So instead of 64k, how about 1?

BTW -- please note BrowserUK's tag line below -- this part:

"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".

Seemed especially pertinent to some peoples' reactions to my asking "why is this this way" (with some answering, "that's the way it is" (status quo), or "as documented" (implicit acceptance of authority).

Um, BrowserUK -- do you walk your taglines, or are they just decorative? :-)

that doesn't accept hex or octal constants

You're conflating the issue. Mixing apples and blackberries in an attempt to make sanyos.

Perl does accept hex or octal (and binary to boot) constants anywhere it accepts a decimal constant:

print  for 65, 0x41, 0101, 0b1000001;;
65
65
65
65
[download]

In addition, it also accepts a string containing a decimal constant, anywhere it takes a number:

print 65 + 0x41 + 0101 + 0x1000001 + "3.141592653589793238462643383279
+5e001";;
16777443.4159265
[download]

Making it more flexible than most other languages.

The fact that it does not also accept strings containing non-decimal numeric values is not a language flaw; but a design decision, which if you think about it a little, makes perfect sense.

A string containing just decimal digits, can only be a number.

A string containing "OX84AB97" could be a color code; and one containing "007 James Bond" ...

---

With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'

Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.

"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". I knew I was on the right track :)

In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

A string containing just decimal digits, can only be a number.

You could just as easily say a string containing just octal, or binary or hexadecimal digits, can only be a number.

A decimal number might be a "leetspeak" word if you were wanting to be cryptic.

Perl determines from *context* if the user is trying to use a variable as a number or a string. If the user tries to perform addition on a string -- it tries to see if the string looks like a number and allows it if it does. But there is no reason it needs to be limited to decimal digits. This is even more evident if you consider octal digits as an example. Using a rule of 'leading 0' for octal or 'leading 0x' for hex seem fairly safe -- can you give an example where doing so would be a problem?

Come-on BuK, question the status quo! ;-)