Can't coerce array into hash at

gspot has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Hello, I've googled the error in my Title, but still can't seem to get it. I have the following code:

       $tmp_string="SARSTATS$SAROPT";
       $rec=$$tmp_string[$SAR_DATA_START]{ $tmp_array[0] };
       $rec->{device}=$tmp_array[0];
       push (@{$rec->{date}},   $date_time);
       push (@{$rec->{busy}},   $tmp_array[1]);
[download]

Which works like a champ on Solaris (2.6, 2.7, 2.8) and aix (4.3.3 & 5L), but not on HP-UX (9000 or 11.00). They are all running 5.6.1 of Perl. Please smile favorably upon me Monks! gratci, Guy

Comment on Can't coerce array into hash at Download Code

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Re: Can't coerce array into hash at by bronto (Priest) on Mar 21, 2003 at 15:20 UTC
`$tmp_string="SARSTATS$SAROPT"; $rec=$$tmp_string[$SAR_DATA_START]{ $tmp_array[0] };` [download] Why are you using a scalar variable like a reference? Are you `use`ing `strict` and `warnings`? Ciao! `--bronto` The very nature of Perl to be like natural language--inconsistant and full of dwim and special cases--makes it impossible to know it all without simply memorizing the documentation (which is not complete or totally correct anyway). --John M. Dlugosz	[reply] [d/l] [select]
Re: Can't coerce array into hash at by Elian (Parson) on Mar 21, 2003 at 16:11 UTC
When you use an array reference as a hash reference, you trigger perl's pseudo-hash code. This only works in some versions of perl (5.6.x and 5.8.x, IIRC, though it's a dead feature) and only if the zeroeth element of the array referenced is a hash reference. Check to make sure you're actually using the right version of perl everywhere, and that the array is set up to act as a pseudohash. If you're not purposely using perl's pseudohash feature, then your program is a bug and your reference doesn't refer to what you think it does. (And you're using symbolic refs anyway, which is mildly naughty)	[reply]
Re: Can't coerce array into hash at by robartes (Priest) on Mar 21, 2003 at 16:04 UTC
You get this error when you try to use an array ref as a hashref: `$ perl -e '$aryref= [ qw(one two) ];$aryref->{'camel'}='flea-ridden';' Can't coerce array into hash at -e line 1.` [download] As you do not specify at which line the error occurs, I have to guess. There are two places where you deref a hashref (and thus two hasrefs that could actually be arrayrefs): in the second and third line of your script. The culprits are either `$$tmp_string[$SAR_DATA_START]` or `$rec`. As to why this should work on one OS, and not on another - I would have a long hard look at your input data: you ~~are~~ appear to be using `sar` output, which tends to be OS specific. As an aside, you might consider refactoring your data structure. It is quite complicated at the moment (I had to use some paper & pencil drawings to figure it out) and you are appear to be using symbolic references, which is usually not a good sign. Update: Stopped pretending I have psychic powers. CU Robartes-	[reply] [d/l] [select]