http://www.perlmonks.org?node_id=127001


in reply to time & localtime() function Q?

time() returns the number of SECS since Epoch. Epoch can vary from OS to OS but localtime(time) if used in a scalar context will return a human readable date.
my $datetime = localtime(time); # returns Thu Nov 22 13:05:26 2001 # (well at least it did at the time() )
For your continuing date manipulation needs Date::Calc, Date::Manip and Date::Format will quickly become your friends.

mitd-Made in the Dark
'Interactive! Paper tape is interactive!
If you don't believe me I can show you my paper cut scars!'