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About this quote

What does it mean?
The script signals the end of a rant and returns to normal programming flow.
In plain terms
It ends the diatribe and resumes regular execution.
What can you take from it?
Use clear delimiters to separate debugging output from normal operation.

Where it applies

  • logging
  • interactive scripts

Putting it to work

  • mark debug sections
  • restore normal output

Questions to consider

  • Is the marker needed for users?
  • How to suppress it in production?

Another view

Such messages may confuse automated parsers expecting pure output.

More from Larry Wall

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  3. That means I'll have to use $ans to suppress newlines now. Life is ridiculous.

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