You have to upgrade. Prior to version 1.3, CGI::Application only allowed subrefs (\&my_mode) -- not name-based references ('my_mode').

Name-based referenced were added to improve CGI::Application's sub-classing functionality. Modern versions allow both sub-refs and name-based refs.

The best answers to questions related to CGI::Application can be found on the official mailing list. To subscribe, send email to:

   cgiapp-subscribe@lists.vm.com

An archive of the list can be found at:

   http://www.mail-archive.com/cgiapp%40lists.vm.com/