I'll never return from the "middle" of a routine...

I disagree with that philosophy 100%.

Routine entry and routine exit are not, as some think, symmetric.
That is why computer languages have GOTO but not COMEFROM (with the exception of Intercal, but that's a joke).

Early return from a subroutine is like short-circuiting logic - which, we all can agree, is a Good Thing.

jdporter
The 6th Rule of Perl Club is -- There is no Rule #6.