# or even: $scalar =~ /[^1-5]/ ? &is_bad : &is_good; print $scalar =~ /[^1-5]/ ? "bad" : "OK!"; $scalar !~ /[^1-5]/ && print "OK!"; print "OK!" unless $scalar =~ /[^1-5]/; print "OK!" if $scalar !~ /[^1-5]/;