modifyHash(\%my_hash); sub modifyHash { my $hash_ref = shift; # Do something to the hash ${$hash_ref}{'test'} = 1; #$hash_ref->{'test'} = 1; #alternative } #### %my_hash -> %{$hash_ref} keys(%my_hash) -> keys(%{$hash_ref}) %my_hash = (); -> %{$hash_ref} = () $my_hash{$key} -> ${$hash_ref}{$key}