How do I make variables private to my Perl function?

Perl function FAQ: How do I make variables private to my Perl function?

Answer: Just use the Perl my operator. Here's an example that shows how to create a variable named bar that is private to the function name foo:

sub foo {
  my $bar = 'bar';
  #
  # more code here ...
  #
}

When you use the my operator before the name of a variable, you make that variable private to the current scope. In this case the current scope is the method named foo, so bar is private to that function, and can't be accessed outside of foo.

Example Perl code

Here's some working sample Perl code that shows this in action. Outside of my function I first set the value of a variable named $bar to the string "INIT". Then, in my function/subroutine, I set the value of $bar to the test "INIT". Then, after my subroutine I print the value of $bar. Before looking at the answer down below, what do you think the print statement will print?

$bar = 'INIT';

sub foo {
  my $bar = 'BAR';
}

print "$bar\n";

If you save this Perl code to a file and then run it, the output will be:

INIT

The bar variable you created in the function foo remains private to that function.