If the format is more complex than what parsing with Text::Balanced will allow, another option on the path to a solution may be to investigate the Parse::RecDescent module (also by Damian Conway). As those who have used this module are aware, this module very much represents *the* way to perform complex parsing and pattern extraction - However, as with all powerful tools, there is a learning curve, particularly if you are not used to writing formal grammars.

Some useful sources of information for reference when learning to use Parse::RecDescent include Parse::RecDescent::FAQ and this article from The Perl Journal (Google cache).

Using this module I have recently been able to translate complex proprietary format files supplied from an external source into an internal format for print processing with only a few hours work by writing a formal grammar and making use of Parse::RecDescent - A process solution which has previously taken days, and in some cases weeks, for dedicated parsing code to be written, tested and deployed.

 

perl -le 'print+unpack("N",pack("B32","00000000000000000000001000111110"))'