#@h{qw(a b c)} doesn't create an @h array.  It sets 3 scalar values in the %h hash.

use strict;
use warnings;
use Data::Dumper;

my (%h);
#Note this works with use strict.  There is no @h array.  This sets $h{a}, $h{b}, and $h{c}.
@h{qw(a b c)} = (1, 2, 3); 
#Reset $h{b} just to make the point.
$h{b} = 5;

print '%h Hash:' . "\n";
print Dumper(\%h) . "\n\n";
#outputs: 
#%h Hash:
#$VAR1 = {
#          'c' => 3,
#          'a' => 1,
#          'b' => 5
#        };
#
#
#%sorted Hash:
#$VAR1 = {};
#