Strings

Double-quote strings

• Similar to a C string
• Interpolates (expands) variables within the string (i.e. "$var1")

Backslash escapes

\"   Double quote

Single-quote strings

• Any character is legal within the string (including newline characters, if the string spans multiple lines), except for single quotes and backslashes.
• Does not interpolate (expand) variables within the string (i.e. '$var1')

Backslash escapes

\'   Single quote
\\   Backslash

Back-quote strings

• The string text is run as a separate process; output is redirected and stored in the string

Functions

length

length(STRING)

• Returns the length of the string (parentheses are optional)

substr

substr(STRING, OFFSET [, LENGTH])

• Returns a substring (offset is 0-based) (parentheses are optional)

chomp

chomp(STRING)

• Removes the trailing newline character from the string (if there is one).

chop

chop(STRING)

• Removes the last character from the string.