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```{index} single: PerlIO::scalar
```

# PerlIO::scalar

in-memory IO, scalar IO

## SYNOPSIS

```perl
my $scalar = '';
...
open my $fh, "<",  \$scalar or die;
open my $fh, ">",  \$scalar or die;
open my $fh, ">>", \$scalar or die;
```

or

```perl
my $scalar = '';
...
open my $fh, "<:scalar",  \$scalar or die;
open my $fh, ">:scalar",  \$scalar or die;
open my $fh, ">>:scalar", \$scalar or die;
```

## DESCRIPTION

A filehandle is opened but the file operations are performed "in-memory"
on a scalar variable.  All the normal file operations can be performed
on the handle. The scalar is considered a stream of bytes.  Currently
fileno($fh) returns -1.

Attempting to open a read-only scalar for writing will fail, and if
warnings are enabled, produce a warning.

## IMPLEMENTATION NOTE

`PerlIO::scalar` only exists as a stub. One does not need to explicitly
`use PerlIO::scalar`.