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About this quote

What does it mean?
Avoid using the '9' format in pack/unpack operations.
In plain terms
Don't use the '9' format for packing numbers.
What can you take from it?
Choose correct formatting functions.

Where it applies

  • binary serialization
  • network protocols

Putting it to work

  • use standard formats
  • consult documentation

Questions to consider

  • When might you need to use a non‑standard format?

Another view

Sometimes legacy formats are necessary for compatibility.

More from Larry Wall

  1. Historically Tcl has always stored all intermediate results as strings. (With 8.0 they're rethinking that. Of course, Perl rethought that from the start.)

    Permalink to quote #136
  2. I think that's easier to read. Pardon me. Less difficult to read.

    Permalink to quote #138
  3. Tcl tends to get ported to weird places like routers.

    Permalink to quote #135

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  1. Although the Perl Slogan is There's More Than One Way to Do It, I hesitate to make 10 ways to do something. :-)

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