Would this not work without the brackets?

$a = $b if $a != $b;
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This is valid for such a simple operation according to the Pocket Ref. Infact, one of the first examples of control statments looks like so:

expr1 if expr2 ;
expr1 foreach list ;
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Did I read this wrong?

UPDATE:Guess I didn't read it wrong!

-- Can't never could do anything, so give me and inch, I'll make it a mile.