Thanks diotalevi, That module (actually called Array::RefElem), does appear to do exactly what I was suggesting. I'll need to pour over Perlguts Illustrated some more to convince myself completely.

I think wrapping it in a tied array will achieve exactly what I been trying for two years to get! In my defense, the name does not exactly leap off the page at me, and even the description is somewhat terse. You'd need to be fairly ohfay with XS/internals to understand it.


Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
Lingua non convalesco, consenesco et abolesco.
Rule 1 has a caveat! -- Who broke the cabal?

In reply to Re^16: Techniques On Saving Memory by BrowserUk
in thread Techniques On Saving Memory by Limbic~Region

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