=over

=item $MATCH

=item $&
X<$&> X<$MATCH>

The string matched by the last successful pattern match (not counting
any matches hidden within a BLOCK or eval() enclosed by the current
BLOCK).  (Mnemonic: like & in some editors.)  This variable is read-only
and dynamically scoped to the current BLOCK.

The use of this variable anywhere in a program imposes a considerable
performance penalty on all regular expression matches.  See L</BUGS>.

See L</@-> for a replacement.

=back