First of all 'eval'ing an opened file is pretty risky. (Are you sure nobody else can write `rm -rf /` into that file?) If you want data, why not use Storable; to freeze and thaw your data? (Check out Object Serialization Basics for more options.)

Second, if you do want to actually run the code in the file, just do 'data.pl' or indeed require 'data.pl'.

As for memory management, check out Devel::Leak on CPAN... I've never used it but it may help. Probably others can think of a few more.

dave hj~