Here's how it it works. Consider the following code: 
$f = sub { .... };

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At compile time, the code within {} is compiled into a prototype anonymous sub (CV), which is squirrelled away somewhere. At run time, the action of sub {...} is to make a copy of that sub (allocating a new CV), and then return a reference to that new CV.

As an optimisation, if the sub isn't a closure, then rather than copying the CV, a reference is just returned to the original prototype CV. This optimisation isn't perfect; in particular if one blesses $f, then the prototype CV gets blessed, and any new executions of that $f = sub {...} assignment get a blessed coderef.

Finally, note that perl maintains a pool of spare CVs; when one is freed, it gets returned to the pool and that may get reused soon.

Of course, these are implementation details which are subject to change.

Dave.

In reply to Re: References for ano subs fixed at compile time? by dave_the_m
in thread References for ano subs fixed at compile time? by LanX

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