> Have you considered putting your data in a hash instead of an array? > > -- > felix
YES, I do. And so I post another thread for "Any warning if I use '03E9' like string as a key in hash." That is about the story of why I ask that. @array = ('b855=cdf2', 'a456=d5c9', 'a454=c8fd', 'a457=c9cf', 'a455=cfc2') This is some sort elements I would like to put in array, where those data is reading from a map file. So, I guess the most beginning point is on how do I handle the data. and I think about by array and hash. In case, the map file is about 10k lines long, foreach matching with 1 Big5 char. So I will think which one is the fastest method. instead of @array, I can still have $char{'b855'} = 'cdf2', something like that and handle it with 'exists'. I just don't know if there would be a problem if I start a var type handle with numeric head. My guess, something like, 'grep' or 'exists' , machine compiled function calls will be faster then a runtime loop. They's why I am look for somthing like @elemLoc = grepIndex (/pattern/, @list); Of cause, if there is none of such thing, I think I have no choice to deal with it by hash. Rgds, Connie -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]