Understanding the Difference between Perl's Scalar and List Context

The focus keyword for this interview question is "Perl scalar list context."

In Perl, the language allows for different contexts when evaluating expressions - scalar context and list context.

Scalar Context

In scalar context, expressions are evaluated in a way that expects a single value to be returned. This means that the context is focused on a singular item or scalar value.

List Context

On the other hand, list context expects multiple values or a list of values to be returned from expressions. In list context, Perl interprets the expression as a list, where elements can be extracted individually.

Understanding the difference between scalar and list context is crucial in writing efficient and effective Perl code, as it influences how expressions are evaluated and how values are handled.