in reply to Re^3: Strange compile error?
in thread Strange compile error?

But it doesn't matter which part of a statement is compiled first, be it by associativity or precedence or quantum flux.

The docs are clear:

The declared variable is not introduced (is not visible) until after the current statement.

Cheers Rolf
(addicted to the Perl Programming Language :)
see Wikisyntax for the Monastery

In Section Seekers of Perl Wisdom