return (1,2,3,4)

Protip: Don't use numbers like this to debug lists and arrays, because it makes it impossible to tell the difference between a list returning its last value and an array returning its size.

Yes, that's why I always use characters ... but there is another trap lurking ...

Extra tip: never use the range operator to return a list.

One of the most annoying design flaws of Perl is the propagation of context to a subs returning statement. That's action at a distance...

And you really don't want a flip-flop when you expect a list...

  DB<50> sub tst { "a".."d" }

  DB<51> x tst()              # list context   => range
0  'a'
1  'b'
2  'c'
3  'd'
  DB<52> p scalar tst()       # scalar context => flip-flop 
1E0
  DB<53> x tst()              # list context   => WTF???
0  0
  DB<54> x tst()              # once flip-flop, always flip-flop
0  0
  DB<55>
[download]

Workaround: reverse

    
  DB<44> sub tst { reverse "a".."d" }

  DB<45> x tst()
0  'd'
1  'c'
2  'b'
3  'a'
  DB<46> p scalar tst()
dcba
  DB<47> x tst()
0  'd'
1  'c'
2  'b'
3  'a'
  DB<48>
[download]

And if don't like the order, reverse twice

  DB<55> sub tst { reverse reverse "a".."d" }
[download]

update

another - uglier - alternative:

  DB<59> sub tst { @{["a".."d"]} }

  DB<60> x tst()
0  'a'
1  'b'
2  'c'
3  'd'
  DB<61> p scalar tst()
4
  DB<62> x tst()
0  'a'
1  'b'
2  'c'
3  'd'
  DB<63>
[download]

Cheers Rolf
_{(addicted to the Perl Programming Language :)
Wikisyntax for the Monastery}