This doesn't answer your question on efficiency, but if you really like using the period, you could always force list context. 
print (@array) . "\n"; # this is broken

[download]
This isn't correct at all as pointed out here.

Update: Retracted bad suggestion. Thanks, chipmunk.

- Derek Soviak

In reply to Re: Period vs. Comma concatenation and reference material for it by dereks
in thread Period vs. Comma concatenation and reference material for it by trs80

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