I agree with the first response node. If you are trying to parse XML, and not use XML::DOM or something like it, it is probably not going to be the preferred manner. Don't be afraid of CPAN my fellow monk! using the DOM element method and just using snippets like

$node = getFirstNode();
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type stuff for traversing through a XML Doc is the closest thing we as programmers have to a protocol/standard on the dealings with XML. tradez