For small values of "required".

print( scalar <DATA> // die "Premature EOF\n" );

[download]

(But don't do that, because the version with the explicit variable is obviously right, whereas the version without one forces the reader to pause and wonder whether it will work or not. So it is, I suppose, required in the sense of "required by any sane coding standards" ...)

In reply to Re^5: Hmmm: while(), file handle and $_ gotcha by Porculus
in thread Hmmm: while(), file handle and $_ gotcha by roboticus

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