When this:
$data{$tab} = \@array;
is executed in a loop where $tab and @array change, every resulting $data{$tab} contains the value of the @array associated with the final $tab.

Changing the initial line to invoke an anonymous reference:
$data{$tab} = [@array]
works a treat.

Any explanations would be most welcome.

In reply to references--hard vs anonymous operational weirdness by hill

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