There are cases where it is equally easy to use a regexp in list context to split a string as it is to use the split function. Consider the following examples:

my @list = split /\s+/, $string;
my @list = $string =~ /(\S+)/g;
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In the first example you're defining what to throw away. In the second, you're defining what to keep. But you're getting the same results. That is a case where it's equally easy to use either syntax.

In your regexp example you don't need the parentheses, it will work the same without them.

If $string contains leading whitespace then you will NOT get the same results. To demonstrate examples that produce the same results:

my @list = split ' ', $string;
my @list = $string =~ /\S+/g;
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