http://www.perlmonks.org?node_id=72822


in reply to SPOILER AHOY!
in thread NEWBIE Brain Teaser #2, by nysus

However the result of the attempted assignment of a list to $_ differ depending on Perl version, and this DOES affect the output you will see.
Perl never attempts to assign a list to $_. Ever.

Understanding is demonstrated when correct phrasing is used. {grin}

-- Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker