note afoken <blockquote>i am reading a text file</blockquote> <p>Hmm, I think you are reading a CSV file, not just a text file. And unless it's for learning Perl, consider using [mod://Text::CSV_XS] (or the slightly slower pure-perl version [mod://Text::CSV]) instead. Text::CSV_XS handles all of those ugly edge cases that a simple <c>split</c> can't handle - embedded quotes, embedded separation character, quoted values, to name just a few.</p> <p>Alexander</p> <div class="pmsig"><div class="pmsig-747201"> --<br> Today I will gladly share my knowledge and experience, for there are no sweeter words than "I told you so". ;-) </div></div> 1006854 1006854