my $count = length($content);
my $temp = '';
for(0 .. $count )
{
    $temp = substr($content,$_,1);
    if( $temp =~ /your pattern/mgsi )
    {   
        printf("stuff");
        $temp = "";
    }   
    elsif( $temp =~ /your other pattern/mgsi )
    {   
        print("other stuff");
        $temp = "";
    }   
}