Re^3: check for wantarray?

You will have to examine the return value(s).

If more than one value is returned, the sub returned a list, you will then have to examine each element (see next bullet point).
If only one value is returned, the ref function can help you to determine what kind of value was returned.

ref EXPR
ref
[download]
Returns a non-empty string if EXPR is a reference, the empty string otherwise. If EXPR is not specified, $_ will be used. The value returned depends on the type of thing the reference is a reference to. Builtin types include:

SCALAR
ARRAY
HASH
CODE
REF
GLOB
LVALUE
If the referenced object has been blessed into a package, then that package name is returned instead. You can think of ref as a typeof operator.

CountZero

A program should be light and agile, its subroutines connected like a string of pearls. The spirit and intent of the program should be retained throughout. There should be neither too little or too much, neither needless loops nor useless variables, neither lack of structure nor overwhelming rigidity." - The Tao of Programming, 4.1 - Geoffrey James

Comment on Re^3: check for wantarray? Select or Download Code

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re^4: check for wantarray? by LanX (Saint) on Dec 29, 2008 at 13:29 UTC
IMHO missed the OP's crucial question: How can I distinguish both if the the array has only one element, a reference of an array?	[reply]
Re^5: check for wantarray? by CountZero (Bishop) on Dec 29, 2008 at 17:14 UTC
One cannot, for the simple reason that no array is ever returned by a sub. A sub returns a list and a single element list is indistinguishable from a scalar (and as you know a scalar can also contain a reference or an object, which is just a blessed reference). IMHO the question is therefore irrelevant. CountZero A program should be light and agile, its subroutines connected like a string of pearls. The spirit and intent of the program should be retained throughout. There should be neither too little or too much, neither needless loops nor useless variables, neither lack of structure nor overwhelming rigidity." - The Tao of Programming, 4.1 - Geoffrey James	[reply]