How do I select a random element from an array?

Use the rand() function (see perlfunc/rand):

    # at the top of the program:
    srand;			# not needed for 5.004 and later

    # then later on
    $index   = rand @array;
    $element = $array[$index];

Make sure you only call srand once per program, if then. If you are calling it more than once (such as before each call to rand), you're almost certainly doing something wrong.

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