my $ref = [0 , 1 , 2 , 3] ; #### my @array = (0 , 1 , 2 , 3) ; my $ref = \@array ; #### $main_ref = [1 , 2 , 3] ; $ref2 = $main_ref ; $ref2->[0] = 'a' ; print "$main_ref->[0]\n" ; # we got 'a' $ref2 = 'not a ref anymore' ;