Practical UNIX

Special Perl Variables

Perl has several special built-in variables. These variables have a certain value, or take on a specific value without having to be told by the program. Table 29.2 lists and describes these special variables.

Table 29.2. Special Perl Variables

Variable	Purpose or Function
$_	The default input and pattern-searching space.
$.	The line number associated with the current line of the last filehandle read.
$/	The input record separator.
$,	The output field separator for the print operation.
$"	The separator that joins elements of arrays interpolated in strings.
$\	The output record separator for the print operator.
$#	The output format for printed numbers.
$*	Set to 1 to do multiline matching within strings.
$?	The status returned by the last