The ref function applies to its arg. In this case, the C<join> is passing a string to C<ref>: which returns a null (undef) value. So nothing is printed.

You probably want something like: 

  print join(":", @$result) if ref $result;

[download]
If you wish to use the ?: notations, then 
  print ref($result) ? join(":", @$result) : "no results";

[download]
--Dave

Update: "?:" example fixed per ihb's response

In reply to Re: using join with a print ref statement by dpuu
in thread using join with a print ref statement by Bismark

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