The way you are using them, that is what you use to dereference the scalar $hash_ref. The curly braces are optional.

You could use: 

foreach (sort keys %$hash_ref) { print; }

[download]
You use the appropriate symbol to what type of reference the scalar is holding. So... 
$foo = \$bar;
print $$foo;

$foo = \@bar;
print for @ref;

$foo = \%bar;
print for sort keys %$bar;

[download]
I would call them dereferencers.

Amel - f.k.a. - kel

In reply to Re: Array/Hash References? Constructors? by dsb
in thread Array/Hash References? Constructors? by crazysniffable

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