I'm parsing some big log files and have some very simple string matches for example if(m/Some String Pattern/o){ #Do something } It seems simple enough but in fact most of the matches I have could be against the start of the line, but the match would be "longer" for example if(m/^Initial static string that matches Some String Pattern/o){ #Do something } Obviously this is a longer regular expression and so more work to match. However I can use the start of line anchor which would allow an expression to be discarded as a failed match sooner. It is my hunch that the latter would be more efficient. Can any one back me up/shoot me down :-)