3.3 Variables

An array variable holds a single list value (zero or more scalar values). Array variable names are similar to scalar variable names, differing only in the initial character, which is an at sign (@) rather than a dollar sign ($). For example:

@fred # the array variable @fred
@A_Very_Long_Array_Variable_Name
@A_Very_Long_Array_Variable_Name_that_is_different

Note that the array variable @fred is unrelated to the scalar variable $fred. Perl maintains separate namespaces for different types of things.

The value of an array variable that has not yet been assigned is (), the empty list.

An expression can refer to array variables as a whole, or it can examine and modify individual elements of the array.