In other words this code: 
sub x { 
    (); 
} 
 
@x = x(); 
 
use Data::Dumper; warn Dumper([\@x]);

[download]
shows that @x is bound to a list with one element.
No, it's not. Watch this: 
sub routine { return (); }
@x = routine();
print 0+@x;

[download]
This prints 0, as expected. You are handing to Data::Dumper a list of one item, that one item being a reference to your empty array. Stop indirecting so much!

-- Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker

In reply to RE: How does one return an Empty list as a return value by merlyn
in thread Empty list as a return value by princepawn

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