Closures are not generally smelly, but global variables almost always are. My impression is the OP was aiming for a global variable rather than a closure. Very likely if a closure is intended by an OP the fact is mentioned because that has a strong influence on the expected behavior of the code. No mention, no closure.

Optimising for fewest key strokes only makes sense transmitting to Pluto or beyond

In reply to Re^3: Access a global variable from a subroutine when used as "for" iterator by GrandFather
in thread Access a global variable from a subroutine when used as "for" iterator by vitoco

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