Checking if a directory exists with Perl

Question

I am trying to check if a directory exists in a UNIX system with Perl.

while (my @row = $sth->fetchrow_array) {
    my $id = $row[0];
    my $hash = $row[1];
    my $direction = '/home/users/' . $hash

    if(-d $direction){
        print "$direction exists";
    }

}

But I get this error:

Global symbol "$direction" requires explicit package name at Perl.pl line 31. syntax error at Perl.pl line 31, near "){" syntax error at Perl.pl line 35, near "}" Execution of Perl.pl aborted due to compilation errors.

Line 31 in this case is:

if(-d $direction)

Any ideas?

Good job using strict! :)

simbabque
– simbabque

2017-02-23 13:45:27 +00:00
Commented Feb 23, 2017 at 13:45 — simbabque
– simbabque, Commented Feb 23, 2017 at 13:45

Russell Shingleton · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-23 13:42:20Z

5

my $direction = '/home/users/' . $hash

This line is missing a semi-colon, causing a compile error.

answered Feb 23, 2017 at 13:42

Russell Shingleton

3,1961 gold badge23 silver badges29 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

ikegami · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-23 13:50:52Z

4

If you ever get a syntax error at the start of the BLOCK (near ") {") of an if, unless, while, until, for, foreach or when statement, check if the previous statement is missing its semi-colon (;).

Similarly, if you ever get a syntax error at the semi-colon (near "<something>;") of a C-style for statement (for (...; ...; ...;) { ... }), check if the previous statement is missing its semi-colon (;).

If you mean to write

f();
if (g()) { h() }

but you write

f()
if (g()) { h() }

Perl thinks you're missing a semi-colon before the BLOCK

f()
if (g()) HERE { h() }

because the following is valid Perl:

f() if (g())

answered Feb 23, 2017 at 13:50

ikegami

391k17 gold badges290 silver badges554 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Checking if a directory exists with Perl

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related