UPDATE: else: is a label. my bad.

So I'm learning Python. I always disdained it because no curlies, but once you start doing stuff in it you get used to it. Sort of

But I still use Perl when I want to cobble something up quick. Using multiple languages has it's issues, though. I get confused. Here's one case where Perl seems to be confused, too, at 5.26.1. I installed perlbrew and it still happens at 5.032000 and 5.033001 

#!/usr/bin/perl

print "Perl version is: $]\n";

use strict;
use warnings;

if ( 1 )
{
    warn "there can only be one, and it's in the IF clause\n"
}
else:   # beware that colon!!!! that's Python, not Perl!!!
{
    warn "there can only be one, and it's in the ELSE clause\n"
}

[download]

produces

Perl version is: 5.026001
there can only be one, and it's in the IF clause
there can only be one, and it's in the ELSE clause

Perl version is: 5.032000
there can only be one, and it's in the IF clause
there can only be one, and it's in the ELSE clause

Perl version is: 5.033001
there can only be one, and it's in the IF clause
there can only be one, and it's in the ELSE clause

[download]

No warnings, no syntax errors, nothing except the (seemingly) impossible behavior

Removing the colon from the else statement restores correct behavior. gvim didn't catch it either - it's syntax highlighting is as if this was perfectly valid.

Is this a bug, or am i being persnickety?

--Bob

All code given here is UNTESTED unless otherwise stated.

In reply to Python gave me a colonic (solved - brainfart) by bobn

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