However I would like to return by saying that when you read the code that top Perl programmers write when it counts, people like merlyn and Tom Christiansen, that code does not take a genius to understand.

I feel that if there are not at least 3 other people at my job who could pick up and understand my code (I work at a small shop), then I am doing something wrong. That does not mean that I should not constantly strive to write better code. It means that I need to find a balance between my taking advantage of more knowledge and my having made sure that people I am mentoring understand the features I use.

I pity any C programmer who tries to maintain code where I in different sections switch from object oriented to functional to straight procedural code. (Not all at once, each in the place in the system where it fit properly.) I would not pity the person who taught me how to use those ideas, nor the two others who I personally brought up to speed on Perl.

YMMV. TIMTOWTDI because different ways fit different situations best. And definitely questions about who will have to understand it next play a valid role. (If you read through my previous responses you can see what my code looks like. I am no Randall, but make your own mind up about whether you find it legible.)