I think this is what you are looking for:

use Scalar::Util qw[ dualvar ];;

sub alwaysFails { 
    return dualvar -123, 'Some text to explain the error'; 
}

$rv = alwaysFails();;

print "Sub failed with error: $rv" if $rv != 0;;
Sub failed with error: Some text to explain the error

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Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
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In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

The start of some sanity?

In reply to Re: Perl Module Object - Return fail/success with a fault string by BrowserUk
in thread Perl Module Object - Return fail/success with a fault string by jhyland87

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