Passwd authentication in perl

Hi:

I am learning perl. This is part of my first perl code.
when I enter the right passwd for database then I have no problem, but if I enter the wrong passwd then process hangs (when you enter a wrong passwd at sqlplus prompt then it will ask for username and passwd again).
What do I need to do for passwd authentication so my process does not hang.

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my $USER="XYZ";
my $PASS="";

# Get the password
print_tee ("$USER Password: ");
`stty -echo`;
$PASS=;
chomp $PASS;
`stty echo`;
print_tee ("\n\n");
if ($PASS eq "")
{
print ("\nERROR: Password may be empty. Exiting...\n\n");
exit;
}

my $result = `sqlplus $USER/$PASS `

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Thanks.

Hi:

Please let me know where can I find the information.

Thanks.