Hello,
you can find interesting the fact that $#array_name contain the index of the last element so that ($#array_name + 1) == scalar @array_name.

As stated wisely by some monk, in Perl context is all, as in human languages, this is powerful but not-so-easy-to-manage feature. Consider a read of context in the Modern Perl book. This book is a gem but i dont suggest as a first Perl read: i prefer Perl Cookbook, albeit a little ancient book but a wonderful introduction by examples to many fields where Perl rocks.

hth
L*