title: Perl confusion /^$key^
body: <p>What does the /^$key/ part of this code mean? I've seen it used before in online tutorials but have no idea where and I can't find it on google.</p>
  
  <pre><code>if (!grep(/^$key/, @{$ignore})) {
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>earlier in the code  it states </p>
  
  <pre><code>my $ignore = shift;
  my ($added, $field, $found, $key, $record, @records, @results, $returned, %superceded,  $value);
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Thanks in advance for any help.</p>