sub put_element
{
  my $current = shift || die("Need root hash reference for put_element!"); # reference to the current level
  my $value   = pop   || die("Need value to be put for put_element!");     # value to be placed in structure

  $current = $$current{shift(@_)} while (@_ > 0);
  ${$current} = $value;
  return 1;
}