Nick, looks like its easy to downgrade a scalar after all: $ ./perl -we '$y="$x\n"; --$x' Name "main::y" used only once: possible typo at -e line 1. Use of uninitialized value $x in concatenation (.) or string at -e line 1. sv_upgrade from type 4 down to type 2 at -e line 1. $
-- Please note that ash-trays are provided for the use of smokers, whereas the floor is provided for the use of all patrons. -- Bill Royston