The clearest picture you'll see of how Perl's hashes are implemented is this one. For a little associated description, see PerlGuts Illustrated and scan down the section entitled "HV".

If you have specific questions about the detail, I'd be willing to try to answer them. With the proviso that I'm just an "external observer" who happens to currently be writing an XS implementation of a hash-like mechanism, and am leaning heavily upon the perl hash code as a reference. I've basically become very familiar with it over the last 2 or 3 weeks.

Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.
RIP an inspiration; A true Folk's Guy

In reply to Re: Perl's hash table implementation by BrowserUk
in thread Perl's hash table implementation by jc

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