update ill have to double check the documentation u suggested as they are passing two arguments to param..
yes i am testing this on perl 5.10.1 because that is the 'production' version so to speak.
The odd thing is that when i use the scalar reference my code is breaking output and i see nothing in the logs.
.just fyi..ill keep the security aspect in mind while designing the terms and conditions of website usage:D, as the application is not dealing with majorly sensitive data( maybe phone numbers/emails/names) and definitely no passwords!
i will test this shortly on perl 5.20 and let u know if the warning / error surfaces.
thank you for the quick help. i really value it.