the query? I intend to use the 'name' variable for another part of my script later.
Any insight is greatly appreciated ;)

UPDATE:
I ended up going with Spreadsheet::ParseExcel to get the string that I wanted.

Comment on match expression from query Select or Download Code

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: match expression from query by hdb (Monsignor) on Sep 19, 2013 at 18:45 UTC
The error/warning is caused by this line: `my $name = @{$sth->{NAME}} =~ /\/.*/;` [download] and the problem is with `@{$sth->{NAME}}` and not with the regular expression (yet). What do you get if you say `print @{$sth->{NAME}};`?	[reply] [d/l] [select]
Re^2: match expression from query by PerlSufi (Friar) on Sep 19, 2013 at 19:19 UTC
Hi hdb, thanks for your reply. I actually get the areas that I am 'selecting' in my query language when I print that. I am considering using Spreadsheet::ParseExcel for this task instead	[reply]
Re: match expression from query by CountZero (Bishop) on Sep 19, 2013 at 19:12 UTC
It is not an error but a warning. A regex will only make sense when applied on a scalar, not on an array, so Perl "decided" that you really meant `scalar(@{$sth->{NAME}})`. It warns you that it has applied this "correction". 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 My blog: Imperial Deltronics	[reply] [d/l]
Re^2: match expression from query (m//atch operator) by Anonymous Monk on Sep 20, 2013 at 01:07 UTC
A regex* will only make sense when applied on a scalar, not on an array,* The m//atch operator applies a regex against a scalar The s///ubstitution operator applies a regex against a scalar The regex is the stuff in between m/ and / The m// is the match operator, the regex is the argument to the match operator match('regex')	[reply]
Re^2: match expression from query by PerlSufi (Friar) on Sep 19, 2013 at 19:16 UTC
Ah. Thank you, CountZero. You're right. Changing it to that in my script did make it run, but no output was given when I ran it.	[reply]