I know symbolic references are universally frowned upon, but I am adapting an existing program where I think it is necessary.

I would like to do something like the following:

# The following line is the re-existing code in another 
# part of the program beyond my control:
# $alpha_state = "STATE";
# Next follows my own code:
use strict;
my %hash;
$hash{alpha}{state} = ${"$alpha" . "_state"};

[download]

Obviously the last line is not correct and I get the "Can't use string ... as scalar ref..." warning. In essence, I want the hash value $hash{alpha}{state} to always equal $alpha_state.

I've tried lots of permutations and hard references as well as re-reading the documentation on symbolic references, but can't quite figure this out. Any tips? Thanks.

In reply to Mandatory Symbolic References? by bfreemer

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