When I try to run your code, I get the following output:

Use of uninitialized value in numeric comparison (<=>) at ./sorttest.p
+l line 12.
Use of uninitialized value in numeric comparison (<=>) at ./sorttest.p
+l line 12.
Use of uninitialized value in numeric comparison (<=>) at ./sorttest.p
+l line 12.
Use of uninitialized value in numeric comparison (<=>) at ./sorttest.p
+l line 12.
ALPHA:D 20 letters      ABCCEDFFGAACDDEEEEFG
ALPHA:D 20 letters      ABCCEDFGGAACDDDEEEFG
ALPHA:D 20 letters      ABCCEDFFGAACDDDEEEFG
ALPHA:E 24 letters      ABCCEDFFGAACDDDEEEFGAGAD
ALPHA:E 24 letters      ABCCEDFFGAACDDDEEEFGAGAE
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How can I resolve this, and where are the count values for these?