The order in which keys are returned by keys/each/value are supposed to be random (not crypotgraphically random, but explicity coded as random, with the random factor being different for each run (see PERL_HASH_SEED).

So why not just grab the first element of the hash? Or if you need more than one, grab the first N? Or you need a single random element from time to time, either maintain a counter and grab element $n++ using the methods discussed eaither in this thread, or if you can guarantee that the hash's iterator won't be used elsewhere, you can use 'each' to get the next element.

Dave.

In reply to Re: Random hash element (low memory edition). by dave_the_m
in thread Random hash element (low memory edition). by amarquis

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