How can I find the number of elements in a hash?

Malkavian has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question: ⭐ (hashes)

Is there any fast way of finding the number of elements in a hash without first assigning an array of keys of a hash?
Basically, I don't like the overhead of doing the operation:

@array=keys(%hash);
$size=$#array;
[download]

It just seems a little wasteful. If anyone can point out a quickie answer, I'd be hideously grateful

Cheers,

Malk

Originally posted as a Categorized Question.

Comment on How can I find the number of elements in a hash? Download Code

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Re: How can I find the number of elements in a hash?⭐ by OeufMayo (Curate) on Mar 09, 2001 at 02:22 UTC
The easiest way is to have the keys function evaluated in scalar context: `%hash = ('foo'=>1, 'bar'=>3); $count = keys %hash;` [download]	[reply] [d/l]
Re: How can I find the number of elements in a hash?⭐ by Bloodelf (Beadle) on Jun 19, 2001 at 02:17 UTC
`print scalar(keys %h);` [download]	[reply] [d/l]
Re: Size of a hash⭐ by japhy (Canon) on Mar 08, 2001 at 22:09 UTC
You did that wrong, by the way. You wanted `$size = @array`, not `$#array`. And you want to call `keys()` in scalar context, like it's documented.	[reply]
Re: Answer: Size of a hash by Malkavian (Friar) on Mar 08, 2001 at 22:12 UTC
My stupid mistake. RTFM strikes again. Thanks.	[reply]
Re: How can I find the number of elements in a hash? by sot3 (Initiate) on Aug 12, 2010 at 19:47 UTC
Use this: $size = scalar keys %hash;	[reply]