$_ is just a global variable (with a funny name).
Many functions or operators just use this variable, when
you not explicitly tell them to use another one.
e.g chomp. chomp needs a variable to work on.
You can supply one like
chomp $x;
If you don't chomp thinks you mean
chomp $_;
and acts exactly that way. So
chomp;
and
chomp $_;
are exactly the same.
Many building functions and operators work that way
(e.g <>, s///, m//, split);
hope this helps,
cr
On Sun, 22 Apr 2001 13:47:52 -0500, Chris Brown said:
> i have read about it in 3 books and even used it in scripts i have made but i still
>dont truly know how to be sure what $_ contains...can anyone clear this up for me?
>Thanks
> Chris Brown
>
