How to Create an Array in Perl

Arrays are a basic data structure used to hold numbered lists of information. Perl array variables begin with a "@" instead of the "$" used for simple variables. Each entry in the array is called an element and given an index used to access that entry.

Instructions

1. Declare the array and assign initial values by placing them inside parentheses, separated by commas.
   @groceryList = ("Apples","Milk","Cheese");

2. Print the array by simply giving it as a parameter to the print statement.
   print "@groceryList";

3. Access individual elements of the array by placing the index, enclosed in square brackets, after the array name, as follows.
   @groceryList[1]
   Since Perl array indices start at 0, the above refers to "Milk".

4. Use negative numbers for the index to count backwards. For example, @groceryList[-1]gives the last element in the array, which is "Cheese."

5. Determine the size of the array by forcing it to a scalar, using the construct scalar @groceryList.

6. Sort the array using the sort function, as in the following:
   @groceryList = sort(@groceryList);


Tips & Warnings

• Indices begin with 0, rather than 1.

Resources

• Perl.org for a directory of services