In Perl, why do I get a syntax error when I try to use string eval?

Question

Why isn't this working?

eval "$response = $ua->request($r);"
print "$@";

gives:

syntax error at (eval 8) line 1, near "=" 

Answer 1

It isn't working because your double-quoted string is subject to interpolation, which is not going to go well, with those variables being expanded in place. And you need a semicolon outside your eval, not so much inside it. Try single quotes like so:

eval '$response = $ua->request($r)';

Answer 2

A better question is why you are using a string eval, instead of a block eval?

eval { $response = $ua->request($r); }
print "$@";

Answer 3

An even better better question is why you are using eval in the first place? I suspect that you are using LWP::UserAgent and unless you implement your own request object, the 'request` method is unlikely do die.

Thus, why not simply use:

$response = $ua->request($r);

?