How do I break an outer loop from an inner one in Perl?

Question

Suppose I have a piece of Perl code like:

foreach my $x (@x) {
 foreach my $y (@z) {
  foreach my $z (@z) {
   if (something()) {
    # I want to break free!
   }
   # do stuff 
  }
  # do stuff
 }
 # do stuff
}

If something() is true, I would like to break ('last') all the loops.

how can I do that? I thought of two options, both of which I don't like: Using something GOTO Adding a boolean variable which will mark something() is true, check this var in each of the loops before they resume and last() if it's true.

Any suggestions or thoughts?

Thanks.

Endres

In Perl, the comment token is spelled #, not //. – Voluntarism

Answer 1

Use a label:

OUTER:
foreach my $x (@x) {
 foreach my $y (@z) {
  foreach my $z (@z) {
   if (something()) {
    last OUTER;
   }
   # do stuff 
  }
  # do stuff
 }
 # do stuff
}

Ciera

Answer 2

The "last LABEL" syntax is described in the documentation.

Whitleywhitlock

Answer 3

Note that you can also do this in a one liner. Use the keyword LINE. e.g. perl -ane 'next if length$F[5]!=1; for(split/,/,$F[6]){next LINE if length$_!=1}; print'

Dr