# variables normally expand $bunches = "\t@these + @those\n"; # but not if escaped; the hats are literals now $bunches = "\t\@these + \@those\n"; # or suppress them all in one swell foop $cost = '39 widgets @$1.59 apiece'; # selectively suppressed variable expansion system qq{Mail -s "gotta problem" helpdesk\@support <$complaints}; # variables normally expand @many = ( @these, @those); # suppress variable expansion @rpair = (\@these, \@those); # *distributively* suppress variable expansion @rpair = \(@these, @those);