Re: [MacPerl] system function in MacPerl

[Bill Salivar <wsalivar@mv.us.adobe.com>]

Gary Feierstein wrote:
> 
> Hi!
> 
> I've just installed the Perl tool for MPW, and I'm writing my first MacPerl
> scripts (I've used perl on SunOS). The system() function doesn't work for most
> commands. Something like:
> 
>    perl -e 'system(files)'
> 
> yields loads of garbage output. I also get garbage when  I substitute "echo,"
> "MountProject," "date" or "beep" for "files." So far, the only command that I've
> found to work with the system function is "directory," but even then it ignores
> parameters (I can't acutally change directories).
> 

The system() call under MacPerl requires Toolserver which comes with
MPW.  It's a standalone app which executes MPW scripts and tools.  If 
you try using the system() call without this, you will see 
unpredictable behavior like what you have described

> I'm trying to sell Perl on the rest of the development team here ... please
> help!
> 
> Thanx,
> Gary
> 
> Theatrix Interactive, Inc.