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scalar function - evaluated in scalar context

You can use the scalar function to force scalar context.

# Evaluate in scalar context
scalar executable statement

For example, if you evaluate array in a scalar context, you can get the number of arrays, but if you write it explicitly using the scalar function, it will be as follows.

# Number of arrays
my $count = scalar @values;

Do I have to use the scalar function?

If you devise a program, you can write a program without using the scalar function.

For example, if you want to pass a value to the argument of subroutine, pass it via variable.

# Pass the number of arrays directly
foo (scalar @values);

# Save the number of arrays in a scalar variable before passing
my $count = @values;
foo ($count);

Good variable names make the program self-explanatory and easy to read. In many cases, it's better to assign to a variable once and then use it elsewhere, rather than using the scalar function.