Wow. I learn something new every day.

Just wanted to add my $0.02 on this:

1. perldoc perlop, search for and read the following sections: "C-Style Logical Or" and "Range Operators" (which are conveniently co-located...)

2. Quote from "C-Style Logical Or":

    @a = @b || @c;              # this is wrong
    @a = scalar(@b) || @c;      # really meant this
    @a = @b ? @b : @c;          # this works fine, though
[download]

So, the suggestion of using the ternary operator is a good one. For large arrays, I usually use references, though, if I know that I won't be modifying the array:

       $a = int @b ? \@b : \@c;
[download]

(I use the 'int' operator there for readability. It's superfluous, and does the same thing as the 'scalar' operator for that particular example.

Also note that the only difference between the '||' operator and the 'or' operator is precedence.

3. I don't think anyone specifically called it out, but the '..' operator returns a boolean *whenever* it is evaluated in scalar context, not just whenever there is a constant in there. Having the constant in there *also* compares that constant to the '$.' variable. I just wanted to chip in that clarification. Sorry if someone did point that out and I just missed it.