Purl Gurl said:
My $element is an alias for the $_ variable.
Nope. $element is the loop variable, or $_ is the loop variable, but
not both simulataneously. The same response applies to "moniker", "new
name", "precise copy" (especially!), and any other way you try to
claim that the loop variable takes on the functionality or value of
$_.
Only $_ should do this, only $_ should have "write" permission.
Sorry, you've been overruled. It's not your language. The loop
variable, whatever it is, has "write" permission, because the loop
variable, regardless of its name, is an alias for the current element
of the loop.
Not localizing $element is illogical and leads to
confusion until a person realizes it is, de facto,
the perl core default $_ variable.
You're operating under the false assumption that there is only one
logical choice. It is perfectly logical to say that every loop
variable is an alias. You are aware, aren't you, that outside of a
loop, $_ is not generally an alias?
Do you really believe perl core discards all the functions
of $_ then creates a new set of identical functions for a
a named alias?
The functionality of aliasing is implemented for the loop structure,
not for the $_ variable. Inside a loop, if you do s/foo/bar/, it does
not apply to the loop variable, it applies to whatever $_ is. The loop
variable is not the new default argument for the many functions and
operators that $_ is.
My $element is $_ and $_ is my $element.
$_ is the default foreach loop variable, just like it's the default
argument for a lot of functions and operators. When you supply an
argument to length(), that doesn't make the argument relate in any way
to $_.
Aliasing is a property of foreach loops, and it is consistent,
regardless of what the loop variable is.
Hope this helps.
] you