With all the posts here you've pretty much got your answer if this will work or not. But I would also suggest making it readable. Make your code obvious what it is doing by making your variables self-explanatory and by commenting your code. 
my %defaults = get_defaults();
my %bighash = get_big_hash();

# Set default values to our bighash
%bighash = (%bighash, %defaults);

[download]
The point here is to make that assignment statement as simple to read as possible so there is no confusion about what you are doing there and why.

In reply to Re: Bulk hash population order by localfilmmaker
in thread Bulk hash population order by JakeIII

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