What does the word '&myvariable' mean?what does the symbol '&' means? What's purpose of it?

max1x

 Profile Answers by max1x 

• May 20th, 2006

 

&myvariable is calling a sub-routine.

& is used to identify a sub-routine.

maruthr

 Profile Answers by maruthr 

• Apr 16th, 2008

 

  There are three different formats to be used for calling the subroutines/methods,
"hello" is the subroutine name, say

1) &hello;
Subroutine definition can be made anywhere in the file.
& is to tell compiler that, hello is a subroutine.

2) hello();
Subroutine definition can be made anywhere in the file.
() is tell compiler that, hello is a subroutine.

3) hello;
Subroutine definitions should be made before invocation
If you have a subroutine definition after the invocation; at least you need to declare it with "sub hello;" before invocation.
here sub is tell compiler that, there would be a subroutine named hello anywhere in the file.

nitashaa

 Profile Answers by nitashaa 

• Jul 15th, 2008

 

&myvariable;
It indicates 'myvariable' is a subroutine which is being called in the above statement .

Its mandatory to use & keyword before subroutine name only when userdefined subroutine name clashes with system defined subroutine .
Ex: sub open{
      print "file $_[0] is the file to openn";
    }

  &open('file1');