One thing I'd like to add is that returning a hash reference allows for beatiful syntax when you're using a single element from it. 
sub hash { qw(foo bar baz xyzzy) }
sub hashref { return { qw(foo bar baz xyzzy) } }

my %dummy = hash;
$dummy = $dummy{foo};
# Afaik, there is no direct syntax to get a single element

# but with hash refs, there is:
$dummy = hashref->{foo}
# equals $dummy = ${ hashref() }{foo}, which is ugly.

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In reply to Re: Is it better to return a hash of hashes or a reference to a hash of hashes? by Juerd
in thread Is it better to return a hash of hashes or a reference to a hash of hashes? by uwevoelker

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