<p>Sure.  This is just meant to be a little more convenient, in the same way <code>$rs-&gt;search_rs</code> is more convenient than having to call <code>scalar $rs-&gt;search()</code>.  I find it more readable than using <code>scalar</code> or <code>search_rs</code> to force scalar context and, as you said, using <code>search_rs</code> involves a performance penalty.</p>

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