If the code is also used at other places, then put in a sub:

use strict;

print foo("abcCj");

sub foo {
    return ($_[0] =~ /TC/g) ? "TC" : "26 ";                
}
[download]

The points here are:

• First, the ultimate way to set the right scope for your variables is to modulize your code, fully utilize things like package, class, sub etc.
• Always define your variables in the smallest scope that can yet be accessed by all parts that need it

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