Certainly an interesting idea—and not out of keeping with other similar constructs in Perl. But having said that I can't help but think that it isn't really a good idea.

First of all, say you adapt the void context approach...doesn't that begin to erode the idea of void context? Seems to me that the fuzzier the concept, the less useful. Second thing, since 'Side effects happen!', I'd have to side with the code curmudgeons(tm) and 'just so no!' Don't know about you, but I've more often shot myself in the foot with elegant improvements, than with other method of choice.

hsm