Re^3: March a regex using split function

[Laurent_R]

You could probably use something like this:

my ($f) = $s =~ m{FREE: (\d+)} or die 'no FREE';

But AnomalousMonk's proposal is arguably more readable.

Also, the \s* makes is possible to cope with possible variations in the number of spaces between FREE: and the value. Perhaps you don't need it if you can be absolutely sure that there will always be one and only one space there, but can you be that sure?

[perldigious]

You missed a great opportunity to make a Larry Wall style in code pun here...

or die 'if not FREE'; #William Wallace agrees! :-)