No deferrence going on here - &get_array() simple returns an array and not a reference (sub or array). Maybe this code will shed some light: 
use strict;
use Data::Dumper;

print Dumper get_array();
print Dumper get_array_ref();

print Dumper scalar get_something();
print Dumper get_something();

sub get_array {
   return ('a'..'d');
}

sub get_array_ref {
   return [('a'..'d')];
}

sub get_something {
   return wantarray ? ('a'..'d') : 'scalar';
}

[download]
Also check out the difference between a list and an array

jeffa

L-LL-L--L-LL-L--L-LL-L--
-R--R-RR-R--R-RR-R--R-RR
B--B--B--B--B--B--B--B--
H---H---H---H---H---H---
(the triplet paradiddle with high-hat)

In reply to (jeffa) 3Re: Arrays by jeffa
in thread How do I reset an array? by Jaspersan

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