my $line = " 0 10 9 4 1 0 0 0 2 2 1 1 0"; my @config = (); { # dedicated block because localizing some variables ($_) local $_ = $line; @config = split; } # some code using @config { # dedicated block because localizing some variables ($, and $\) # show result; local $, = local $\ = $/; print @config; }