In scalar context, @bar{'a', 'b'} is the last element of the list, '' in your example.

The result of the map in list context is a copy of bar but, when evaluated in scalar context, gives the length of the list it copies.

More on p76 of The Camel Book, 3rd Ed.

In reply to Re: Scalar context of slice by Xilman
in thread Scalar context of slice by thenaz

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