My code is object oriented..$mon_obj->{'FILE_DATA'} is a reference to an array, each element of the array represents a line in a text file. Periodically I delete elements(lines in the file) by setting them to undef(or I could use delete $array[$x]). After deleting a number of elements, I wanted to do a sort of 'garbage collection' with the elements that are set to undef. Below is the best method I could come up with for a way that actually deletes the element. It seems easier and better(to me) to ensure the undef array elements are tossed out, as opposed to adding a defined($mon_obj->{'FILE_DATA'}->[$x]) check within every structure in my code that loops over this array. Does all this seem reasonable? Do share any/all insights. thanx. 
 my $x;
 my $counter;

for($x = 0; $x < @{$mon_obj->{'FILE_DATA'}}; $x++) 
   {
   unless($mon_obj->{'FILE_DATA'}->[$x])  ## if undef incr. the gap
         {
         $counter++;
         }
             
   if($counter > 0)  ## copy the data from $x + gap to $x
     {
     $mon_obj->{'FILE_DATA'}->[$x] = $mon_obj->{'FILE_DATA'}->[$x + $c
+ounter];
     }
   } 
for($x = 0; $x < $counter; $x++)
   {
   pop @{$mon_obj->{'FILE_DATA'};  ## pop into oblivion
   }

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In reply to deleting array elements(efficiency/critique) by blueAdept

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