You seem to have updated your post since I read it.
The fact that the assignment line isn't prefixed with my is a strong hint that you weren't using strictures. What you show people is what they will do. Show them strictures right from the start - even for trivial code like your sample. At the very least assume strictures and stick a my in front of the assignment.
In reply to Re^3: Barewords equal zero?
by GrandFather
in thread Barewords equal zero?
by Cody Pendant
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