note BrowserUk <blockquote><i></i></blockquote> <p>Neither, it is <c>my $line = @_;</c> that is the problem. An array assigned to a scalar gives the number of elements in the array. <p>What you should do is either the assignment you weren't sure about (but aren't actually using):<c>my $line = $_[0];</c> <p>Or, a list assignment: <c>my( $line ) = @_;</c> <p>Or, use [shift]:<c>my $line = shift;</c> <p>You should also drop the & from your subroutine calls. Ie. <c>&process_file ($file);</c> should be <c>process_file( $file );</c> <div class="pmsig"><div class="pmsig-171588"> <hr /> <font size=1 > <div>With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'</div> <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> </font> </div></div> 1012467 1012467