If $that is not a reference, ref returns a false value and the constructor uses the value of $that literally as the class name. In effect, you can call new() as a class or an object method and receive a new object back.

I consider that a bad design decision, but good luck trying to convince people that, when the documentation recommends it....

In reply to Re^2: Table::Extract unblessed reference by chromatic
in thread Table::Extract unblessed reference by thekestrel

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