http://www.perlmonks.org?node_id=733910


in reply to Compact and sparse bit vector

The only thing is a lot of the time people use vec() specifically because they want the string to be a bit-vector. They dont want to use it as an array of <8 bit units of information so much, as a way to individually control bits in a string with a reasonably syntax.

Although having said that, the problem with vec() in this form is that it doesnt use native byte order, so you cant normally pass it directly into a C routine. So i guess your proposal has some merit...

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$world=~s/war/peace/g