Verifying data change

[Anonymous Monk]

Currently I am fetching executable files from a web site. I only fetch when part of the executable name is changed. This has worked for the past year but now they changed the whole name. So I wanted to add to my script a part to notify me if they changed the whole name of the executable so I dont try and fetch some name that doesnt exist.

here is my current part of my script with the new name change:

my ($var) = $content =~ /(.{3}\-a99\-9)/;
$var = $1;

Now here is what I propose to add to my script so I am notified about a complete new filename:

if (not defined $var) 
{
    print "The whole name was changed so no match found.  You need to 
+change your reg expression.\n";
    exit 0;  #Since no match then exit the script.
}

I want advise on if this is the correct way to handle this?? Also "exit 0" means good exit? Or do I use "exit 1"??

[adrianh]

Yes, "0" is the exit code for success. I'm not sure what else you're asking... can you expand on the problem you''re having (if any?)

[Arien]

I think he's asking how he can detect the "whole filename changed", although he almost provided the answer: use a pattern describing what you're expecting to see and match the filename against that. If the filename doens't match, it changed beyond your expectations ("the whole filename changed").

Two nits: you don't need the capturing (to do this, at least) and you'd want to anchor the pattern to the beginning and end of the filename.

— Arien