If you aren't going to go with a pre-defined format, make sure your format has strict guidelines and your programs adhere to them.

I suggest using a combination of tabs and newlines (CR or LF) to delimit certain areas.

I've used ## and \t\t\n as delimiters before. When it comes down to the wire, whatever works well (and reliably) is your best option.

You can use any kind of delimiter, just as long as the delimiter is stripped/replaced before you add it to your file, or else you'll break the format and your program.

In defense of module-driven apps, XML::* mods are worth using. But if you can't, you can't. Good luck.

John J Reiser
newrisedesigns.com