there are many ways to get the job done in Perl. I like this freedom as in 'free beer'
It's up to the wisdom of the coder when choice a solution or another.
In a critical application i would use some standard module about Date:: while in a oneliner maybe i would choice the simplest solution.

I never propose me as 'The teacher' as you can guess looking at my nickname, maybe i need to add a standard disclaimer in the signature? ;=)

can i cite BrowserUk as found here?

    On the basis of what I know, or at least what I think I know, I think this will help you, so here it is. It almost certainly isn't perfect, it may not even be relevant, though I believe it to be, and I am happy to offer it in case it helps, and to learn from the enevitable corrections that will come if what I believe is wrong.

I think that this attitude is most succinctly and most prevelantly summed up by the oft-used sign-off HTH. -- Hope That Helps. 

My best form of enjoy here at perlmonks is when i post something and many experienced or less monks, point me to some issue or better way to do it.

Please let all solution to have the right to exist, the wisdom is in the coder not in the code.
Cya

L*