http://www.perlmonks.org?node_id=909901


in reply to Re^3: Perl fIle handles
in thread Perl fIle handles

Also, I'd advise against ever using the three parameter form of open when wanting read mode. It's much better to just let read mode be assumed so you don't risk putting the symbol in the wrong direction and overwriting your file.

And risk having the second arg contain something scary?
$file = '> somefile';