note BrowserUk <blockquote><i> qr/STRING/msixpo <p>This operator quotes (and possibly compiles) its STRING as a regular expression. STRING is interpolated the same way as PATTERN in m/PATTERN/. If "'" is used as the delimiter, no interpolation is done. Returns a Perl value which may be used instead of the corresponding /STRING/msixpo expression. The returned value is a normalized version of the original pattern. <b>It magically differs from a string containing the same characters: ref(qr/x/) returns "Regexp",</b> even though dereferencing the result returns undef. </i></blockquote> <p>I think the relevant part of the docs is the bit I've highlighted. <c>qr//</c> <strike>compiles</strike> <i>normalises</i> the regex--which basically means [blessing] it. Hence the magical behaviour. <div class="pmsig"><div class="pmsig-171588"> <hr /> <font size=1 > <div>Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.</div> <div>"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". </div> <div>In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.</div> <div>[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/11/pcw/|RIP PCW]</div> </font> </div></div> 781447 781447