#!/usr/bin/perl
use strict;
use warnings;

my @value;
my $col_count = 0;

while (<>) { # read from @ARGV (sample.txt sample_2.txt sample_3.txt)
    chomp;
    my (undef, @data) = split /:/;
    
    my $row_count = 0;
    
    for my $info (@data) {
        $value[$row_count++][$col_count] = $info;
    }
    ++$col_count;
}

for my $v (@value) {
    print join(" ", @$v), "\n";    
}
[download]

Line_1_1 Line_2_1 Line_3_1 Line_4_1 Line_5_1 Line_6_1 Line_7_1
Line_1_2 Line_2_2 Line_3_2 Line_4_2 Line_5_2 Line_6_2 Line_7_2
Line_1_3 Line_2_3 Line_3_3 Line_4_3 Line_6_3 Line_6_3 Line_7_3
Line_1_4 Line_2_4 Line_3_4 Line_4_4 Line_5_4 Line_6_4 Line_7_4
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Hello Christoforo,

Thanks for your time and effort to reply to my question. Well unfortunately this is not exactly what I want to do. My current solution is exactly what I want.

Sample of output using 2 dimension arrays:

$VAR1 = [
          [
            'Line_1_3',
            'Line_2_3'
          ],
          [
            'Line_3_3'
          ],
          [
            'Line_4_3',
            'Line_5_3',
            'Line_6_3',
            'Line_7_3'
          ]
        ];
[download]

Sample of array with hashes:

$VAR1 = {
          'sample.txt' => [
                            'Line_1_3',
                            'Line_2_3'
                          ],
          'sample_2.txt' => [
                              'Line_3_3'
                            ],
          'sample_3.txt' => [
                              'Line_4_3',
                              'Line_5_3',
                              'Line_6_3',
                              'Line_7_3'
                            ]
        };
[download]

The reason is that possibly the files are not the same in line (size) etc. etc. I am trying to retrieve the arrays one by one so I can play around with it.

I have found a way to print all data and also to print individual 1 by one the elements but not the arrays. I have an idea in my mind on how to solve it. I did not had the time to work on it, that is the reason that I have not updated my solution.

But thanks again for your time and effort and sorry if my sketch is not so clear.

Seeking for Perl wisdom...on the process...not there...yet!

Each file contains data, I import the data on arrays then I short them on array of arrays

I don't know what exactly you wish to do - do you mean sort?

If you want to sort them, how would your output appear?

You stated your solution is what you want.

I have found a way to print all data and also to print individual 1 by one the elements but not the arrays.

I don't know what you mean in the statement above. How do you want to print the arrays?

I suspect that what you are looking for is an array of hashes.

$VAR1 = [
    { sample.txt => [ 'Line_1_3', 'Line_2_3' ] },
];
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Hello boftx,

Well up to this point I got it, the problem is after. I am trying to print them in columns based on each array separately with spaces in between and simultaneously in case that the files have different sizes.

Ok this sounds really complicated so I will try to draw it, based on the sample files that I have posted here.

Line_1_3 Line_3_3 Line_4_3 
Line_2_3          Line_5_3
                  Line_6_3
                  Line_7_3
[download]

This is the expected printed format. Well I am trying to get access to each array elements individually after reading them from the argument input, because I want to apply mathematical calculation on array[0] and array3 for example. It dose not matter if they have same number or lines but it does matter when it comes to printing on the screen or in a file.txt etc.

This is the reason that initially solve it with 2 dimension arrays and then with array and hashes. In order to get the best possible output out of them.

Apologies if my description it is really confusing so far.

Again thanks for your time and effort to assist me with my problem.

Seeking for Perl wisdom...on the process...not there...yet!

OK, here's some code that does what you want. I've not included the part that reads the data.

#!/usr/bin/perl

use warnings;
use strict;
use List::Util qw/max/;

my $VAR1 = {
  'sample.txt' => [
    'Line_1_3long',
    'Line_2_3'
  ],
  'sample_2.txt' => [
    'Line_3_3longer'
  ],
  'sample_3.txt' => [
    'Line_4_3',
    'Line_5_3',
    'Line_6_3evenlonger',
    'Line_7_3',
  ]
};

my %maxlength = ();
foreach my $key (sort keys %$VAR1) {
  $maxlength{$key} = max map { length } @{$VAR1->{$key}};
}

my $maxelements = max map { $#$_ } values %$VAR1;

foreach my $line (0..$maxelements) {
  foreach my $key (sort keys %$VAR1) {
    if($line >= @{$VAR1->{$key}}) {
      print " " x ($maxlength{$key} + 1);
    } else {
      print $VAR1->{$key}->[$line];
      print " " x ($maxlength{$key} - length($VAR1->{$key}->[$line]) +
+ 1);
    }
  }
  print "\n";
}
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This prints:

$ perl test.pl
Line_1_3long Line_3_3longer Line_4_3
Line_2_3                    Line_5_3
                            Line_6_3evenlonger
                            Line_7_3
$
[download]

Notes:

1. If you know your pieces of data are always going to be the same length, you can leave out the %maxlength computation, and replace $maxlength{$key} by this known value.
2. You might be able to use formats (see perlform), but I have literally zero experience with them and couldn't say.

I hope this helps. My bill for an hour (rounded up) of paid consultant work's in the mail. :)

my $array_size = @array; # scalar assignement yields the size (number 
+of elements) of @array

for (my $i = 0; $i < $array_size; $i++) {
  print $array[ $i ][0], $array[ $i ][1], $array[ $i ][2]; # etc
}
[download]

Hello Anonymous Monk,

You are absolutely right it is difficult to describe what I am trying to accomplish. I had in my mind your solution and I have actually tried it on a previous attempt to solve my problem but not successfully so far.

Well I am trying to become familiar with 2 dimension arrays and hashes so I can manipulate the data in them by any possible way. This is my goal right now. Unfortunately this is the first time that I am using 2 dimension arrays and with hashes at the same time, so it takes a bit more time to understand how to use them.

I have something in my mind if it works I will post my answer in case that I might assist someone on the future.

Again I want to say thank you for your time and effort to assist me with my question.

Seeking for Perl wisdom...on the process...not there...yet!