# Sample Data ---- # FirstName Lastname YearBorn LastHaircutDate # I'd like to specify the above as: my $fields= " [irstName ][astname ][earBorn ][astHaircutDate ]"; my @fieldnames=qw( FirstName Lastname YearBorn LastHaircutDate); #Alternatively, allow optional TYPE specification with mixed hashrefs and strings: my @fieldnames=( 'FirstName', 'Lastname', {name=>'YearBorn',type='integer'}, {name='LastHaircutDate',type='date'});