There is actually missing data in the sample data. In the real data file, it includes the date and time of the entry.

Once sorted by date and ID, then I can be sure that if the date changes and the ID changes as well, then there are no more answers to be had and I can dump the data, empty the hash and move on.

The real file is more like this once sorted: 

2018-01-25 01:01:01;Query;1;host;www.example.com
2018-01-25 01:01:01;Answer;1;ip;1.2.3.4
2018-01-25 01:01:05;Query;2;host;www.cnn.com
2018-01-25 01:01:05;Answer;2;ip;2.3.4.5
2018-01-25 01:01:05;Answer;2;ip;2.3.4.5
2018-01-25 01:01:06;Query;3;host;www.google.com
2018-01-25 01:01:06;Answer;3;ip;3.4.5.6
2018-01-25 01:01:08;Query;4;host;www.google.com
2018-01-25 01:01:08;Answer;4;ip;3.4.5.6
2018-01-25 01:01:08;Answer;4;ip;1.2.4.5
2018-01-25 01:01:11;Query;2;host;www.example2.com
2018-01-25 01:01:11;Answer;2;ip;2.3.4.5

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In reply to Re^4: Memory utilization and hashes by bfdi533
in thread Memory utilization and hashes by bfdi533

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