> The method works. I am using PickAxe as my reference.
> I don't recall see any thing stating you could assign values in an array
>  to variables by separating the variables by  commas on the leftside of
> the
>  assignment statement. I just want to know which book or reference
> should I use to
>  understand why assignments can be made in this way?
> Or am I just seeing a side effect of my poor coding skills?

I guess you are seeing the effect of not reading the book carefully enough.
PickAxe, 2nd edition (paper version):

Page 91 'Assignment'
Page 92 'Parallel Assignment'
Page 338 'More on Assignment'
Page 340 'Parallel Assignment'


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Regards,
Rimantas
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http://rimantas.com/