I disagree with tilly that using sort() is the natural solution. I think this is the natural solution: 
sub closest {
$n=pop;$c=pop;abs$n-$_<abs$n-$c?$c=$_:0for@_;$c
}

[download]
This is O(n) rather than O(n*log n). Of course, at 47 characters it is, unfortunately, a longer solution. Oh well!

In reply to Re: Closest-value-in-list Golf! by chipmunk
in thread Closest-value-in-list Golf! by larryk

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