Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying.

If exists is to return a reference, it should always return a reference. Code exists which says exists( $foo{'bar}) ? 'Exists' : 'Does not exist'. That code will break if exists returns a reference, because references always evaluate true.

If what we get from exists is a reference, we should be able to treat is like any other reference. You seem to want to be able to assign from it and dereference the copy, but deny the ability to dereferencee it directly.

Just how is that supposed to work?

After Compline,
Zaxo

In reply to Re: Re: Re: optimization - exists should return a reference by Zaxo
in thread optimization - exists should return a reference by John M. Dlugosz

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