Re^3: Recursive search

[cdarke]

my @plf_files = {"files.plf","orphans.plf"};creates a single element array containing a reference to a hash, because you used { } (called a 'composer'). You probably meant:

my @plf_files = ('files.plf','orphans.plf');

Your subroutine tests the same thing several times, try this:

sub recursion
{
    my $plf = shift;
    open my $fh, '<', $plf or die "could not open '$plf' $!";
    
    foreach (my $line = <$fh>){
        if($line =~ /(\w+\.plf)$/)
        {
            $match_plf_name = $1;
            next if $match_plf_name eq $plf;   
            push @recursive_plfs ,$match_plf_name;
            recursion($match_plf_name);
        }
    }
}

You will notice that I don't use $DATA for filehandle name. This is because there is a reserved filehandle called DATA, so $DATA would be confusing. You will also notice that there is not a grep in sight. The capturing parentheses group is saved into $1.

Finally, notice also the 'next' statement as an insurance against infinite recursion.

[perl_mystery]

Thanks cdark and corion but when I open the filehandle I only see the first line in the file getting stored,confused on what is wrong?

    my $plf = shift;
    print "\nPLF in recursion:$plf\n";
    open my $fh, '<', $plf or die "could not open '$plf' $!";
       foreach (my $line = <$fh>)
        {
           print "LINE:$line"; #prints ,just the first line
            if($line =~ /\/(.+?\.plf)$/)
            {
                print "LINE CONDITION:$line"; #never comes here
                #print $1;
                $match_plf_name = $1;
                next if $match_plf_name eq $plf;   
                push @recursive_plfs ,$match_plf_name;
                recursion($match_plf_name);
            }
        }
}

[roboticus]

perl mystery:

You forgot perldoc chomp. Alternatively, you can remove the $ from your regex.

...roboticus

When your only tool is a hammer, all problems look like your thumb.

[perl_mystery]

I did try chomp as below,didnt make a difference?

sub recursion
{
    my $plf = shift;
    print "\nPLF in recursion:$plf\n";
    open my $fh, '<', $plf or die "could not open '$plf' $!";
    chomp $fh;
       foreach (my $line = <$fh>)
        {
           chomp $line;
           print "LINE:$line";
            if($line =~ /\/(.+?\.plf)/)
            {
                print "LINE CONDITION:$line";
                #print $1;
                $match_plf_name = $1;
                next if $match_plf_name eq $plf;   
                push @recursive_plfs ,$match_plf_name;
                recursion($match_plf_name);
            }
        }
}