Without the parentheses, you are defining a scalar. With them you define a list of one thing. The difference is that the RHS is evaluated in a different context, as can be verified by putting a function there and testing wantarray.

Look at Arrays are not lists for more on this topic.

In reply to Re (tilly) 1: difference between ($scalar) and $scalar by tilly
in thread difference between ($scalar) and $scalar by c

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