Anonymous Arrays and Hashes

For references to dynamically created data structures
Not associated with any particular variable name
Syntax: a reference to an anonymous array:
$array_ref = ['batteries', 'fluids', 'bolts'];
print $array_ref->[1];
This, again, prints fluids, but this time there was no use of an intermediate variable name (@inventory).
Syntax: a reference to an anonymous hash:
$hash_ref = { monday => 'soup', tuesday => 'sandwich' };
print $hash_ref->{'tuesday'};
# again, 'sandwich' without %lunch
References to anonymous arrays and hashes are used to construct more complex data structures.

For example, 2-dimensional arrays:

$matrix = [
           ['02', '12', '22'],
           ['01', '11', '21'],
           ['00', '10', '20'],
          ];
print $matrix->[1]->[1];   # prints '11'

Or a reference to a hash of arrays:

$complex = { 'monday' => ['ford', 'bmw'],
             'tuesday' => ['honda', 'toyota'],
           };

print $complex->{'monday'}->[1];  # bmw

Perhaps the most useful is a list of hashes:
$cust1 = { 'name' => 'mary', 'phone' => '555-1212' };
@customers = ( $cust1, $cust2 );

Anonymous Arrays and Hashes

http://www.keller.com/perladv/2/anon.html Updated Wednesday, 31-Oct-2001 14:22:37 CST Copyright © 1999

http://www.keller.com/perladv/2/anon.html
Updated Wednesday, 31-Oct-2001 14:22:37 CST

Copyright © 1999