Re: mystery re each + last

[merlyn]

From perldoc -f each:

               When the hash is entirely read, a null array is returne
+d in
               list context (which when assigned produces a false (0) 
+value),
               and "undef" in scalar context.  The next call to "each"
+ after
               that will start iterating again.  There is a single ite
+rator
               for each hash, shared by all "each", "keys", and "value
+s" func-
               tion calls in the program; it can be reset by reading a
+ll the
               elements from the hash, or by evaluating "keys HASH" or
+ "values
               HASH".

So, your problem is that you're leaving the "single iterator" in the middle of the hash, and not resetting it. You'll need to reset it before entering the next loop.

[inq123]

BTW, forgot to mention a derivative from the answer, and a complaint about this 'each' property:

1. Since there's an iterator for each hash, if I had only used 'last' in the inner while loop, then only the inner while loop cannot be re-entered.

2. Actually my script did not leave the iterator in the middle of the hash (it already read the only element in the hash before calling 'last'), it's just that 'each' can only be reset after calling 'each' ONE MORE time AFTER all elements were read. So the documentation above should be modified (because it incorrectly stated "it can be reset by reading all the elements from the hash", but my script did read all elements in the hash!).

Well, just want to be picky, after wasting much time on this error-prone iterator for 'each'. :)

[radiantmatrix]

A truly elegant and impeccably correct answer! I wish I could ++ you more than once for that one. The above is a fantastic example of how to answer factual questions: it provides the correct information, explains it briefly and in plain language, and explains how the information was found.

Bravo, sir! Bravo!

[inq123]

Interesting. Thanks! I guess the lesson is never use each and last together ('cause one'd probably forget about resetting).

[merlyn]

I rarely use each, and that's partly the reason. Generally, I call keys to fetch all the keys, sort them as needed, then fetch the corresponding values.