Making Programs Faster

Pseudo-Hashes

Hashes are commonly used for objects
- Keys are member data names, values are member data

        if ($self->{TYPE} eq 'octopus') {
          $self->{tentacles} = 8;
          $self->{hearts} = 3;
          $self->{favorite_food} = 'crab cakes';
        }

But arrays are smaller and faster
Big disadvantage: Data is referred to by number instead of by name

        if ($self->[2] eq 'octopus') {
          $self->[17] = 8;
          $self->[4] = 3;
          $self->[28] = 'crab cakes';
        }