In my opinion, default values for arrays should only come into play for array elements that have NEVER been assigned to or that have been explicity undef'ed. If an assigment is made to an array element then the array element should end up the assigned value (modulo necessary type conversions) and the array's default value should not play any part in the assignment. After an explisit assignment of an array element the only way that the array's default value should magically reappear is if an undef of the element is done.
Any other way to handle things, like some of the other ways proposed will only lead to mysterious bugs and programmer missunderstandings. -- Mark Biggar [EMAIL PROTECTED]
