in reply to Re: File::Spec::Win32::catfile behaviour for empty path components
in thread File::Spec::Win32::catfile behaviour for empty path components

That error you are getting is unrelated to the topic brought up by the OP. catfile should be called as a method:

>perl580\bin\perl -MFile::Spec -le"print File::Spec::Win32->catfile('' +)" >perl588\bin\perl -MFile::Spec -le"print File::Spec::Win32->catfile('' +)" \ >perl5100\bin\perl -MFile::Spec -le"print File::Spec::Win32->catfile(' +')" >

But I agree with your analysis. In short, GIGO.