References - Dereferencing The first layer of a nested data structure is the only level that can contain real scalar values. Our array and our hash both contained simple scalar values initially: $bar[0]; # 4; A simpler time. $baz{cat}; # Lovely, simple "str" Getting at references is simplified by using the arrow: $baz{bar}->[0]; # 4; Ah, simplicity! $baz{doit}->(); # "done". Could it be simpler?