To similar ends, __DATA__ can also be used to test code. If you want to verify that a particular file format is being handled correctly by your program, either use an external file, or just include an example of the file's format as the __DATA__ section of the code.

I haven't tried this, but it's possible that another use is to get clever and redirect STDIN to __DATA__. With that technique, you should be able to provide hard-wired simulated user interaction to automate testing. Say, for example, you want to test some portion of the code that requires that the user jump through several hoops before that portion of the code is executed. Just temporarily redirect STDIN to __DATA__ and then restore it as you get to that key section of code. Then hardwire into the __DATA__ section the keystrokes that will get you there. Just an untested thought. ;)

Dave

"If I had my life to do over again, I'd be a plumber." -- Albert Einstein

---

---

• Are you posting in the right place? Check out Where do I post X? to know for sure.
• Posts may use any of the Perl Monks Approved HTML tags. Currently these include the following:

  <code> <a> <b> <big> <blockquote> <br /> <dd> <dl> <dt> <em> <font> <h1> <h2> <h3> <h4> <h5> <h6> <hr /> <i> <li> <nbsp> <ol> <p> <small> <strike> <strong> <sub> <sup> <table> <td> <th> <tr> <tt> <u> <ul>

• Snippets of code should be wrapped in <code> tags not <pre> tags. In fact, <pre> tags should generally be avoided. If they must be used, extreme care should be taken to ensure that their contents do not have long lines (<70 chars), in order to prevent horizontal scrolling (and possible janitor intervention).
• Want more info? How to link or How to display code and escape characters are good places to start.