It's possible that you're encountering the practical limits of using flat files and in-memory hashes. Perhaps its time for a database approach. With a proper (and simple) database and some redesign of how you're doing things, you would never need to hold all users in memory at the same time, and wouldn't have to worry about running out of memory, even as the user list grows.

Without seeing actual code, it's difficult to give any more specific tips, but in general, when you start running out of memory it's time to reconsider your design philosophy. Often this means taking that step into the world of databases.

The DBI module, and DBD::SQLite can help to ease the pain of such a transition.

Update: Corrected typo where DBD::SQLite was referred to as DBM::SQLite


Dave

In reply to Re: Hitting memory limit? (ActiveState Perl) by davido
in thread Hitting memory limit? (ActiveState Perl) by NYTAllergy

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