One difference is about context. The first line sets @_ in scalar context, which makes Arrays give back the number of their elements.

The second line sets the Array in list context, because $root now is in a list. The fact that the list has only one element does not concern @_. In list context, Arrays return all their elements. Since the list has only one element, only the first element of the array is stored.

In reply to Re: Simple one by Taulmarill
in thread Simple one by mecrazycoder

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