my @array = split(/,(\s+|)/, $string);
# change to
my @array = split(/,(?:\s+|)/, $string);
[download]

to make the parens non-capturing

Update Zaxo's is much better in practice... but if you ever do need grouping, (?: ) will not capture like ( ) will

                - Ant
                - Some of my best work - Fish Dinner