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Perl-folks,

Got a question that I hope someone can answer. I often use hashs like
structures and they sometimes contain references to other hashs or arrays.
My question is what is the best way to de-reference the internal hash or
array. An example. I recent wrote something that creates a hash which has
a default server name and a reference to an array of other server names.

%server_info = (default_server=>\$default,
server_list=> \@servers);

The sub that creates this hash returns a reference to that hash...

return \%server_info;

When I try to use it in the calling program, I have tried to use the
following line only to get syntax errors...

$server_list = sub_called_earlier();

foreach $element (@($server_list->{server_list})) {

do something with $element;
}

Seems like this should work as $server_list->{server_list} is a reference to
an array. I can get it work by using the following...

$server_array_ref = $server_list->{server_list};
foreach $element (@$server_array_ref) {

do something with $element;
}

This seems like a real waste of time and there has to be a way to make it
work properly. I have spent time looking for an answer, but have come
up short. If anyone has a reference (no pun intended) to point me to or a
concept on how they make it work, would love to hear it. Thanks.

CJ

CJ wrote:
> My question is what is the best way to de-reference the
> internal hash or array. [...].
>
> %server_info = (default_server=>\$default,
> server_list=> \@servers);
>
> The sub that creates this hash returns a reference to that hash...
>
> return \%server_info;
>
> When I try to use it in the calling program, I have tried to use the
> following line only to get syntax errors...
>
> $server_list = sub_called_earlier();
> foreach $element (@($server_list->{server_list})) {

Right idea, wrong style of brackets. Try curlies instead:
foreach $element (@{$server_list->{server_list}}) {

[...]
> I have spent time looking for an answer, but
> have come up short. If anyone has a reference (no pun intended) to
> point me to or a concept on how they make it work, would love to hear
> it.

Please see "perldoc perlref"

jue

"CJ" <> wrote in message news:<cfTDb.37$>...
> Perl-folks,
>
> Got a question that I hope someone can answer. I often use hashs like
> structures and they sometimes contain references to other hashs or arrays.
> My question is what is the best way to de-reference the internal hash or
> array.

See:
perldoc perlref
perldoc prelreftut

> An example. I recent wrote something that creates a hash which has
> a default server name and a reference to an array of other server names.
>
> %server_info = (default_server=>\$default,
> server_list=> \@servers);
>
> The sub that creates this hash returns a reference to that hash...
>
> return \%server_info;
>
> When I try to use it in the calling program, I have tried to use the
> following line only to get syntax errors...
>
> $server_list = sub_called_earlier();
>
> foreach $element (@($server_list->{server_list})) {

When reading Perl code or Perl manuals make sure to use a font in
which {} and () are clearly destinguished. The syntax for
dereferncing a reference that is the result an expression encloses the
expression in {} not ().

This newsgroup does not exist (see FAQ). Please do not start threads
here.

Jue,

Thank you for the info, have looked thru the perdoc, but guess I missed
it. Thanks again for the help and quick response.

CJ
"Jürgen Exner" <> wrote in message
news:JGWDb.20768$...
> CJ wrote:
> > My question is what is the best way to de-reference the
> > internal hash or array. [...].
> >
> > %server_info = (default_server=>\$default,
> > server_list=> \@servers);
> >
> > The sub that creates this hash returns a reference to that hash...
> >
> > return \%server_info;
> >
> > When I try to use it in the calling program, I have tried to use the
> > following line only to get syntax errors...
> >
> > $server_list = sub_called_earlier();
> > foreach $element (@($server_list->{server_list})) {
>
> Right idea, wrong style of brackets. Try curlies instead:
> foreach $element (@{$server_list->{server_list}}) {
>
> [...]
> > I have spent time looking for an answer, but
> > have come up short. If anyone has a reference (no pun intended) to
> > point me to or a concept on how they make it work, would love to hear
> > it.
>
> Please see "perldoc perlref"
>
> jue
>
>