Different output of print statement.

[srm]

I have simple code that is trying to print same thing twice. First I try to print via a scalar and then I try to print samething using an array. The output of two print statements is different. Could you please help me understand the reason(s) for this difference in behaviour? Thanks, srm

#!/usr/bin/perl

 my $dest = shift;
 my $cmd = "ping -c 1 $dest";

    @output = `$cmd`;
    print "\n$cmd\n\n";
    print "\n@output\n";

Upon executing the above code, test.pl 139.130.4.5, the output is:

ping -c 1 139.130.4.5


PING 139.130.4.5 (139.130.4.5) 56(84) bytes of data.
 64 bytes from 139.130.4.5: icmp_seq=1 ttl=42 time=187 ms
 
 --- 139.130.4.5 ping statistics ---
 1 packets transmitted, 1 received, 0% packet loss, time 187ms
 rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 187.409/187.409/187.409/0.000 ms

I understand that while using scalar it prints just the command. But while using array it executes the command and prints the output of the command. Could you please help me understand the reasoning for this differnce in behaviour? Thanks, srm

[toolic]

The backticks (``) execute the ping command and store the output in the @output array. The output of the ping command is only displayed when you print the @output array.

[srm]

Thanks Backticks,