($a,$b,$c,$d,$e) = 1 .. 5; cmpthese -1,{ a=>q[ my @a = ($a,$b,$c,$d,$e); ++$_ for @a;], b=>q[my @a = \($a,$b,$c,$d,$e); ++$$_ for @a; ] };; Rate b a b 525790/s -- -23% a 685872/s 30% --