$a = 3.14159; { my $a = 3; print "In block, \$a = $a\n"; print "In block, \$::a = $::a\n"; } print "Outside block, \$a = $a\n"; print "Outside block, \$::a = $::a\n"; # This outputs In block, $a = 3 In block, $::a = 3.14159 Outside block, $a = 3.14159 Outside block, $::a = 3.14159