i have a question about if/when perl reuses memory allocated for scoped lexicals.

specifically, a question regarding conflicting answers to the FAQ "How can I free an array or hash so my program shrinks?"

according to http://perldoc.perl.org/perlfaq3.html (which claims to be Perl 5.8.8 documentation):

You usually can't. Memory allocated to lexicals (i.e. my() variables) cannot be reclaimed or reused even if they go out of scope. It is reserved in case the variables come back into scope. Memory allocated to global variables can be reused (within your program) by using undef()ing and/or delete().
however, according to 'perldoc perlfaq3' on my perl 5.8.6,
However, judicious use of my() on your variables will help make sure that they go out of scope so that Perl can free up that space for use in other parts of your program.
is one of these incorrect or outdated? or are they both correct for their respective versions?
(that is, allocations for scoped lexical is reused in 5.8.6 but not 5.8.8?)

In reply to perl memory re-usage by mreece

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