In non-lvalue context, you can return the direct variable. It doesn't matter if the lvalue is "ever" modified -- only at that point when it is dereferenced. It isn't returned if you are taking a reference to it.

Only in every instance where you dereference it, does it THEN determine context. But passing around a reference is a null-op as far as the object goes. The code in it won't get called as long as one is only taking references to it and passing them around as references or aliases.

In reply to Re^12: can sub check context for lvalue vs rvalue context? by perl-diddler
in thread can sub check context for lvalue vs rvalue context? by perl-diddler

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