note jwkrahn <blockquote><i> There are cases where it is equally easy to use a regexp in list context to split a string as it is to use the split function. Consider the following examples: <c> my @list = split /\s+/, $string; my @list = $string =~ /(\S+)/g; </c> In the first example you're defining what to throw away. In the second, you're defining what to keep. But you're getting the same results. That is a case where it's equally easy to use either syntax. </i></blockquote> <p> In your regexp example you don't need the parentheses, it will work the same without them. </p> <p> If <b><c>$string</c></b> contains leading whitespace then you will <b>NOT</b> get the same results. To demonstrate examples that produce the same results: <c> my @list = split ' ', $string; my @list = $string =~ /\S+/g; </c> 591988 591988