With reference to accessing the data, the following construct is also valid:

$#{ expr_returning_arrayref }
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The expr_returning_arrayref is useful in many situations. In an OO application, you might access your array size like this (somewhat contrived for the purpose of example):

my $size = @{ $self->get_disallowed_array };
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Of course, the accessor method would probably use something along the lines of previous replies.

With reference to everything else, excellent replies above.